Finding Strength in Community Amid Sirens

Photo taken by Anna Talisman, MSW

In recent days, families in Jerusalem and across central Israel have been running to shelters multiple times a day and night. Many of Project Kesher Israel’s Russian- and Ukrainian-speaking participants face overcrowded public shelters far from home, spending long hours with their children and pets in jam-packed rooms filled with strangers just to stay safe. Some coordinators are hosting friends or participants who have serious health needs and no safe space of their own.

Despite these challenges, Project Kesher Israel continues to provide vital support. Coordinators host 3–4 daily Zoom sessions offering emotional support, practical tools, and educational workshops on resilience, trauma, and understanding Israeli society. Recent highlights included a conversation with leading Russian- and Ukrainian-speaking feminists for International Women’s Day and a Kabbalat Shabbat service with over 70 participants, sharing songs, Torah study, and reflections on community and strength.

Even in these difficult circumstances, PKI’s community shows up for one another—offering comfort, connection, and hope. Your support ensures we can continue providing these essential lifelines