Keren Or Caesarea

Voluntary assistance relating to the provision of food, essential supplies and support to needy and struggling families in the Hof HaCarmel and Or Akiva districts. Keren Or Caesarea was founded over 15 years ago as a completely voluntary community initiative to provide ongoing support and outreach from residents of Caesarea to individuals, families and children in need in Or Akiva and the Hof HaCarmel area. From the outset the Keren has encouraged the Caesarea community as a whole to participate at various levels. Current programs include support of the food bank in Or Akiva where volunteers prepare hot meals, facilitate kitchen operations, as well as funding the upkeep and upgrading of premises and equipment in conjunction with other organizations. The Keren also runs fund raising campaigns that directly impact over 500 families at both Passover and Rosh Hashana to enable people to celebrate the holidays in dignity and without fear of hunger. Despite the logistical difficulties caused to recent campaigns through Covid, the Keren has been able to increase support for these operations. The Keren has a program with the Caesarea local elementary school supporting regular volunteering sessions at the food bank. The local scouts troop and Bnei Akiva are also active participants in the program. Keren Or Caesarea has also set up a special program at Yemin Orde school to train disadvantaged youth in high level computer tech skills together with the Israeli army. There has been significant success, resulting in some participants receiving certificates of merit in elite technology units of the Israel Defense Force. The Keren also provides assistance for children at the Neve Michael residential youth village. In addition to voluntary work, this includes the funding of a special toy room which is filled with gifts that children can select on their birthdays.