With rockets constantly exploding in town, the government failing to address the locals' security concerns and philanthropist suddenly too worried about their own financial situation to fund respites, ordinary citizens are coming to Sderot's rescue.

Dvir Vasser of Jerusalem has launched an initiative this week, calling for private individuals and families from across Israel to host families from Sderot for a relaxing weekend away from the war zone.        "We're asking families from all over the country to open their hearts and take in families from Sderot and the Gaza vicinity during weekends," Vasser explained. This would allow Sderot residents to enjoy a little peace and quiet, and for hosts to learn about the situation in the south firsthand.

"When people are informed of what's going on personally and not through the media - this makes a big difference," Vasser added. "What's more, the personal hospitality testifies to civil involvement, and that's very meaningful."

Vasser said that the he came up with the project after watching on the news children in Sderot running for shelter during a rocket attack.  He also stressed that unlike in previous cases in which various millionaires donated hotel stays to the residents, this time ordinary citizens opened their homes for their fellow Israelis. In addition, he said that several dozens families from Sderot have already decided to join the initiative, but that the response to the project hasn't been very high "because people don't feel comfortable to stay with other families."

For more details and to join the project, please contact Dvir at dvir@yedid.net

The initiative was launched this weekend, but Vasser hopes that it will continue in the following weeks, with more and more families joining it.