Making a Difference with Yad L'Olim

I am privileged to have been asked to be an Ambassador for Yad L’Olim, an organization with which I have been involved for the last few years. Established in June 2021 by former Knesset member Rabbi Dov Lipman, Yad L’Olim has assisted more than 35,000 Olim from 40 countries and continues to represent the Olim community in the Knesset.

From Personal Challenge to Collective Triumph

I first became acquainted with Yad L’Olim when my own daughter, only 19 years old and new to the country, faced a myriad of challenges as a lone bat sherut. Rabbi Lipman worked tirelessly to help improve the living conditions of my daughter and many others like her. I then learned that the organization does a lot more including helping Olim navigate Israeli bureaucracy – especially the health care and educational systems, advocates for all Olim in the halls of the Knesset, and meets other Olim needs such as Hebrew Conversation Clubs.

When Crisis Calls, Compassion Answers

In the days after October 7, 2023, like many others, I found myself feeling helpless and desperately grasping at ideas for how to help the war effort. We kept ordering items from lists provided, the Amazon boxes piled up at the door, and I was in awe of the amount of people eagerly stepping up to help. We packed dozens of duffels of supplies desperately needed for soldiers, clothing, toys, and toiletries for displaced persons, and we scrambled to raise money daily. Sleepless nights filled with anger, frustration, and tears were channeled into working to help our brothers and sisters across the pond.

Yad L’Olim: A Beacon of Hope Amidst the Storm

Yad L’Olim devotes itself night and day in assisting evacuated families with needed supplies, and funding lone soldiers with clothing, equipment, and materials to build morale. The organization works tirelessly to get all the supplies through customs, writing letters to combat the challenging bureaucracy, and remains a critical point of contact to get the thousands of duffels with donations into the country.

Healing Beyond the Physical: Support for the Soul

Not only does Yad L’Olim provide physical aid to soldiers, their families, and to those displaced, but it also facilitates mental health support to those in need. Moreover, the organization assists those families who are faced with injury and death. The organization continues to recruit non-medical support staff as volunteers at hospitals and to do necessary farming.

Your Support, Their Future: A Call to Make a Difference

Yad L’Olim is a project of Better Future for Israel, a 501(c)(3), tax ID #46-3732857 and relies solely on private donor support to provide its critical services.I ask for your much-needed help as I embark on this journey for Yad L’Olim and for your support in making a difference.