ISRAEL SUPPORT MARATHON

On October 7, 2023, armed Hamas terrorists from the Gaza Strip attacked Israeli residents. The attack killed more than 1,400 people, most of them civilians, including children and the elderly. More than 200 people, among whom there are also elderly people and children, are now being held captive by the terrorists. Many people have been forced to leave their homes because of the destruction and the danger of further terrorist attacks.

The organizer is the Center for Jewish Impact. It is an international non-profit organization that raises funds, delivers what is needed to those in need, and reports on the raises and the aid provided.

The funds will be distributed to several areas of support. The goal of the campaign is to raise $500,000.

$390,000 (approximately 1,555,000 shekels) will be directed towards several humanitarian programs:

1. Assistance to residents of border settlements who have been urgently relocated to the center of the country and accommodated in the student dormitory of an academic college in Ono. There are 350 people in need of essential supplies, hygiene products, and psychological support. The total requested assistance amounts to $168,000 (approximately $480 per person for 2 months).

2. Scholarships for Israeli students whose homes in the south and near the Gaza border have been destroyed. These are students from various educational institutions, including Ono Academic College (Kiryat Ono) and Ben Gurion University (Be'er Sheva). Many of them have not only lost their homes but also all of their possessions, and their families cannot currently provide for them. The students are in dire need of basic necessities. Both the university and college have committed to matching every dollar, ruble, or shekel collected from their own funds. Currently, the focus is on a minimum of 60 students (in total, there are over 100). The requested amount of assistance is $2,500 per person, totaling $150,000.

3. Delivery of hot meals to elderly residents of Ashkelon who, for various reasons, cannot leave the city and do not leave their homes. Approximately 2,500 people currently need this assistance. The requested amount is $20,000.

4. Psychological assistance to children and families from the south and partially from the north of the country, including those in hospitals. A total of $52,000 is required.

And $160,000 (approximately 635,000 shekels) will be allocated for emergency assistance to 55 residents of the "Eden" group home. These are girls aged 12-18 with severe post-traumatic disorders who have been victims of domestic violence. The group home, located in one of the kibbutzim 4 km from the Gaza Strip, was almost completely destroyed. The girls themselves miraculously escaped harm (they were not there during the attack), but they lost their only home and all their belongings. The teachers, who are residents of this and neighboring kibbutzim, are unable to continue working. Some of them have lost family members, while others have been kidnapped by terrorists and taken to the Gaza Strip. The girls have been provided with accommodation at the Shalva Center in Jerusalem, but assistance is needed for the payment of temporary teams of psychologists and teachers, clothing, and supplies. The specified amount will cover one-time and regular expenses for 3 months.

The recording of the Israel Support Marathon livestream, which took place on 05/11/23, is available on the YouTube channel in two parts. You can watch how it unfolded here: Part 1 and Part 2. Additionally, marathon highlights and stories of the assistance provided are accessible on the Center for Jewish Impact website and their social media channels, as well as on our marathon website and our Instagram.

The stated goal of the marathon was to raise a sum of $550,000.
It was successfully achieved in less than 10 hours, reaching $663,000 by the end of the marathon.
In collaboration with the Center for Jewish Impact, the decision was made to continue fundraising until November 20.
By November 20, when the fundraising was finally concluded, the total amount of donations reached $677,000.

We have received official confirmation from the Center for Jewish Impact that the amount we raised, $677,000, will be doubled. This means that with your help, we have been able to raise $1,354,000. The report on delivered aid will be published by the Center for Jewish Impact on their website, featured on the marathon's social networks in addition to being available on this website.

A tremendous tragedy occurred, shattering the lives and families of thousands of people. Our team of organizer-volunteers couldn't stand idly by. Many of us are new "Ole Hadash", for whom Israel has become a true home. A home where, if you have the strength and means, it's important to find a way to provide any help within our power.