Chairperson's Message - 225

Dear Friends,

As we step into a new year, I find myself reflecting deeply on the extraordinary journey that ESRA has taken since its founding in 1979. We are now in our 46th year—quickly approaching 47, and with each passing year, ESRA grows not only in its impact, but also in its heart and its sense of purpose.

What began as a small group of English-speaking immigrants' get together has grown into one of Israel's most meaningful volunteer-driven communities. And what has always moved me most is this simple truth: in helping others, our volunteers found a home for themselves in Israel. Through giving, teaching, mentoring, supporting new olim, or simply showing up for a neighbor, they found connection, identity, and belonging. ESRA has always been a community built by people who wanted to feel at home—and by making Israel feel like home for someone else, they found their own place here.

This past year has been a powerful reminder of the strength of that community. Even in uncertain times, ESRA's volunteers remained committed, our projects kept growing, and our donors continued to stand by us. Our mission has never been clearer, nor more needed.

Our English Tutoring Program (ETP) remains one of the clearest expressions of ESRA's spirit. The demand from schools and students continues to rise, and we are working hard to respond. This year, we are calling on our community to help us continue expanding: we need more volunteer teachers and tutors. Every volunteer—whether in-person or online—changes a child's confidence, opportunities, and future. And time and again, our tutors tell us that giving just an hour a week gave them a sense of purpose, pride, and belonging in Israel. That is the beautiful reciprocity at the heart of ESRA.

This year also marked an important step in ESRA's global presence. Alongside our long-standing and beloved British Chapter, we began developing a new US Chapter. After months of research, conversations, and listening carefully to our supporters abroad, it became clear that there is a strong and growing desire for English speakers worldwide to stay connected to ESRA's work. These chapters allow us to expand our reach, bring in more volunteers and supporters, and build bridges between communities in Israel and around the world.

I am also delighted to share that we have just completed our move into a new ESRA office in Herzliya. This is more than a change of address—it represents a thoughtful and responsible step toward ESRA's future. The new space is more comfortable for staff and volunteers, it includes a safe room, and it is significantly more cost-effective, allowing us to direct more resources to our social impact work. Moving was a major undertaking, but this office will serve us well for many years to come.

Just as important is another quiet but meaningful development: we have begun an ongoing conversation between ESRA's older and younger generations. This dialogue is essential for ensuring the continuity of the organization—its values, its culture, and its leadership. ESRA's history is rich and precious, built by volunteers who gave decades of their lives to this community. At the same time, our younger generation brings new energy, fresh ideas, and a deep desire to ensure ESRA's relevance for the future.By bringing these generations together, we are laying the foundation for a smooth, thoughtful transition, ensuring that ESRA remains vibrant, strong, and future-ready.

Of course, all our core programs continue to flourish: Students Build the Community, our initiatives for new olim, our emergency support efforts, and our many community activities across cities and towns in Israel. Through our partnerships with respected academic institutions and global companies, ESRA's reach and reputation continue to expand.

But to continue growing, we need you.
We need your ideas, your creativity, your passion, and your time. Whether it is joining the ETP, helping a new oleh, contributing to our communication efforts, offering professional expertise, or supporting community programs—every person who joins strengthens ESRA. And every volunteer discovers, once again, that by helping others, they feel more connected, more grounded, and more at home.

As we look toward ESRA's 47th year, I am filled with gratitude—for our volunteers, our donors, our staff, and our entire community. ESRA is not only an organization—it is a family built on kindness, responsibility, and shared purpose.

May the coming year bring peace, hope, and renewed connection. And may we continue building, together, an ESRA that supports every generation—and continues to help each of us feel at home in Israel.

With warmest appreciation,

Nella Feldsher,
ESRA