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SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Migdal Ohr UK is so fortunate to have the incredible support from each of our dear donors, who give us the strength and ability to keep making a difference for so many children in Israel. Since the tragic events of 7th October, Migdal Ohr, as Israel’s largest welfare charity, has been at the forefront, extending our care and resources to affected communities, families, and, heartbreakingly, to orphans.

Your donations are the lifeblood of our emergency efforts. It is your commitment that enables us to respond swiftly and effectively, offering comfort and hope to those enduring such unimaginable hardship. Together, we are not just providing immediate relief - we are investing in the future strength and resilience of Israel.

Enclosed in this brochure are the key achievements we’ve accomplished since 7th October, all made possible by your support.

As we continue to stand united, we hold onto hope and pray for peace across Israel.

Am Yisrael Chai! With deepest gratitude,

Amit Fraser Executive Director Migdal Ohr UK

Expansion of Migdal Ohr UK

New Charitable Status for Migdal Ohr France .........................

Migdal Ohr’s UK Young Professional (YP) Committee ...............

Supporting

“He who saves a single life from Israel, scripture considers it as if he saved the whole world.”

Overview ISRAEL’S SHIELD EMERGENCY APPEAL

Our Israel’s Shield Emergency Appeal emerged in response to the horrific atrocities of 7th October and the ongoing war. This initiative embodies our commitment as Israel’s leading welfare charity, dedicated to relocating and supporting those who have survived these recent horrors. The need for our Emergency Relief campaign has never been more urgent.

During these tumultuous times, we have relocated over 2,000 families from the South and North, provided emergency supplies, transportation, hotels, hot meals, clothing, and essential items, and offered multi-facility education, intensive grief counselling, and emergency care. Our mission is to create a sense of safety, warmth, and care for those in need. But our work is far from over.

Understanding the gravity of the situation, our primary focus has been on addressing the immediate needs of those affected,especially the orphans. By providing these essential services, we aim to ease their initial burdens and bring a sense of comfort and stability during these challenging times.

One family recounts their overwhelming experience and gratitude for this initiative.

Tzion Leshem from Moshav Neve and his family were relocated to a Jerusalem hotel, where they were provided with essential items, food, and a safe place to live.

“We didn’t even own winter clothing, but people came daily with boxes of food and toys and books and chairs and notebooks, whatever we needed.”

In Numbers

How your contribution makes a difference:

£100 - Accommodation, including hot meals, offering immediate shelter and sustenance.

£180 - Grief counselling and trauma therapy, providing crucial emotional support during challenging times.

£500 - Clothing and essential necessities for a family, ensuring immediate needs are met for vulnerable individuals.

£720 - Support for a family with a special needs child, creating a supportive environment for children with unique requirements.

£990 - Childcare and activities offering relief and engaging activities for families in need.

Stand strong with Israel: migdalohr.org.uk/israels-shield

ORPHANS’ PLAN FOR LIFE PROGRAMME

Orphans’ Plan for

Life

Overview

As a result of the horrific atrocities on 7th October and the ongoing war, over 800 children have been orphaned, and the numbers, unfortunately, are growing. These children are enduring unimaginable loss, losing their parents, family members, childhoods and innocence. Here at Migdal Ohr, we are determined not to let them lose hope for a brighter future. In response, we created the Orphans’ Plan For Life programme. This structured support system accompanies each child from childhood to adulthood, offering both immediate and long-term aid tailored to their needs through critical life stages.

The fund covers essential areas such as counselling and therapy, general healthcare, emergency care, clothing and personal items, education, Bar and Bat Mitzvah celebrations, and weddings. It also provides opportunities for sponsorship of an orphan.

Each orphan will receive a personalised support plan tailored to their unique needs. This comprehensive care is estimated to cost around £15,000 per child. Our goal is to transform the lives of 1,000 orphans, each at different stages of their journey, each requiring distinct forms of support.

To illustrate the programme’s impact, consider the story of Hadar and Itai Berdichevsky, who were tragically murdered by Hamas terrorists in their home in Kfar Aza. Before they were killed, they managed to hide their 10-month-old twins, who were miraculously rescued unharmed 14 hours later. The twins now live with their grandmother, receiving the support they need to rebuild their lives.

Learn more about our programme: migdalohr.org.uk/orphansplanforlife

Light Up an Orphan’s Heart Campaign

Following the launch of our Plan for Life programme, this year’s gift-matched campaign, “Light Up an Orphan’s Heart,” focused on raising funds for this initiative. The event exceeded all expectations, raising £825,000, thanks to our generous donors’ incredible support and our champions’ dedicated efforts.

Migdal Ohr UK’s Executive Director, Amit Fraser, shared that “since the horrors of 7th October, we had to devise a unique plan to help the orphans it created to rebuild their lives and heal their futures. Migdal Ohr is there to hug them as a family and offer them all the support, care and love they need now and in the long term.”

