DEAR FRIENDS,
Septrmber 2025 | New Year Edition
It's that time of the year - the New Year. It hasn't been the best of years. Still, we've made it this far. It's time to think of dreams we might have that still need to be made into reality and those dreams that might have come true. We all have dreams, don't we? So turn off the tv and look inside. By inside I don't mean the inside of our homes, but rather our own inside. Do you like what you see? Never mind the aches and pains – look into your hopes and dreams. We hope the hostages will be released. I think I can safely say that we ALL have that hope. Maybe we hope that the aches and pains will stop. Maybe we hope that we will be able to take a vacation, or buy that new garment (after all, shops are giving big reductions for end-of-season sales). And maybe we all just hope for nice weather. Hopes drive us to get up in the morning. Hopes give us good dreams at night. Some of us hope to be able to fall asleep. Give it a thought. And remember the good and sweet memories that you collected in the past year.
And Here's Somethimg New!
There's a charming little park that not many of us know about. I don't know what it's called and it may not have a name yet. The best way to go there is down Rehov Oved Ben-Ami and cross Moshe Dayan Boulevard. On the other side of Moshe Dayan the street changes its name to Valos (why?) and if you want to enter the park you have to – well – park your car somewhere. I did it on foot (a long haul but worth it). So now you are on Valos Street. Continue for about twenty meters. There is sand on your left and apartment houses on your right. Everywhere you look there will be fences and boards telling you about what is coming next. Anyway, after about twenty meters you come to a circle. Go left and you come to a wide sidewalk that will continue to the right. Just follow that sidewalk and you come to – ready for this? – a LAKE. It's artificial, of course, but it's beautiful. The lake is on your left and on your right there are machines for doing exercise for people who want to prove that they are ninjas. Keep going and you come to a cool playground for kids and a little further on is another even cooler playground. Shade and benches and tables galore and, thankfully, a toilet for those of us who do not have iron bladders. Now you can leave the park and get back to the road on your right (which is now called Rehov Egoz) or, if you continue left you come to the Marina. If you fancy fishing you might find a boat for hire to take you out to sea. Or you might go on until you are guided by the fences and the signs (for future building and who wouldn't want to live in a place like that?) to The Hof, which is a restaurant with good food, or back to the road.
It took me a while, so don't try to do it all at once. And go with a friend! You can ooh and ahh together and sit and have a picnic (don't forget food and WATER). I thought it was charming. Give it a try.
And have a wonderful summer!
Don't forget! In times of stress:
Call the Moked Ironi 106 from a landline or *10681 from a cellphone to report a problem or to get help with one. Someone will take your information and help you. There are various organizations that have phone lines to help you in stress. USE THEM!
Emergency Numbers
Citizens Rights in an emergency situation (Hebrew)
https://www.kolzchut.org.il/he/ (need to google translate if you do not know Hebrew)
Israel Home Front Command (Pikud HaOref) Phone: 104
This is the official address for Israeli citizens during these times:
https://www.oref.org.il/en
Israel Police / Phone: 100
https://www.gov.il/en/departments/israel_police/govil-landing-page
MADA – Ambulance / Phone: 101
https://www.mdais.org/en
National Fire and Rescue Authority / Phone: 1299
https://www.gov.il/en/departments/firefighting_and_rescue_israel/govil-landing-page
Emotional Support
Association of the Deaf in Israel
Contact: +972 52-6033505 / Website:
https://www.deaf-israel.org.il/contact-us
Al-Anon Israel serves friends and family of alcoholics
https://www.al-anon-israel.org/
Crises Intake for U.S. Citizens in Israel
https://cacms.state.gov/s/crisis-intake
Eran Hotline
Sponsored by the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration to provide emotional support, is open for immigrants to Israel in English, Russian, Amharic, French and Spanish between the hours of 4pm and 9pm at *3201. Website:
https://www.eran.org.il/helpline-for-olim-eng/
Ezer Mitzion
- psychological support: 1800808100
- special for people 60+: 1800802030 (between 8am and 8pm)
- want to volunteer?: 0732477777
- need medical equipment?: 036144500
- Bayt Cham: *9518
- Special professional hotline, for free, for boys, for girls, in English also: *8147, 24/7 *for more
- info: m1599503232@gmail.com
Get Help Israel
https://gethelpisrael.com/
Help Line for Holocaust Survivors
https://www.k-shoa.org/index.php?language=eng
Number to call is *5105 or 03 5682651
Kav LaOved – Workers Hotline
Foreign aid workers are able to check regulations via this link:
https://www.kavlaoved.org.il/en/
Leket food Bank in Israel
https://www.leket.org/en/volunteers/
Mashaabim Center
Parenting and family in an emergency:
https://hoseneastgalil.org.il/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Parenting-and-family-in-an-emergency.pdf
Health Funds
Meuhedet *3833 – 3 for English
Maccabi *3555 – 4 for English
Leumit *507 – 4 for English
Clalit *2700 – 4 for English
English News Resources:
i24News: https://www.i24news.tv/en/
Ynet: https://www.ynetnews.com/
Israel National News:https://www.israelnationalnews.com/
The Jerusalem Post: http://www.jpost.com
Ha’Haretz: http://www.haaretz.co.il
The Times of Israel: https://www.timesofisrael.com/
Arutz Sheva: https://www.israelnationalnews.com/
Other Helpful Resources:
Libby – Israel Digital Library
LIBBY for the Southern Evacuees Click here
Behavioral guidelines while driving a vehicle during sirens
https://www.oref.org.il/12487-16149-en/Pakar.aspx
Choosing a Protected Space – Pikud HaOref
https://www.oref.org.il/12487-15895-en/Pakar.aspx
How to explain the war to our children: A guide for parents
https://www.oref.org.il/12487-15895-en/Pakar.aspx
The Silent Radio Broadcast Stations Activated During Shabbat
https://www.gov.il/en/departments/news/12102023_2
Foreign Embassies in Israel
Give A Kid A Break Fund
The school year is upon us once more. Well, it’s not upon us exactly but it’s upon all those kids
IMPORTANT!
In times of stress: Call the Moked Ironi 106 from a landline or *10681 from a cellphone to report a
