Week Four of War: Loss, Resilience, and Continued Support

As the fourth week of war unfolds, the situation remains critical for Project Kesher Israel’s community. Following recent missile attacks in Dimona and Arad, four PKI group participants lost their homes. In shock and temporarily staying with relatives or friends, PKI’s coordinators have been supporting them in navigating next steps.

Across the community, stress levels remain extremely high—financially, emotionally, and physically. PKI continues to provide daily online programming, including support groups with psychologists and social workers, as well as educational sessions that offer both practical tools and a sense of connection.

One urgent area of focus has become financial fraud prevention, as scams targeting Russian-speaking immigrants have increased during the war. Through our financial literacy program, led by board member Margarita Slavkin, participants are learning how to recognize and respond to these threats. With this support, several women have already been able to seek help from banks and authorities—steps that would have been difficult to take alone.

A recent community survey also revealed alarming gaps in access to safety: 21% of participants have no access to a bomb shelter, while many others must run several minutes to reach public shelters under dangerous conditions. For immigrants with limited local support networks, PKI remains a vital lifeline.

With deep sadness, we also share the passing of our beloved arts teacher, Yulia Chodot (pictured above) after a long battle for her health. A cherished member of our community, Yulia brought warmth, creativity, and resilience to all who knew her. Earlier this year, she chose a Hebrew name—Yael—in a meaningful ceremony held in her home. Her memory will remain a blessing to our entire community.