Feed a Child

Shortly after the 12-day war, we visited one of the high schools where Feed A Child sponsors several students. While we were there delivering birthday baskets to the front office, a young lady who had been part of the Feed A Child program for many years walked in. She had just graduated from high school a few days earlier with honors and came specifically to thank Bridges for Peace for the support she had received over the years. Her mother accompanied her, and together they expressed heartfelt gratitude for the daily hot lunches, contributions toward textbooks, a backpack at the beginning of each school year, school supplies, and the annual birthday basket. As a single mother raising her children alone, the assistance meant even more to her. Toward the end of the visit, one of our volunteers quietly spoke with the young graduate and asked if she could give her a special graduation gift a gold necklace with a Star of David, the same one the volunteer was wearing. The young woman’s eyes filled with tears as she said she would love that very much. She then asked if she could give the volunteer a hug. Tears flowed on both sides as they embraced a beautiful, emotional moment. Glory to God for sweet exchanges like this!

We love to celebrate here in Israel, especially when it gives us a chance to party with the amazing children on our Feed a Child Program! With March celebrating the feast of Purim, the deliverance of God’s people from evil, we bought lots of Purim candy baskets for the children and delivered them in costume. The children love seeing us dressed up and celebrating with them! We delivered some of the baskets after the feast too, getting the children to share what their costumes were showed so much of their joy and creativity. Some of them were very shy about what they were while others couldn't wait to tell us they were superman, or batman.

This month it was wonderful to be back in the schools following their summer vacation. Last year our school in Kiryat Ekron was able to provide Judo classes for the children on our program. Through the year we heard how much they were enjoying the sessions and how their confidence has grown noticeably. When arriving at the school we were ushered into the sports hall where all the children were waiting patiently. Soon the theme song for Rocky was echoing through the room as the children went through a 5-minute routine, demonstrating the skills they had learned. It was amazing to see children who have been so shy in the past fully engage and show off the skills they have learned. Following which we were able to distribute the school supplies needed for the next school year.  Though this was such a welcome and enjoyable experience, the visit had its weight. While we were there a siren went off in the school, thankfully it was a drill and not an attack. Speaking with the teacher she explained that they do a drill like that every single day, this way the children are not worried if it does happen but know exactly what to do and don’t get stressed. We also met two brothers who recently joined our program. Both parents were killed in the Nova festival and they now live with their grandmother.  Thank you for your support and for the way you faithfully support the children of Israel. To be here during these times is so crucial, showing up not just to celebrate new skills and growth, but also to stand with and encourage in hardship. Being a light, shining for the children, through which they feel loved and supported.

The Feed A Child team would like to share a heartfelt story of an Ethiopian boy in our program. He has grown up in a family of six with financial difficulties and has been in our program since 2021. This year he is finishing up his fourth grade in elementary school. As he received his birthday basket, he decided to write a letter to his donors. It said: “Thank you for helping me all these years and helping me with my struggles and giving me stuff to help me.” When the Feed A Child team was in the process of creating children’s profiles, his profile stood out to us among the hundreds. He wrote, “What I love most in the world are my friends... My most favorite things are playing with my friends and drawing pictures... My future dream is to have more friends…” When we read it, we felt the loneliness in this precious boy’s heart as he longed to have more friends. In his struggles in his school life, he could have textbooks like other children and eat hot lunch every day. He could participate in afterschool programs and go on field trips with his friends because of the donors’ generous love and support. We greatly appreciate all the donors from around the world for their hearts to stand with Israel, because this is why we serve - to sow the seeds of God’s love that impacts now and forever.

The Feed a Child team had a wonderful opportunity to deliver a gift and a letter from a donor to a boy in Beit Shemesh. The boy was so curious and asked us, “Why does this person (donor) know about me?” as he received the gift. The coordinator explained that through his profile, the donors learn about him. In fact, his parents got divorced, and his mom has been raising him and his siblings by herself. It was so special for him to receive a gift from someone else even from a person he does not know! He said, “Toda!” as he left the room with a big smile on his face. During recess time, we saw him holding the letter from the donor so dearly against his arm as he played with his friends. It shows how much it meant for him to receive the letter from a Christian donor who extended a hand of what he truly needed - love and care. We are so thankful to witness that the seeds of love are surely sown in the hearts of children of Israel at this time because of the generous support of Christians from all around the world.

