‘God Protected Me’

IFCJ Canada  |  June 25, 2025

Rima grew up knowing that her grandmother’s entire family perished in the Holocaust. So from a young age, she dreamed of one day living in her ancestral homeland. When she finally immigrated from Ukraine to Israel, she felt like she was truly home.

But recently, Rima’s sense of safety was shattered when an Iranian missile struck her neighbourhood in Bat Yam. The destruction, the fear—it was unlike anything she’d ever experienced.

“On the night of the [Iranian] attack, we went to sleep. At 3 a.m., there was a siren. There is no shelter in the building, so I stayed sitting on the bed. The explosion was the scariest moment of my life…

The intensity of the noise is indescribable. The whole house shook, and all the windows shattered. I think God protected me. Everything was full of ruins.”

Miraculously, Rima survived. But her home was damaged, and she had nowhere to go. With the streets in chaos, it was nearly impossible to find food or support.

Thanks to caring Fellowship friends, we were able to reach Rima with a lifeline—ready-made meals delivered right to her, even in the midst of war.

“I thank God for saving me,” she says. “And I’m so grateful to The Fellowship for reaching me despite the danger. I don’t know how I would have survived without your help.”

Your support helps bring comfort, dignity, and hope to Rima—and to so many others across Israel who are suffering through war and fear.