The human suffering and the hopelessness in Levinsky Park is palpable. Without this morning’s meal, hundreds of people would have gone hungry until later tonight. I honestly don’t know how they are surviving in the cold and rain…The forecast is for temperatures in the 40’s tonight and 50’s during the day tomorrow.

These were the words we read upon awakening this past Friday morning. The author is Allen Katzoff, a Good People Fund board member who is fortunate to be spending the winter months in Tel Aviv. Allen has been our eyes and ears following the African refugee crisis there very closely. Several weeks ago when visiting Tel Aviv we ourselves saw first-hand the humanitarian disaster that is brewing there.

We are more than sensitive to the very real political and social ramifications of the current refugee situation and know that it must be resolved. But, we also believe that while the refugees are there, while employment options quickly dwindle and government sanctions take hold, they must have sustenance. For that reason each morning we are providing a modest breakfast that will sustain these individuals until the evening meal is served in the park.

Can you help us provide this simple but very important meal? With the help of our friend, and most definitely one of our Good People, Gideon Ben Ami (who has volunteered his talents to put this all together and run the program daily) and some excellent connections we can provide breakfast to 500 refugees for a cost of about $205 (or 40 cents a meal) each day. A donation of any amount will help us keep the program running for as long as it is needed. (Coincidentally, talking about "running"…when Sivan Slapak, a friend and Good People Fund supporter heard about our breakfast efforts she wanted to help. Appealing to friends and family, Sivan solicited donations to sponsor her run in the Jerusalem half-marathon, held the day of our first breakfast serving. With Sivan’s help we have covered several more days of sustenance.)

For a more detailed description of this breakfast program check out the following blog post which Allen posted a few weeks ago. http://blogs.timesofisrael.com/from-africa-to-tel-aviv-part-1/