Join us in bringing light and hope to 26 Bar/Bat Mitzvah teens from the communities most deeply shattered on October 7th, and the families of returned hostages.

“Share the Light” was born in Austin, TX just weeks after October 7th, transforming the cherished tradition of Hanukkah gelt into a bridge of love and solidarity with Israel’s children.

In Hanukkah 2023, we brought light to 400 evacuated children by providing 180-NIS gift cards.
In Hanukkah 2024, with ICF (The Israeli Children's Fund- Atufim B'Ahava) and the Fund for Victims of Terror, we embraced over 100 families who opened their homes and hearts to the orphans of October 7th, offering back-to-school and early-childhood support.
Now, as Hanukkah 2025 approaches, Israel steps into a new chapter, rebuilding, restoring, and healing as the Hostages’ Headquarters hopefully will soon concludes its mission.

This year, we choose to shine our light on teens entering one of the most meaningful milestones in Jewish life: The Bar/Bat Mitzvah year. Among them are teens from the families of returned hostages, including teens who were kidnapped themselves, and teens from the frontline kibbutzim whose worlds changed overnight.

Our mission this year:
To give these remarkable teens a Bar/Bat Mitzvah year that ends with meaning, connection, and joy.
Through a transformative, values-based journey to Zanzibar, they will experience healing, community, empowerment, cultural exploration, and the rediscovery of their own inner strength, guided by educators, mentors, and therapeutic staff.

The cost of sending one teen on this life-changing journey is $3,600.
Your gift at any level brings us closer to sending another teen on this path of renewal.

Choose your impact:

36 • 72 • 180 • 360 • 720 • 1,800 • 3,600 (Sponsor One Teen)

Jewish tradition reminds us that one candle can lift an entire community and one act of giving can lift a child.

More Ways to Donate

Check:
Make check payable to: La’Aretz
Mailing Address: 2 Blue Slip, Apt 28J, Brooklyn, NY 11222

DAF:
La’Aretz Foundation
EIN: 88-2175488

Wire Transfer:
For wire instructions, please email: info@laaretz.org

Your donation is tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law- La'Aretz Foundation is a New York-based 501(c)(3) charity.

About the La'Aretz Foundation

The La’Aretz Foundation provides direct, rapid, and low-bureaucracy assistance to Israelis in crisis. In just three years, La’Aretz has become a trusted partner to families and communities throughout Israel, delivering emergency cash grants, scholarships, and holistic care in partnership with municipalities, hospitals, and other organizations.

To date, we have supported over 1000 families with urgent relief and mobilized more than $11 million in philanthropic support. La’Aretz is unique in that we step in where government support is lacking or where no other organization operates. We stand at the critical intersection between local authorities in Israel and the Jewish diaspora abroad, ensuring that aid is delivered swiftly, directly, and with dignity.

*The trip is contingent upon meeting minimum participation and full funding; if not met, an alternative meaningful program will be provided in Israel.

Share the Light: Illuminate Their Mitzvah

By La'Aretz Foundation

Share the Light: Illuminate Their Mitzvah

Honoring the Bar & Bat Mitzvah Teens of October 7th Attacks