Lsova NGO Celebrates Forty

Forty years ago, on July 15, 1985, we founded "Gagun - Temporary Shelter for All in Need." What began as a small NGO, whose activities were later merged with Lasova (founded in 1990), has become a long and fascinating journey in the world of welfare.

The first Lasova Restaurant. Salameh Street, Tel Aviv. July 1990.

Many ask us: How did it all begin? Our story is not dramatic; it's simply a good fortune. As young lawyers, we offered our legal services to those in need in the Tel Aviv municipality. We were given two cases of homeless women, and suddenly, we were exposed to a whole world of distress that we could not ignore. We felt ourselves swept along willingly, addicted to the doing, and realized that this was our life's mission.

Thus was born "Gagon" - the first homeless shelter in Israel, established with a modest sum raised from friends and ourselves. From one shelter in the Kerem Hateimanim, we have grown to 12 "Gagonim" (5 shelters and 7 rehabilitation centers) throughout the country, providing a roof and hope to more than 200 people each night. This is the initial lodging, the crucial step in the rehabilitation process.

And from the Gagon, the way to food was quick and obvious. The residents of the shelter also needed food. In 1990, we established Lasova and the first restaurant (Soup Kitchen) in Tel Aviv. The public believed in us, and the flow of donations enabled us to open additional restaurants in Acre and Carmiel. Today, three Lasova restaurants serve over 2,000 hot, nutritious, and tasty meals daily, six days a week. Our clientele is diverse, comprising the elderly and the young, the unemployed and the disabled, the homeless and single mothers. All share a common painful predicament: abject poverty, food insecurity, and malnutrition, particularly severe in children and youth at risk.

We realized that we needed to give the children more than just a meal. We started with a computer and a tutor to help with homework. In 1998, we established our first Kadima Youth Center, and today we are proud to nurture 21 such centers throughout the country. Every weekday, 1,200 at-risk children and youth from the geo-social periphery come to us. We provide them with supplementary education, narrow the gap, prevent dropout from school, and give them a real chance to integrate into society.

"Sea Front" Shelter. July, 2025, Tel Aviv

Throughout, we have been guided by two principles that have inspired us: the verse from Isaiah, "Hast thou not spared the poor, to hide thy face from the needy? Shall not thy eyes be open to the righteous? And shalt not thy soul abhor the ravisher? For thou shalt make answer to the mute, to the cause which thou seest not, and shalt speak out for the right of the dumb. Hast thou not made an hedge for the poor, for the destroying of the oppressor, that he might not destroy the needy? Shall not thy eyes be open on them? And shalt not thy heart grieve for them?"

And in the modern context, the moving words of Yoram Tahar Lev's song: "Whoever is hungry will find bread at our table." These are a combination of past and present, tradition and innovation, which guide all our activities.

Since 1985, we have been operating continuously daily as agents of thousands of generous donors and thousands of volunteers. And thanks to them, we guarantee the basic needs of the bottom decile of society. We are proud of the unfailing trust of thousands of donors who come to us "by word of mouth", without expensive fundraising events, publicists, or commissions, which enables us to operate continuously.

We are proud of the 90 service year volunteers and 30 national service volunteers who guide Kadima annually, out of the hundreds of regular volunteers and thousands of others who have chosen Lasova as their social mission. We are proud of the 120 dedicated staff, and especially of the 12 permanent staff who were formerly homeless and rehabilitated in our institutions – living proof of the rehabilitative power.

We look back with immense pride and satisfaction at the road we have travelled. But we also look forward with hope and trepidation. Hope that there is much more to be done, much more "invisible" people to illuminate their world. And trepidation that the lack of donations will prevent us from continuing, growing, expanding, and reaching out to more and more needy.

We pray that you be with us also in the days to come.

Sharona and Gil-Ad Harish.

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