Last year, when we celebrated the successful conclusion of our first Jewish Princess Odyssey, it was inconceivable to think that, before we started to plan the second one, Israel would be at War again. As a result of this catastrophe, hundreds more children need our help, which is why we are asking you to help us to raise vitally needed funds by taking part in the challenge of a lifetime.

In the towns of Sderot in the south and Akko in the north, children and their families have suffered, and are continuing to suffer, badly from the after- effects of the 2006 Lebanese War. Last year's Odyssey provided us with the seed money to begin building The Sarah Ronson Crisis and Intervention Centre in Sderot. This has always been a town with a very high unemployment rate but now things are much worse. Kassam rocket attacks occur daily and affect all the citizens of this beleaguered town. From hiding under their beds when they hear a loud noise to wetting their beds at night, children are suffering, affected by the trauma of living under fire. Residents can be forced into shelters with often no more than 15 seconds warning. Parents are never sure if their children will make it home from school and families never know if they will sit down to eat together again.

Now, more than ever, EMUNAH’s Crisis and Intervention Centre is needed to give counselling and therapy for these traumatised families. With your help, we can complete this building and provide the counselling and therapies that will help the families of Sderot try to cope with their very difficult situation.

In the centre of Akko, EMUNAH is completely refurbishing a Day Care Centre for over 90 children in a poor immigrant neighbourhood, where most of the families are on welfare. Your donations will help to repair this centre and ensure that the children receive a hot meal every day and are able to play in a safe environment.

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