Unfortunately, it is becoming increasingly evident that the COVID-19 epidemic poses a serious risk to Israel’s Ultra-Orthodox communities, with disproportionately higher infection and death rates coupled with severe economic hardship among these impoverished communities. The spread of coronavirus has deeply affected densely-populated Ultra-Orthodox areas where social distancing rules have been difficult to enforce within large families and exceptionally close-knit communities. As a result, the Israeli government has decided to restrict movement in and out of these areas and evacuate those who are ill or vulnerable.
The team of Hands of Mercy and Shepherd of Israel together with Simeon’s Cry Ministries have been active in reaching out to these communities in crisis through the distribution of emergency food packages among Ultra-Orthodox communities in Bnei Brak and Jerusalem. We give glory to G-D that we were able to distribute food parcels to 63 needy families in Bnei Brak, and parcels of food and adult diapers to members of impoverished Ultra-Orthodox communities in Jerusalem. We were also able to provide community members with Passover food parcels to bless the soldiers and security personnel stationed in Bnei Brak as a gesture of unity and solidarity ahead of the Passover holiday! Since the end of the Passover holiday, we have carried on this vital ministry to both members of Ultra-Orthodox communities and the security personnel stationed in their areas.
Unfortunately, it was reported to us that an elderly man who was living alone in Bnei Brak and complained about being hungry two days prior but failed to receive assistance, passed away alone and hungry during the Passover weekend. We were horrified to hear about this tragedy. G-D has stirred our hearts to make an appeal to the inhabitants of Bnei Brak to report to us any similar cases so that we could provide vulnerable people with emergency food in a timely manner. We are now collecting requests for assistance from community members through a special phone number. We are also collecting data on how many elderly people were evacuated or taken care of by other charities in order to carefully assess the needs of the community and minimize the chances of elderly or vulnerable people being left uncared for.
It costs 50 USD per week to support each elderly or vulnerable person living alone with essential food items that are easy to prepare at home. Please prayerfully consider participating in this special appeal. Also, please consider sharing this appeal among your friends, relatives or church members.
Thank you so much for your heart to bless the “lost sheep of Israel”!
Forever grateful,
Yariv Goldman on behalf of the Hands of Mercy / Shepherd of Israel team
