Safed: The Holy City

Safed is one of the four holy cities in Israel. It’s steeped in history and lore. Unfortunately, it currently faces serious poverty and cultural issues. Because of this, we’ve founded Tzedakah V’Chesed and right now is your chance to make an impact. And you should. Why? Because you can.

First, and just for you, a totally unique perspective on the history:

Legend has it that Safed (also known as Tzfat. Tzefat or Tzfas) was founded thousands of years ago after Noah exited the Ark after the Great Flood. The incredible symbolism here is that modern history is rooted in Tzfat. And that couldn’t be truer.

The Great Flood is an allegorical reference to the expulsion of Spanish Jewry at the turn of the 1500’s. It marked the violent end of an era of antisemitism and oppression. But after this devastation, the greatest Jewish intellectual capital – its sages and their followers – flocked to the highest settles city in Israel… they migrated to Safed. It became a center of Jewish education. The tradition of Jewish law – Halachah – was cemented there by Rabbi Yosef Karo. The sublime heights of Jewish Mysticism – Kabbalah – were obtained there by Rabbi Isaac Luria. The knowledge culled there was disseminated to the masses, elevating their daily lives and making an irreversible positive mark on Judeo ethics forever.

After surviving massacres, earthquakes and more, today, Safed is the spiritual capital of the world. It’s home to a tremendously diverse artist, hippy, Hassidic and academic culture. Safed boasts historic attractions and views mountainous vistas available nowhere else.

The Facts on the Ground

But there are some staggering statistics about the people living there that put a damper on the majesty. The average income in Safed is more than 35 percent less than the national average. Most families are living on $1,200 dollars a month. Additionally, the cycle of poverty continues itself because education is heavily promoted. While a local college imports students from around the country, less than half of teens graduate highschool.

Something has to change.

How YOU can Help

Tzedakah V’Chesed is making that change.

Take this story for example: We knew that things were complicated at home. Both parents are plagued by psychological ailments and are constantly at war with their children. Sarah F. went missing from school for a few days, but finding Sarah (age 16) sleeping in the stairwell of an apartment building was too much to bare.

But Tzedakah V’Chesed was right there. TVC’s Director of Education, Mrs. Konig, invited Sarah into her own home and gave Sarah a private entrance. She’s eating home-cooked meals, she’s back in school and she’s on her way to graduating.

It’s that kind of innate love for students that’s going to make the long-term difference. Because Sarah is not a unique case. These kinds of miracles are happening all the time at we’re reaping the benefits of our investments. We provide free education, hot meals and clothing packages. We’re the lifeline of children, families and the entire Safed community.

Donate now and make a direct impact. Why? Because you can help us break the cycle of poverty and make the world a better place.

In your own little way.

Best Jewish Charity: Tzedakah, Chessed and Tikun Olam

You’re looking for the best Jewish charity.

Where should you give Tzedakah?

You should start by asking important questions:

• What kind of Chesed and Tikun Olam are they putting into action?
• How are they tackling critical issues like hungry children and child poverty?
• Educating disadvantaged women and girls?
• How are they supporting poor families?
• Community-based grassroots movements?
• What is their relationship to Israel? Do they represent the Holy Land?

Now, no one wants to get hit over the head with a spreadsheet of numbers. So we need the right story that encapsulates the entire broad picture.

Here is one such story. It’s about how educating girls can impact the entire family. And it’s about the ingredients that make up a best Jewish charity.

Meet Noa

Noa’s family is riddled with complications. and is the oldest of 8 (and still counting) siblings. Dad is unable to work and Mom has to split her time between part-time jobs, taking care of Dad and, of course – being Mom. Noa has spent her life watching her family struggle to keep heads above water.

Most people assumed that Noa would be a victim of circumstance. Trapped in the cycle of poverty, her future was grim and sealed. Tzedakah V’Chesed has been investing for more than a decade to fight this upstream battle

Twelve years ago, when Noa was first ready to enter playgroup, Tzedakah V’Chesed took her under wing. Every year we provided her with new clothes that her family couldn’t afford. We provided daily meals to feed her body, and free tuition to educate and nourish her mind. Around all of the Jewish holidays, we sent comprehensive food packages home to ensure the family would manage to cover their expenses.

Tens of thousands of dollars’ worth resources funneled into a single girl. But it takes a village – people just like you excited to forward their Tzedakah to this priceless goal.

