E.S.R.A - English Speaking Residents Association

E.S.R.A - English Speaking Residents Association (ESRA) is a volunteer association in Israel dedicated to supporting English speakers as they build their lives in Israel and empowering them to give back. Founded in 1979 by Merle Guttmann, it has grown into the largest volunteer organization of English-speaking olim in the country. ESRA provides essential services, cultural and social activities, community life, networking opportunities, and tailored programs for people of all ages and stages of absorption, helping olim feel at home in Israel. The organization operates through more than 2,000 dedicated volunteers and partnerships across government, academia, and business. It leads high-impact educational and social welfare projects for children, university students, and war-affected families. Key initiatives include the "Students Building a Community" project, in which students live in disadvantaged neighborhoods and mentor children to prevent school dropout, and the "ESRA in English" program that improves English-language achievements in schools in cooperation with the Ministry of Education. ESRA also runs second-hand shops that employ students on scholarships and people with special needs, and publishes a magazine for English speakers in Israel. ESRA's impact is recognized by the President's Award for Volunteerism (1992) and the Midot Seal of Effectiveness. Its founder, Merle Guttmann, received the President's Award for leadership in volunteerism in 1999. The organization is led by CEO Sunny Marshansky (since 2017), with Merle Guttmann as Honorary Life President and Nella Feldsher as Chair. ESRA continues to support olim through financial aid, family link programs, friendship services, and cultural activities, while welcoming global volunteers for online English tutoring and mentoring.

ESRA was founded in 1979 by Merle Guttmann as a volunteer association to support English-speaking immigrants (olim) in Israel. Over the decades, it has grown into the largest volunteer organization of English-speaking olim in the country, working to strengthen Israeli society, assist immigrants in integrating, and reduce social and educational gaps in the periphery. In 1992, ESRA received the President's Award for Volunteerism. In 1999, founder and honorary president Merle Guttmann was awarded the President's Award for leadership in volunteerism, as well as certificates of appreciation for her social work promoting Israeli society and immigrant absorption. With the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, ESRA developed new programs and expanded its welfare services and educational projects. These included the "Students Building a Community" project, where students are housed in disadvantaged neighborhoods and mentor children to strengthen them and prevent school dropout, and the "ESRA in English" project to improve English-language academic achievements of school students in cooperation with the Ministry of Education. As of 2021, ESRA is the largest volunteer association in Israel of English-speaking olim. The organization is led by CEO Sunny Marshansky, who has held the position since 2017. ESRA continues to operate second-hand shops that employ students on scholarships and people with special needs, and publishes a magazine for English speakers in Israel. It also runs financial aid through its Welfare Fund, the Family Link pilot program, and Friendship Services, among other initiatives.

• 2020

  During COVID-19, ESRA develops new programs including 'Students Building a Community' and 'ESRA in English'.

• 2017

  Sunny Marshansky becomes CEO.

• 1999

  Founder Merle Guttmann receives the President's Award for leadership in volunteerism.

• 1992

  ESRA receives the President's Award for Volunteerism.

• 1979

  ESRA founded by Merle Guttmann.

A volunteer-driven nonprofit supporting English-speaking immigrants in Israel through social welfare, education, and community programs.

• Financial Aid

  One-time financial assistance for olim and those in need through the ESRA Welfare Fund.

• Family Link

  A pilot program connecting young English-speaking Olim families with trained ESRA volunteers for practical support and companionship.

• Friendship Services

  Weekly meetings connecting volunteers with individuals who need a friend, in person or by phone.

• Students Building a Community

  Students are housed in disadvantaged neighborhoods and mentor children to prevent school dropout.

• ESRA in English

  A project to improve English-language academic achievements of school students in cooperation with the Ministry of Education.

• Second-hand shops

  Shops that employ students on scholarships and people with special needs.

• Magazine

  A magazine for English speakers in Israel.

1. 1Official websiteesra.org.il
2. 2About ESRAesra.org.il
3. 3Personal Supportesra.org.il
4. 4Wikidatawikidata.org
5. 5Hebrew Wikipediahe.wikipedia.org
6. 6ע.ז.ר.ה – אגוד דוברי אנגליתhe.wikipedia.org