The Sderot Foundation

16/03/2026

In Sderot, we know that routine and normalcy are the absolute foundation of community resilience.

While the recent war has exacerbated deep-seated trauma for many of our students, our holistic resilience strategy- centered right here in our school system- is the best way to help our children bounce back.

This week, Sderot took a massive step forward by safely and cautiously reopening our schools. Seeing kids back in the classroom, joined by Sderot Mayor Alon Davidi, is a powerful reminder of our city's unbreakable spirit.

As Mayor Davidi shared with our families: "The safety of your children and our educational teams is my top priority... we saw fit to allow a safe return to routine for those who are ready."

Thank you to our global community of supporters for standing with us. Your partnership ensures we have the resources to wrap our students in the holistic care they need right now. Hoping for quiet and good days ahead! 💙


אלון דוידי - Alon Davidiעיריית שדרותתיירות שדרות והעוטף

19/02/2026

Today, a piece of Sderot found a permanent home in Florida. In a moving ceremony, the City of Hallandale Beach officially renamed 5th Street to “Sderot Way,” standing in solidarity with our resilient city.

Sderot Mayor Alon Davidi joined a true partner and friend, Hallandale Beach Mayor Joy Cooper, together with community residents and local leadership to unveil this tribute. This isn’t just a new street sign—it is a beacon of the deep commitment between our two communities.

As we commemorated the events of October 7th with the unveiling of the new Sderot Way, we were reminded that even in our darkest moments, we do not stand alone. Hallandale Beach has chosen to honor the bravery of the people of Sderot, ensuring that the legacy of those we lost and the strength of those who remain will never be forgotten.

This partnership is rooted in shared values of freedom, community, and an ironclad spirit that refuses to be broken. When you walk down Sderot Way, you aren’t just walking on a street in Florida. You are walking a path of friendship that spans oceans and defies those who seek to destroy our way of life.

Thank you, Mayor Cooper and Hallandale Beach, for your unwavering support. Together, we are stronger. Together, we remember. Together, we build.

Mayor Joy Cooper אלון דוידי - Alon Davidi City of Hallandale Beach Government

30/12/2025

Some children need a different path in order to flourish.
And in Sderot, there is one place built especially for them.

Hadar School is much more than an educational institution -
it is a home of hope for children and youth with complex special needs, and the only school of its kind in the region.

Two years ago, the school’s new campus was inaugurated - a spacious, advanced, and fully adapted environment that allows students not only to learn, but to grow, explore, and dream.

The move to the new campus changed everything:
more students, an expanded age range up to 21, and a wide variety of therapeutic and educational spaces that did not exist before.
It has been a true transformation for the children, and especially for their families, who can now see a future.

This is not just a new school.
It is a clear statement: every child deserves an opportunity.
And every path can be adapted.

29/12/2025

Some teenagers haven’t found their place within traditional frameworks.

Their path may have become a little twisted, but their future is still wide open.

Meitar is the place where they pause, take a breath, and begin again.

Meitar is a day center in Sderot for at-risk and disconnected youth, offering personal guidance, emotional support, and therapeutic care, at a pace tailored to each individual.

At Meitar, they receive emotional therapy, participate in group work, and express themselves through music, art, and sports - all designed to strengthen, stabilize, and rebuild trust in themselves and in the world around them.

Today, Meitar supports 80 teenagers with one clear goal:

To help them return to healthy functioning, build resilience, and open a real door to a different future.

At Meitar, no one is given up on.

Step by step - finding their way back.

17/12/2025

At the new Sderot Therapeutic Riding Center, we begin a new chapter of resilience, healing, and hope.

The Sderot Development Foundation is proud to lead the establishment of the city’s new Therapeutic Riding Center- an essential initiative designed to provide the children of Sderot with a safe, therapeutic, and empowering environment.

Construction is already underway, and once completed it will offer therapeutic horseback riding, professional riding lessons with tailored programs, trauma-focused therapy incorporating horses, and much-needed spaces to just breath- a place to grow, gain strength, and build confidence.

Beyond the therapeutic and professional elements, the establishment of the center marks another significant step in our long-term vision: Strengthening the resilience of Sderot’s residents and ensuring sustained support for our children and youth for many years to come.

We are proud to build yet another home of love, stability, and healing for the children of our city and the entire region-and even prouder to bring a community dream to life.

Together, we ride forward toward a safer, brighter, and more hopeful future.

14/12/2025

Healing doesn’t always begin with words. Sometimes, it begins with connection.

At Sderot’s Animal-Assisted Therapy Center, part of the Sderot Resilience Center since 2015, residents receive professional mental health support through guided therapeutic interactions with animals.

Working with animals allows individuals to process fear, anxiety, and trauma in a gentle, experiential way- without feeling overly exposed. During times of emergency, the simple knowledge that an animal is waiting for them provides stability, purpose, and grounding.

Here, healing begins through connection- building resilience from within.

