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Tell us more about the “Atufim” program and assistance The global response to your initiatives has been remarkable.
provided to evacuees from the North and South. How has the partnership with World Mizrachi and the Tzevet
Perez Campaign contributed to your projects?
Our “Atufim” program, in partnership with World Mizrachi, provides aid to
evacuees from both the North and the South. The purpose of the program We are immensely grateful to all our partners worldwide, especially to the
is not only to address the physical needs of these families but just as World Mizrachi movement. The partnership has been crucial in funding
importantly give encouragement and chizuk on a communal level. These life-saving equipment for IDF soldiers, adopting southern communities,
are tight-knit communities that have experienced trauma on a personal aiding evacuees, and extending educational support. Together, we stand
level, and also in ways that have left their community feeling broken. united, making a significant impact in the lives of those affected.
Atufim offers several branches of assistance. None of this would have been possible without the support of individuals
and communities worldwide, which have given us the ability to contribute
1. Employment assistance: material needs where they are needed and more crucially is instilling
Atufim offers assistance in finding work for people who have been a sense of unity and strength for the greater Am Yisrael. This is our
displaced from their homes and are currently without a livelihood. opportunity to embrace our brothers and sisters, and it is touching to see
As an organization we have had experience with this most important how so many are rallying together with us to bring hope and strength to
task. La’Ofek’s “JobKatif” project helped thousands of displaced Am Yisrael.
families from Gush Katif in 2005 find work, transforming an 85%
unemployment rate into an 88% employment rate. We have once Our message is clear: when we are united, we are stronger. Together, we
again stepped up to assist a similarly displaced population through can make a lasting impact and demonstrate the resilience of Am Yisrael.
Atufim.
Since we started the Atufim program over 1,000 evacuee For those ready to contribute, where can they donate to
applications have already been received and our staff is working support these ongoing efforts?
tirelessly to match them with employers.
To contribute and be a vital partner in this ongoing effort, please visit
2. Adopt-a-Community: jgive.com/new/en/usd/donation-targets/113374 or email our development
The Atufim program recognizes the necessity to strengthen the department at inbar@sulamot.org. Your support is crucial, and every
communities, both in the short-term and to ensure the stability and donation contributes to healing and rebuilding.
unity in the long-term. The goal is for the communities to eventually Thank you for standing with us in this sacred mission.
return back home. In that vein, the Atufim program has “adopted” five
communities to date: Netiv HaAsara, Kibbutz Zikim, Moshav Yachini,
Shokeda, and Tzochar, each with 500–900 individuals. In order to
connect and strategize, I personally meet with the leadership of the
community to understand their unique needs because their needs
and goals – while all urgent – vary greatly. Atufim is dedicated to SOS
needs (purchase of equipment, medicines), assisting families that
have been financially affected, and integration of programming that
will help strengthen the social, educational and community fabric.
We have turned to Jewish communities worldwide to adopt these
communities and assist in various ways.
3. Education:
Thanks to Sulamot’s expertise in the educational field, the Ministry
of Education asked the organization to help establish a system of
training and learning in the evacuees’ centers. Sulamot sends rabbis,
lecturers and instructors to these centers to give uplifting talks and
experiential lessons to children, youth and parents. This empowers
and strengthens their spirits in these most challenging days.
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