Israel, a country known for its technological advancements and economic success, also grapples with social and economic challenges that cannot be overlooked. Despite its apparent prosperity, there exists a deeply moving reality that touches the hearts of many: poverty and inequality.
Over 1.6 million people, approximately 18.4% of the Israeli population, live below the poverty line and these are men, women, and children who struggle each day to meet their basic needs: a decent home, education, healthcare, and food on the table. But what is truly heart-wrenching is that this number has increased even further in the past years, reaching a staggering 29.3% in 2020, and the country has recovered very little since then.
Behind these stark statistics, there are real faces and beating hearts filled with anguish as single mothers, and the elderly bear the heaviest burden of poverty and we must not forget the most vulnerable among them—over 1.1 million innocent children—whose future is threatened by a lack of resources and opportunities.
But the situation becomes even bleaker when we consider the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the virus has not only claimed lives and affected health but has also battered the Israeli economy as the unemployment rate has skyrocketed from 3.8% to a devastating 15.4%, leaving many families without stable incomes to survive. It is estimated that around 268,000 Israelis fell into poverty during the past year due to the ravages of this unprecedented crisis.
In Sderot, our city located in southern Israel, just 2 kilometers from the Gaza border , a community of around 30,500 residents, poverty hits with devastating force when the poverty rate reaches a heartbreaking 35%, and per capita income is 40% lower than the national average.
Sderot and the surrounding communities have been living through years of conflict with Palestinian militias and rocket attacks and incendiary balloons cause material damage, injuries, and deaths, while instilling a constant climate of fear and insecurity among the civilian population as the residents must live with the relentless sound of sirens and seek refuge in shelters when the red alert sounds.
Yet, the conflict not only inflicts physical destruction but also deeply impacts the daily lives of these communities, economic activity is affected, and social development stagnates. These areas, isolated from the rest of the country, have limited opportunities for employment, education, and cultural development as the youth are compelled to seek a better future in other cities, while those who remain suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, or anxiety. According to a study conducted by Barzilai Medical Center in Ashkelon, 40% of children and adolescents living near the Gaza border experience some form of psychological disorder.
In Israel, we find remarkable achievements in both the economic and human spheres. However, we cannot turn a blind eye to the realities faced by those struggling with poverty, inequality, and conflict. The pandemic has further deepened the wounds of the most vulnerable, stripping away any semblance of stability and hope.
At “City of Life” and our Social Outreach Centre, we are passionately dedicated to providing support to the most vulnerable families in Sderot, and through our innovative “Family Angels” project, you have the incredible opportunity to adopt one of these families and make a significant difference in their lives as an “anonymous angel” after we provide you with a carefully curated list of families and their specific needs. Through prayer, you can choose a family with whom you feel a special connection and commit to providing them with monthly support for a designated period. The amount of your commitment will depend on the adopted family’s current economic situation, and our team will assist you in determining the precise amount.
Your support will have a lasting impact on the lives of these families, bringing them hope and stability and you will receive sporadic updates on the progress and well-being of the adopted family, having the opportunity to meet them in person if you decide to visit Israel.
We cordially invite you to join us in this noble cause and adopt a deserving family and by joining our “Family Angels” project, you will have the chance to provide comfort, stability, and the hope that they are not alone in their struggles. If you feel called to this mission, please do not hesitate to contact us for more information and embark on this beautiful journey of impact and change. Together, we can make a difference and bring hope to those who need it most.
You can be part of and impact the lives of more people who need help in our city and together show them the way, the truth and the life.
We invite you to be part of our ministry so that together we can bring hope to our border town of Sderot.
Our work would not be possible without the help of partners like you, so we ask you to consider in prayer the possibility of a monthly commitment that will allow us to continue with the Lord’s work here in Israel.
Sincerely yours
Pastors
Michael & Dina Beener
and CLM Israel Team
“City of Life”
Messianic congregation and Outreach Center
Sderot, Israel.
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