HHC Representatives in France

by Sebastian Petrone

Sebastien had to renew his visa in May so he organized a two and a half week trip to France in which Luke Gasiorowski joined for the first nine days of. It was a very fruitful and intensive trip.

Sebastien and Luke got invited to share and speak on the theme of Israel in eleven different places, going from home-group to churches. They were even invited to speak at youth gatherings and to stress on the importance for Christians and people around the world to support the Jewish state.

When speaking they touched base on the situation in Israel in our current days, Jewish history, biblical prophecies and the right of Israel to exist. Also they shared about the different operations led by the Helping Hand Coalition being a social humanitarian relief organization in Israel and informed the listeners of the difficult situation regarding the Holocaust survivors in Israel.

Sebastien and Luke received excellent feedback both on the spot after the meetings and also via emails a few days after their trip. Several people admitted being very much unaware of the situation and of their responsibility to support and bless the Jewish people. Those who had already some awareness where thrilled to gain more understanding on the topic.

It is definitely a work that is to be continued and expanded for the next visa renewal.

A Pre-Shabbat Food Distribution to Sudanese Refugees

by Luke Gasiorowski

A special food distribution was made to a Sudanese shelter in downtown Tel Aviv, right before the beginning of the Shabbat. The food was collected by about 15 special young volunteers (all in their 20's) who come together once a week, right before the Shabbat. An HHC representative (Luke) joined the team and helped with the collecting and distribution. The volunteers walk around the open markets in downtown Tel Aviv and ask the food stores for food donations to the Sudanese refugees. A lot of the stores throw out food before the Shabbat because it will most likely be bad after but it is still good during the Shabbat. These volunteers collect the food and distribute it to the Sudanese refugees. They have been doing this for the past few months.

The majority of these volunteers are originally from outside of Israel and have come to Israel either to make Aliya (immigration) in order to study, to serve in the IDF or to live permanently. A lot of them know each other from the same university that most of them attend in Israel. The majority of them also know each other as regular friends who go out and hang out together during their free time. One of the volunteers who organizes these distributions told an HHC representative: "I saw hungry Sudanese refugees wandering the streets of Tel Aviv and I saw a plentiful of food being thrown away each week. I just connected the dots". This is how this "weekly project" got started and more and more young people are coming together at least a couple of times a month to help out during their free time.

There are almost a dozen Sudanese refugee shelters in Tel Aviv. Each week, these volunteers pick up as much food as they can from the markets and deliver as much as they can to the Sudanese. The shelter that was distributed to today held five families. Approximately twenty two people- half of which are children, living in a few rooms put together to make into a house or a shelter. These refugees live amongst the worst possible conditions in Israel and the food that they receive each Friday is very much needed and is very much appreciated.

For more photos of this event, CLICK HERE

Food Parcels

By Luke Gasiorowski

Food items that are included in the food parcels.

Food parcels are distributed to Holocaust survivors, Sudanese refugees and others in need. These parcels are distributed throughout Israel. They consist of a number of food items purchased and compiled into a plastic bag.
These items are basic essentials needed by the average person:

Sugar (regular/brown), salt, oil (regular/soy), wheat, rice, noodles (pasta), pasta sauce, tuna, peas, beans, tea, coffee, chocolate spread, chocolate cookies (Oreo).

Other food is also distributed such as meat: hamburgers, kababs, ktzitzot, sausages and etc.

Links:
Photo Gallery

Vegetables & Fruits Hadera Distribution

by Luke Gasiorowski

Vegetables and fruit distribution was made to 150 Holocaust survivors living in difficult financial situation in Hadera.

This distribution is done in partnership with the Table to Table organization.

For more photos of this event, CLICK HERE

Holocaust Day Memorial in Ashdod

by Luke Gasiorowski

Two representatives of the HHC (Luke & Sebastian) were invited by the head of one of the Holocaust organizations in Ashdod that holds 574 Holocaust survivors, to a special Holocaust Day memorial at a cemetery in Ashdod. More than a few hundred Holocaust survivors attended the memorial, as well as many heads of Holocaust survivor organizations, the vice mayor of Ashdod and a number of Knesset members (Israeli parliament).

During the ceremony, one of the organizers of the event introduced the HHC and the present representatives to all of the Holocaust survivors. Shortly after, an Ashdod television crew that was filming the event asked the representatives to be interviewed on the spot regarding the work that is being conducted by the HHC. An interesting and quite inspiring question that was asked the representatives during the interview is WHY we are doing what we are doing? WHY do we care and make the effort when so many have forgotten the situation? This was an amazing opportunity to share the heart of the representatives and the HHC regarding the situation, and on TV.

After the interview, the HHC representatives were able to speak with the Knesset members & the vice mayors and take a few pictures with them.

For more photos of this event, CLICK HERE