Bereaved Familes
More than 1,200 lives were tragically lost on October 7th, leaving families devastated by immeasurable losses. Daybreak partners with organizations established in the wake of this tragedy to support bereaved families. Among the grantees Daybreak supports is Tachshik Necklaces for Bereaved Families, an inspiring project initiated by Haredi women. Tachshik creates and gifts special silver necklaces to the bereaved families of hostages and the missing. These necklaces, engraved with a picture of the person’s relative, are deeply personal gifts presented by Haredi women. The Tachshik founders come in pairs or in groups of three, and while presenting the family with the necklace offer words of encouragement, embraces, and support for the family. Other grantees in this space offer retreats that foster connection and workshops to process grief.
Hostages
On October 7th, Hamas terrorized and brutalized innocent civilians and took 251 hostages, devastating their families and shocking the world. Among the captives were Israelis, Bedouins, migrant workers, and foreign nationals. Daybreak supports grantees assisting the families of those still held, those who have been released, and those mourning loved ones who died in captivity. These grantees provide vital social services to immigrant families and offer comfort and assistance to all affected families. Help for Families of Bedouin Hostages and Victims is a grantee made up of 10 volunteers who come from all the different Bedouin tribes, and work around the clock to provide for and support these families, who also come from different tribes. Beyond the essential day-to-day activities, there is also a wide communal network through which groups of Arabs and Jews come and visit families to show support.
Evacuees
Amid ongoing hostilities around Gaza and along Israel’s northern border, tens of thousands of Israelis have been evacuated and displaced, uprooting their daily lives and straining families as they seek a sense of normalcy. Joy Squad is a Daybreak grantee made up of more than 500 volunteers, including artists and educators. It was established on the very first day of the war in Gaza to help evacuated kids in dozens of centers around Israel. Joy Squad provides a comforting respite for the kids, conducting more than 1,050 events benefiting over 150,000 participants. Other Daybreak grantees in this category address the evolving needs of evacuees by collecting and distributing furniture and household items and providing social services and therapeutic support.
Wounded
Fighting a war on two fronts has inflicted profound hardships, leaving countless soldiers and civilians grappling with life-altering wounds and trauma. Daybreak partners with grantees to provide essential assistance in the journey to rehabilitation and recovery—a process made even more complex by the ongoing conflict and widespread displacement. One area that often gets overlooked is the need to adapt homes to meet the needs of wounded soldiers. Daybreak grantee Call-up Notice for Interior Designers gathered a group of 300 interior designers to renovate the homes of wounded soldiers, adapting them to soldiers’ physical and mental needs, and in turn helping with acclimating to their new lives.
Agriculture & Small Business Assistance
Israel’s economy has been deeply affected by the ongoing conflict, with small businesses and the agriculture sector bearing the brunt. Reservists have left their businesses to defend the country, and farmers, once reliant on foreign workers, face severe labor shortages. Daybreak Grantee Mobilization for Agriculture created an operations center to connect volunteers with farmers. The project transports volunteers to wherever their assistance is needed, helping farmers and farms continue to function and providing volunteers the opportunity to help rebuild communities in the Gaza envelope.
Raising National Morale
As the war continues and the nation awaits the return of hostages still in captivity, nurturing morale is vital. Daybreak partners with grantees dedicated to uplifting the spirits of people across Israel by sharing positive news, fostering unity, and providing constructive outlets for those affected. Strength Starts at Home places posters of different sizes across the country with messages calling for unity and maintaining routine during times of crisis. This project’s important messages continue to echo everywhere, causing anyone who encounters them to stop for a moment and think about themselves, about Israeli society, and about how it should look after this crisis has ended. Other grantees focus on creating opportunities for young people to connect with Israeli athletes competing at the highest levels.
Soldiers & Reservists
Soldiers and reservists called to serve in the IDF have made immense sacrifices, setting aside their civilian lives and careers and leaving their families to protect Israel’s safety and security. Daybreak grantees are offering critical assistance including caring for lone soldiers who lack support networks at home. Grantees are also helping to meet soldiers’ essential needs, providing equipment, clothing, laundry services, and heartfelt care packages to show gratitude and solidarity. Daybreak grantee Kavisa Mobile Laundromat for Soldiers recognized a basic need and has been operating a mobile laundry service for soldiers and reservists. Kavisa travels throughout the southern region offering freshly laundered clothes, a warm sense of home, and, most importantly, the feeling of being cared for.
Reservists’ Families
With Israel engaged on two fronts—against Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon—the military’s reliance on reservists places immense strain on their families. Daybreak partners with grantees working nationally and locally, from organizations advocating for comprehensive assistance for reservists’ families to community groups providing essentials like meals, clothing, and other necessities. Among them is Mamatkal – Moms’ Executive Office, which provides families with a support network, connecting the wives of reservists to “Home Communities.” These organizations offer resources to assist families, make sure their rights are preserved, and handle emergency situations. In the 125 established home communities reservists’ wives meet to create a network of mutual support and solidarity, strengthening each other.
Assistance To Those With Special Needs
Navigating the world is challenging enough under normal circumstances for individuals with special needs. The added uncertainty of wartime—displacement, responding to sirens, or coping with the loss of a loved one—has made it even harder. Daybreak supports grantees dedicated to addressing the unique needs of people with special needs during this difficult time. Daybreak grantee Activities for Special Needs Kids in Lod works in a community home to both Arabs and Jews, where relations between the two populations are often tense. This project holds events for these children and their families. The project is a heartwarming example of how the challenges and difficulties faced by these kids can be addressed while simultaneously creating social cohesion and unity.
