Hazon Yeshaya Humanitarian Network

HY on the front lines

While the rockets from Gaza were falling, Hazon Yeshaya was in Ashkelon, Sderot and neighboring communities bringing relief to destitute Israelis in the line of fire. Many families with means moved northward to be away from the fighting. The poor of these communities did not have that option. They were left to tough it out, spending their days in bomb shelters. They lived from day to day, fearing for their lives. Children of impoverished families have been traumatized. Holocaust survivors who spent their childhood in camps and ghettos now relived wartime memories.

Thousands of people received life saving humanitarian assistance from Hazon Yeshaya's facilities in the south, facilities that were opened several years ago and now have become even more important. Hot, nutritious meals and food baskets were provided daily to the poorest of the poor. Many were afraid to leave their homes to come directly to our facilities. No matter! Hazon Yeshaya's brave volunteers went out, with sirens blaring, to deliver food directly to the peoples homes and down into the bomb shelters. People were frightened enough by the war. We made sure that they did not also have to suffer the fear of hunger.

Now that the fighting has subsided, Hazon Yeshaya continues to support the destutute residents of Sderot. Daily hot meals are delivered from our Ashkelon kitchen so to the residents in need. Click here to read a letter from the Mayor of Sderot

click once below to view a short video

Hazon Yeshaya in brief

Hazon Yeshaya is a leading humanitarian organization that is fighting poverty and hunger by encouraging and supporting the projects of Hazon Yeshaya Soup Kitchens in Israel. Founded in 1997 by a successful businessman from New York, Hazon Yeshaya has grown to a nationwide network serving thousands of hot meals every day at over 60 locations. It is the Friends of Hazon Yeshaya that allows us to continue providing this vital charitable service by way of food for the hungry, day care for the needy and a warm atmosphere for all.

We are dedicated to providing daily, hot, nourishing meals to people of all ages, nationalities and backgrounds, immigrants and locals, healthy and ill, as well as children from broken or abusive homes, battered women fleeing abusive relationships, Holocaust survivors, and victims of terror and their families. Over 70% of our meals go to children in schools, after school programs.

Hunger has no holidays. We provide service 365 days a year improving the quality of life for thousands of Israelis. We were the only soup kitchen to kosher our kitchens and remain open during the Passover holiday. We also sponsored Seders for thousands of poor children and the elderly. During Succot, we erect a succah where hundreds come for there meals.

Holiday Packages
Prior to the holidays, Hazon Yeshaya distributes thousands of additional food parcels nationwide to needy families. These parcels contain chicken, meat, fruits, vegetables, pasta, rice, oil, sugar, and other staples. For Passover 2009, we distributed 15,000 parcels of Kosher for Passover foods including matza and wine!

Hazon Yeshaya’s services are desperately needed, now more than ever. The Israeli economy continues to falter. Unemployment remains at an all-time high and the government has slashed benefits while approving price increases on basic food staples such as bread. The poor are the hardest hit by these changes. More than 1.63 million Israelis now live below the poverty line, according to a recent economic report. This includes 34.1% of Israel's children and 22.2% of the elderly.

We invite you to learn more about Hazon Yeshaya Soup Kitchens by browsing this website. If you would like to receive materials to distribute in classrooms, synagogues, or at community events, receive our bi-annual and frequent e-newsletters, please contact us at: pr@hazonyeshaya.org.

For information about Volunteering or Scheduling a Tour of our facilities, please contact us at: volunteers@hazonyeshaya.org

For more information on events by Young Leadership of American Friends of Hazon Yeshaya please visit the Young Leadership website.

For more information on UK Young Friends of Hazon Yeshayaplease visit the Vision Committee website.

For more information on Hazon Yeshaya in Australia please visit the Australian Friends of Hazon Yeshaya.

Please help us continue our daily mission of fighting hunger and poverty in Israel by making a donation today. Thank you.

Hazon Yeshaya Soup Kitchens wishes to thank The Claims Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany who continue to support Hazon Yeshaya year after year.

Hazon Yeshaya has also been blessed with many other generous supporters around the world, including:

Bronfman Family Foundation - Toronto, Canada

Christenen voor Israël

The Eshet Chayil Foundation - S. Roth

La Fondation pour la Mémoire de la Shoah - Paris, France

Glencore Foundation for Education and Welfare - United Kingdom

The David and Barbara B. Hirschhorn Foundation

Iranian American Jewish Federation of New York

Irving and Helen Schneider

The Jewish Federation of Charleston, South Carolina

The Greater Miami Jewish Federation

The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia

The UJA Jewish Federation of Greater Toronto

The Jewish Federation of Las Vegas

The Jewish Federation of the North Shore, Massachusetts

The Jewish Federation of Oklahoma City

The Jewish Federation of Palm Springs and Dessert Area

Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County, Florida

The Jewish Federation of Sioux City

MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger

The Naim E Dangoor Programme Dr Naim E Dangoor OBE

The PEF Israel Endowment Funds - New York, NY

Ben and Esther Rosenbloom Foundation - Baltimore, MD

Saban Family Foundation - Los Angeles, CA

Safra Foundation - Geneva

Joseph and Moise Safra - Brazil

Sinai Temple - Los Angeles CA

The Snider Foundation - Philadelphia, PA

The Stephen Wise Temple - Los Angeles, CA

The United Jewish Israel Appeal

Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation - Owings Mills, MD

The Weinstock Family Foundation