But we are here to ensure they can observe Rosh Hashanah with dignity and joy,” Turkov said.
As the conflict continues to escalate and families remain displaced from their homes, the spirit of resilience and community shines through. While the future remains uncertain, the determination to celebrate holidays and maintain a sense of normalcy remains strong among those affected by the ongoing conflict.
It is important to ensure that everyone hears the shofar and enjoys a festive meal with all the symbolic Rosh Hashanah foods. The impact of the widening war is evident across the country, with an increased demand for aid from various nonprofits. Celebrity chef Jamie Geller is working with emergency relief organization Yad Ezra V’Shulamit to assist the “new poor” who are in need of charitable donations and food rations this holiday season.
The organization has been tasked with providing holiday food baskets for an additional 16,000 families affected by the war, bringing the total to 66,000. The CEO of Chasdei Naomi mentioned that this year’s food baskets include extra staples and holiday-specific items due to Rosh Hashanah coinciding with Shabbat, making it a three-day holiday in Israel. Foreign volunteers, primarily from the US, have also been instrumental in helping package the increased number of food parcels.
In Kiryat Bialik, Tzililm, a kindergarten assistant earning minimum wage, received holiday food vouchers from the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews. The organization expanded its aid campaign to $10 million this year, supporting not only their usual beneficiaries but also those impacted by the war, including displaced families and IDF reservists in need.
However, some individuals, like Tzililm, may find it challenging to celebrate the holiday amidst personal struggles. In Jaffa, single mother Karina Zilbersher’s Rosh Hashanah plans were disrupted when her son Liam, a soldier in the Israeli Air Defense Command, was deployed. With the threat of missile attacks, soldiers like Liam are on duty throughout the holidays, leaving families like Karina feeling frustrated and lonely.
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