United with Israel was notified by Ashkelon region officials of the immediate need for bomb shelters both for kindergartens and for infirmaries that service the elderly.
United with Israel, along with the residents of southern Israel, would like to thank supporters around the world for donating towards this important cause. On Thursday November 29, bomb shelters were installed for both kindergarten children as well as the elderly.
Nitzan is a coastal town located between Ashkelon and Ashdod in southern Israel. In this community, young school children live in fear of attack and have literally no where to run when the “Code Red” sirens blast. In addition to the 2 shelters that were already built in Nitzan, a third shelter will be installed for yet another kindergarten class.
Nitzan is a community of refugees from the once thriving Jewish communities of Gush Katif (in the Gaza Strip). Nearly 10,000 Jewish residents were forced to abandon their homes during one of the most painful and tragic episodes in Israel’s history, the 2005 Disengagement from Gaza. Instead of leading to peace, the Disengagement led to a sharp increase in rocket attacks into southern Israeli towns.
WATCH UWI’S FIRST INSTALLATION OF KINDERGARTEN SHELTERS IN NITZAN
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Moshav Nir Yisrael (“Israel’s Meadow”) was founded in 1949 by Holocaust survivors from Czechoslovakia and Hungary. Today, the multi-generation farming community, a couple of miles north-east of Ashkelon, is home to 700 people. Moshav Nir Yisrael is situated 10 miles from the Gaza border, and is often targeted by Hamas with deadly Grad rockets.
The protective bomb shelter donated by United With Israel were needed at the community medical center – the hub of the town, and a busy health clinic for the elderly (as well as babies and moms). During the recent rocket attacks by Hamas during Operation Pillar of Defense, residents of Moshav Nir Yisrael were unable to access their medical center as it was closed due to the lack of a shelter nearby.
WATCH UWI’S FIRST INSTALLATION OF BOMB SHELTERS FOR THE ELDERLY
The need was very urgent for both the children of Nitzan and the elderly residents of Moshav Nir Yisrael. And the list of requests for more shelters from surrounding communities is growing rapidly. We are asking for a timely, generous response so that we can continue to purchase and install bomb shelters in southern Israeli towns.
Although these shelters cannot provide Israeli communities with peace, they do provide safety and peace of mind. When the sirens blare, and the children and elderly adults have only seconds to run for cover, it is comforting to know that there is a shelter just a few feet away, right outside the front door. In case of a direct hit, the shelters will literally be saving the lives.
HELP BUILD SHELTERS FOR CHILDREN AND THE ELDERLY
Please read this request from Mr. Yossi Dahari, the Hof Ashkelon Community Director:
Dear Friends,
Nitzan is a community of 600 families, mostly Gush Katif evacuees. Nitzan dwellings are considered “temporary”, as the plan was to move these residents to permanent homes, and therefore all structures are made of plaster.
During wartime, the children of Nitzan cannot attend their kindergartens or schools because the structures are not protected. During a military operation or when terrorized by rocket attacks, it is very important to keep the schools open so that parents are able to work. This actually strengthens community resilience.
Once Nitzan has been granted these protective shelters, the town will be able to function properly while under attack. The kindergartens will continue to operate, conditional on the IDF Home Front Command’s directive.
Shelters are needed immediately. The people of Nitzan would greatly appreciate all of your help in providing the community with more protective shelters.
Sincerely,
Yossi Dahari
Community Center Director
Hof Ashkelon Region
CLICK TO DONATE ONLINE – BOMB SHELTERS ARE NEEDED TODAY!
Due to the lack of bomb shelters, makeshift solutions such as “hiding in sewer pipes” have been employed. For obvious reasons, it is not reasonable to require young children and the elderly to run the nearest sewer pipe for safety. Since the children have only seconds to run for cover, proper shelters are need within several feet of the school’s or infirmary’s front door.
The residents of southern Israel sincerely thank you for caring about their difficult situation. All citizens of Israel deserve to live with a sense of security. They appreciate your deep kindness and generosity!
CHECKS CAN BE MAILED DIRECTLY TO ISRAEL:
United with Israel
8/19 Nachal Maor St.
Box 71530
Bet Shemesh 99623
ISRAEL
CHECKS CAN BE MAILED TO THE USA:
United with Israel
PO Box 151
Lawrence, NY 11559
UNITED STATES
CLICK HERE TO DONATE ONLINE
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