Basic HTML Version
24 HASHALOM February
2017
February 2017
HASHALOM
25
COMMUNITY NEWS
By Cheryl Unterslak
THANKYOUTO EVERYONE IN SOUTHAFRICAWHODONATED
TO THE APPEAL FOR THOSE THAT LOST THEIR HOMES
AND BELONGINGS IN ISRAEL. WE SENT 65 BOXES AFTER A
WEEK!!!!!
At the end of 2016we heard about the shocking burning intifada
in Israel. Many of the fires around the country were arson with
only a few that weren’t. Sadly there were very dry conditions
and strong winds which made the fires spread and harder to
control.
We watched as tens of thousands of people were evacuated
from their homes, around the country, and as reports of chaos
came through, with some people not knowing where to
evacuate to and that the highways were blocked. Many homes
burnt down and many others badly damaged by fires .The fires
also sadly devoured many forests. It was heart breaking to hear
about the families who had lost everything.
DIVOTE put out an urgent appeal and in one week, sixty five
boxes were filled to capacity with brand new clothing, linen,
blankets, toys, kitchen ware and towels. People around the
countrywere extremely generous and day and night, donations
were being dropped off and money given to purchase more of
what was needed.
Gifts were given from the Jewish communities in Cape Town,
Durban, Johannesburg, Limpopo, Oudtshoorn, Port Elizabeth
and Pretoria. The Christian supporters of Israel also got involved
and DIVOTE received numerous donations from them around
the whole country. In Johannesburg a Hindu gentleman who
heard about the appeal from one of the Rabbis in JHB made
a very generous donation, which we were very grateful for. It
is wonderful to know that we are not alone and that support
came in from everyone.
In one week we packed thirty five boxes in Durban and my
daughter Gila (her home and her husband’s shul, THE BASE,
were the drop off points in JHB), packed thirty large boxes.
ELAL was supportive as always and the boxes were sent to
Israel for distribution. In the fifteen years of running DIVOTE,
this was the biggest and heaviest shipment ever sent.
I really appreciated the help from some of the lovely young
people of Project ten and Dedee.
In Israel, boxes were sent to various distribution centers
around the country, where the families came to receive
items, and some volunteers delivered to some that were in
the surrounding areas that were affected. DIVOTE sent boxes
to: Zikron Yaakov, Neve Tzuv, Nataf, Talmon, Beit Meir, Haifa
and to the home in Haifa for Holocaust survivors. The home
asked if they could have donations as some of the Holocaust
survivors that live independently had lost their homes and their
belongings. We sent them six boxes with appropriate clothing
etc. as they had asked. The home itself was not damaged,
but the homes of some of the Holocaust survivors who live
outside the home and come to the home, during the day for
activities, were.
I AM SO PROUD OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN COMMUNITYWHO
TOOK ACTION AND DONATED SO MUCH IN ONE WEEK!!!
The 65 DIVOTE boxes in cargo on the way to Israel
Some of the recipients receiving their gifts
Some of the volunteers in Haifa who helped with
the distribution.