In Their Own Words

Families assisted through our Emergency Fund

by KR

0 Comments | Thursday, October 29, 2026 under Emergency Fund

An emergency will change a family’s circumstances in a matter of seconds. A serious accident, an electicity shut off, or the loss of a home will throw a family into crisis, leaving them to figure out how to cope. They are left exposed and vulnerable, trying to figure out their next steps. Those usually include major expenses and for families already living on very limited means, there is often no savings to fall back on and no room in the budget for unexpected costs.

B’ezri’s Emergency Fund helps families in situations like these. Last year alone we assisted more than 1,500 families in crisis. Depending on the circumstances, help included food assistance to keep children fed, payment toward an overdue bill, replacement of an essential household appliance or any number of other urgent needs. 

We cannot resolve every challenge a family faces, but we can step in to alleviate strain within a difficult situation. Sometimes, meeting just one need can help a family immediately but also prevent them from falling into a worse financial crisis further down the line.

Families below have been assisted through B'ezri's Emergency Fund. These are their words. Their messages offer a glimpse into the challenges they faced, and the challenging choices they had to make.

When Essential Expenses Become Unaffordable

“My husband suffers from a mental health condition and has been unable to provide for our family for many years. Our marriage has been very difficult, but I am trying to do everything I can to keep our family together. I began emotional therapy in the hope of preventing a divorce, but I can no longer afford the sessions. I feel that continuing therapy is my only chance to save myself and my marriage. We live on my limited salary and child allowances, and I struggle to cover even our basic needs, including food.”

When a Medical Emergency Affects the Whole Family

“My husband fell from a high ladder. Initially he was in a medically induced coma and ventilated; he recently woke up, but he is completely nursing-dependent. He is in a nursing facility, and we are paying for private treatments for him to bring him back to himself.
Due to the overwhelming cost of these treatments, we do not even have money for basics in the home. The community is helping as much as it can, but the expenses are extremely high. My only income comes from the child allowance plus 3,000 NIS from renting out our apartment.”

After a Home Fire

“A few days ago, due to a short circuit in an air conditioner, a massive fire broke out in our rented home. It spread with incredible speed, consuming everything in its path. By an open miracle, we managed to rescue ourselves and our children just seconds before the house became a death trap. We stood there in the street, in the cold, helpless, staring at our home going up in flames.
Nothing was left. Everything - literally everything - turned to ash and dust. The children’s clothes, the furniture, the few valuables, the tefillin, sefarim, the family memories - that terrible night consumed it all. We left the house with only the clothes on our backs. The children are severely traumatized, crying, and terrified, and I do not even have a change of clothes for them or a warm bed to put them to sleep in.”

What the Help Meant

These real-life accounts show how quickly a frightening situation can become completely overwhelming-and sadly, they are just the tip of the iceberg. But that is exactly what the Emergency Fund is there for. Help with immediate needs that can make the days ahead more manageable and give families some room to focus on what comes next.
You read a few examples of crisis situations we've helped. Now please read some recipient reactions - again, in their own words.

“I thank you from the bottom of my heart for the warm and caring way you responded, your quick assistance, and the substantial help you gave. Receiving this support during such difficult days truly gives us so much chizuk.”

“There are no words to describe how important your support was for us. It is really not something to take for granted that you helped us this way.”

“A huge thank-you for being there for us at such a difficult time! And for the way you helped us, with dignity. May you continue to succeed in helping as many people as possible.”

Messages like these are a reminder why the Emergency Fund is so important. When a family faces a crisis, practical help at the right time can ease some of the burden and keep a hard situation from becoming worse.

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