Israel Loses Almost All Tourists in 2021. Hear This Man’s Story!

Israel sees 20% of its economy disappear in the fight against COVID-19. Here is one story you must read.

The Coronavirus lockdowns led to a 98.5 percent drop in foreign tourist arrivals to Israel during the first two months of 2021, according to recent data published by the Central Bureau of Statistics.

Only 9,900 tourists visited Israel in January and February of 2021, compared to the same time period in 2020, which saw a figure of 652,400, even with the outbreak of COVID-19 shutting down the country in late February.

On January 26, 2021, Israel imposed a travel ban on both incoming and outgoing passenger flights to prevent the spread of the new Covid-19 mutations. The ripple effect of this precaution has been felt in nearly every industry throughout Israel, including the food and dining sector.

One restaurateur who was hit hard by the ensuing financial blow was Harvey Peretz. A resident of Or Akiva, Peretz opened the restaurant of his dreams in 2018 in the neighboring scenic seaside town of Caesarea.

But that dream soon turned into a nightmare when the Coronavirus outbreak forced him to shut down his beloved restaurant last year.

Like so many successful Israelis who suddenly found themselves struggling with poverty, Harvey turned to Meir Panim, an organization with Restaurant-Style Soup Kitchens and other Social Service programs fighting Israel’s food insecurity crisis on the front lines.

While visiting Meir Panim’s Restaurant-Style Soup Kitchen in Or Akiva, Harvey became aware of just how many people are struggling to make ends meet and he realized that he wanted to make good use of his free time.

And so, Peretz put his culinary wisdom to work and began helping the Or Avika branch of Meir Panim, planning and preparing high-quality, home-cooked meals to feed the thousands of other newly impoverished Israelis who were now in need of this service.

To this day, Peretz volunteers whenever he has time, but thanks to the help of Meir Panim’s staff, who were able to find him a full-time job, he is back to running his own kitchen elsewhere.

Peretz’s story isn’t unique to Meir Panim. That’s because, unlike many other soup kitchens that just turn out meals, Meir Panim believes in providing its recipients with extra care and dignity by taking the time to get to know their stories and needs. That way, Meir Panim is not just providing a temporary fix, but also helping people get back on their feet.

Meir Panim can’t do it alone. That’s why it is now asking friends of Israel worldwide to help ensure that Israel’s needy get the nourishment and assistance they need to turn their lives around.

Now is your chance to provide assistance. Help Meir Panim in its vital efforts. Donate to Meir
Panim today.

Donations can be made online at https://give.meirpanim.org/campaigns/passover/, through the toll-free number at (1-877)-736-6283 or by mail to American Friends of Meir Panim at 88 Walton Street, Suite B1 Brooklyn, NY 11206-4479. All donations made in the US are tax-deductible under EIN# 20-1582478.

Send Passover Packages to Needy Israeli Soldiers - Bring Them Joy!

We are honored to thank the young men and women of the IDF who risk their lives every day to protect the citizens of Israel. Since October 7th, soldiers have been on the battlefield for months - many are hoping to come home for Passover.

Join us in sending Passover food packages (and personal notes) to Israeli soldiers and their families.

Many soldiers spend the Passover holiday with needy families back home. The soldiers greatly appreciate your love and concern. Bring them Passover joy!

CLICK HERE TO SEND YOUR PACKAGE AND NOTE TO ISRAELI SOLDIERS!