By HAVIV RETTIG
Two non-profit organizations, the Sacta-Rashi Foundation and the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, have once again stepped in to help finance gaps in Israel's education budget.
The two foundations will contribute NIS 15.5 million each toward the total NIS 42 million needed to operate a hot lunch program in 1,350 kindergartens throughout the country. The remaining sum of approximately NIS 11 million will be covered by regional councils and parents associations.
The government is required by law to fund hot lunches for elementary school pupils participating in long school day programs, but does not require the same for kindergarteners.
In all, the project is expected to reach some 40,000 schoolchildren in over 100 towns and regional councils. The IFCJ noted that the project will operate in all Israeli communities, whether Jewish, Beduin, Arab or Druse.