Hand in Hand Jaffa: A Community Mobilized By Compassion and Care
One week into the Israel-Iran war, shrapnel from a missile attack struck Jaffa. The event sent shockwaves through the neighborhood, and profoundly affected our community members in both emotional and physical ways. The “Kulna Yachad” school itself suffered moderate damage, as did the homes of many community members and families. In response, Hand in Hand’s extraordinary community organizers, principals, staff, and parents mobilized to support those most affected, reflecting the true care and solidarity that have been forged over many years of partnership.
“When shrapnel from a missile hit Jaffa, our entire community came together,” recalls Houda Manawi, the HIH Jaffa Co-Community Organizer. “Everyone who had not been hurt reached out to those who had.”
In the hours and days that followed, the Hand in Hand team reacted swiftly. “We first mapped everyone’s needs in both the elementary school and preschool,” Houda explains. “With the help of principals and staff, we identified exactly who had been affected and needed immediate assistance. Then we were able to quickly mobilize our community to provide support in real time,” she shares.
For Karin Even Haim, also a Co-Community Organizer in Jaffa, those days were marked by both tension and compassion. “There was a beautiful outpouring of mutual support and compassion when the school was damaged by shrapnel,” she says. “Everyone knew they could turn to us.”
The support extended beyond physical needs. With schools temporarily closed and families sheltering indoors, community organizers knew emotional resilience was more essential then ever. So they launched daily digital activities for all students and families—including story time, fun exercise sessions, and creative challenges—which were offered the entire duration of the war.
“We offered online activities for students and families every single day of the war,” Karin says. “I think our community members felt cared for.”
These digital gatherings offered solace and community amid uncertainty. “Parents kept thanking us for bringing a breath of fresh air into their homes during such a tense time,” says Houda. “The fact that we invested time and effort into entertaining and supporting the kids every day, even for just a short amount of time, really heartened and encouraged families.”
In a moment of fear and upheaval, the Hand in Hand community did what it has always done: it rallied together. It leaned on shared values of compassion, mutual care, and solidarity—across languages, religions, and backgrounds.
As Karin puts it, “We certainly felt the power and resilience of our community.”
