The Hamas attack and the consequences for the region. We can do something!
Together, we can support people and organisations in Israel and Gaza, who are affected by this conflict, to continue their educational work. Please help us!
The new escalation challenges us all
Since Hamas' terrorist attack on Israel on 7th October, war has been raging again. On that day alone, around 1,400 civilians died in Israel. In the ensuing armed conflict more than 11,000 people have died in the Gaza strip and almost 1.5 million people are on the run. With this appeal for donations, we would like to ask you to support the people in Waldorf educational institutions in Israel and the educational work in Gaza.
Neta Erez Waldorf School and Kfar Rafael therapeutic education centre in Be'er Sheva
Be'er Sheva is within range of short-range rockets from Gaza. Since 7th October, just getting to school has been too dangerous, so the pupils at the Neta Erez Waldorf School in Be'er Sheva are only being taught online. In addition, the school's shelter cannot be reached from all parts of the building within the specified time after the alarm.
After 7th October, all schools throughout Israel were closed. At the end of October, most schools returned to face-to-face teaching, but not in Be'er Sheva. Some parents left the area, others lost their jobs, which meant that parental contributions were cancelled. There is a shortfall of around €24,000 per month. With your help, we would like to ensure that the teachers continue to receive their salaries and are not forced to leave the city and look for another job. Because it is particularly important in this situation that they can remain in reliable contact with their pupils.
The therapeutic education centre and village community Kfar Rafael, also in Be'er Sheva, is suffering greatly from the renewed war situation. Fifty people with disabilities normally live here. Most of them were evacuated to the Sea of Galilee and the Arava (border region with Jordan). Only the older employees remained to guard and protect the facility. Costs for the evacuation and accommodation at the interim destinations are not financed by government agencies. It is estimated that €50,000 will be needed, as all employees assume that the people being cared for will have to stay in the alternative accommodation for an extended period of time.
In almost all Waldorf schools, Waldorf kindergartens and therapeutic education centres in Israel, parents and teaching staff are affected by the attacks – either close to home or, more rarely, further away. Everywhere, school fees have fallen dramatically because parents' incomes have been completely or partially cancelled and all other concerns are greater. We are working closely with the Israeli Waldorf Forum to identify priorities and provide appropriate support.
Emergency pedagogy: missions in Gaza and Israel
For 14 years, the Friends' Emergency Pedagogy has been closely linked to the Gaza Strip. We have carried out missions and supported projects. At present, it is not possible for foreign teams to carry out missions, but we are in constant contact with our colleagues on the ground, who started providing emergency peagogy to children and young people in Gaza and Israel in October, and we are trying to provide support at various levels. We will act on the ground as soon as the situation allows. These measures cannot be realised without funds from abroad. We are grateful for every donation.
We would like to ask you very warmly to support both the facilities in Israel and the future emergency educational missions in Gaza, and to make your donation available to us.