On November 5 a 15-hour online marathon titled “Israel Support Marathon” was held. This was the largest-ever fundraising event for Israel dedicated to the pro-Israel Russian-speaking community, which was organized by a group of of 7 volunteers: Alexey Krasovskiy, Daria Volia, Lina Godlin, Evgeny Potashnik, Eli Briskin, Anna Platonova, Lev Shteinberg, who originated from Russia. The marathon was held in cooperation with the Center for Jewish Impact and Alumot Or.
The marathon attracted over 500,000 views and more than 7,800 people from over 30 countries donated to support the marathon's goals. These funds will be used to support Israeli society, which has been severely affected by the war.
The goals of the marathon for which the funds raised will be used are:
Psychological and rehabilitation Support: students, children, and families from southern and northern Israel, including those in hospitals, will be provided with psychological support.
Support for the Elderly in Ashkelon: elderly residents and Holocaust survivors in Ashkelon, will receive hot meals and food packages.
Aid for Displaced Residents: Assistance will be provided to residents from border communities who have been evacuated to the central part of the country.
Emergency Aid for Eden Boarding School Residents: We'll assist 55 girls aged 12-18, victims of severe post-traumatic disorders, who were displaced when their Eden boarding house, just 4 km from Gaza, was destroyed on October 7th. While the girls were away during the attack, they lost their home and belongings. We urgently require fund support their psychological, educational, and basic needs for the next 3 months.
Financial Aid for College Students from the Gaza border Region: Supporting Ono College students and BGU students who were evacuated following the war. Many of these students have lost their homes and possessions, and their families can not provide for them.
The marathon swiftly surpassed its initial fundraising goal of $550,000, inspiring the organizers to raise the bar further. By November 20, when the fundraiser was finally completed, donations totaled $677,000. The Center for Jewish Impact along with other partners will match the donations to $1,354,000. Donations in Russian Jewish community were coordinated by RJC.
By the invitation of the organizers the marathon featured celebrities such as: Leonid Parfenov, Viktor Shenderovich, Boris Grebenshchikov, NOI3E MC, Evgeny Khavtan, Andrey Makarevich, Max Pokrovskiy, Semyon Slepakov, Chulpan Khamatova, Anton Dolin, Anatoliy Beliy, Vera Polozkova, Dmitry Spirin. In total, more than 65 people participated in the marathon in 15 hours: artists, poets, filmmakers, musicians, public people.
Robert Singer, Chairman of the Center for Jewish Impact, stated, "The success of our first large-scale pro-Israel marathon, especially for the Russian-speaking community, is a testament to the power of unity. This event brought together young volunteers, many of whom are new repatriates and have been in the country for less than 2 years. Our heartfelt gratitude extends to the global donors, and special thanks to our partners, the Russian Jewish Congress, Alumot Or and many organizations of Russian speaking Jews around the world, for their invaluable contribution. This marathon not only met immediate needs but also marked a significant stride in strengthening our community and supporting the future of Israeli society."
The report on the delivered aid will be published here.