About PAAMONIM

PAAMONIM was set up in 2000 with the purpose of rehabilitating people in financial distress.

A widow who supports her children alone, a businessman who lost everything, a neighbor whose debts are increasing everyday, a hardworking young couple who could not pay their mortgage and as a result lost their home…these people need financial guidance and access to the information which will enable them to manage independently.

One of PAAMONIM'S founders relates the story of a man he discovered sobbing in the street. When asked why, he told about his wife's postpartum depression and how he has to be both a father and mother to his children, a school teacher during the day and a shop salesman at night. This man was fortunate to have told his story to the right person. This special charity organization does not stop at offering a handkerchief to a crying man; its goal is to assist families in distress by giving them the tools needed to never have to cry again.

Financial problems in Israel affect so many levels of the population. Often problems can be relatively easily resolved if people know how to exercise their rights. For instance, a woman suffered with a disease for two years: as a result of the illness, the neglect at home was unbearable. In addition, debts were mounting, electricity was disconnected and the family could no longer use credit at the local store. After checking, it was discovered that this woman was entitled to receive a monthly disability allowance which she began receiving retroactively from the start of her illness, and from then on every month. The financial improvement led to general progress in all aspects of home life and raised the family's morale. In addition to making sure all was back to normal, a PAAMONIM volunteer coach met with the parents and helped them plan a detailed financial program with which they could cope. This is only one example.

In the early days, the volunteers were contacted weekly by dozens of people seeking help and they decided that in order to efficiently address such a widespread social problem, it was necessary to establish PAAMONIM as an official organization.

PAAMONIM'S efforts are typically directed to planning a budget, organizing day-to-day bills, negotiating with banks, finding ways to spread payments in order to facilitate the return of debts, and legal counseling. This, together with financial help to support the rehabilitation process, empowers previously needy families to continue their lives independently.

Many people get themselves deep into financial difficulties and, unable to extricate from their arrears, sink deeper into debt. One example is the case of a talented man whose business started deteriorating. He accumulated debts and reached the point that even his apartment was taken from him. One of PAAMONIM's lawyers met with his lawyer and together with the bank's executive manager they reached an agreement that allowed the businessman to distribute the payments and finally pay off his debts. He was able to think ahead and successfully return to a normal life.

Volunteers and supporters experience great satisfaction in the work of PAAMONIM. They not only assist with immediate needs like food for Shabbat or shoes for the winter, but also elevate them from being supported to being proudly independent.

Some families who were helped to start a new page in life did not forget about PAAMONIM and in turn joined the organization to help others. However, there are thousands of families who are in a very difficult situation and who need help.

PAAMONIM is supported by donors world-wide who realize the urgency of financial rehabilitation in order to help people break out of the cycle of poverty.