Operation Lifeshield

Sparks to Life is a volunteer-powered nonprofit organization based in Tzfat. We have partnered with Operation Lifeshield to bring life-saving shelters to young children in our region of northern Israel.

This initiative is a direct response to the increasing rocket attacks on our community. Tzfat is a small, sweet town of 40,000 residents, including 16,000 children. Yes, that's a lot of little ones! As we try to carry on in what has been called "the routine of emergency," our children are growing up in the shadow of war and frequent sirens that give only 30 seconds notice until rockets falls.

Tzfat is an ancient city—much of it was built before current safety regulations came into effect. It’s also a vibrant, growing city with many large families. With 46% of our population under the age of 18, the city's 165 educational institutions have struggled to keep pace with the rapid expansion of its population. Many of these schools, including preschools and kindergartens, are housed in temporary structures with thin walls that offer little to no protection from rocket attacks.

Several elementary schools and even a few high schools are also lacking shelter, but at least the older children are a little more capable of getting under tables and following safety instructions. If you need to quickly get 30 four-year-olds to lie down away from windows and cover their heads for 10 minutes, it’s a lot more challenging!

Tzfat residents have been sent running for shelter from rockets and armed UAVs during MORE THAN 150 ATTACKS on our city. Tzfat is under increased threat due to the close proximity of four military bases, including the Headquarters of the IDF's Northern Command, and housing the main hospital for the Galilee. While we have been “blessed” to have “only” one casualty and a few physical injuries, the mental trauma of having nowhere to run when the sirens go off is causing the most damage. With the increased frequency of red alerts, we began to see more parents keeping children cooped up at home, at the cost of the children’s education and social routine, and even missed work days. One preschool, which we brought a shelter to in July, was down to only about 5 children attending regularly…out of 28. Additionally, schools are having difficulty hiring and retaining teachers due to the unsafe conditions.

Thanks to parternships with the Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County, Operation Lifeshield, CEJP, and hundreds of donors from around the world, we have already brought dozens of shelters to our region. With your help, we can work together to bring more. Each preschool shelter costs $25,000 including delivery and minor site prep, and a playground shelter costs $18,000. Our goal is to keep as many children as safe as possible, preserving the physical, emotional, and mental well-being of students, while continuing as much of a “normal” life as we can during these uncertain times.

Your support for shelters in preschools and playgrounds will not only contribute to the physical security of our children, but also to peace of mind for parents and teaching staff. Please consider partnering with us in this vital cause. It’s a worthwhile investment because each and every shelter helps another adorable bundle of tiny children go about their daily lives with less anxiety, knowing they are protected from the imminent threat of rocket attacks.

So hit that DONATE button, and then give the campaign a SHARE too! Every contribution and act to raise awareness can literally save lives. Thank you for caring and helping keep our children safe.

Sparks to Life is a volunteer-powered nonprofit organization based in Tzfat, Israel. We have partnered with Operation Lifeshield to bring life-saving shelters to playgrounds in northern Israel, where our children are growing up under the threat of rocket attacks.

Our community in Tzfat has endured 300 sirens from rocket and UAV attacks with over 2,000 rockets fired our way since October 7, leaving parents and children in a constant state of anxiety. Tzfat is a sweet little city, home to 40,000 residents including 16,000 children. With large families in small apartments, children and parents both enjoy the time that little ones can get out of the house for fresh air and sunshine and to release energy through physical activity and social interactions. Playgrounds should be places of laughter and fun but, without adequate protection from the dangers that lurk just 30 seconds away when a siren sounds, they quickly became off-limits.

Tzfat, a city steeped in history and beauty, is also close to several military bases and houses the main hospital for our region. This proximity places our children at even greater risk during times of conflict. Although we’ve been fortunate to have relatively few physical injuries, the psychological impact is severe.

Our children deserve safe spaces to play and grow in, without fear of sudden rocket fire. This is why we are focusing on bringing shelters specifically to playgrounds, where children can continue to enjoy their childhood while staying safe.

Together with partners like Operation Lifeshield, the Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County, CEJP, and generous donors around the world, we have already brought over 40 shelters to preschools in our region. Now, we are focusing on playgrounds. We are working in close cooperation with Home Front Command and the Tzfat Municipality, to ensure the shelters are placed where they are needed most. Our goal is to install a shelter in each neighborhood playground so that every child will have a safe place to play within walking distance of where they live. We only need to fund one last playground shelter to reach this goal.

Your support for playground shelters will not only provide physical security for our children, but also peace of mind for their parents. Every shelter installed is a step towards a safer, less fearful future for our community’s kids.

**Donate today** to help us bring safety to our playgrounds. Every dollar helps, and every shelter installed is a life potentially saved. Please share this campaign with your friends and family, and help us continue the vital work of keeping our children safe, even at play. Thank you for your kindness and generosity.

Our community is facing an urgent threat, with frequent rocket attacks forcing families, especially children, to live in constant fear. Tzfat is a small, close-knit town with 16,000 children, and many of our playgrounds and public spaces lack proper shelters, leaving kids vulnerable when the sirens go off.

Sparks to Life, in partnership with Operation Lifeshield, has already brought 30 shelters to Tzfat, but more are still needed. That’s why I have taken on the task of raising money for a shelter for one of our playgrounds that doesn’t have one.

I have four children—ages 11, 8, 4, and 1—and even the playground next to our home does not have a shelter. Across from this playground is a shul where kids often gather and play outside, making it even more essential to have a safe place for them to take cover when needed. I know firsthand the anxiety that comes with every siren, worrying about where my kids, and others, will find safety.

Every shelter we install is one step closer to ensuring that our children can continue to play and grow without fear. As a parent and a member of this community, I want to ensure that every child has a safe space, and I hope you will join us in making that a reality.

Thank you for your support. Every contribution, no matter how small, makes a difference in keeping our kids safe.