Noa just graduated eighth grade. Top private high schools from around the country are competing for her. Her reputation has brought elevated her family’s social status and her younger siblings are following in her footsteps.

The right educational format changes everything.

Help Us. Because You Can.

The kicker is that Noa is not the only example. Far from it. She’s one of thousands of identical cases. Tzedakah V’Chesed, a best Jewish charity, has undertaken the mission to educate women and girls. We’ve carried out this goal with excellence.  One of the holiest cities in the holy land of Israel, Safed (Tzfat) is stricken with tremendous poverty and hunger. The Tzedakah V’Chesed organization has taken up itself to oversee all of the charity in the region and has successfully chosen educating women and girls as the medium to affect this change.

Now is the time to Give Tzedakah and empower girls. Now is the time give charity to a top organization.

Donate right now to the best Jewish charity. You can educate women and girls with us. Donate and make an immediate impact.

Educate Young Women

What factors should you look at when you are choosing how to educate women and girls? What makes a top Jewish charity organization? Where should you give Tzedakah?

You should start by asking important questions:

• How are they tackling critical issues like hungry children and child poverty?
• Educating disadvantaged women and girls?
• How are they supporting poor families?
• Community-based grassroots movements?

What is their relationship to Israel? Do they represent the Holy Land?

Now, no one wants to get hit over the head with a spreadsheet of numbers. So we need the right story that encapsulates the entire broad picture.

Here is one such story. It’s about how educating girls can impact the entire family.

You Raised Me Up

Noa’s family is riddled with complications. She is the oldest of 8 (and still counting) siblings. Dad is unable to work and Mom has to split her time between part-time jobs, taking care of Dad and, of course – being Mom. Noa has spent her life watching her family struggle to keep heads above water.

Most people assumed that Noa would be a victim of circumstance. Trapped in the cycle of poverty, her future was grim and sealed. Tzedakah V’Chesed has been investing for more than a decade to fight this upstream battle

Twelve years ago, when Noa was first ready to enter playgroup, Tzedakah V’Chesed took her under wing. Every year we provided her with new clothes that her family couldn’t afford. We provided daily meals to feed her body, and free tuition to educate and nourish her mind. Around all of the Jewish holidays, we sent comprehensive food packages home to ensure the family would manage to cover their expenses.

Tens of thousands of dollars’ worth resources funneled into a single girl.

A Happy Ending

Noa just graduated eighth grade. Top private high schools from around the country are competing for her. Her reputation has brought elevated her family’s social status and her younger siblings are following in her footsteps.

The right educational format changes everything.

The kicker is that Noa is not the only example. Far from it. She’s one of thousands of identical cases. TVC has undertaken the mission to educate women and girls. We’ve carried out this goal with excellence.  One of the holiest cities in the holy land of Israel, Safed (Tzfat) is stricken with tremendous poverty and hunger. The Tzedakah V’Chesed organization has taken up itself to oversee all of the charity in the region and has successfully chosen educating women and girls as the medium to affect this change.

What can I do?

Now is the time to support Israel and to support girls. Now is the time give charity to a top organization.

Donate right now. You can educate women and girls with us. Donate and make an immediate impact.

Our new kindergarten structure is here!

It arrived the morning of Erev Yom Kippur, entailing complicated logistics to get it set up in the right place. Now we need to complete the setup: connecting water and electricity and equipping the kindergarten with all the necessary equipment. We’re excited for our children to start benefiting from the better, more spacious conditions.

Our children will be better off because of your help! Thank you!

 

As happens every year, the head of our institution, Rabbi Israel Darshan, went to ask for a blessing before Rosh HaShana from HaRav Chaim Kanievsky, the spiritual advisor of our institution. Rabbi Darshan asked him for his blessings and prayers for a good new year and to bless all of the supporters and friends of Tzedakah V’Chesed, whose help is so important to us.

As soon as Rabbi Darshan reached the Rav’s house, even though it wasn’t Rav Kanievsky’s official receiving hours, the Rav’s family immediately welcomed him in because of the special fondness that Rav Kanievsky has for Tzedakah V’Chesed.

Rav Kanievsky gave a special bracha to all of the names Rabbi Darshan showed him for a good, blessed year, and that all of the wishes of their hearts should be fulfilled in a positive way.

 

Today started our new school year. The children were very happy to return to school. This is their place, where they feel warm and loved. We also have new students this year. We hope we’ll be able to give them the support, love and tools they need to succeed in school and in life.