It was such a pleasure and joy to deliver a generous gift of a laptop to an Ethiopian girl who is in the fifth grade in Beit Shemesh. A thoughtful donor couple ensured the girl would receive a decent laptop that she could use for a long time. The Feed A Child team explained to the girl the donors’ love and care for her and for her to succeed in her studies. She was excited and overwhelmed at the same time as she did not expect to receive this precious gift. In the end, she came up to us, gave us a hug, and said, “Toda (Thank you)!” with a sweet smile on her face. The school coordinator was also deeply touched by witnessing the love from the Christians. We are so thankful for all the donors who constantly show the love of God to the precious children of Israel through their generous donations. Your support is genuinely impacting the hearts of the people of Israel. The Feed A Child team would like to share a glimpse of how much children in our program get thrilled to receive birthday baskets from the donors! We deliver birthday baskets to eleven schools monthly or bimonthly depending on the situation in Israel. A boy who is in the fifth grade was longing to receive his birthday basket, so he came by the school office every day to ask when he would be able to receive one. A girl in Karmiel who is in the second grade rushed into the principal's room to ask us about her birthday basket. It was so adorable that her birthday was actually a month later, so we promised to bring one for her on our next visit (and we did!). Another girl who has been in our program for 6 years happily conveyed to us that she has a collection of the water bottles at home from Bridges. More than we can ever comprehend, every gift from the donors around the world brings much love and joy to the lives of all the precious little ones in Israel. We greatly appreciate all the donors’ hearts and generosity.  

This month was very special as the Feed A Child team had an opportunity to go to one school where we only had a single greeting card from a donor to deliver to a girl. We patiently waited as the school staff called her out of her classroom, unsure of what her reaction might be. When the girl received the card, she couldn't fathom why someone would send her a card out of the blue. She kept questioning the coordinator, “What is this gift for? For what?” The girl couldn't comprehend why she was receiving a card without any apparent reason. The coordinator gently reassured her, explaining that the card was a demonstration of care from someone who wanted her to know she mattered.  What made the moment truly touching was the content of the card itself. It was personalized, mentioning the girl's enjoyment of gym class and the need to keep on working on her Torah (Gen.–Deut.) studies. The girl was astonished. How could someone know these details about her? The coordinator reminded her that she wrote it in her profile that was sent to the donor, who genuinely cares and remembers the girl’s interests and struggles.  She knew that the gesture wasn't tied to a birthday or special occasion. It was a simple, yet a profound act of kindness and love of the donor, who showed her that someone out there cared enough to reach out and make her feel special.

This month, the Feed A Child team had an amazing opportunity to deliver a Newborn Basket to one of the coordinators in a Beit Shemesh school. As we visited the school to deliver the birthday baskets, the coordinator shared her story of how much she was struggling and also her great joy when her daughter gave birth to a baby boy a few days before! As we witnessed the sadness and joy, as Christians we wanted to celebrate a new life, bring joy and show her extra love and care. So, we planned to visit her the following week since we were already scheduled to be in the same area. The moment came when we stopped at the school and surprised her with a visit. She was so amazed to see us and to receive the Newborn Basket for her grandchild. After she received the basket, she started to look at all the items we had included—from the stuffed animal to the baby clothes—with such a gentle smile. She told us, “You guys touched me deeply. Last week when you came, you listened to what I was saying and showed sensitivity and care. I did not expect it. You guys are above and beyond. Thank you so, so much.” We told her that all the items in the basket are from Christians in Canada and around the world. We see her every month, but this special gift made it personal for her and showed her that she is also cared for by the Christians around the world. We really appreciate all the donors who make it possible to show extra love and care for the people in Israel, the ones the Lord dearly loves!

It is such a joyful moment to share some of the heartfelt Thank You letters from the children to the donors to show their appreciation throughout the year. Each card specifically shows how much donation impacted them, and also how much love, hope, and peace they received from the Christians around the world through the Feed A Child program. Some of these children are from single parent homes or from rough family situations. As the child in the family receives the support, the whole family sees and experiences the love from the Christians first hand. We are so thankful for all the donors around the world who have committed to show God’s love and support to really change the narratives about Christianity and contribute for the lasting impact for the future of Israel.

