Published January 28, 2026 12:58 PM IST

On January 10, Chaim V’Chessed hosted an important meeting with Mr. Mark Marrano, recently appointed countrywide Coordinator for American Citizen Services at the U.S. Embassy, who also serves as Consul General.
Shortly after assuming his new role, Mr. Marrano requested to visit Chaim V’Chessed, citing the organization’s long-standing history of cooperation and close working relationships with the U.S. Embassy. During the visit, Mr. Marrano met with Paysach Freedman, CEO of Chaim V’Chessed, toured the organization’s offices, and received a comprehensive overview of Chaim V’Chessed’s work on behalf of the English-speaking community in Israel. He also met with Chaim V’Chessed staff members and discussed current and future areas of collaboration.
A significant and practical outgrowth of this visit is a passport event which Chaim V’Chessed will host, focused on first-time U.S. passports and Consular Reports of Birth Abroad (CRBAs). The event, which will take place on February 12, follows several highly successful passport events previously hosted by Chaim V’Chessed.
As opposed to previous passport events, parents and their children will be able to complete the entire passport and CRBA process at Chaim V’Chessed offices, in Har Chotzvim, with no need to travel to the Embassy. Once passports and CRBAs are ready, they will be available for pickup at Chaim V’Chessed offices.
“This initiative reflects Chaim V’Chessed’s continued commitment to serving the community through strong partnerships and practical solutions that make essential services more accessible to English-speaking families in Israel,” said Paysach Freedman, CEO of Chaim V’Chessed.
The event is limited to children born after January 1, 2025, and to families in which both parents are U.S. citizens, with at least one parent born in the United States.
To learn more about the event and to register, click here.
