My name is Shlomit. I was born in Germany, but Israel has been my home for most of my life.
I grew up in a very sheltered and restrictive religious environment, isolated from the outside world. As a young adult, I stepped away from that life, searching for truth, healing, and belonging. During that journey, I met a Messianic Jewish man, and we fell in love. We married, and I became the joyful mother of four beautiful children.
Sadly, the life I dreamed of slowly unraveled. My husband became violent, addicted to drugs, and emotionally unstable. Our home turned into a place of fear and uncertainty. We fell deeply into debt, and my children and I endured years of emotional, spiritual, and physical abuse.
One night, when my husband threatened to kill us, I gathered every ounce of courage I had and fled with my children to safety.
That moment changed everything.
From that day forward, IBF became our lifeline. Through faithful monthly support, loving care, and constant encouragement, they gave us the stability and dignity we desperately needed to begin again. Without them, I truly don’t know how we would have survived.
With their help, I was able to slowly rebuild our lives — to provide food, safety, education, and healing for my children. I learned a profession, returned to work, and began restoring hope in our future.
IBF is more than an organization to us — they are family. Through war, COVID, unemployment, financial hardship, and a painful divorce, they have stood by us with compassion, wisdom, and prayer. Even today, as my former husband continues to threaten and harass us and refuses to provide support, IBF remains a steady source of strength.
I now work as a horse instructor and therapeutic riding guide, and I also provide therapeutic massage. I do everything I can to support my family, while also caring for my two elderly parents who live with us. Still, each month is a challenge, and we depend on IBF’s help to make it through.
Above all, I am deeply grateful — to God, to IBF, and to every person who gives, prays, and stands with families like mine. Your generosity does more than provide financial support. It restores dignity, brings healing, and gives hope. moment changed everything.