A Guest Post by Lemaan Achai

We are all aware that the Kinneret, following years of drought in Israel, has
now hit "the red line".

However, you are probably not aware that, due to the economic downturn
and the weak dollar, Lema'an Achai's donations are *very* low.
And that, due to rising prices of basics (eg food, fuel, rent..) in
Israel, many more families have turned to Lema'an Achai in need of
help.

So much so that Lema'an Achai has also hit "the red line".

Crying Wolf: Lema'an Achai does not 'stage' emergency appeals. We are
'crying wolf' because there is a 'wolf'. Since establishing Lema'an
Achai, over eight years ago, I have not seen such a dire situation.
The need is increasing daily, while donations to help are slumping.

In our case this means cutting families' food coupons (=No Food),
utilities bills assistance (=No Electricity & Water) and other primary
aid (=Debt Collectors & Evictions) - while also cutting back on
Lema'an Achai's unique 'SmartChesed' services (to professionally solve
severe financial & other crises, and ultimately get these families
*out* of poverty).

We are cutting back on anything non-critical. So there'll be no
beautiful Lema'an Achai calendars this year.
And, sadly, we're closing down the Gush Katif Relief Fund and are
winding-down our experimental 'Old Bet Shemesh' Office.

My friends, I now have a check in front of me.

It's for 70,000 NIS ($20,000). It's to pay for food stamps. For
September. To tide over some Two Hundred needy families till Rosh Hashana.

I am not going to sign this check, if there's not the money to cover the bill.

Lema'an Achai are no longer able to help all of these local families
with relief today, nor a better future tomorrow.

How You Can Help: Of course you plan to donate generously to Lema'an
Achai for Rosh Hashana, Be"H....

But we now *also* need you to give generously this summer - in fact, right now.

And we also need your ongoing support - beyond the three times a year
that over two thousand people donate so generously to Lema'an Achai.
Please consider a standing-order, or regular credit card payment, so
that we can ride out this economic downturn, and be better resourced
for any future challenges.
Whether they be Economic Recession, Wars, Refugees, or the Hundreds
of family level crises which we address and resolve every day...

How to Donate: see www.lemaanachai.org/donate.asp

You can also help us by sending this email to your family and close
friends (ONLY!) - adding your personal testimony and recommendation
of Lema'an Achai's remarkable work and rock-solid integrity.
--
Tizku Lemitzvot,
David & Avrohom