When Crisis Strikes Families

We're There

by KR

0 Comments | Tuesday, June 02, 2026 under Emergency Fund

Before Everything Changed

Not every family that turns to B'ezri is "accustomed" to living with need.
Many, at one point, were managing just fine. They paid their bills, supported their children, and contributed to their communities.
Until something happened that they couldn’t have planned for.
In Moshe's case it was a medical emergency in the family.
"I am a well-known person in Jerusalem. I functioned well, managed a kollel, was raising a large family, and was the go-to person others came to when
they needed help."
The medical issue was severe, but worsened further when simultaneously, Naomi, Moshe’s wife, developed separate health challenges of her own. Their lives were suddenly and completely disrupted. What they had worked so hard to build began to collapse - and quickly.
"I experienced a financial breakdown and it wasn’t long till I reached a surreal point - now I cannot provide for my family, even for the
most basic food expenses."

The Unravel

This is how so many crises begin.
Most families who find themselves in financial distress didn’t get there overnight. More often, there is a triggering event - an illness, an accident, a sudden loss of income. The family focuses on getting through the immediate challenge, but while they're doing so, the bills continue to accumulate. What might have began as a temporary setback can quickly become frightening, as families realize they no longer know how they will cover next month's expenses or provide for their children. 
For Moshe and Naomi, debts piled up faster than they could keep up. Municipal taxes soared. Electricity was at risk of shutoff. School tuition went unpaid. And meanwhile, the weekly cost of feeding a family of ten never stopped.

Pressure at home

The impact also reached beyond the physical. This “normal” family had been thrust into an emergency and the strain was taking an emotional toll.
"My children, who were used to a good life, suddenly find themselves experiencing something they never knew - complete lack."
Of course in addition to parents who are worriedly trying to keep everyone’s heads above water, the children are impacted emotionally when quality of life dramatically changes -when necessities are postponed or unavailable altogether. They deal with embarrassment, confusion, shame, fear. And they notice as their parents are anxious or worse, arguing.
"For almost a year we have not bought them new clothes they need, they don't have money for public transportation or necessities for school. I currently receive a temporary National Insurance allowance, but it is not enough for anything."

A Situation we see too Often

Moshe and Naomi’s story is, unfortunately, not unique.
Circumstances vary but every week we receive application after application from families who've found themselves in a critical situation. Thankfully, through B'ezri's Emergency Fund, we are able to step in at these urgent moments, supporting thousands of families each year who are suddenly facing crisis and have nowhere else to turn. While we cannot resolve every challenge, we are able to provide critical support at the moments when it matters most. And we've seen how essential this help is - how immediate intervention can prevent a temporary setback from becoming a
permanent downward spiral.

Help with groceries allows parents to keep food on the table while managing medical challenges. Assistance with utilities or household expenses can prevent disconnections, penalties, collections, and mounting financial pressure. Support for children’s needs helps preserve a sense of normalcy during a period that is anything but normal.

Timing Matters

Timely intervention gives families the space they need to begin regaining their footing so they can calm the situation and maintain dignity in their home. It shields children from the full weight of a crisis they did not create or may not understand. And it gives families the chance to focus on rebuilding, rather than falling further behind.

No one should ever get "accustomed" to living with need. But for families who are at risk, it's crucial that we are there.
 

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