07/12/2025

We are proud to see Sderot highlighted in JNF-USA’s latest IsraelCast episode, featuring Mayor Alon Davidi.
His conversation with Steven Shalowitz reflects the true spirit of our city - resilience, determination, and a deep commitment to strengthening Sderot.

We are grateful for our partnership with JNF-USA’s and their dedication to Israel’s South.
Together, we continue to create a better future for the people of Sderot and the entire region.

Listen to the full episode here: 🎧👇

Alon Davidi, the Sderot mayor since 2013, is responsible for tens of thousands of residents, just 700 meters away from Gaza. Listen to his story.

10/11/2025

We are proud to celebrate the opening of Sderot’s new Helmsley Warm Home Complex.
Ninety children who need extra care and guidance will now have six warm homes to come to after school. They’ll be welcomed with a hot, freshly prepared meal, help with homework, opportunities for social activities, and emotional support, including therapeutic services, from a dedicated, loving staff.
For these children, it’s more than an after-school program — it’s a safe and nurturing space, a true home where they can heal, grow, and thrive.
This project could not have been realized without the generous support of the Helmsley Charitable Trust, our strategic partner, whose vision and philanthropy have turned a dream into reality. Together, we are opening doors for children in Sderot to discover their strengths, build confidence, and flourish.

03/11/2025

Last week, Sderot Foundation’s delegation, led by Mayor Alon Davidi, returned from the United States, where we had the privilege of participating in the annual Jewish National Fund–USA conference — A large Jewish philanthropic gathering, bringing together more than 3,000 devoted donors and partners of the State of Israel.
We were proud to represent Sderot, the Gaza Envelope communities, and the entire Western Negev — sharing our collective story of resilience, faith, and growth in the face of immense challenges.
For more than two decades, Jewish National Fund-USA has been a true partner in building the future of Zionism in the Negev and Galilee. Through the support of our dear friends and partners, we have nearly doubled the population of Sderot, created leading and innovative solutions to strengthen local and regional resilience, and brought Ben Gurion’s vision to life.
There is a lot of work to be done, but through the strength of our partnerships, outside the box strategic development, and innovative socioeconomic and community development initiatives, we will write the next exciting chapter of the story of the Jewish nation.

23/10/2025

Sderot Mayor Alon Davidi to Receive the Ben-Gurion Award

Sderot Mayor Alon Davidi will receive the Ben-Gurion Award from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, an honor presented to exceptional individuals whose vision and lifelong contributions have made a lasting impact on the Negev and the State of Israel.

Award Committee Statement:
“Under Davidi’s leadership, Sderot has grown stronger in education, culture, and community life, becoming a symbol of resilience and faith. During and after the events of October 7, 2023, and throughout the Iron Swords War, he led the city through life-saving decisions, safeguarding the physical and emotional well-being of its residents while inspiring hope and renewal in a time of crisis. His leadership stands as a model of strength and values-driven service in the Negev and across Israel.”

Mayor Alon Davidi said:
“I accept the Ben-Gurion Award with deep humility and a profound sense of mission. This honor belongs to the people of Sderot, who embody the true spirit of Zionism, faith, and resilience in their daily lives. In recent years and especially since October 7, the residents of Sderot have proven themselves to be Israel’s living shield, with open hearts and boundless love for this land. I thank Ben-Gurion University for this recognition and for sharing our commitment to building, growth, and renewal here in the Negev, where Israel’s story is being written anew.”

Thank you Mayor Davidi for your inspiring leadership, courage and unwavering dedication to the people of Sderot- a city that continues to shine as a beacon of resilience and hope for all of Israel!

10/10/2025

Hope has returned, but we have not forgotten.

As we welcome the agreement for the return of the hostages and the quiet days that follow, we breathe again.

Yet in Sderot, memory lives close to the surface.
We remember the morning when everything changed, the bravery of the police officers at the Sderot Police Station, the courage of our residents who faced terror with strength, and the loss that still echoes through our city.

At the Sderot Founders’ House, a powerful film documents the battle at the Sderot Police Station — a story of heroism, determination, and human spirit.

We invite you to visit, hear firsthand testimonies, and experience the story that shaped us.

Here in Sderot, remembrance and hope walk side by side.

We wait for the return of every hostage, for healing, and for lasting peace, with the same strength and faith that define this city.

22/09/2025

As we begin a new year, we at the Sderot Foundation wish for a year of growth, health, and hope to all the people of Israel.

This past year has reminded us once again that personal, community, and national resilience are the foundation of life here.
We are proud to lead initiatives that strengthen Sderot from within and position it as a model of international resilience.
Whether in education, culture, community, or tourism - our work is rooted in values of partnership, innovation, steadfastness in the face of challenges, and a forward-looking vision for a better future.

And through it all, our hearts remain with the families of the hostages. Our prayer and wish for the new year is to see them all return soon, healthy and whole, to the embrace of their families.

May the coming year be filled with peace, unity, and joy, and may we continue together to build a reality of resilience and hope - here in Sderot, and from Sderot to the entire world.