Jewish Federations of North America's Israel Emergency Fund has surpassed $600 million, $148 million of which has already been allocated to the most pressing needs on the ground through 116 partner organizations and NGOs.

The most recent allocation update included significant investments in medical and mental health care.

All in all, some $10.6 million have gone to fill that need. Thus far, our funds have supported 22 tons of medical supplies and humanitarian aid used for emergency medical care. Nearly 2,100 victims have been treated, 1,000 of which were treated in the first 10 days of the war.

Many mental health centers in Israel have been chronically under-resourced, but seen demand surge since the attacks of October 7th. 

While Israel’s Ministry of Health is working to establish a longer term systemic program for mental health and post-trauma care, in the meantime psychiatric hospitals have to cover more immediate activities, such as additional equipment and staffing costs for the professionals involved in the emergency response.

In addition to the medical and mental health portion, funds have gone to support the Fund for Victims of Terror, trauma relief, food aid, and volunteer efforts.

Here are just a few ways our funds are having significant impact on the ground:

• The Fund for Victims of Terror has distributed 4,452 grants and is processing mote
• 20,600 people gained access to safety through updating neglected communal bomb shelters 
• More than 48,000 Food packages delivered, including 2,600 food deliveries made to Holocaust survivors
• Over 238,000 hot meals served to individuals in at risk communities.
• Nearly 110,000 volunteers mobilized to fulfill medical and food insecurity needs in Israel
• Over 2,000 caregivers participated in workshops to provide emotional support, practical tools to provide preventative care for the elderly in a war environment.
• Nearly 300 counselors trained to provide emotional support

One hundred percent of all funds raised are making it into the hands of the organizations that can do the most good on the ground.

Organizations that have received funds include the Jewish Agency for Israel, JDC, World ORT, Israel Trauma Coalition, United Hatzalah, Magen David Adom, ZAKA, Chabad, and over a dozen hospitals and medical organizations.

With 200,000 Israelis displaced, the danger of a multi-front war, and the array of human and economic challenges growing by the day, Jewish Federations are expanding their support in line with the ever-developing needs.

Our community has given special focus to populations with additional needs such as the elderly and their caregivers, those with mental impairments, children at risk, Russian-speakers, Amharic-speakers, lone soldiers, and Arab, Bedouin and Haredi groups affected by the horrors of the war.

We are grateful that the Union of Reform Judaism, United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, Hillel International, the JCC Association of North America, National Council of Jewish Women, Network of Jewish Human Service Agencies, and Prizmah have joined us in a unified campaign effort, and we welcome others to do so as well.

The fundraising campaign is only one part of how Jewish Federations are working to support Israel. We have also launched the largest community mobilization effort to support Israel in our history.

Our #BlueRibbonsForIsrael Campaign has distributed hundreds of thousands of ribbons in support of the over 200 innocents still being held hostage by Hamas in Gaza. We have initiated a series of solidarity missions to Israel that will continue as a clear show of support over the coming weeks and months.

Across North America, Federations and Jewish Community Relations Councils are mobilizing from the local level all the way to Washington to drive home the importance of continued political backing for Israel in its fight against terror. Federations have helped organize over 120 community events, drawing hundreds of thousands of supporters and including leading political and civic leaders.

Photo: Jewish Federation leaders visit Ronen Gabay, a wounded October 7th hero and recipient of Jewish Agency Funds for Victims of Terror support. Credit: Jewish Agency for Israel