The Fellowship is helping our partners in Israel support families in Ashdod as part of a national initiative to help those facing poverty. 84-year-old Rivka is one of them. While she worked until she was 75 to make sure her nine children would be well off in life, she struggles today to afford food and other basic necessities in her small, assisted living apartment. The help she received has truly made a difference.
Rivka was born in Morocco during World War II in the small town of Sefrou, which was also known as “Little Jerusalem” for its large Jewish population. Rivka’s family was large too, as she was the oldest of seven sisters. Her mother gave birth to her at home. The entire house was darkened with only a few candles lit and the curtains closed to hide them from any neighbors.
Rivka remembers, “During the war, all the Jews were in danger. My family lived in fear and often had to hide. Food was hard to find, and people were afraid to leave their homes. There was great fear. Great, great fear. My father worried constantly about his daughters and rarely allowed us to go anywhere. Being Jewish made us a target. We grew up like that.”
When she was four years old, a man poured a pot of hot food on her – she still has some of the burn scars today that serve as a reminder that he could’ve killed her. Over the years, many Jews began to leave Morocco. Rivka would do so in 1972 when she made aliyah to Israel. This was a dream come true – she could finally live without fear of anti-Semitic hatred and violence.
Even after a childhood of poverty, Rivka and her husband raised nine children. Money was always tight and she took any job she was able to. Rivka remembers learning how to cook and clean so she could work as a maid. She also fondly recalls learning how to bake cakes.
“I did everything so the children would have a better life. I wanted them to have opportunities I never had. I didn’t let them feel they were poor. They’re all educated. They’re all in professions. They’re all settled,” she said.
Rivka struggles with the rising cost of living on her small pension. The support The Fellowship gives her provides monthly help with affording groceries and other necessities she needs at her age.
“It helps me. The support means a great deal to me. I am happy with the help. That’s the truth. Every beginning of the month I wait for it was a lifeline,” she said.