International Women's Day 2024

Dear friends,

We mark this year’s International Women’s Day with heavy hearts. The atrocities perpetrated on October 7 have left an indelible imprint on our psyches. 

That day and the subsequent warfare have not excluded women, neither those who continue to exhibit leadership and resourcefulness on the front lines and at home, nor those who fell victim, in both body and soul, to horrific acts of violence. 

Woman to Woman is familiar with trauma and the complexities of coping with it: Every woman and child whom we help has a personal story of a life lived in the shadow of violence and a brave flight from that violence and onto a path of healing.

For this reason we want to share with you glimmers of hope we have encountered in the course of our work:

A resident’s progress:

Ayalie (not her real name) was born in Ethiopia and recently concluded a one-year stay in the Jerusalem Shelter. She came to us without any legal status in the country and with no means of economic support, but with a tremendous desire to change her situation, to stand on her own feet financially, and to begin her life anew after years of abuse and violence at the hands of her partner.

Ayalie formed meaningful friendships with other women in the shelter – anchors of stability and mutual support for both parties.

She recently began the second part of her journey, when she and her children moved into one of our Second-Phase Halfway apartments. She found work, her children are in appropriate educational frameworks, and Ayalie continues to enjoy Woman to Woman’s support and aid.

As is our custom, we held a “good-bye” party for her before she left, and Ailie shared her feelings with us there:  

“I remember the day we came to the shelter clearly. It was a Wednesday afternoon, and Sara and Miriam [staff memebers] welcomed us warmly and with broad smiles. We soon got to know the entire staff and the other mothers and children staying at the shelter. After leaving a home filled with strife and violence, we knew we had come to a home of love and kindness.

Shlomtsi [social worker] stayed by my side for the entire year we were here. I want to thank her, and all of you. All of you have become our family. This shelter, the personnel, the volunteers – men and women alike – were always there for me and my children. You all helped us, you made us stronger, and you embraced us. I want to thank you sincerely for all you have done. With your help, we have been able to start on a new path, toward new lives.

I wish all of you good health, and I wish for peace in Israel. We love you all and are tremendously grateful for your investment in us, each of you individually and all of you together.”

Dafna Bril-Griver, Social Worker in the Halfway Housing program, Ashdod:

“Every day I am confronted by the difficulties and barriers which a woman leaving a shelter encounters in her private life. Israeli society has indeed made considerable progress in advancing women’s status and rights, but there is still a long way to go, and International Women’s Day is an apt occasion to reflect on the possible responses that could be offered to help them integrate in the community and manage independent and safe lives.

Women are the first to be affected by a crisis, especially those who are single parents. This was made clearer than ever when “Iron Swords,” as we in Israel call the present war with Hamas in the Gaza Strip, broke out. The barrage of rockets and incessant air-raid sirens caught the women who live in the Second-Phase apartments here in Ashdod without a “safe room,” since only the newest homes in the city have any such facilities. They were forced to sleep with their children in public bomb shelters, not only fearful for their lives at the hands of the terrorists, but also vulnerable and at the mercy of strangers.      

As a society, we must do everything we can to implement more suitable conditions to protect and reintegrate these women and their children into ordinary society.”

Yael, a volunteer with women in our shelter:

“I was keen to volunteer in a way that would unburden the women with whom I work from the pain and distress of their previous lives.

When my wish to ‘erase’ the past came up against daily life in the Jerusalem Shelter, I realized that there was no way I could un-do what had already happened. But I did realize that our encounter in the shelter provided both of us – me as a volunteer and the women as the residents – with cherished moments filled with compassion, humanity, closeness and connection.”

Sale of Vintage Clothing:

In February Woman to Woman joined forces with a non-profit association with like-minded goals in a sale of vintage clothing. Together with El HaLev we organized a sale whose proceeds were dedicated to aid women who had been the victims of violence. 

We want to thank everyone who donated items, everyone who purchased them, and all the volunteers who gave of their time and talents to make the sale a resounding success.

Your Donation is Greatly Appreciated!
Now, more than ever, we need donations to continue to help those who have no economic backing or family support.
USA:  tax-deductible contributions by check/wire transfer can be made via PEF Israel Endowment Funds, or by credit card, via the link above.

Woman to Woman is partially funded by the Israeli Ministry of Social Affairs and Social Services.
We gratefully acknowledge the support of our many friends and donors:
Anatta Ltd. (cc); Bonot Alternativa; The Clore Israel Foundation; Coca Cola Israel; The Jerusalem Foundation; Arlene R. Kogod; Kol Nashim (Colorado Hebrew Chorale); The Jennifer Lalin Memorial Foundation (Jewish Federation in the Heart of New Jersey); Matan - Investing in the Community; PEF Israel Endowment Funds; Rochlin Foundation; Schusterman Foundation Israel (SFI); Lady Nancy Wald, and all our generous private donors in Israel and abroad.