NIF grantee, the Israel Religious Action Center (IRAC) marked the Purim holiday last week by handing out traditional mishloach manot, or Purim gift baskets to members of Israel’s refugee and asylum seekers community. The members of this community have been acutely impacted by the economic devastation of the coronavirus pandemic, and face rising food insecurity, especially among single mothers.

The gifts baskets donated by Israeli families, included food and candy, and games and toys for children. IRAC provides assistance and humanitarian aid to Israel’s refugees and asylum seekers throughout the year through its development programs.

On February 20, the New Israel Fund hosted a webinar “Without Status: Asylum Seekers in Israel During the COVID-19 Crisis” in partnership with HIAS, featuring asylum seekers and community activists living in Israel who are working to address the ongoing and multiple crises this community faces in the midst of the pandemic. Here’s a recording of the webinar: