Dear Etgarim Community, In the coming days, we will celebrate Passover—the holiday of freedom.
The freedom we mark and celebrate has not existed for a year and a half for the 59 hostages still held by Hamas. Their return—whether to the embrace of their families or to a proper burial—is our highest priority as a society, as a people, and as a country. Until this moral mission is fulfilled, our national wound cannot begin to heal, and we will not be able to turn to the inner and social work of rebuilding and repair. We all long for their swift return.
Over the past few months, we have continued to act on the three core paths we set for 2025—First, continuing and even expanding our regular activities.
Second, strengthening and growing our presence in the city of Sderot and the entire Gaza border region. And finally, establishing new groups for those wounded in body and soul by the war—both soldiers and civilians. You’ll find more about all of these in the rest of this newsletter.
A few months ago, we said goodbye to Boaz Dotan, who served as Chair of Etgarim for nearly a decade. Boaz, thank you from all of us for leading and steering Etgarim so wonderfully through complex and challenging times.
A warm welcome to Ze’ev Bielski, our incoming Chair, who brings with him rich experience, deep commitment, and tremendous energy.
Ze’evik, thank you and best of luck from all of us.
Our shared creation Etgarim is a sanctuary of goodness and of doing good together, and it exists thanks to you—our staff, volunteers, national service and service year participants, donors, and many dear partners.
Thank you and much appreciation to each and every one of you—you are truly amazing. And of course, our deepest gratitude to you, the thousands of Etgarim members—your strength and spirit inspire us all.
Wishing you and your loved ones chag sameach. Yours,
Nir |
|
|
Etgarim for the War Wounded |
We are continuing to move full steam ahead with our project supporting those wounded in body and soul by the war. As part of this effort, we’ve launched additional groups across various sports disciplines—some of them as part of the “Etgaristim” project in collaboration with Tnuva’s GO brand.
In addition, we are running programs specifically for individuals coping with PTSD, in partnership with the Ministry of Defense and the National Insurance Institute.
And soon, a new sailing group will open in Haifa, in collaboration with the National Insurance Institute, for survivors of the Nova festival attack. |
Accessibility: From right to left – four photos from activities for those wounded in the Iron Swords War: sailing, kayaking, scuba diving, and cycling. |
Etgarim Activities in Sderot and the Otef Region |
|
|
Accessibility: Photo of Etgarim Rope Course Activity in Sderot. |
|
Since the beginning of the war, we have held hundreds of activities for the residents of Sderot and the Otef region across various disciplines, in displaced centers and hotels in the Dead Sea area.
Now that they have returned home, we continue to support the residents and operate groups in different sports disciplines.
The groups are intended for children in special education and adults with disabilities, as well as for children and youth from the general education system in Sderot, as part of a joint project with the municipal education department, aimed at strengthening and empowering the youth. Soon, the Etgarim club will open in Sderot, which will serve as a warm home for all Etgarim activities in the area. |
|
|
Sailing Event in Memory of Amir Russo z”l |
Accessibility: Photo of Yellow flowers against a backdrop of sailboats and the sea. |
Last week, we held the 11th Russo Memorial Sail in honor of Amir Russo z”l—an Etgarim member, musician, and sailor—who was tragically killed in 2002 during an Etgarim sailing trip in Greece.
Over 200 Etgarim members and fellow sailors took part in the event, heading out to sea and holding a moving ceremony in his memory. |
|
Accessibility: Photo of the lounge area in our new headquarters office. |
We’re excited to share that after nearly two years without a permanent office, Etgarim’s headquarters has officially moved to its new home in Beit Dagan.
You’re welcome to come by and visit! |
|
|
Registration for Waterski Courses Is Now Open! |
Accessibility: Photo of Two men waterskiing |
Registration for the 2025 waterski courses is open, come ride the waves with us! We offer solutions for all types of disabilities, state-of-the-art equipment, and dedicated volunteers who will ensure you have an unforgettable experience on the water. |
| Diving Through the Winter |
Accessibility: Group photo of divers underwater, surrounded by fish |
Our dedicated volunteers and members at the Etgarim Diving Center didn’t slow down this winter—they continued with monthly dives, courses, and training sessions. They even held a special diving course for at-risk youth from the Eshkol region in the Otef area. |
|
|
Etgarim’s running group members and volunteers proudly represented us in races all across the country—including the Tel Aviv Marathon, the Jerusalem Marathon, the “Extraordinary Race” in Karmiel, the Torch Run, and more.
You're all Champions,!! 🏆🧡 |
|
|
Accessibility: Photos from various races. From right to left: the Rehovot group at the Tel Aviv Marathon, the Jerusalem group and Etgaristim at the Jerusalem Marathon, and the Karmiel group at the “Extraordinary Race” in Karmiel. |
|
|
Accessibility: Photo of jeeps on the trail. |
|
Meet the Group – Jeep Adventures |
Have you heard about Etgarim’s Jeep Adventures group?
Once a month on Saturdays, an amazing group of Etgarim members and volunteers gets together for a fun and challenging off-road adventure.
The next tour will take place on the last Saturday of May, heading to the Golan Heights. The trip will include a 4x4 jeep ride and a challenging route, enriched with heritage stories from the Battle of Tel Faher during the Six-Day War.
Want to join our Jeep Tours?
Contact Ronen, Jeep Tour Coordinator – 054-830-0693 |
|
|
Riding with New Immigrants |
Accessibility: Photo of kids cycling through open fields. |
Just recently, a meaningful and emotional cycling group came to a close—a group for teenage new immigrants from Ethiopia living at the Ibim Absorption Center near Sderot, some of whom arrived in Israel just a few months ago.
Together with their instructors, they went on weekly rides, exploring the blooming landscapes of the southern region. |
|
Accessibility: Photo of three participants of the ride write messages on a sign that was later hung at the Hostages Square. |
A week before the release of Naama Levy from Hamas captivity, we held a special ride led by her grandfather, Shaul, calling for her return and the return of all the hostages. Naama is now home, and we continue to pray for the swift return of all those still held captive. |
|
|
This Past Month, Over 60 New “Round-Up for Good” Supporters Joined Etgarim – What About You? How does Round-Up for Good work?
Paid with an Israeli credit card? Your purchase amount will be rounded up to the nearest shekel, and the extra change will be donated to Etgarim. For example: You bought something for ₪9.80, paid ₪10.00, and donated 20 agorot. That adds up to an average monthly donation of just ₪5—small change that makes a big difference! |
| |
|
| Etgarim is a nonprofit organization, and donations are tax-deductible under Section 46a of the Israeli Income Tax Ordinance.
NGO Registration Number: 580258242 To donate: Call *8706
To send a check by mail:
P.O. Box 38, Beit Dagan 5025001 |
|
|
|