We are grateful for every donor who has helped make this campaign so valuable that it can make a difference in so many lives. With this incredible support and generosity, Israel’s beautiful transformation is unfolding. Imagine their joyous smiles as they realise they have a support plan to help them physically, emotionally, and financially. There is now an opportunity overflowing with hope, light, and compassion.

New Charitable Status for Migdal Ohr France

We’ve spread our wings and expanded into France, where we have proudly gained charitable status. The French community’s warmth, generosity, and enthusiasm have been heartwarming. Together, we’ve embraced our mission through events like the #bakeforthem Challah Bake in partnership with Women United for Peace.

Every donation supported our Magen Yisrael fund, aiding families displaced by the events of 7th October 2023. Our French community is growing, and we look forward to expanding our communities around Europe.

The Migdal Ohr Young Professional Committee aims to foster a strong connection with younger communities in the UK,embarking on a meaningful impact and positive change for the children of Migdal Ohr. This committee promotes Migdal Ohr’s name and initiatives among dynamic young professionals in the UK.

Through the YP Committee, young professionals can actively contribute to initiatives that create positive change, making a real difference in the lives of those in need, especially after the atrocities of 7th October.

Bridal Twinning Programme

Following 7th October, it’s unfathomable to imagine being orphaned and having to walk down the aisle or to have lost everything and not having the means to afford even the most modest of weddings. This fund alleviates the burdens of our brides and alumni so they can start their lives together and focus on building their futures together.

It was so joyful when a special couple, Hannah Benisty and Joseph Breuer-Weil, celebrated their wedding in Israel. They chose to sponsor another couple from Migdal Ohr, allowing them to experience the joy of marriage and embark on a new chapter in their lives. The Benisty family’s generosity will directly impact the lives of these couples, enabling them to build a future filled with hope and happiness.

Please donate and help our couples enter their married lives with dignity: migdalohr.org.uk/bridal-fund

Bar Mitzvah / Bat Mitzvah Twinning Programme

Twinning your Simcha with a less fortunate child, especially one who has been orphaned, is truly special and elevates the celebration tenfold. Each year at Migdal Ohr, about 35 boys and 80 girls become bar or bat mitzvah, and we’ve been fortunate to have several twinings. We’ve witnessed firsthand the immense joy this twinning leaves on all involved, making them feel eternally loved and cared for by their global Migdal Ohr family.

The Cohen family twinned their daughter Rose’s Bat Mitzvah with Adi from Migdal Ohr, creating a deeply meaningful and unforgettable celebration. This milestone symbolises a profound step into adulthood for both girls, as they embrace new responsibilities and the independence that comes with it. Surrounded by 30 families from France, we had the honour of celebrating this joint Bat Mitzvah, a moment of pride, joy, and unity. It was more than just a ceremony; it was a powerful reminder of the shared values and strength of community, as these young women embarked on the next chapter of their lives with courage and purpose.

Looking to twin your celebration?

migdalohr.org.uk/bar-bat-mitzvah

FESTIVE MEALS FOR FAMILIES IN NEED

Chag Save’ah Campaign

With over 700,000 Israeli children facing hunger during festivals such as Rosh Hashanah and Passover, we are reminded of the hardships faced by bereaved and displaced orphans. Thanks to the generosity of our donors, over the last 20 years, we have packed 1.6 million food packages to aid in this crisis. Each year, we support 40,000 families, including distributing food packages to over 200 locations, with the help of more than 2,000 dedicated volunteers.

In a remarkable show of unity, hundreds of Israeli youth from Migdal Ohr mobilised to pack and assemble food packages for thousands of soldiers and civilians, including 2,000 families, elderly, and children who were forced to flee their homes due to the conflict. These packages, filled with love and hope, provided not just essential supplies but a vital message of solidarity during their time of need.

From the immediate aftermath of 7th October to the celebration of Passover, these efforts ensured that our people both those on the frontlines and those displaced received the support they needed. These actions have helped keep our community strong, proving that in times of hardship, we are united.

Rosh Hashanah Emergency Appeal

Your contribution to our Rosh Hashanah Emergency Appeal makes a world of difference, providing a lifeline to our special children in need.

Rosh Hashanah is a time for new beginnings, and no matter the size of your donation, your support helps us provide food parcels to our children and orphans during this festive season.

Thank you for your generous support. On behalf of all the needy children and the entire Migdal Ohr family, we wish you a very happy, sweet New Year and a peaceful year ahead for Israel.

Donate now at:

migdalohr.org.uk/donatechagsaveah

Migdal Ohr UK is so fortunate to have the incredible ongoing support of our donors and friends, which gives us the strength to persevere and keep providing for the safety and wellbeing of our precious Migdal Ohr children and our impactful endeavours. We extend our heartfelt gratitude for being a cornerstone of our vital initiatives and allowing us to make a positive impact especially in times of turmoil.

Your support is instrumental in making a lasting difference and ensuring the success of our work, together with strengthening of Israel’s future.