On one of the Feed a Child (FAC) team’s regular school visits, a coordinator came to us with a special request. During the last weeks of school and into the summer, the children are provided the opportunity to participate in swimming lessons. This is a key life skill and has the potential to save a child’s life. The school asks the parents to contribute part of the costs as their budget doesn't quite cover the full amount.  The coordinator shared the story of one of the children on our FAC program, a boy called Haki. His mother is a single mom, raising two boys, and she is in a very difficult season of life. While the teachers know the family is struggling, the coordinator shared with fondness and even some admiration she felt for the mother’s spirit. She shared that Haki always comes to school in clean, pressed clothes, is well mannered and hardworking. His mother is always trying to work to provide for her family. She doesn’t expect any handouts and is continuously working to improve their situation. However, she was not able to afford the lesson costs. Furthermore, Haki not have a swimsuit or anything he would need for the lessons.  At that moment we committed to pay for his swimsuit, towel, goggles, swim bag, and sandals for the poolside—everything he would need to take part in the lessons. We partnered in this with Keren Shemesh who provided the finances needed for his lessons. In addition to the items needed for swimming, Bridges for Peace also provided a NIS 350 (USD $100) gift card for a local grocery store along with several bags of food from our foodbank to help the family with their grocery needs.  Happily Haki is now able to participate in the swimming lessons with his peers. This has allowed him to have the same opportunities as his classmates and friends and also to learn a life skill in the process.

During our deliveries this month, the Feed a Child (FAC) team visited a school to give out birthday baskets, special gifts and celebrate Independence Day by enjoying falafels with the children. As we arrived, a team member noticed a girl sitting alone, unlike the other children who were eagerly socializing. Recognizing the importance of building relationships and connections, especially in such environments, the team member decided to sit next to the girl. Despite the language barrier, as the children primarily spoke Hebrew, the team member made an effort to communicate, valuing any form of connection. To her surprise, the girl responded in English, which immediately bridged the gap and allowed for a meaningful conversation. The girl shared that she was new to the school and hadn’t made friends yet. She also opened up about her family, mentioning that her grandmother was a witch. This conversation was significant as it not only provided the girl with a sense of companionship but also gave the team deeper insight into her life and background. After the delivery, the team gathered in the van and prayed together, asking the Lord to bless the girl and her family, now having a better understanding of her background and the challenges she faced. This encounter underscored the FAC team's commitment to building genuine relationships and connections with the people they serve. Our team journeyed to Beit Shemesh to renovate a school kitchen for our Feed a Child program. With walls covered by mold and floors flooded, the task seemed daunting. But through perseverance and a heart to make a difference in these children’s lives, we transformed the space and added completely new appliances! Now, these children have a fresh, inviting space to enjoy their meals that are made possible by donors' generosity.

On Tu BiShvat, New Year for Trees celebrated on the 15th day of the month of Shevat, the Feed a Child Team had the opportunity to bring joy and love to children in a meaningful way. While we couldn't plant trees outdoors due to the weather, we made the most of our time indoors by delivering birthday baskets and special gifts as well as engaging in various activities with the children. We connected with the children by planting seedlings together, participating in classroom activities and sharing our love for Israel. We made sure they knew they weren't alone, that people from all over the world stood with them. During their morning break, we danced and sang with the children, filling the room with joy. Witnessing their happiness was incredibly moving, especially knowing that many of them had family members serving in the IDF. One touching moment occurred when a teacher became emotional, expressing gratitude for seeing the children so happy despite their difficult circumstances. She described the moment as, “The children were experiencing an unreserved joy.” It reminded us of the importance of bringing light and positivity into the lives of others, especially during difficult times.

  This month, the Feed a Child Team delivered birthday baskets and gifts from the donors to our school in Karmiel. By the time we arrived, it was close to lunch time. The principal greeted us and talked to us for a short while about how the program was going in their school. She was especially excited to share about the hot lunches they were able to provide to the children. An announcement went out that lunch was ready for the children on our program. All of a sudden, children came running downstairs to get to the front of the line for their food, racing each other with smiles and shouts of anticipation. They were thrilled and smiling because it was schnitzel (fried chicken fillet) day. The principal told us it was their favorite lunch of the week! They were eating so quickly and kept coming back for more, so the principal had to tell them to sit down and wait until everybody else got their own food first. It was so good to be there and witness the impact food purchased by the donors and sponsors made. Another exciting part of this delivery was that we got to see the therapy dogs that visit classes several times a week. Children get to spend a class session playing games, hiding treats and interacting with these dogs. It helps the children by bringing comfort and having a positive impact on their emotional wellbeing. There was one last thing that made this delivery so special. There were three children there who are not on our program yet, however, we are working with the school to make that happen. We were told by the principal that these children were in difficult situations and just needed some love and encouragement. Using non-pledge donations, we were able to give them all a birthday basket. We were so thankful to deliver love and comfort to children in this difficult time, all thanks to our donors from around the world.

