La Casa is the first Dati Leumi, Religious Zionist, community in Argentina founded in 2016 in partnership with Bnei Akiva and Mizrachi. Based in Buenos Aires, and led by Israeli shlichim, it offers shiurim, tefilot, Shabbat programs, Shabbatonim, and trips to the more than 400 families in the community. Throughout the year, thousands of people take part in programs of La Casa. When the war started, La Casa was the first community in Argentina to start fundraising for Israel, raising more than $600,000. The community bought security equipment for towns in the Shomron and for United Hatzalah, and sent over 100 suitcases of donations.
In the first months of the war, between 50 and 60 volunteers were working each day to pack suitcases or raise money for Israel. One of La Casa’s programs is called the Shabbat box, where they provide challot, kiddush wine and Shabbat candles to Jews, many of whom are unaffiliated. Since the war, La Casa has provided 40,000 of these boxes to Jews around Argentina, with each one bearing the name of a hostage or a fallen soldier.
La Casa initiated public displays and rallies for the hostages, raising awareness for them throughout Buenos Aires.
The community also created a support group called Achva, to provide support to parents whose children are serving in the IDF. The community has also bought a house in Netanya, which currently provides a home to 50 lone soldiers in Israel.
From the other side of the world, La Casa has provided strong support for Israel during this war. The Jewish community in Argentina is 200,000 strong – and La Casa has been leading the way.