Festivals have a particular way of throwing loneliness into relief. While most families gather round a table, many older people sit alone — facing an empty chair, a television, silence. Our name, "Yamim Tovim" — good days — was not chosen by accident: we believe no older person should be left alone on the good days. Here is how you can help.
Why festivals are so hard for older people living alone
In ordinary weeks it is possible to "manage" with the quiet. But festivals bring to the surface everything that is missing: a spouse who died, children who live far away or abroad, friends who are gone. The contrast between the celebration all around and the loneliness at home makes the festival one of the hardest times of the year. More than once we see mood and health dip in the days just after. This connects to what we wrote about the effect of loneliness on older people.
Practical ways to give good days
It does not take much to make a big difference at a festival:
- Invite an older person to your table — a neighbour, a distant relative, someone from the community. One extra chair can change a whole festival.
- Visit beforehand — even a short visit with a greeting and something small to eat says "I thought of you".
- Phone on the day itself — a few minutes at the right moment reminds someone they have not been forgotten.
- Bring the festival to them — a festival food parcel, flowers, or a hot dish from your own table.
- Bring them to a community event — a shared festival meal or gathering helps those with no one to celebrate with.
How we work at festival time
Ahead of every festival, Yamim Tovim Ashdod makes special preparations: we put together and deliver festival food parcels that honour tradition, step up our home visits so that nobody is left alone, and organise gatherings and events that bring back the spirit of the day. For many older people, the volunteer arriving with a festival parcel is the only face they will see that day. See more about what we do.
How you can be part of it
This year, no older person needs to sit alone at a festival — and you can help:
- Volunteer distributing festival food parcels or on home visits — the festival season is exactly when more hands are needed.
- Give so that we can reach more homes with a parcel, a visit and a smile for the festival.
- Simply pay attention — there may be an older person on your street who would be glad of an invitation.
A festival is a time for giving. Talk to us and we will gladly tell you how to give a good day to someone who needs it most.