The government has worked hard to support those out of work as a result of this crisis. They have designated certain charities like Yad Ezra V’Shulamit as ‘emergency services’ to stay open and keep delivering food to the poor despite the country being in the lockdown.

A grade school teacher, already on a meager salary, was laid off weeks ago. He applied for the government supplement and it will come…in 20 days. Before then he has to live and make a Passover seder for his family. But how? He has run out of savings and no longer has money for food.

But he is a modest and humble man. When Yad Ezra V’Shulamit asked what he will do for Passover, he said, “don’t worry, I have two matzas and a bag of potatoes from my neighbors.” He was serious, and although content with the minimal, the non-profit organization could not stand by such poverty in time of crisis. He will receive a box of food before Passover, including wine, matzot, meat and vegetables.

Rav Aryeh Lurie, who is the founder of Yad Ezra V’Shulamit and on the ground making deliveries, says this is a typical story from those who call for help, or those whose neighbors call for them, to avoid any embarrassment. “Suddenly there’s so many more people in need. Last week alone we received 10,000 calls for help from the ‘new poor’.

The government has worked hard to support those out of work as a result of this crisis. They have designated certain charities like Yad Ezra V’Shulamit as ‘emergency services’ to stay open and keep delivering food to the poor despite the country being in the lockdown.

“We’ve had a 40% increase in demand compared to last year,” said Aryeh Lurie. “Close to 1,000,000 Israelis are out of work and need help. There is a ‘new poor’ in Israel and we are trying to get food to everyone. We just did a distribution to 1,200 new people in Bat Yam who were laid off,” Lurie explained.

Yad Ezra V’Shulamit traditionally gives out 3,500 food baskets weekly and 30,000 for the Passover holiday. With the increase in demand for food, they hope to give 50,000 families help for the holiday. Some will receive food baskets delivered to their door, and some will receive food coupons in the mail.

“The Jewish people are beautiful and everyone is trying to help each other. I ask everyone around the world to open your heart and your hand to help feed people in Israel for the Passover holiday. Please stand by Israel in this time of need when we need you the most. I wish everyone a happy, kosher and HEALTHY Pesach,” Lurie said.

To give a food basket to the poor, go to www.yadezra.net/emergency