Birthday Angels Under Fire

Since October 7, over 150,000 evacuees, many of whom are children and youth, have been forced to leave their homes. Living under conditions of uncertainty and fear for the safety of loved ones, combined with the realization of tangible danger and general uncertainty about the near future, intensifies feelings of trauma, the full consequences of which are still not completely understood. 'Bakehila - Leading Social Change' responds to these needs as part of the effort to strengthen the home front and cultivate resilience. We believe that in these challenging times, our strength as a civil society lies in our solidarity. Thousands of parents are in daily survival mode and are unable to focus on celebrating milestones such as their child's birthday. At Bakehila, we run the 'Birthday Angels' program to support children who are unable to celebrate their birthdays due to their parents' low socioeconomic status or complex social situations. We believe that celebrating a birthday is a basic right for every child. Since the beginning of the war, we have expanded and adjusted the 'Birthday Angels' program to support children evacuated from the north and south, and we have organized birthday celebrations across the country. For these children, these celebrations are a crucial part of their social and emotional rehabilitation. By celebrating birthdays, these children feel seen and valued, and they are able to share joyful moments with their family members. We are committed to bringing joy, vitality, and excitement to children and their families from each evacuated area. In recent months, we have celebrated more than 350 birthdays in cities such as Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Tiberias, Haifa, and more. We will continue to celebrate more children throughout the country as needed. For more details on the 'Birthday Angels' program, please visit our website: https://bakehila.org.il/activi