While the security situation continues to challenge daily life in the north, dozens of civil society organizations continue to operate on the ground and strengthen the local community. Behind much of this work is the Haifa-Boston Partnership, the Haifa office of the Boston Federation, the CJP, which has been operating in the city for over three decades and promotes social, educational and community initiatives while strengthening the connection between the Haifa community and the Jewish community in Boston.
Since October 7, the partnership has served as a central conduit for transferring donations and dedicated support to organizations operating across the country. Even during this complex period — against the backdrop of the war with Iran and the ongoing shelling from Lebanon — the partnership continues to support nonprofits and initiatives operating on the ground and helping to strengthen community resilience.
The initiatives currently being supported operate in a variety of areas with the aim of providing an immediate response to needs arising from the field: promoting a shared society, developing leadership, and strengthening resilience among youth and in the community space.
The partnership is proud to share that precisely in this period of war and uncertainty, the power of civil society is revealed. The organizations operating on the ground are demonstrating initiative, commitment, and impressive adaptability, and are working tirelessly to provide children, families, and communities with spaces of stability, support, and hope.
In this article, we bring you some of the stories of the organizations and initiatives that continue to operate even during the war — and strengthen the Haifa community from within.
Setting out for change: "The Living Room" as a community anchor in times of emergency
Organizations are setting out for change It is a social organization founded by members of Haredi society, and works to help young men and women who grew up in Haredi society integrate into Israeli society and realize their potential in studies, employment, and civic life.
In Haifa, “The Living Room” operates, a community space supported by the Haifa-Boston Partnership and CJP and serves as a place for learning, work, meeting, and personal and professional development.
Since the beginning of Operation "Harry's Roar," the place has become a significant anchor for young men and women seeking routine, support, and a safe space.
The salon is open daily from 10:00 AM to 22:00 PM, and offers:
- Community meetings
- Learning and working space
- Friday meals
- Financial and personal assistance
All alongside an active and protected shelter.
Parents at the Center: Support for Parents and Preschool Children
"Parents in the Center", operating in Kiryat Eliezer with the support of the partnership and CJP, continues to provide guidance and support to young families.
The activity includes:
- Personal phone calls
- Online meetings
- הדרכות הורים
- Stress relief support groups
The center provides a warm home even from a distance and helps parents cope with the emotional challenges of the period.
ENP National Project: Academic and Emotional Stability
The ENP project operates the SPACE program for educational enrichment, in Kiryat Yam.
73 students participated in online learning sessions this week.
Orit Danino, middle school principal and national project coordinator at Levinson High School in Kiryat Yam: "During this challenging period of war, the SPACE project provides our students with an important and meaningful response beyond the regular teaching hours of the Ministry of Education. Beyond strengthening their studies, this framework also has a significant contribution in the emotional aspect. It gives students a sense of stability, routine, and security in a time of uncertainty. We see how much this initiative helps students, both in their academic progress and in their sense of calm and security."
Education for the Peaks: A Strengthening Community from a Distance
In the shadow of the war, the Center of Excellence in Kiryat Eliezer, a collaboration between the Haifa Municipality and the Boston-Haifa Partnership, continues to operate and provide students with a sense of stability. In a first online meeting, which was attended by about 70 parents and children, a clear need for routine and continuity emerged. The students openly shared the difficulties they are experiencing during this time, and even presented their pets to the cameras as a moment of comfort and emotional respite. Alongside the emotional discourse, the holiday of Purim was celebrated with a national digital costume contest that connected the Centers of Excellence across the country, with the aim of giving children moments of joy, encouraging creativity, and strengthening the sense of community and resilience, even from a distance.
I-Cut: Creation and living together even in times of war
I-CAT is a center for shared living and a non-profit organization that works to connect communities and promote equal opportunities through professional training, art, and education. During the war, creative and progressive activities are held for youth on Zoom, broadcast from a professional studio set up specifically for this purpose. The instructors lead the meetings in a format reminiscent of a live podcast, allowing boys and girls who cannot physically come to the center to continue creating, connecting, and getting through the difficult days together. I-CAT emphasizes that no war will stop this connection.
