In just a few weeks, the school year will begin. Children will fill classrooms with laughter and backpacks slung over their shoulders. However, for hundreds of Israelis children from struggling families, this hopeful moment is clouded by anxiety, uncertainty—and a painful sense of not belonging.
Real People – Real Struggles
Israel is a nation blessed with children—three, four, sometimes five per family. Even though the sounds of joy and energy fill our communities, so do the quiet struggles of those trying to provide for their little ones. For new immigrant families starting over, the cost of living can be overwhelming. Rent, food, utilities—all leave little room for school supplies and yet, each child needs a backpack, notebooks, lunchbox, and water bottle to begin the school year with dignity.
Just this year alone, VOJI has already received over 500 requests for help from struggling Israeli families in our community and beyond. These aren’t just names on a list—they’re real people. It’s a:
- A widowed mother, trying to deal with the stress of financial hardship.
- A father who is working two jobs, but still can’t cover the cost of supplies for his four school-age children.
- A bright-eyed seven-year-old olim (immigrant), who dreams of walking intothe first year in his new country proud and prepared—just like the other kids but knows the money for supplies is not there.
Because You Cared
Last year, hundreds of children just like these were able to walk through school gates feeling confident and cared for thanks to your generosity. We were able to distribute colorful backpacks, cheerful lunch boxes, water bottles, and the notebooks and pens that many of us take for granted. The impact this program had on these lives in the community was immeasurable!
One mother, tears welling in her eyes, said:
“Thank you so much to the VOJI/ Beit Hallel community for these wonderful gifts. Especially in such hard times—with war around us—this is a great help.”
Another father shared:
“Our children can now walk confidently into school, feeling seen, valued, and equal—because someone cared enough to give.”
Sowing A Brighter Future
All it takes to relieve the worry of a child and family is $85 to completely equip them for the school year. However, the impact goes far beyond books and bags. You’re sowing dignity. You’re restoring hope. You’re opening a door to a better future. This is the heart of our Back-to-School campaign: breaking the cycle of poverty, one child at a time, by sharing the love of God in one of the most practical, powerful ways possible.
We invite you to partner with VOJI to make a tangible difference in the lives of those struggling through difficult times. Whether through the full amount of $85 or any other amount, your gifts become a lifeline to these families in need. When a child walks into class this fall with their head held high, knowing someone believes in and cares about them, the future becomes a little brighter—not just for them, but for all of us.