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News and Updates April 2026
- Yulia Zemach
- May 6
- 6 min read
Dear Partners,
In recent weeks, the media have been publishing troubling reports about youth violence, particularly in southern Tel Aviv. Public discourse tends to focus on fear, blame, and enforcement, but often misses the central question of what creates this reality in the first place, and what is our responsibility as a society to change it.
It is impossible to understand youth violence without understanding its context. Numerous studies worldwide point to a direct link between social exclusion, legal instability, and the absence of a future horizon, and an increased risk of crime. Children who grow up without a sense of belonging and without a clear future start their journey from an unequal starting point.
In Israel, thousands of children born to asylum-seeking parents live within exactly this reality. They grow up here, study in the education system, speak Hebrew, and dream like any child, yet unlike their peers, their future is not guaranteed. This vacuum is not neutral; it produces fertile ground for despair, alienation, and the search for belonging through other means.
But within this reality, there is also choice. A choice to create different spaces. A choice not to give up on these children.
At JACC, we meet these children and families every single day in activities, in gatherings, in the small moments when a sense of belonging is built, when a horizon opens, when a real alternative is created. In recent months, all of this has continued under the reality of a war that deepens uncertainty and hardship even further but also reveals the power of community.
Alongside the challenges, we have witnessed an extraordinary mobilization of partners and volunteers who have accompanied us, strengthened us, and enabled our work to continue even during this complex period. Thanks to them, we have been able to remain a stable anchor for the community.
In this newsletter, you will read about the past month's moments of community and celebration, recreational activities for children and mothers, exciting collaborations, and small but meaningful steps toward building a different future.
To continue building these spaces, we need you. Your presence and support, in whatever form, allow this work to continue, grow, and deepen its response to the community.
The refugee community is part of our shared life here, people living among us, navigating a difficult reality, and seeking stability, belonging, and the opportunity to live with dignity. When this community receives a response and support, it affects not only them but the entire social fabric, and our ability as a society to preserve our humanity and mutual responsibility.
We invite you to continue being part of this work to support us and join us so that we can keep acting together.
With hope for calmer and safer days for us all,
Yulia Zemach, CEO
What happened this month?
A Passover of Community, Connection, and Joy
During the Passover holiday, we held a special event in partnership with the Church of Christ and community volunteers. The children enjoyed games, singing, and dancing, while the mothers participated in a parenting guidance session with Tsaga, our community mediator. The activity concluded with a shared meal and the distribution of gifts — moments of warmth, belonging, and joy. One particularly moving moment was when all the children sat together and sang with the volunteers — community at its finest.
50 Families Received Food Baskets — Thanks to You
In partnership with the organization "Standing Together," we launched a food basket fundraising campaign, raising approximately 20,000 NIS. Using the donations, we purchased basic food items, diapers, and baby food, and distributed food baskets to around 50 families in the community. The distribution day itself was especially moving and included a buna coffee hosting for all participants — a moment of giving, dignity, and community.
A Moving Gathering for Older Adults
A special event was held for approximately 15 adults aged 60 and above from the community. Tsaga cooked a rich traditional Ethiopian meal, and volunteers from the church joined — including guitarists who created a warm, connecting atmosphere. The gathering included shared blessings, singing, and prayer, and concluded with a traditional buna ceremony prepared together with community members. It was a moving gathering of respect, tradition, and intergenerational connection.
A Creative Respite for Children and Families
During the challenging period of the war and the Passover holiday, we created a space of respite and creativity for children and mothers. Thanks to a donation from the Centers for Social Justice, we purchased a wide range of art supplies, and the children made sock puppets and colorful masks. The activity gave children a chance to express themselves and have fun — and gave mothers a moment of rest and connection with one another.
Moments of Together: Picnic, Community Activity, and Marathon
We held a particularly successful community Passover picnic, where it was wonderful to see even the adults joining in games like volleyball.
One of the most meaningful moments of the period was our participation in the Jerusalem Marathon, in the family race category. Children, parents, and community members ran together along the route, experiencing a sense of pride and belonging, turning the run into an especially moving community experience. Beyond the sport itself, it was an opportunity to see our community present in the public space — strong, joyful, and connected.
Thank You to Our Partners Along the Way
This past period, with all its challenges, would not have looked the same without the partners and volunteers who work alongside us, shoulder to shoulder.
A huge thank you to:
Food Rescuers — for their assistance in preparing and transporting hot meals to families in the community.
Jerusalem Foundation — for their support, which enabled the purchase of food and essential supplies for families.
Hashomer Hatzair Movement — to the communards and members of the Bik'a branch, for a joyful and moving happening for the community's children, and for their presence and action even in a time of emergency.
Centers for Social Justice — for their support, assistance, and partnership during this challenging period.
Noar TELEM — who are with us every step of the way, always ready to step up and help with every need.
Church of Christ — for donations of food, medicine, and meaningful partnership.
FELM — for their donation and assistance with community activities.
The Jerusalem Emergency Coordination Center, together with Lev Echad — for their help in recruiting volunteers and responding quickly to needs arising from the field.
Standing Together and the Purple House in Jerusalem — for accompanying and supporting the food donation fundraising campaign.
And above all, a deep and heartfelt thank you to all of our volunteers, who are with us day after day, accompanying the community and families, and forming an inseparable part of everything we do. ❤️
We Would Love Your Help
As our best ambassadors, we would appreciate your help in sharing the following announcements. Open Positions
We are looking for a Rights Fulfillment Coordinator
CEO for the organization
We currently have the job descriptions in Hebrew. If you would like us to publish them in English as well, please contact us by email and we will arrange a translation for you.
Volunteering
Expanding the Board of Directors — We are recruiting board members for a meaningful role that can take JACC to new heights. If this sounds interesting to you, or if you know a suitable candidate, please reach out to us by email at ceo@jacc.org.il with your details and an explanation of why you would like to take part in the board.
Volunteers — We are continuing to expand our volunteer teams. Our most urgent current needs are volunteers for rights fulfillment and children's mentoring. For more information on volunteering and registration, click here
Community Store
We would appreciate your help in finding a small storage space in the city center area where we can store food and donations and carry out distribution once every one to two weeks.
Connections to food networks and suppliers who can donate or provide on an ongoing basis — at a subsidized price — baby products, dry goods, and anything else suitable for distribution and assistance. For details, assistance, and questions, contact us at: psychosocial@jacc.org.il
Health and Medicine Fund — We would appreciate connections with health organizations that can assist our clients who have no health insurance and no means to purchase medication. For any help on this matter, please contact: rights@jacc.org.il
We need your support, cooperation, and involvement so that we can continue to provide security, hope, and opportunities to our community. As an organization funded entirely by private donations, every additional contribution allows us to touch more lives, open more doors, and continue dreaming together.
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