Meni Assayag Takes Out Loans to Fund Charity Amidst Online Criticism

Screenwriter Meni Assayag, known for his work on the TV show "The 80s," has taken out personal loans to support his charitable foundation, "Hayinu Kehomlim" (We Were Compassionate). The foundation aims to assist needy families, orphans, elderly individuals without family, and lone soldiers, primarily by providing food packages before Shabbat and holidays, and by purchasing religious items like tefillin and tallit for bar mitzvah boys and soldiers.

Assayag announced on his X account that despite a slow start to his crowdfunding campaign, he has personally secured funds through loans to help 50 families so far. He noted that he maintains direct and accessible contact with those seeking help, differentiating himself from other charity administrators. The foundation has raised 138,021 shekels towards a goal of 250,000 shekels.

This initiative comes amidst Assayag's public engagement with political discourse on social media. He recently addressed criticism from an individual who claimed Assayag's public stance was damaging his brother, actor Shalom Assayag's, image. Assayag interpreted this criticism as politically motivated, linking it to the "Kaplan" movement, which he associates with left-wing activism. He stated that he has ceased collaborating professionally with his brother due to such pressures, asserting his continued commitment to challenging those he identifies with the Kaplan movement.