Naim Abid, CEO of the association, concludes: "When youth and students continue to study and even initiate joint activities even during wartime, we know that we have managed to maintain something deeper, the sense of hope and the ability to move forward, together."
Influencers: Female leadership even in times of emergency
An influencer program, operating for over a decade, continues to promote female entrepreneurs and leaders from Haifa.
Despite the situation, the participants meet, learn, and develop their businesses, sometimes even from shelters.
Professional and community connections provide strength and a sense of partnership.
Equality Gate: Sports, Education, and Resilience
The Shaar Shvyun association continues to operate educational-sports programs for thousands of children.
The activity has moved to online meetings that include training, inspirational talks, and emotional activities, to maintain a stable and safe framework.
Yahel: Volunteering and connecting communities
Yahel is an educational organization that works to create volunteer opportunities and social action for young people from around the world. The organization connects young people to communities in Israel through volunteer activities in peripheral cities, with a vision of promoting social change and strengthening the connection between communities. During the war, Yahel associates and volunteers continue to work for the local community: some work shifts at public shelters in the city and help residents in need, others volunteer to pack food baskets in collaboration with the “Givers with Love” association, and assist the emergency volunteer system in Kiryat Haim.
Rambam Hospital: Historic evacuation operation
The Haifa-Boston Partnership and the CJP organization continue to donate essential equipment to improve the treatment conditions in the protected areas of Rambam Hospital, which, with the beginning of Operation "The Roar of the Lion," carried out a complex and rapid operation to transfer patients to the protected underground hospital. The operation, conducted in cooperation with the Navy and the Home Front Command, was completed in only 11 hours.
Currently, more than 900 patients are hospitalized in the protected complex, including patients transferred from four other hospitals in the area that do not have protected infrastructure. In addition, about 150 patients are hospitalized in protected facilities above ground, and thousands more come every day for tests and outpatient treatments.
Achraitech Program
A joint venture of the "Achrai" association and the 8200 association, in collaboration with the Haifa-Boston Partnership and the Future Leaders Association, operates in the Haifa and northern areas with the goal of opening a door to the world of technology and high-tech for young men and women, alongside preparation for significant technological service in the IDF.
These days, the biweekly meetings are held online, combining technological learning with open discourse that allows participants to process the complex reality together and strengthen the sense of group connection.
Hila Hayut Kassa, group instructor, says: "In the first few days, we focused on checking that everyone was okay, that the trainees felt safe, and that they had space to share and be together. Later, we gradually returned to work on the annual project. The trainees are demonstrating impressive coping, commitment, and good spirit, and are looking forward to arriving ready for the hackathon at the end of the year."
Nirim Association – Nirim in Classrooms Program
The program, now in its third year at Kiryat Haim High School with the support of the Haifa-Boston Partnership, is designed for at-risk youth. Two counselors regularly accompany two classes, assisting students with academic progress, strengthening social skills, and developing life skills.
With the outbreak of war, the Nirim team acted quickly to maintain a continuum of support for the students: the counselors and educators established personal contact with each student, asked about their well-being, and provided a listening ear to any concerns and difficulties that arose. Recently, individual face-to-face meetings have also begun, depending on the need and the security situation, allowing students space to process their emotions and strengthen their coping skills.
According to Isis Kovac, director of the Nirim area in the neighborhoods"Our work during the war focuses on creating continuity, stability, and human response. The significant adult and the secure connection are the basis for the students' ability to maintain a routine even during complex days. Nirim continues to stand by the students, attentive, supportive, and present in any way necessary."
Oshrat Gafni-Moyal, Director of the Haifa-Boston Partnership
Oshrat Gafni-Moyal, Director of the Haifa-Boston Partnership: "The professionalism, flexibility, and mobilization of the organizations operating in the field are inspiring. Even in times of emergency, they continue to provide a significant response to their target populations and strengthen community resilience in Israeli society. A significant part of this activity is made possible thanks to the generosity of donors in the Boston community and the long-standing commitment of the Boston Federation (CJP) to Israel and the city of Haifa. This is a long-standing partnership that allows the organizations to continue to operate and strengthen the community even in the most challenging times."
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