MK Galit Distel launched an event in the Knesset to honor ultra-Orthodox charitable organizations

January 22, 2025   

Today (Tuesday) an event honoring Haredi charity organizations was held in the Knesset auditorium, led by MK Galit Distel Atbarian. Among the invitees to the conference, hosted by Oded Menashe, were former Chief Rabbi Israel Meir Lau, Rabbi Yitzhak Fenger, CEOs of organizations, employees and volunteers in the organizations, mayors, and public figures from the Haredi sector. MK Galit Distel Atbarian said at the opening of the conference: "There is almost no human crisis or moment of dramatic distress in which you do not appear first in line to help and spread the Jewish light that is all compassion, humanity, charity and assistance. Without making a fuss about yourself. Modestly. Simply. With mutual guarantee. Helping not in order to receive a prize or fame. Helping for the sake of helping. In this hall where we are all sitting now, there are representatives of 32 Haredi charity organizations. And that is just the tip of the iceberg. There are organizations here with eighty hundred volunteers, there are organizations here with eighty thousand volunteers, and there are organizations here with 30 thousand volunteers and even 65 thousand volunteers behind them. There are organizations here that were born after the massacre and in the wake of the war. And there are organizations here that have been operating for several decades. And behind every representative in this hall are hundreds of thousands of Israelis who needed a helping hand – and you have extended it time and time again. At this moment, this hall is holy. And not because of its location but because of the people who fill it. You are a beacon of kindness. You are a beam of light. You are the most refined expression of the most important commandment – ​​and love your neighbor as yourself. You are holy." Immediately afterwards, the eminent Rabbi Yisrael Meir Lau thanked her: "The words of MK Galit Distel Atbarian are admirable." Degel Hatorah Chairman MK Moshe Gafni said at the recognition event: "It is only thanks to this ability that we have the yeshiva students whose Torah is their art - Am Yisrael Chai!" [Gallery]