This month, we (the Feed a Child department) have a very special story to share, one full of hope. A teacher at one of our Beit Shemesh schools reached out as one of the children in her class and on our program was really having a difficult time. His parents were recently divorced and he is also diabetic. With the tension between his parents, he was not receiving the level of care needed, both with regards to the food needed to manage his diabetes or the appropriate clothes for the season. The teacher had noticed this because the boy was arriving at school looked neglected and did not have a coat or warm clothes, even on days when it was raining. She commented that one day he arrived soaked through and shivered through his first class of the day until he dried off enough to be able to warm up. Using our non-pledge donations, we were able to provide a large sum of money via gift cards, which the teacher then used to go with the student and buy clothes that are appropriate for the weather and fit him properly. With the love of those who give, trusting that their finances will get used where it is most needed in the lives of these precious children, we were able to make a significant difference in this boy’s life. He will always remember the day he got a brand new coat to keep him warm and dry, new shoes to walk, run, and play in, and clothes that help him fit in and engage with his peers.

This month, the Feed a Child team went on our regular deliveries. As usual, we delivered birthday baskets and special gifts to the children. When we arrived, the principal of the school invited us into his office. He shared about the students and how some are really being impacted in a negative way due to the war. We gave the envelopes with the special gifts to the teacher that was sitting with us in the office. The teacher looked amazed and showed the envelope to the principal. He was just as astonished. They both recognized the name instantly. We didn’t know why they were so surprised. When asked, the principal explained that this specific student was having a difficult time at home. The student has seven siblings and has high functioning autism. He was about to commit suicide, but they caught him just in time. This is where we as Bridges for Peace were able to come in and show that he is not forgotten. Through the gifts and support of donors, we could convey to the students that they are seen and important. The teacher especially expressed this, saying that with many of the students he supports, just knowing they were thought of makes the biggest difference in their lives.   

With the current situation of the war, our Feed a Child Department has been unable to visit the children in the school as we usually do. The majority of the children were not in attendance due to a lack of sufficient bomb shelter space. However, this does not mean we lost touch during this season. We continued working with our amazing coordinators to identify the children with the most urgent needs. They would send us the child’s name and school and we would load up our vehicles to deliver food bags and gift cards. This way, they would have some extra food in the house and feel cared for and thought of, that they are not forgotten. We also received a request for a student who had a serious need for school supplies. The student didn’t have pens, pencils, notepads or anything he needed to continue his studies from home. His parents had to use the little money they had to buy food and pay for the other aspects of his schooling. We decided to take him a pencil case full of the different items he needed as well as a gift card for a stationery store to purchase any additional items he needs now or later in the school year. While visiting a different school, we mentioned to the coordinator that we would be visiting that student next, and she suddenly brought out a stack of extra notebooks she had and told us to take them with us. It was such a blessing to witness the way people in this nation are always so willing to love and assist those who need it. Thanks to the donations from around the world, we are able to be a light during this dark time, meeting the needs of the children when they need it, but especially now. Thanks to those donations, we are able to show these children that Christians not only stayed when the nation went to war, but actively continued to bless and love them through it all. This is something they will never forget.

  As we continue in this special season of backpack and school supply deliveries, our Feed a Child department was blessed to coordinate and attend a giveaway in our school based in Karmiel. On the way to the school that morning, the team stopped to purchase popsicles to give to the children, who all enjoyed them greatly. After that, the school’s Physical Education teacher had organized some games for the children to play with the Feed a Child team. When those games started, you could see the excitement start to build, basket balls flying everywhere, a parachute flapping as children ran beneath it squealing with joy, boys taking penalty kicks at a goal. This joy became infectious, with even many of the parents joining in the fun! Following this, the team began distributing 80 backpacks. It was such a blessing to see the children line up before choosing just the right one for this school year. The color, size and pockets had to be just right, and each child left smiling with anticipation at using their brand new backpack for the year. Many of them thanked us and posed for a picture. It is truly such a special thing to know that as each of these children are carrying their school books and other items, they are constantly being reminded that Christians from around the world are the reason, and of the special joy-filled day on which they received their brand new school backpack.

