The project “Wrapped in Light” (Otefet Or in Hebrew) was launched by real estate investor, ex-military commander and self-proclaimed “lover of Jerusalem” Elihav Dikstein, after “adopting” an elderly woman. As he realized what a huge difference his acts of kindness to that lonely lady’s life made, he started working on expanding his project – not only in Jerusalem but also worldwide.
Jerusalem is the city with the most social distress in Israel. There is one social worker for every 400 known social welfare cases. It has the highest rate of negative migration as unfortunately 20,000 people leave Jerusalem yearly.
Dikstein aims to encourage positive migration to the city.
The project “Wrapped in Light” seeks to address social needs in Jerusalem in collaboration with the community administration in each neighborhood. Moshe Lion, the mayor of Jerusalem, endorsed the project and offered his support.
Dikstein not only formed a group of volunteers to help lonely residents but is also getting residents from different professions to contribute “hours of light,” using their legal, financial and social skills to help those who need them.
A Wrapped in Light membership card awards benefits and discounts at Jerusalem businesses, tourism sights and Jerusalem products.
Once a month a cultural “happening” takes place in different parts of the city, which helps bring diverse population groups together and cements ties even more.
It is a win-win project for both the donors and the ones receiving help. Dikstein is not fond of calling them “beneficiaries” because he calls all participants beneficiaries.
The project aims even higher – to match twin communities locally and abroad. By doing so, it helps to strengthen the bonds of solidarity with Jewish communities worldwide.
This project aims at showing off the beautiful face of Israel by creating an authentic social action partnership.
Every Jew has a share in Jerusalem
An app to connect and update residents on events and projects in the neighborhood was launched recently.
The words, “Wrapped in Light,” were inspired by one of the most beautiful Israeli songs written by Yosef Sarig about Jerusalem:
“I see a city wrapped in light,
rising in all colors of the rainbow
and it plays me as a harp
I see a city.”
Sarig, a songwriter and musician, was killed when he was only 29 years old in the Yom Kippur War, a year after he wrote and composed the song in 1972 in honor of Jerusalem Day. Driving up the hills of Jerusalem at sunset, he was inspired to write his song.
In biblical sources, light is always associated with godliness and wisdom. Hence it is not a coincidence that the message of this project is to enlighten and spread the light through acts of spontaneous kindness.■
The writer is a journalist and director of TLC in Potomac, Maryland, who currently resides in Jerusalem