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Welcome to our ESRA website! 

I know that after browsing through the site, you will feel - as I do - that we have something in ESRA for YOU!

You will discover that ESRA is a dynamic, pluralistic, multi-faceted community organization - and it is run by English speaking volunteers. Its flexibility and innovativeness allow it to pinpoint and respond quickly to the current needs of the people that ESRA serves.

Participation in ESRA's activities enhances the integration of English speakers into Israeli life, and gives them an opportunity to express their own unique abilities and interests. Thus, the talents and culture that they bring with them from their native countries find fertile ground in Israel, and result in ESRA's broad range of cultural, social, educational, and support programs in English, which the volunteers both create and enjoy.

Furthermore, ESRA's caring and humanistic philosophy translates into the belief that helping others is meaningful for all involved - those doing the helping, as well as those being helped. This philosophy is implemented by reaching out to immigrants from distressed countries and others in disadvantaged sectors of the Israeli society, and in the tens of community projects we have developed.

ESRA’s credo, that volunteers are capable of creating and carrying out projects in a professional manner, offers encouragement and empowerment to the 1000 versatile and talented people who accept the challenge eagerly.

Come join us in this exciting and fulfilling enterprise. Together, we can help ourselves and others - and enjoy and grow in the process.                                                    



MERLE GUTTMANN                                           
Honorary Life President of ESRA

According to the guidelines for Amutot (non-profit associations) ESRA's audited Financial Reports can be viewed publicly. Go to the ESRA page on the Guidestar website by following this link http://www.guidestar.org.il/GS_Search?s=580037455&lang=iw

Please click on the attachments below to view ESRA Financial Report as of 31 Dec 2016 in English and in Hebrew.

Attachment Size
Signed Financial Report as of 31 Dec 2016 - English 463.4 KB
דו''ח כספי מאושר עד 31 בדצ'מבר 2016 439.88 KB

ESRA currently has 19 branches, with new ones being formed wherever the need arises. Click on the Branch link to find out about ESRA in your area. 

ESRA is dedicated to making Israel a better society. We do this through our volunteer work, creating special projects aimed at any sector of society that can benefit from our help. We are devoted to helping immigrant groups in a wide variety of creative ways, as well as helping the needy, the disabled, or talented youngsters who need a boost toward self realization. Our volunteers enrich Israeli society and in so doing are themselves enriched. We welcome all newcomers to our ranks.

ESRA is an independent non-profit organisation run by volunteers.


A group of English Speaking residents of Herzliya and Kfar Shmaryahu formed ESRA in 1979, primarily to fulfill a social need and assist their integration into Israeli society.

The new 'English Speaking Resident's Association', known as ESRA, soon expanded to include other towns in the Sharon area such as Ramat Hasharon, Kfar Saba, Hod Hasharon and Raanana, and, over the years has spread to areas wherever the need has arisen, providing a framework for English speaking activities in the community.

ESRA's aims are threefold:

  • Helping integration of English speaking families and new immigrants by providing social, cultural, educational and civic activities.
  • Encouraging English speakers to volunteer in the community, thereby helping others and at the same time becoming a useful part of Israeli society.
  • Initiating and running projects in the community via the ESRA Community Fund (E.C.F.) to aid immigrants from distressed countries and other disadvantaged sectors of Israeli society.
ESRA has contact with the other immigrant organisations, and also with the local municipalities and the various government bodies responsible for immigrant absorption and social welfare.

In 1992 ESRA, and its President and Founder, Merle Guttmann, was a recipient of the President's Award for Volunteering for its contribution to the absorption of immigrants. In 1999 Merle was presented with the Volunteer Award of the Year for outstanding leadership by the National Council for Voluntarism in Israel.

ESRA's president has received five additional awards for both her and ESRA's contribution to the community. Many of ESRA's volunteers have also received individual awards from their local municipalities for their volunteering activities in their communities.  Click to see some of ESRA's numerous awards.
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