The BFP team had so much fun this season because we got to deliver backpacks and school supplies to each child whom we are supporting. Our Feed A Child team puts so much consideration and discussion into selecting what kind of backpacks that children would love to have so they can be like the other students in their school. This is what happened when we delivered backpacks to a junior high school in Beit Shemesh. A girl came into the room where we had various kinds of backpacks arranged on the table. As she saw it all, she gasped with surprise and excitement. We told her, “This is for you. You can choose whatever you want.” She smiled so brightly and got so excited. She was able to choose her favorite backpack just as if she was shopping in a public store. She was so thankful that she could receive it because of the donors from all over the world. She kept saying, “Thank you. Thank you.” It is such a big deal for teenagers to have a backpack and other school supplies like other students in their class. Through the support from Christian donors, children who do not have the same opportunities as others can be equal to other students, at least in the type of backpack they carry. It truly makes them feel loved and gives them confidence and motivation to study for the future.

We have been handing out packages from donors over the years. We see the delight that it brings to kids' faces when they see that someone from around the world loves them enough to send a note, a card, or a small gift. When we were at a school in Beit Shemesh to hand out backpacks for next school year, it wasn’t the joy over the backpacks that caught my attention.  There was one little girl named Shiran who had a birthday. Her sponsor from Japan had sent a birthday card and a small gift. When Shiran saw she was getting something special, she asked, “Am I the only one receiving a gift like this?” When we told her yes, because her sponsor had specifically sent something special for her, she lit up.  These students often have single parents who work multiple jobs just trying to make ends meet. They don’t receive the attention and love at home that other kids often do. Connecting with a sponsored child can mean the world to them. The backpack Shiran received was there because of her sponsor's donations. The backpack Shiran received that day was nicer and more expensive than the birthday card and small gift sent by her sponsor, but the individual love that was sent with that birthday card and gift probably ended up making a bigger difference in Shiran’s life. You can see Shiran’s excitement below as she is told about her donor sending this for her.

We serve a lot of at-risk students with our Feed A Child Program. These students, due to their home life, are often at risk for dropping out of school or getting into trouble at school. At one of the elementary schools we support, our 30 students gather for an afterschool program. These students come to a special classroom after school where they are provided with their hot lunch, and a tutor is there to help them with homework and give them the support they need to succeed in school. They also do fun activities with the students. This afterschool program helps kids stay out of trouble after school hours as their parents are often not home because they are working to try to make ends meet. One of our students in this program is a young at-risk boy named Mayan. He recently has been skipping out early and not participating in the extra support offered. However, his donor in the USA has been sending correspondence every month and is now a motivating factor for him to attend. He knows he won’t receive it if he doesn’t come to the program. Knowing that there are people around the world who care for them, support them, and want them to succeed can make a big difference for these at-risk kids. 

  Talia is a 5th grader on the Feed A Child program. She is one of 5 children being raised by her single mother.  Just before the holiday of Passover, their oven broke.  The mother didn’t know what to do. As soon as we found out about it, we were able to get them a new oven and in time for all the holiday preparations. The family was so grateful. They sent us a letter saying, “we wanted to thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your help and contribution, and the good will to help and assist.  We really appreciate it so much and thank you and bless you with all the blessings of health, joy, peace, contentment, good livelihood, and true happiness in your heart and soul. May all the wishes of your heart be fulfilled for good and blessing. In whatever you do, may you be successful.  Thank you!” -Talia’s Family Above is a photo of Talia receiving her backpack at the beginning of the year.  

Yosef's life is not easy. He studies in a special education class at a religious high school, as he has been diagnosed with high functioning autism.  Yosef is one of seven brothers. His mom came to Israel from Ethiopia when she was seven years old, and the family struggles financially due to unemployment. Yosef has been on the Feed a Child program for several years, which means he has received food at school and financial support for his education. Last month his teachers noticed that he was wearing old clothing that he was growing out of. His clothes didn't fit him properly, but he didn't have a choice as his parents couldn't afford to buy him new clothing. As soon as Bridges for Peace learned about the situation, we wanted to help. We gave the teacher's assistant in his class the money to take him shopping. Yosef was able to buy new clothes of his choosing and know that he is supported and loved by Christians.

