5 Ways to Make it a Better Summer

When school ends, the struggle begins for thousands of families across Israel.

by KR

School's almost out - and for needy families in Israel, that's really not a relief. It's the start of one of the hardest stretches of the year. The season is long and hot, and parents are left scrambling to keep their children occupied and cared for. Kaytanot (Israeli day camps) are the go-to for most families for the first few weeks of summer, inexpensive programs that are run through the schools, which most kids attend. But despite the subsidized costs, the expense is still out of reach for many families. Summer also produces increased home expenses, and bills are even harder to manage. So with the knowledge that together we can do something to help struggling parents get through these months (we operate as a leading Israeli charity thanks to your partnership!), here are five programs you can contribute to that will make a difference:

Summer Relief campaign - the most obvious, this tailor made campaign provides tzedaka to families specifically to get them through the summer. Support is provided to assist with camp fees (ensuring kids have a program to participate in), pay for utility, food and other urgent bills, and cover additional needs that arise specifically during the summer months.

Keren Almanos - this fund supports over 850 almanos who are raising their 6000+ children, alone. Each month we wire a custom assigned stipend to each almana's bank account to ease expenses for her family and nurture stability in her home. Since this is an especially hard time of the year, almanos receive an extra stipend during the summer which is a great help.

Adopt a Wedding/Kol Kallah - summer is wedding season and we certainly feel it at B'ezri with the increase of simcha requests that have come in. Sponsorships through Adopt a Wedding ease the strain for needy families who are making weddings and help them celebrate respectably, without going into debt. Kol Kallah donations give needy brides the opportunity to buy home goods and personal items at discounted prices at our partner store in preparation for their weddings so they start out with the basics.

Emergency Fund - When an unexpected crisis hits a family already living on the edge, the consequences can be severe. A sudden medical bill, an urgent home repair that can't wait, a broken refrigerator, or an unplanned expense can send a fragile budget into a tailspin with no way out. Without savings to fall back on, families have nowhere to turn. B'ezri's Emergency Fund steps in at exactly these moments - providing a one-time grant to cover the cost and prevent the situation from spiraling further. Summer brings its own brand of emergencies, and knowing that help is available makes all the difference for families navigating this difficult season.

General Fund - With years of experience and an intimate understanding of where needs are greatest across our programs, B'ezri directs these donations to the areas where they will have the greatest impact. Every contribution helps ensure that families receive support when and where they need it most.

These are just five ways to help families over the next few weeks, but thankfully we have over 15 programs that make an impact on countless lives. Each of our programs could constitute its own charity organization! As a proud recipient of Charity Navigator's 4-star rating, donors can give with confidence knowing their support is being managed responsibly and effectively. Check out additional ways to make a difference here.

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