Helping Israelis from the Periphery Access Vital Resources

Recently, in the southern development town of Ofakim—one of Israel’s poorest municipalities—some 25 representatives of public and community organizations gathered for a new event: a “citizens’ fair”. It was a space where regular people could come, see, and interact with services that both civil society and local government offer them. For the dozens of Ofakim residents who attended, it was a bonanza of information and fun.

The citizens’ fair—which included organizations from Israel’s National Insurance Institute to housing agencies—was organized by NIF grantee Tzedek Centers for Social Justice in collaboration with the Ofakim Municipality. It was held in a public park, and it featured a community coffee cart operated by volunteers, along with craft sessions and other activities for children, which allowed parents to obtain information and assistance while their kids were entertained.  

The Tzedek Centers for Social Justice are a network of brick-and-mortar hubs throughout Israel that work with Palestinian and Jewish citizens who want to make change in the places where they live. The network, which is supported by NIF, was founded in 2016 with the goal of bolstering Israel’s long-term democratic future through a combination of deep, grassroots work and shorter-term, high-impact initiatives.