Yaniv was on our Feed a Child program for many years. His mother had an illness that prevented her from working, while his father tried to make ends meet by working in a factory. Yaniv was one of 6 children in the family and his parents could not afford to pay the school fees. His teacher remembered that he came to school with no food. Bridges for Peace sponsored him, to make sure he had lunch at school and that his education costs were covered. He worked very hard in school, as he also wanted to help his family financially since they were struggling so much.  There was a special program at Yaniv’s school to train students as technicians before going to the air force. Because of this training, they can work in the field with specialized skills and then have a career as soon as they get out of the IDF. This program continued for two years past the normal graduation. It was very much like a junior college that took place right in his high school. Yaniv graduated from 12th grade with honors and wanted to continue in this program, but he could not do it without BFP’s help.  It was a special case, but Bridges for Peace continued to support Yaniv through this program, to help him gain the skills that would help him with his career. He is now practicing his trade while serving in the air force, after completing his special program with honors.  Yaniv and his family are so grateful for the help of Bridges for Peace.  Yaniv was motivated to work hard to improve his family’s financial situation, and will be able to do so due to the assistance he received from Bridges for Peace. 

Noam is one of 8 children. His family struggles to get by. His home life is very unstable and moving up to high school has been tough for him. It’s a big change, and with so much instability at home, any change is difficult.  Thankfully, when Noam graduated from the elementary school where he was on our program, he moved to a high school that Bridges for Peace also partners with.  Bridges actually works with 8 schools in Beit Shemesh, where Noam lives, so many students can receive support from the time they are identified as needing help in elementary school, until they graduate from high school.  Noam can count on Bridges for Peace to continue to help cover his education. He knows that there are Christians around the world who care for him and encourage him.  He can depend on us to cover his education expenses and make sure he gets a hot meal every day at school, even if his fridge at home is empty. 

Shmuel is a 4th grade boy on our program. His family has struggled financially, as they have seven people living in their home. The family is from Ethiopia and would not feel right about reaching out to ask for help, although they are incredibly grateful for the support they receive from Bridges for Peace. Last week however, his teacher noticed that his only pair of sneakers were torn. The next day he was still wearing the torn shoes, and again the following day. She realized his family must not be able to afford a new pair for him. Knowing that there are Christians from around the world who want to help with things exactly like that, she let us know. That same day we were able to provide Shmuel with a new pair of shoes.  It’s a small cost to save a young boy from shame and embarrassment at such an impressionable age.

Dear Bridges for Peace,   We would like to take the opportunity and thank you for your contribution for our children. Your contribution is like a breath of air. It fills our children with happiness and joy during important milestones such as birthdays, holidays, Bar/Bat-Mitzvahs and more. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for all you do  Linda Levi, Acting Principal at Levine School Patrick and Ken recently attended a graduation ceremony at the Levine School in Beit Shemesh. Levine School is closing and a new school is opening at the same location, so this was the final graduation at Levine School.   Pictured is one of the teachers who worked with Bridges for Peace and helped the few remaining students as they finished their final year at Levine. The mayor of Beit Shemesh spoke, as well as the head of the city department of education. It was a bittersweet moment as so many students have gone through the doors of Levine School over the years and many Bridges for Peace groups have helped with various beautification projects there.  

On November 11 we went to make our scheduled delivery to HaDekel school in Karmiel, Israel.  We went to bring baskets of gifts with us for the children on the Feed a Child program who had a birthday in November and December.  When we arrived, and had just stepped foot inside the school, we heard a siren go off alerting everyone to get to the bottom floor of the school to the bomb shelter.  We hurried down the 2 flights of stairs alongside all of the teachers and first through third grade children who were at school at that time.  Some of the children were crying and some were falling down the stairs as they were rushing so fast and full of fear at the same time.  When we got to the bomb shelter some of us tried to comfort children who were crying because there weren't enough teachers to help all the children who were upset.  After 30 minutes, and 2 barrages of rockets sent into the town, we could finally go upstairs again. It was the first time Grades 1-3 (who were assigned that particular day of the week) had to run to the bomb shelter during school hours. The principal gave the children time to call their parents and settle down a bit before bringing all the kids in the Feed-A-Child program up for their lunch paid for by sponsors of Bridges for Peace.  When they came for lunch we were able to give the birthday baskets to the children who had their birthday in November & December. They were smiling and grateful despite the trauma of recent events.  After we said our goodbyes and left the school to leave Karmiel and head towards Jerusalem, we only got 1 block away from HaDekel school when we saw a crowd gathered underneath a nearby apartment building.  There were many emergency vehicles and the building was protected by yellow emergency tape. We looked up at the top of the apartment building and saw the remains of one of the missiles that had just been fired at the city of Karmiel! We knew God was protecting us, the children and the city and we were all grateful and in awe. Gifts from sponsor to her kids on the FAC program At the end of November, a couple of us had the privilege to shop for gifts for some kids on the Feed a Child program.  Normally their sponsor comes to Israel and buys gifts for them herself, but due to the war she wasn't able to come so she asked if we could buy them for her.  We had so much fun shopping, wrapping and preparing the gifts for the kids! The following week we bought some sufganiyot (the donuts made in Israel during the Hanukkah season) & took the gifts along with us also, heading to the school where the kids were.  The school was in Kiryat Ekron and one the Feed A Child program sponsors with daily hot lunches.  When we arrived the coordinator called the kids out we had brought gifts for.  We took them to another room so the other kids wouldn't be jealous that they weren't getting gifts also. What a delight to see the children open the gifts, their eyes shining and their faces beaming.  Later we handed out the sufganiyot to the joyous shouts of the other kids on the Feed A Child program.

Dear Bridges for Peace, I have needed to write you this letter for a while. I have been an elementary and then a junior high/high school teacher for the last 11 years. I have seen the volunteer groups that have come to my school to work with the students. I have seen the gift packages on the students’ birthdays. I have seen the food packages and food coupons on the Jewish holidays. I have seen the food provided at lunch and dinner times during the teaching sessions to help them succeed in school and not drop out. I have seen the smiles on their faces when they get a letter or a card from their sponsors. I have seen them say with pride to another student, “I am a Bridges for Peace student. I have someone out there who cares for me and helps me so I can stay in school.” Bridges for Peace, you do amazing work. Your dedication to the students is commendable. They see that someone is looking out for them and helping to ensure their success in their schoolwork and ultimately in their life. They feel privileged to have the opportunity to be anything and the opportunity to achieve more than their parents did. They know it is because you believe in them and desire to help them achieve something that most of their family cannot do without help. An education and a Bagrut (matriculation) certificate means that they can go to university and strive for success in their choice of profession and their life. Bridges for Peace, Yasher Koach! Good job! Thanks for being there for our students. Pearl Peller English Teacher and Coordinator

My name is Miki. I live in Beit Shemesh and I am in the 12th grade. I have overcome many difficulties in my life such as knee problems that have caused me much pain over the years. I recently recovered from COVID-19, although I am in much danger because I have only one lung, so I am in a high-risk group. I also have a rare eye disorder that makes my eyes tired all the time and affects me every day. In my free time, I like to make animations, to be with the people I love, and I am really good at English. I am very appreciative of the help that Bridges for Peace gives me because I do not have many people who have been there for me when I needed them. Bridges for Peace surely is one. Thank you!

As part of my job, I meet so many families in need, and the one thing I have learned is the importance of hope. No matter how bad things get, they must continue to have hope for a better future. It is what keeps them going from day to day. Bridges for Peace provides that hope. The appreciation I see when we give out gift baskets or food packages before a holiday always lifts my heart. When they receive a special gift or even just a letter, the excitement in their eyes is so extraordinary. When they realize that they are not alone and that someone truly cares about them, the look on their face always fills me with hope. Too many children these days have to grow up too fast. When a child cannot concentrate on his studies because he worries about how his parents will pay the rent this month and if he will even have a place to live, homework looks trivial by comparison. When a child comes to school hungry and has no idea where his next meal is coming from, how can we expect him to concentrate in class? Giving these children security and peace of mind, knowing that they will receive their books on time with everyone else, and having a hot, nutritious lunch makes all the difference in the world. That is what Bridges for Peace gives them, security and peace of mind. The hope that tomorrow will be better and the knowledge that someone somewhere is thinking of them. Thank you, Bridges for Peace! Sharona Catane, Projects Manager