EL AL | Atmosphere

Magazine I International Women’s Day

female-led home front initiatives Since the start of the war, women on the home front have fully taken part in the war effort, setting up many important social initiatives. From making yellow-flower bouquets for the campaign for the release of the hostages, to bringing therapy dogs to visit the injured soldiers in hospital – here are 5 inspiring initiatives worth knowing about / By Tomy Stockman 5

“The Iron Lionesses” | Providing vital military equipment

At the start of the war, Gal Ginzburg-Alaluf Esq. , Roni Wagner , Efrat Katash , and Noga Kaplushnik , four friends in their 30s, decided to set up a war room which they called “The Iron Lionesses”, dedicated to channel in donations to the IDF from various Jewish communities around the world. “The Iron Lionesses” focuses on purchasing vital equipment for soldiers. The four friends make sure the donation money reaches the units most in need, in real time, which means every donation can make a difference. The four women have been doing this important work while still working their full-time jobs and taking care of their families. Millions of shekels have been donated to “The Iron Lionesses”, translating into the purchase of essential military equipment for the soldiers fighting on the front lines. To donate: aid-coalition.org/donate/ ironlionesses, @the_iron_lionesses

“A bouquet for hope” | Campaigning for the release of the hostages

The “bouquet for hope” initiative is held every Friday in Tel Aviv, at the “Hostages square”. Its aim is to campaign for the release of the hostages still held in captivity in Gaza, and it helps fund the Hostages Families Forum. The project was first initiated by Hila Mayzels who runs a graphic design studio. The idea behind it is to buy thousands of bouquets of yellow flowers, and then whenever someone makes a donation to the Hostages Families Forum, they then receive a bouquet in exchange.

According to Mayzels, the project has fueled the conversation around the plight of the hostages, helping to make sure the subject is always on the table. When she first started selling her yellow bouquets in Tel Aviv, with the help of the “Kadar Foundation”, founded by Dr Avraham Kadar, there were only four people with her, but the initiative has grown since, with many people involved in many Israeli cities, and more collaborations with big companies. @zertikva

Photos: Courtesy of the organizations

24 ATMOSPHERE MARCH 2024