Since the first wave of Iranian missile strikes on Israel, the ICEJ has been actively supporting families forced to flee under rocket fire. One of the hardest-hit areas was Bat Yam. When ICEJ staff visited the neighborhood in the aftermath of the attack, we encountered scenes unlike anything we had witnessed before in Israel. What was once a vibrant, bustling community now stood in ruins, shattered glass, twisted metal, and scattered personal belongings.
Among those affected is a young immigrant couple, Gennady and Ksenia, who now find themselves displaced in Jerusalem, far from the apartment they once called home, and facing the challenge of starting over once again.
Only six months ago, the couple arrived in Israel with their two small sons, having made Aliyah from a remote corner of the former Soviet republics. Gennady, a qualified engineer, quickly took on construction jobs to provide for his family while looking for employment in his profession. Just one day before the war with Iran broke out, he received the call he had been hoping for: a new engineering job in Petach Tikvah. But before he could begin, everything changed.
Their apartment in Bat Yam was located directly across from where a rocket struck. The explosion blew out their windows and shook the building. Emergency officials initially declared the structure unsafe. Later, after quick repairs, it was deemed livable, but Gennady, assessing it with an engineer’s eye, disagrees. “I love this country,” he said, “but I will not live in that building, especially not with my family.”
With damage all around them and safety no longer guaranteed, the family packed what little had not been ruined, moved it into storage, and evacuated to a hotel in Jerusalem, where they stayed for a few weeks.
The pressure is increasing. Their savings, already stretched thin from the Aliyah process, are now exhausted. Credit card bills are rising, and the stress of displacement is taking a toll. Ksenia is pregnant with their third child, a little girl, due in October, and is caring for their two-year-old and four-year-old sons. On the day they evacuated, Gennady’s wife did not hesitate, even when they were told they could not take anything with them, not even a stroller. Gennady recalls, “Everyone cried, except Ksenia. She was strong through it all.” But in the days that followed, the shock took hold.
Ksenia refuses to go back to Bat Yam. Gennady agrees. With his new job beginning, they hope to find an apartment in Petach Tikvah. But their financial cushion is gone, and they currently do not have the funds needed for a down payment and rent. Their previous landlord is withholding their deposit, saying he will return it only once the government reimburses him, a process that could take months. Legal options exist, but they are out of reach for now.
When the Christian Embassy heard about the family’s situation, we quickly stepped in to help. We provided store vouchers for essential supplies and are helping with expenses towards a new apartment, a much-needed boost as they rebuild their lives.
Gennadi told us, “This will help us so much, thank you.”
When asked if he had a message for ICEJ’s supporters around the world, he said:
“You are the light of the world. People don’t have hope. You give them the hope that’s in your heart.”
As Israel continues to face uncertain times, the ICEJ remains dedicated to standing with families like Gennady and Ksenia, providing practical help, encouragement, and the reminder that they are not alone. These grants are critical for many families who have had everything destroyed or have to restart in a new place. Your support for our Israel Emergency Aid Fund helps Israelis rebuild their lives during these challenging days.
