You choose.
Personal stories are brought to us by social services professionals around Israel. The names of all applicants are changed to protect individual privacy. The names of the verifying social worker and agencies are real. Photographs are illustrative only.
Hannah, 30, and Leon, 35, certainly have their hands full. Leon had a complicated upbringing. He immigrated to Israel from Eastern Europe as a child. His parents were divorced, and his mother remained behind. Once in Israel with his father, Leon floated between boarding schools. It wasn’t an easy childhood....
Hadar, 40, and Liran, 43, have four children (ages 5-18) and are struggling to make ends meet. Hadar works as a kindergarten assistant, and Liran is currently unemployed. They have heavy debts to repay and were recently forced to declare personal bankruptcy. As they try to sort out their financial...
Sigal, 45, is going through a very difficult time. She and her husband had eight children together and, two years ago, they divorced. Today, Sigal is raising their children (ages 4-24) single-handedly. Six of them still live at home with her; two are currently serving in the IDF. Sigal’s ex-husband...
Nurit, 39, and Mordy, 40, are in dire financial straits and need our help. Nurit works as a kindergarten assistant. Mordy was employed full-time until a work accident left him with a chronic back injury. He underwent surgery but hasn’t been able to return to work. His unemployment benefits have...
For the past two years, nine-year-old Dekel has been dealing with his parents/ difficult divorce. He has experienced a deterioration in his concentration at school and anxiety regarding social interactions. As a result, he has been displaying physical violence towards those in his immediate surroundings. Dekel is being seen by...
Nomi’s story is sad. At 65, Nomi is divorced and living with her 35-year-old son, Benny, in a government-subsidized apartment. Benny has psychological issues that prevent him from working, and Nomi supports him financially. She herself suffers from various physical ailments thereby limiting her ability to work as well. Her...
Chaim, 48, had a very difficult and unstable childhood. He moved from boarding school to boarding school and was exposed to drugs at a very young age. Eventually, Chaim became a drug addict and spent a sum total of 25 years in prison. He would use drugs, get arrested, do...
Sarit, 45, and Leon, 51, are going through a very rough time. Leon worked steadily as a truck driver for many years. A former drug addict, Leon eventually lost his license and, therefore, his job as well. During his years of unemployment, the family fell deeply into debt. Sarit worked...
Sivan, 35, is raising three young children (ages 3-8) on her own. All three have been diagnosed with developmental delays and are in special needs programs. Sivan herself had a difficult childhood. She regularly witnessed violence between her parents and was eventually sent to boarding school. Both of her parents...
Yochi, 27, is going through a very difficult time. She and her husband, Rafi, got married three years ago. They had two children, now ages 1.5 and 6 months. Both Yochi and Rafi worked outside of the home. Last year, Rafi was arrested and had to serve prison time. When...
Alon, 41, is struggling to make ends meet. Alon and his ex-wife have two children. Since the divorce, both of the kids have lived with their mother. Recently, however, Liran, 13, moved in with Alon. It hasn’t been a simple adjustment. Ten years ago, Alon’s independent food business shut down....
Neta, 34, and Aryeh, 37, are doing their very best to support their family. Each of them works outside of the home – Neta as an emotional therapist and Aryeh as an aide at a rehabilitation center for children. Despite their hard work, they struggle to meet the daily needs...
Recently Funded Personal Stories
Hadas, 22, and Daniel, 24, are a struggling young couple who are trying their hardest to build a brighter future. Both Hadas and Daniel grew up in ultra-Orthodox homes with many siblings. Upon finishing high school, Daniel completed his full army service in a combat unit. After they got married,...
Leora, 50, and Tzion, 57, haven’t had it easy. Tzion was raised in a series of foster homes, as his mother was incapable of caring for him. He graduated high school and completed his full army service. Leora had a relatively normal childhood, graduated high school, and got a degree...
Chaim, 33, is divorced and raising his 13-year-old son, Tal, on his own. Chaim’s ex-wife is an alcoholic and cannot be involved in Tal’s care. Unfortunately, Chaim and Tal’s relationship is a volatile one. Tal was sent to a number of boarding schools over the years, but now lives at...
Anat, 34, is divorced and raising two young children, ages 3 and 6, on her own. Anat, whose own parents divorced when she was 8 years old, completed 12 years of schooling and her full army service, doing an additional year as an officer. Seven years ago, she married Eli,...
Shani, 33, and Gidon, 36, are going through a rough time. The couple is raising three young children, ages 4-10, on a very tight budget. Shani doesn’t work outside of the home; Gidon has an independent business as a graphic designer but since the Corona crisis hit, business has been...
Anat, 35, is going through a very rough time. Divorced, Anat is raising two young children (ages 8 and 9) on her own. Anat has been diagnosed with PTSD and suffers from psychological difficulties, including depression and anxiety. She is being treated as an out-patient at a psychiatric center. Anat...
Avi, 25, is an impressive young man. Avi grew up with nine siblings in an ultra-Orthodox home. The family’s financial situation is rather dire; his father learns in a yeshiva and his mother is a substitute kindergarten teacher. From a very young age, Avi didn’t connect to his parents religious...
Talya, 22, and Adam, 27, are certainly doing their best to stand on their own two feet. Both Talya and Adam come from complicated homes and have no family support. Adam is currently taking a course in automotive electronics through social services. He currently has no income but hopes to...