In just a few weeks, the school year will begin again across Israel. Children will fill classrooms with laughter, sharpened pencils, and backpacks slung over their shoulders. But for hundreds of children from struggling families, this hopeful moment is clouded by anxiety, uncertainty—and a painful sense of not belonging.
At Beit Hallel Congregation, we see it every year.
Families come to us—some new immigrants, others single mothers or large households barely making ends meet—and they all carry the same worry: How can I send my child to school when I can’t even afford the basics?
Israel is a nation blessed with children—three, four, sometimes five per family. And while the sounds of joy and energy fill our communities, so do the quiet struggles of those trying to provide for their little ones. For new immigrant families starting over, the cost of living can be overwhelming. Rent, food, utilities—all leave little room for school supplies. And yet, each child needs a backpack, notebooks, lunchbox, and water bottle to begin the school year with dignity.
“Israel is a country filled with children,” shares Oleg, one of our dedicated outreach leaders. “Every year, some of them are starting school for the very first time. And for many—especially olim chadashim (new immigrants)—it’s simply impossible to afford everything their kids need for school or kindergarten.”
This year, we’ve already received more than 500 requests for help from families in our community and beyond. These aren’t just names on a list—they’re real people:
- A widowed mother, trying to shield her kids from the stress of financial hardship.
- A father who works two jobs but still can’t cover the cost of supplies for his four school-age children.
- A bright-eyed seven-year-old who dreams of walking into first grade proud and prepared—just like the other kids.
Thanks to your generosity last year, hundreds of children just like these were able to walk through school gates feeling confident and cared for.
We didn’t just hand them supplies—we gave them a message: You matter. You are loved. You’re not alone.
We distributed colorful backpacks, cheerful lunch boxes, water bottles, and the notebooks and pens that many of us take for granted. But for these kids, it meant so much more. It meant belonging.
One mother, tears welling in her eyes, said:
“Thank you so much to the Beit Hallel community for these wonderful gifts. Especially in such hard times—with war around us—this is a great help.”
A father shared:
“Our children can now walk confidently into school, feeling seen, valued, and equal—because someone cared enough to give.”
$85.
That’s all it takes to sponsor a child and completely equip them for the school year. But the impact goes far beyond books and bags. You’re sowing dignity. You’re restoring hope. You’re opening a door to a better future.
This is the heart of our Back to School campaign: breaking the cycle of poverty, one child at a time, by sharing the love of God in one of the most practical, powerful ways possible.
We warmly invite you to stand with us.
Sponsor a child today. $85 can change everything.
Because when a child walks into class with their head held high, knowing someone believes in them, the future becomes a little brighter—not just for them, but for all of us.
