BOMB SHELTERS HAVE BEEN INSTALLED IN NITZAN ON THURSDAY JULY 12, 2012
Those of you who joined us witnessed a very special event fist hand. Two above-ground kindergarten bomb shelters were delivered and installed in the town of Nitzan. The children of Nitzan along with other children who attended the event, decorated the shelters with hand-painted murals. A professional mural artist was on hand to supervise the painting. All of the art supplies were provided, as well as snacks and drinks!
WATCH THE VIDEO: Twin Shelter Installation and Painting! Thursday July 12, 2012 in NITZAN
(NITZAN, Israel) United with Israel has been notified by local Israeli official Yossi Dahari of the urgent need for kindergarten bomb shelters in Nitzan, a coastal town located near Ashkelon in southern Israel. Children are living in fear of attack and have literally no where to run when the “Code Red” sirens blast. Once again, United with Israel is turning to YOU – our global community of Israel supporters for help.
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.
Many of the Gush Katif evacuees are still living in temporary dwellings. And some, like the families in Nitzan who live in close proximity to Gaza, still live with constant fear of sirens blaring and missiles landing in their communities. While they yearn for the day when they can live in peace with security, the realistic assessment is that attacks will intensify.
In Nitzan, there are two adjacent kindergartens that need shelters immediately. When asked if one shelter could be installed first, the reply was a resounding NO! The children and teachers expressed the incredible emotion that they “would prefer to suffer an attack and die together“, rather than choose which kindergarten would get the first shelter. “They must be installed together, at the very same moment”, we were told.
Back in April 2012, with the help of our strong global community of Israel supporters, United with Israel installed 2 shelters for infirmaries in the towns of Brachia and Hodaya, on the outskirts of Ashkelon. In less than 3 weeks from when the campaign was initiated, new bomb shelters were purchased, delivered and installed.
Click here to learn more and watch the video.
Right now, the need is very urgent for the children in Nitzan. In the summer, these kindergartens will be used as day camps for the children. We are now asking you for a timely, generous response so that we can purchase and install the 2 bomb shelters needed for these kindergartens.
Although these shelters cannot provide Israeli communities with peace, they do provide safety and peace of mind. When the sirens blare and the children 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 of these young children.
CLICK TO DONATE ONLINE – BUILD MORE SHELTERS FOR CHILDREN
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.
Two shelters are needed immediately to protect the kindergartens. The people of Nitzan would greatly appreciate all of your help in providing the community with protective shelters.
Sincerely,
Yossi Dahari
Community Center Director
Hof Ashkelon Region
CLICK TO DONATE ONLINE – BUILD BOMB SHELTERS FOR KIDS
Due to the lack of bomb shelters, makeshift solutions such as “hiding in sewer pipes” has been employed. For obvious reasons, it is not reasonable to require young kindergarten children 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 front door.
The residents of Nitzan sincerely thank you for caring about their difficult situation. They so much appreciate your deep kindness and generosity.
The message from these children to you is:
TODAH RABBA! – Thank You Very Much!
CHECKS CAN BE MAILED DIRECTLY TO ISRAEL:
United with Israel
10/11 Nachal Maor St.
PO Box 71550
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
Please ‘SHARE’ the Kindergarten Bomb Shelter Campaign with your friends.
Give them the opportunity to help protect Israeli children in southern Israel…
