The Most Basic Needs
There are many indigent families who live in the Romema neighborhood of Jerusalem. In the fall, school supplies and books are a necessity for the children as well as clothing and food. In the winter, the families need blankets, warm clothes, the money to cover the cost of heat. In the last 38 years, more than 250 children have been helped through the Romema Neighborhood Project spearheaded by the late Trudi Birger. Her husband, Zev, who continues this work, tells us that their philosophy is to invest in these families by giving them what is necessary to meet such basic needs and equally as important, encouragement and hope. The long-term goal is to break the cycle of poverty and build self-esteem. History has proven that by attentive care and support from the outside, the children are all graduating from high school and many are going on to pursue higher education.
Zev Birger
Our Involvement
Initially, Hands On Tzedakah partnered with another organization in buying heaters for 25 of the families that needed them last winter. Together, we paid for the electricity costs to run the heaters for the 5 months of winter. We continued this support this past winter- our fourth. We provide Passover and High Holiday food and a subsidy for clothing to the 25 families and this winter and spring HOT paid for an allowance for prescription medication, college tuition for 2 students, dental work for an elderly woman and paint to fix up an apartment.
Contact Information:
Romema Neighborhood Project, Zev Birger, 2 HaMeyasdim St., Jerusalem 96224, 011-972-643-6628, Zevb@netvision.net.il
