A year ago, I could not have imagined that, in my capacity as Telfed Chairman, I’d be driving to a rehabilitation hospital in the north to discuss equipment shortages, with a helmet on my passenger seat and no GPS to guide me. I could not have envisioned the most haunting conversations with veteran Olim who lost loved ones under the most horrific circumstances—stories we all saw in the news suddenly taking on a personal connection. I could not have anticipated hearing the desperate stories from displaced families or learning about the toll of uncertainty on their mental and physical health. Sitting with them, getting to know them, hearing about their families, their homes, their Aliyah journeys decades ago, and, showing them through action, that as a community we have not forgotten them.
Together with hundreds of students, I fought back tears at Telfed’s Annual Scholarship Ceremony as we dedicated scholarships in memory of two fallen soldiers who were part of the extended Telfed-PRAS scholarship family.
One conversation I will never forget took place during a visit to Tel Hashomer Rehabilitation Hospital with Telfed staff and volunteers. S* (a wounded soldier from an elite unit), lying in bed and paralysed, told us that we should all be promoting Aliyah because this is our home and where we need to be. At a time when the South African government was taking Israel to the ICJ, S*, from his hospital bed, was a beacon of hope and optimism and an outspoken advocate for Aliyah.
Just a few weeks ago, my wife Jocelyn and I spent a day in the South with a group of amazing Telfed volunteers, both young and old, cleaning a nursery school. With the new school year around the corner, we unpacked equipment and toys and cleaned a classroom that had been abandoned in October. I have spent time with bereaved families, delivered boxes of protein bars to elite units, and enjoyed a braai with Lone Soldiers. None of this would have made sense a year ago. Today, it seems like the most obvious thing to do.
It is with immense pride that I reflect on the work Telfed has undertaken this year. In addition to providing guidance and support for new Olim, welfare services, scholarships, subsidised apartments, and more, the Telfed team of staff and volunteers has initiated numerous projects to heal a broken country. I extend my appreciation to the Directorate for taking on additional commitments to ensure that we operate at the highest standards, with transparency and efficiency, to meet urgent needs. To our veteran volunteers, and the many new volunteers who have joined the Telfed ranks, thank you for being a vital part of our organisation. Thank you to the Telfed staff for your professionalism and dedication to our Olim community and to our country.
As we approach Rosh Hashanah, I turn to you, members of our community. This year, thanks to the generous support of our major donors, all donations made during Telfed’s 36-hour Rosh Hashanah campaign will be tripled! Donations will enable Telfed to continue the critical work of supporting the needs of our Olim community and aiding in the recovery of our country after a devastating year.
With gratitude,
Maish Isaacson,
Telfed Chairman
*name withheld for privacy