Dear friends and colleagues,
I’m reaching out to ask for support for our colleague, Esther Polonsky Goldberg, a devoted mother of three children living in Haifa. Over the past several weeks of war, Esther and her children—ages 11, 5, and 1—have faced unimaginable hardship. Without a safe room in their apartment and no nearby shelter she can reach quickly with her kids, Esther has spent 25 nights sleeping in a public school shelter. The shelter is crowded and brightly lit at all hours, making rest nearly impossible. Each day, Esther returns to her apartment to cook, do laundry, and manage essentials, only to go back to the shelter at night to keep her children safe.
Esther’s support system is extremely limited. Her husband is struggling with significant mental health issues, and her own family is in Moscow. She has no nearby relatives or friends with safer housing to turn to. After weeks of carrying this burden alone—caring for her children, coping with the war, and trying to work—Esther collapsed from exhaustion and was hospitalized for several days. While we are working to connect her with organizations and volunteers, these systems are overwhelmed and responses are slow. Esther works, which means she does not qualify for many formal social support programs, even though her need is urgent.
Your support can make a direct, immediate difference. Contributions will help provide nutritious hot kosher meals for Esther and her children while she recovers, assistance with cleaning and preparing the home for Passover, and safe outings for the children with trusted helpers. This will give Esther moments to rest and ensure her children are cared for during this crisis. Any amount you are able to give will be deeply appreciated and will go directly to support a mother doing everything she can to keep her children safe in an unbearably difficult time. Thank you for your kindness and discretion.
I’m reaching out to ask for support for our colleague, Esther Polonsky Goldberg, a devoted mother of three children living in Haifa. Over the past several weeks of war, Esther and her children—ages 11, 5, and 1—have faced unimaginable hardship. Without a safe room in their apartment and no nearby shelter she can reach quickly with her kids, Esther has spent 25 nights sleeping in a public school shelter. The shelter is crowded and brightly lit at all hours, making rest nearly impossible. Each day, Esther returns to her apartment to cook, do laundry, and manage essentials, only to go back to the shelter at night to keep her children safe.
Esther’s support system is extremely limited. Her husband is struggling with significant mental health issues, and her own family is in Moscow. She has no nearby relatives or friends with safer housing to turn to. After weeks of carrying this burden alone—caring for her children, coping with the war, and trying to work—Esther collapsed from exhaustion and was hospitalized for several days. While we are working to connect her with organizations and volunteers, these systems are overwhelmed and responses are slow. Esther works, which means she does not qualify for many formal social support programs, even though her need is urgent.
Your support can make a direct, immediate difference. Contributions will help provide nutritious hot kosher meals for Esther and her children while she recovers, assistance with cleaning and preparing the home for Passover, and safe outings for the children with trusted helpers. This will give Esther moments to rest and ensure her children are cared for during this crisis. Any amount you are able to give will be deeply appreciated and will go directly to support a mother doing everything she can to keep her children safe in an unbearably difficult time. Thank you for your kindness and discretion.
Organizer
