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<span style="font-family: 'Georgia', 'serif'; color: black; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: HE;">The Omer, or the 50 days between Pesach (Passover) and Shavuot(Festival of Weeks), is a unique transition in the experience of the Jewish people. On Pesach, we commemorate and celebrate our freedom from slavery, beginning with our Exodus from Egypt. Yet, it is only when we receive the Torah on Shavuot that we truly become a free and independent people. Therefore, these 50 days are in fact a transition within ourselves, overcoming whetever slaveries we face to become free individuals. <span style="font-family: 'Georgia', 'serif'; color: black; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: HE;">  <span style="font-family: 'Georgia', 'serif'; color: black; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: HE;">Today, people are still struggling for freedom. <span style="font-family: 'Georgia', 'serif'; color: black; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: HE;">  <span style="font-family: 'Georgia', 'serif'; color: black; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: HE;">Many African refugees have fled their homeland for Israel, seeking refuge from violence, genocide, and slavery. As Jews, this time of year reminds us that 'once we were slaves in Egypt' and that we must continue to struggle to overcome slavery. Therefore, once these refugees arrive in Israel, they must transition from a slave (or fear) mentality to become free people. The <a href="http://www.ardc-israel.org/en/#donate_now" target="_blank">African Refugee Development Center in Israel</a> aids these refugees. <span style="font-family: 'Georgia', 'serif'; color: black; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: HE;">  <span style="font-family: 'Georgia', 'serif'; color: black; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: HE;">UK Jewry is strongly connected with the African Refugee Development Center, and this year a group of young Jewish leaders has decided to beautify the mitzvah of not shaving during the Omer by raising money for this amazing charity. <span style="font-family: 'Georgia', 'serif'; color: black; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: HE;">  <span style="font-family: 'Georgia', 'serif'; color: black; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: HE;">  <span style="font-family: 'Georgia', 'serif'; color: black; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: HE;">A little about the African Refugee Development Center:<span style="font-family: 'Georgia', 'serif'; color: black; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: HE;">  <span style="font-family: 'Georgia', 'serif'; color: black; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: HE;">  <span style="font-family: 'Georgia', 'serif'; color: black; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: HE;">The African Refugee Development Center (ARDC) is a non-profit organization founded in 2004 by refugees and Israeli citizens to assist, support and empower refugees and asylum seekers in Israel. The ARDC seeks to ensure access to basic social services, and to facilitate refugee and asylum seeker integration, self-sufficiency and ownership in matters affecting their lives. The ARDC advocates for the rights of refugees and asylum seekers and for a humane and fair Israeli asylum policy. It divides its work between individual counseling, humanitarian aid, education, community development, awareness raising and policy initiatives. <span style="font-family: 'Georgia', 'serif'; color: black; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: HE;">  <span style="font-family: 'Georgia', 'serif'; color: black; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: HE;">Mission <span style="font-family: 'Georgia', 'serif'; color: black; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: HE;">The mission of the African Refugee Development Center is to protect and empower refugees and asylum seekers in Israel. The ARDC seeks to ensure access to basic social services, and to facilitate refugee and asylum seeker integration, self-sufficiency and ownership in matters affecting their lives. <span style="font-family: 'Georgia', 'serif'; color: black; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: HE;">Goals <ul type="disc"> <li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; color: black; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;">To establish a fair asylum policy, by promoting a fair, transparent and comprehensive asylum policy in Israel;</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; color: black; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;">To promote self-sufficiency, by assisting refugees and asylum-seekers in their quest to achieve a safe and dignified life as self-reliant and self-sufficient members of society;</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; color: black; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;">To achieve full refugee and asylum seeker participation, by involving refugees and asylum seekers in program decision-making and organizational strategy in order to promote a sense of responsibility and investment;</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; color: black; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;">To strengthen social networks and community partnerships, by promoting partnership with a variety of regional and national institutions and organizations so as to provide strong service and support networks;</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; color: black; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;">To facilitate integration, by promoting social coherence and strengthen the bonds between the refugee and asylum seeker community and the Israeli community;</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; color: black; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;">To access social services and the labor market, by facilitating the social and economic inclusion of refugees and asylum seekers in health care, the labor market and the educational system;</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; color: black; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;">To promote educational opportunities by empowering local refugee and asylum seeker communities through the provision of educational and vocational training and community development programs.</li> </ul>   ▲<span style="font-family: 'Georgia', 'serif'; color: black; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: HE;"> Participating organisations: Marom, Noam, RSY-Netzer, LJY-Netzer <span style="font-family: 'Georgia', 'serif'; color: black; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: HE;">***Because the ARDC is not a registered UK charity, Noam has agreed to act as a central account for this charity fundraiser, at the end of which, 100% of all funds raised will be donated to the ARDC.  DISCLAIMER: As there is the possibility (I hope) of having an interview for a job next year during the long period, if that scenario does become reality I will be shaving and re-starting the challenge from that point. I hope y'all understand!   <span style="font-family: 'Georgia', 'serif'; color: black; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: HE;">A word on donating through JustGiving: <span style="font-family: 'Georgia', 'serif'; color: black; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: HE;">Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity. <span style="font-family: 'Georgia', 'serif'; color: black; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: HE;">So please dig deep and donate now.

Nick grows his beard for the Omer!

Nick grows his beard for the Omer!

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Donation summary