August 4, 2006 - Relocation to Alonei Habashan
August 04, 2006
View Slideshow of Relocated Guests at Alonei HaBashan
Shalom,
On Monday, July 24, I wrote about a grassroots relocation project my brother, Israel, has started. So far he has helped hundreds of people find temporary relocation in his Moshav, Alonei HaBashan, and in Keshet, a neighboring moshav. (Both are Mizrachi communities in the Golan.) Alonei HaBashan is in a quiet area but within a 40 minute drive to Kiryat Shmona so families whose members work in the emergency and social services can commute to work knowing their families are safe.
The project started two weeks ago with 80 people per night. That Shabbat he had 120 people, during the week he had 150 and this Shabbat it looks like he will have close to 170 relocated people. The people are staying in guest houses, B&Bs and yeshiva dorms. They are given two meals a day.
His "guests" are from Kiryat Shemona and moshavim in the north. He also has guests from kibbutzim and even ulpanim.
Till now he has been financing this operation with his own money, some of my money and donations from friends and aquaintances. But we are already $11,200 in the hole!
Because of the urgency we have not been waiting for the actual donations to arrive. We have been booking lodgings and food for the "guests" based on pledges.
No one involved is taking any money for their work in this project. We don't have professional charity collectors or any staff. All calls, correspondences, gas...everything is paid from our pockets without any desire to be reimbursed. We only ask for donations that will pay for the lodging and food of those being relocated. 100% of the money goes for these 2 items.
All checks can be made out to :
Central Fund for Israel, Attn: Merkaz Torani Alonei HaBashan
Please mail cheques to:
Alvin Perelman
21325 N. 82nd ST.
Scottsdale, AZ 85255
We can offer tax deductable forms via Central Fund for Israel.
We appreciate any help you can give us.
Shabbat shalom,
Israel and Jeff
View Slideshow of Kiryat Shemona Bomb Shelter
View Slideshow of Relocated Guests at Alonei HaBashan
Update from Alonei HaBashan:
I would like to give you an update on our activities here in the Alonei Habashan relocation project. We can see the fruits of our work every day.
This Shabbat and during the coming week we are proud with your help to be hosting
* 36 senior sisters from Moshav Dovev
* 125 citizens from Kiryat Shmona
* 5 citizens from Acre
* 2 senior citizens from Nahariya (over age 80)
* 2 citizens from Kfar Yovel
* 3 citizens from Rosh Pinna
* 3 citizens from Safed
2 days ago we thought that everything was quieting down here in the north. However there have been intensive rocket attacks in the last 2 days and we have been asked to take in 50 people by special request from the emergency office of the municipality. We are in daily contact with the emergency center for the north and receive requests from them to take in families on a daily basis, often these are families who have suffered from direct katusha attacks. When this is the case we send a taxi or a member of the moshav to go directly to the area and bring them here. These people are really in a dilemma. On the one hand they want to stay near their homes and see this in some ways as their duty, but on the other hand it is very hard to cope with the stress and trauma of 200 and more katusha every day.
Apart from the quiet peaceful surroundings, the lodging, meals, activities for the children, and laundry services we supply, unfortunately we have to give the families initial help with coping with the trauma they have gone through. Here in Alonei HaBashan we receive thanks from the people on an almost hourly basis and we want to share this with you.
Thank you so much for helping make this project possible.
Shabbat shalom
Benay Katz is an Israeli who made aliyah from Milwaukee, Wisconsin 31 years ago, and co-authored the book, Waiting for Peace - How Israelis Live with Terrorism with Liza Wiemer. Jeff Katz is an Israeli who made aliyah from Toronto, Canada 34 years ago. He is a licensed tour guide and a civil engineer. Jeff and Benay lives in the hilltop community of Timrat overlooking the Jezreel Valley. They have five children.
Benay and Jeff have agreed to write of their experiences during these trying times, as Benay says, "I know it's important for your constituents to know what is happening and I know your constituents support and love Israel. I'm sure many of them have family and friends here too."
