A Heartfelt Thanksgiving

On this Thanksgiving Day, we at ICF Tel Aviv and Generous Basket want to take a moment to express our deepest gratitude to each of you—our incredible family, friends and partners around the world.

Your unwavering support for the people of Israel and our ministry touches our hearts and inspires us daily. Through your generosity, compassion, and commitment, you remind us of the profound power of unity in the Body of Christ.

This year has brought its challenges, yet you have not only stood faithfully by us but have also played a vital role in strengthening the resilience and spirit of those we serve. Whether through your prayers, resources, or heartfelt messages, your contributions have spread the love and light of our Lord across Israel, touching hearts and transforming lives.

On this day of reflection and gratitude, we celebrate you. We are deeply thankful for your trust, your friendship, your love and your shared dedication to the people of Israel.

May your Thanksgiving be filled with warmth, joy, and the love of those you hold dear. Know that, across the miles, we are giving thanks to our God for you today and every day.

"I couldn’t live with myself if someone died because of me..."

We want to share with you a deeply touching story from our recent trip to Kiryat Shmona, a small city located at the northernmost edge of Israel, just before the closed military zone. Most residents of Kiryat Shmona have been evacuated, but not all. Those who could not evacuate face relentless challenges, enduring daily rocket attacks, sometimes multiple times a day.

In the midst of this, we met Natalia, a 75-year-old woman who lives alone in her apartment building. For over a year, Natalia has been the sole resident left in her building; all her neighbors evacuated to central Israel. She couldn’t leave due to serious health issues.

Natalia’s apartment doesn’t have a bomb shelter, so during rocket attacks, safety protocols require her to move to the stairwell and descend several floors. Tragically, during one such attack, she suffered paralysis while on the stairwell, leaving her too afraid to leave her apartment. Now, when sirens sound, Natalia goes to her kitchen—the safest spot in her home without windows—and lies on the floor by the wall, waiting for the attacks to end.

The loneliness she endures is unimaginable. Her only regular contact is with a young woman who occasionally takes her grocery shopping. This kind helper once offered to bring Natalia groceries to avoid the trip altogether, but Natalia refused. She knew it was too dangerous to drive around the city, because a young couple had lost their lives during a rocket attack just a day before. "I couldn’t live with myself if someone died because of me," she said with tears in here eyes.

This is the heart of what we encountered—a resilient spirit yearning for connection, love, and hope.

Thanks to your generous support, we were able to spend time with Natalia, listen to her stories, and offer her meaningful encouragement. We brought her gifts for the holiday, prayed with her, and reminded her that she is not forgotten. The simple act of being there brought light to her darkened days.

Your partnership in this mission is what makes moments like this possible. Thank you for extending a hand of compassion to those in the evacuated northern cities of Israel. Your kindness is a lifeline, bringing hope and love to people like Natalia who live on the border’s edge.

May the Lord richly bless you for your generosity and care.

Our Second Celebration Launched!

Hooray! Because our first celebration already draws over 100 adults, we decided to launch a second one. This service is in Hebrew—a moment we’ve eagerly awaited. With over 30 guests, our teams adapted smoothly to the schedule changes. We believe this is a big step toward the future growth of ICF Tel Aviv.