At a moving panel held during the fourth Paamonim Summit on the theme of “Economics and Hope”, participants shared the journey they underwent with the organization’s mentors on their path to financial and emotional resilience.
The panel, moderated by Michal Harel, Director of Programs and Partnerships at Paamonim, was dedicated to the memory of the sons of Paamonim volunteers who fell in battle — Nati Meizels, Oshri Moshe, and Jonathan Jacob Deutch.
Beyond the Numbers – A Human Story
“Every family that comes to Paamonim is different,” Harel began. “What they all have in common is the understanding that true financial change starts with a human connection — not just numbers and Excel spreadsheets. We enter private worlds gently, knowing that money is a sensitive topic.”
Reflecting on the challenging past year, Harel highlighted her work with the organization:
“We coached evacuated families, families of reservists, the injured, the abducted, and bereaved families. When someone stands by you — with knowledge and heart — even the hardest challenges become surmountable.”
Swallowing Your Pride and Asking for Help
Chen Bauman-Berkovich shared the difficulty of deciding to seek assistance:
“We reached a point where we realized — it’s no longer about the bank or the loans. We took a deep breath, swallowed our pride, and understood: we need help.”
Rabbi David Cohen, Chabad emissary to Harish, recalled the struggles he faced as a young husband:
“We had no idea how to manage a household — especially a Chabad household. Very quickly, we found ourselves deep in debt to the banks and credit companies. It wasn’t just about the physical reality of not having money, but the emotional burden. As an emissary who’s supposed to help others, I didn’t even know where I’d find a stroller for my child.”
The Key to Success – Mentorship with Heart
The participants emphasized the importance of sensitive, personal mentoring.
“The empathy with which Tzila, my mentor, approached me, and her deep understanding of my situation were critical,” Chen shared. “There was no judgment or criticism — just, ‘Okay, this is where we are. Let’s figure out what we can do.'”
Rabbi David described how Avi, his mentor, gave him not only practical tools but emotional support:
“During a crisis, Avi told me, ‘David, get up, go out, move forward, meet people — that’s what you love.’ That was the turning point I still draw strength from to this day.”
Small Moments of Victory
Each family experienced meaningful moments of triumph.
“Our first goal was to throw a birthday party for our 6-year-old son when he entered first grade,” Chen recalled. “And we did it! One of the most meaningful parts of the process was watching our debts being marked ‘closed’ on the Paamonim website — ‘Check, closed… check, closed…'”
Wider Circles of Influence
The tools families gained extended far beyond their own households.
Rabbi David shared how he applies what he learned in his community:
“No emissary family that followed us repeated our mistakes. We consult with them, and to this day, we meet before Passover, create a budget, and plan ahead.”
He added that he refers families in need from his community to Paamonim.
Chen spoke about the impact on her relationship:
“My mentor helped me understand my husband’s perspective — how difficult it was for him while he was out of work. It strengthened our bond. We realized we could get through tough times together.”
Advice for Those on the Fence
Rabbi David shared a piece of advice he received from his mentor:
“It’s more important to know how to manage your money than to have money. Just like parenting or relationships, responsible financial behavior is a learned skill.”
Chen added her perspective:
“Today, whenever someone tells me they’re struggling financially, I say: ‘You must contact Paamonim!’ We still use the financial thinking we learned, and the tools are relevant to everyone — even before marriage or starting a family.”
Conclusion – The Journey Continues
Michal Harel concluded the panel with a quote from Avi Halfi:
“A successful journey is never over… At the end of the road, I don’t feel like I’ve won, but rather grateful. It’s as if the road passed through me — not I through it.”
