Rosh Hashanah is upon us, and this is the time when the people of Israel are revealed in all their power and generosity.
Thousands of farmers from all over the country are mobilizing for one goal: that no one will be left hungry on the holiday.
Although the corona has harmed them as well, they are happy to be part of Leket Israel's charitable enterprise, which collects their surplus agricultural produce and transfers it to dozens of non-profit organizations throughout the country.
In the midst of this complex logistical operation, we caught up with Yedidya Rosenberg, who manages the non-profit relations department at the Israel Collection.
"I have worked at Leket Israel for 13 years in various positions, and I do not remember such a period when the importance of the organization was as dramatic as in the current crisis that has befallen us since the Corona," he says.
"We actually supply oxygen to charities that feed hundreds of thousands of the needy.
"In the field of vegetables and fruits, we work with 220 non-profit organizations from all over the country. Each non-profit organization has a fixed day on which it receives produce. The day before, we send them a message about which products we have in stock. "The same basket, no matter if it is in Dimona, Tel Aviv or Kiryat Shmona. Each association receives produce according to the number of needy people it declares it supports."
Any association that has a proper management certificate and a certificate under section 46A of the Income Tax Ordinance, can work with the Israel Collection.
There are associations that receive the produce of Leket Israel and organize a market with stands of onions, tomatoes and lettuce and every needy person passes between the stalls and takes as much as he needs, and there are associations that have a distribution system, where volunteers come and distribute directly to the needy.
The second option has priority today, because many of the needy are afraid to leave their homes.
Photo: Leket Israel,
It is impossible to remain indifferent
Do you feel there has been an increase in demand since the corona?
. It's difficult for everyone. "
To illustrate the difficulty, Rosenberg shares some messages that reached him this week. "I ask you for help with food," writes one of the needy. "I live on an allowance of NIS 2,250 and pay NIS 2,500 in rent. I have no money to buy food or medicine, not even medical cannabis for the autistic. I would be happy to receive any help you can give me."
A 100 percent disabled father, a cancer patient, a single mother of four children, dealing with post-trauma, bankruptcy and many other very difficult stories that reach the center of the Israeli collection can not leave anyone indifferent.
"When a needy person writes to me 'I have nothing in the house, please bring me something', or if a baby from a distressed neighborhood says she and her husband are not working because of the corona and has nothing for the child to eat - if you are a human and not a robot, you can not let such messages pass you by. You have to help, especially now before the holidays, "says Rosenberg.
"Before the corona there were a lot of people who had a hard time surviving, but somehow survived and kept their heads above water. When the corona came and people lost their jobs, even if it was a minimum wage job, they plunged into the abyss. Even normative people who worked well and suddenly got seriously ill dived "One moment below the poverty line. It's not an easy move, but it's our reality."
Also donate a Rosh Hashanah meal, click here or call 5064 *
To what extent did the corona and closures affect your operations?
"Dramatically. In the field of cooked food we had a difficult problem this year, because hotel rooms and dining rooms of high-tech companies - which are a significant supplier for us - were closed. .
How difficult the reality in Israel in 2021 will be illustrated by Rosenberg's next story.
"We have now called a donor who has donated to us all these years and asked for his help this year as well. He told us he is ashamed to say, but because of Corona his business has collapsed and now he needs our help. It's not easy to hear it," says Rosenberg. Man, look at the people who do not see them, "says Rosenberg.
"You walk around the city and see people shopping, and you think the situation in the country is good, but it's an illusion. There are a lot of people you do not see, who do not leave their homes, who are looking for food in bins and their situation is very difficult, especially in the last year. "The minimum in order to exist, and I call on everyone who reads this article to join this important mitzvah, because whoever saves one soul seems to have saved the world and its fullness."
Also donate a Rosh Hashanah meal, click here or call 5064 *