By Carly Zenker Marzouk, Development Manager
The mission of our Women’s Giving Circle (WGC) has always been to support organizations and initiatives that improve the health and education of women and children in Israel. In the wake of October 7, and amid ongoing conflict and war in the region, this work, and our shared responsibility, has taken on even deeper urgency and meaning.
The dynamic and harrowing reality continues to take a profound toll on families and communities across Israel, upending daily life and creating unprecedented challenges for those already navigating difficult circumstances. While the past few years have been devastating for all, they have been particularly challenging for families raising children with disabilities. Some families have been forced to confront new diagnoses or worsening conditions during the ongoing conflict, while also coping with the uncertainty, stress and disruption that war brings. For parents navigating this reality for the first time, coordinating care and accessing resources can be overwhelming. Families often face heightened anxiety while trying to secure the therapies, educational accommodations, and support their children in need, all while managing the broader emotional strain affecting their households.
In 2025, our Women’s Giving Circle supported Kesher: The Home for Special Families in Israel, an organization that empowers families to navigate the complexities of raising a child with disabilities amidst crisis, ensuring they receive tailored support and practical tools. For more than two years, these families have had to adapt to an extraordinarily difficult reality, coping with heightened stress, anxiety, regression in their children’s development, loss of independence, and behavioral challenges. In some cases, families face even more complex situations: raising multiple children with disabilities, managing single-parent households, or coping with the prolonged reserve duty of a parent serving in the military. Despite growing therapeutic and emotional needs, dedicated services for these families remain limited, and many are referred to general support systems that do not adequately address their unique circumstances.
Kesher’s mission is to serve as a “home for special families” in Israel, providing professional, holistic, and accessible services for families raising children and adults with disabilities. Their support extends beyond parents to include siblings and grandparents. Through comprehensive case management and advocacy, Kesher ensures families receive individualized guidance in navigating the many aspects of caring for a child with special needs. The organization offers enrichment lectures, workshops, trainings, and professionally facilitated support groups that equip parents with practical coping strategies, while fostering connection and resilience among families facing similar challenges. Kesher’s dedicated Advocacy, Aid, and Emergency Center provides personalized assistance to families in exercising their rights and accessing paramedical treatments, educational framework accommodations, and logistical support.
Organizations like Kesher continue to provide sustained support and respond to rising needs as Israel navigates a complex and evolving security landscape.
Our community has the opportunity to make a meaningful difference once again. This year, members of the WGC have already raised more than $70,000 that will fund initiatives that build resilience, provide hope, and strengthen families providing vital support to women and children in Israel during this challenging time.
To join us in this effort, reach out to Carly at czenker@jfedsrq.org. Your voice, your perspective, and your contribution matter.