Local Philanthropist Giving Back to Israelis in Need
Right now, many Israelis are suffering due to COVID-19. More than 980,370 Israelis were unemployed as of this past October, which is almost one quarter of the workforce.
Families are going without food and are unable to pay for basic necessities like their rent, utilities and cars. That’s why Ruth Brandt, a Los Angeles-based philanthropist, started an urgent appeal in partnership with the Giving Group Community to raise emergency funds for families in Arad, Ashkelon and Dimona. All the fundraising is being done through the Israel Giving Bread website.
In a phone interview with the Journal, Brandt said she got involved because she’s a longtime Zionist. “I call [the funds] a breath. It’s for your washing machine or your refrigerator that breaks, or if you need to pay the dentist or the rent or a bill that’s strangling you. It lets you breathe.”