Official Moshav Mevo Modiim Fire Relief Fund

Return. Rebuild. Restore In 15 minutes, 40 years of Jewish history on our beloved Moshav Mevo Modiim were destroyed in a raging fire, caused by malicious arson. This tragedy extends far beyond the residents of our tight-knit community, and the outpouring of love has shown us that the ripples of loss are felt around the globe. Over the years, we have been privileged to welcome into our homes and hearts tens of thousands of people seeking Jewish growth and spirituality. Our special community of artists, musicians, practitioners of alternative healing and health, and creatives built a true pilgrimage destination where guests are treated to unique and impactful Shabbat and holiday experiences. It has been a tremendous gift to be able to serve the Jewish people in this way, and one for which we remain deeply grateful. Sadly, today, the majority of our 70 homes are burnt to ashes and the few that remain are damaged and uninhabitable. Parts of the Moshav have been isolated due to toxic gases that remain in the air and much of the infrastructure has been destroyed. In a matter of minutes, we became three generations (nearly 250 people) displaced and in need of significant support services. Our temporary shelter in a nearby high-school dormitory houses community members aged 2 months to 91 years old. To date, we have been blessed with an outpouring of love, donations of food, clothing, and medical supplies to help aid in the immediate needs in this time of crisis. We can’t say enough about the generosity that has been shown to us during this painful time, and we are grateful to the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews who assisted us in creating a pipeline for donations for immediate disaster relief and the distribution of collected funds. As we work side by side with the Israeli government to develop a strategic plan to restore our beloved Moshav and care for the victims of this fire, we humbly turn to you today for a different type of support. While the government debates our fate, we need to raise money to pay for a range of social services, public relations assistance, logistical support, other infrastructure and even a political strategy to ensure that we are both well-coordinated in the short-term and smart advocates for the best possible long-term solution. Please consider contributing to the Official Moshav Mevo Modi’im Fire Relief Fund that has been set up to provide the support necessary to begin rebuilding our community. All donations are tax-deductible and carefully supervised by the Binder Dijker Otte (BDO) global accounting firm. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts and look forward to sharing a beautiful future together in our rebuilt Moshav. Amen. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- “The Moshav was always my most special place. The air was sweeter there. The wind was softer there. The Moshav was a space of deep peace and comfort. I am in utter shock, devastated and heartbroken that our precious place has burned.” – Neshama Carlebach “My Moshav, my home, my community — gone. Although the physical form is no longer standing, the people and our spirit are stronger than ever.” – Mayana, Cochava Branigan “They say home is where the heart is. Our hearts have been ripped out and burnt. Our families displaced. Their homes burnt to the ground. My grandmother and mother were founding members of the Moshav. No other place in the world will ever truly be home. It’s unfathomable that our beautiful home is no longer.” – Aura Lanzbom (Deyong) “Devastation abounds me. My entire Moshav has been destroyed and burnt down. I look forward to the new Moshav that we can all rebuild together.” – Yehuda & Naomi Solomon “The community there has shaped and changed so many lives. I hope and pray that we can rebuild and restore this beautiful oasis.” – Noah Solomon “The Moshav has been my home and my families home for multiple generations. It has been a constant and safe haven for me and my family through our life. It is more than a community. It is a family that has supported each other and continues to do that. ” – Ilana Weinstein “Our children so often reminisce about and eagerly wait to go back and experience everything the Moshav represents. The Moshav taught me the value of connecting to people, reaching out to people and caring for those around us.” – Emunah Tsaidi “The Moshav is an example of what is possible when a small group of people unite around a common cause and commit themselves completely to its manifestation; it is truly a living example of the Talmudic trope, ‘the little that holds much.’ And now, sadly, it is almost all gone. And yet, I'm sure, if anyone can emerge from tragedy like a phoenix from the flames - it is the holy chevre of the Moshav.” – Eden Pearlstein “The Moshav gave me a home and the most beautiful and magical childhood. In this tiny and special community, we celebrate together, mourn together, and have always been there for each other. I am so beyond thankful for this community for giving me the true meaning of family, spirituality and kindness.” – Brachie Sprung