How IEC Helped Me.
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Soldier Suffers Great Loss, But Gains Help from IEC

For Yair Cohen, the months since the war ended have been an encounter in dealing with what life can offer -- from recovering from war wounds to experiencing the birth of his first child. During Cohen’s rehabilitation, he applied for and received a grant that he is now using to buy items for his newborn and to help with his last year of college tuition. IEC Funds Aid Soldier with Eye Injury

Alexander Logobinsky received a citation for bravery after he came to the aid of his commander during a Hezbollah attack even after the attack left Logobinsky partially blinded. While he underwent surgeries to try to repair his vision, he used an IEC grant to buy a computer, refrigerator and air conditioners for his family apartment. He hopes to study emergency medicine at BenGurion University because he “loves to help people.” IEC Helped Christian-Arab IDF Vet

It’s fairly uncommon for Israeli Christians to volunteer to serve in the IDF, but Yousef Haddad always knew that he would serve. After he was wounded in the war in Lebanon, and was going through physical therapy to learn to walk again, he got an IEC grant for wounded soldiers, a gift to make their lives a little easier. “It was incredible to think that people in the United States were thinking about us, and wanted to help me.” IEC Grants Give Businesses New Life

When the Katyushas began falling in northern Israel,Michal Koslovsky was in the middle of her busy season selling ceramics in the western Galilee. The Katyushas killed her summer sales, and left her struggling to pay bills. A week after the war ended, she applied for a small-business grant funded by the IEC. After she received the money a week later, she felt saved. IEC Helps Baker's Business Rise

Michal Hirsch started making cakes for friends, and found herself with customers across the Western Galilee. But when the Katyushas began falling, all orders were canceled. Hirsch found it hard to restart after the cease-fire. Debts mounted. She got a grant from the Jewish Agency and IEC, and orders began coming in again. “I could not have done it without the help and faith that the Jewish Agency gave me when I really needed it. IEC Helps Northern Artist During Tough Times

Stephany Egozi and her family fled for a safer area after the Katyushas began to fall on their moshav. By the time the war ended and her reservist husband returned from duty, the studio space for her silversmithing had been rented to someone else. She quickly received a small-business grant from JAFI, via the IEC. “It was a lifesaver,” she said. “It came out of nowhere and helped us tremendously.” Injured Reservist Rehabilitates with Help from IEC

Tal Barchad can remember every aspect of the day that he and his unit went into Lebanon – a missile attack left nine comrades dead, and him badly wounded. While healing, he heard about grants for students called up during the war and unable to work to earn tuition. His IEC grant bought a computer and other necessities. “We are starting to feel normal again. Part of rehabilitation is getting back to a normal life.” IEC Helps Injured Soldier Move On

Tomer Weinberg was badly wounded during the Hezbollah attack that resulted in the capture of Eldad Regev and Ehud Goldwasser and the start of the fighting in Lebanon. Of the grant he got from the IEC’s Victims of Terror fund while convalescing, “It came at just the right time. It’s exciting that someone cares.” IEC Boosts Enrollment in Northern Israeli Colleges

One IEC concern was that the war and the Katyushas that fell on northern Israel would bring enrollment down by at least 30% at northern colleges, which would in turn affect the regional economy. “I’m not sure I would have been able to go back to school this fall without the grant,” says Eyal Halperin, a student at Tel Hai College in the Galilee. IEC Helps College Students Called to Reserve Duty

When the war in Lebanon broke out, Iddo Tkacz was one of thousands of college students who were drafted, and weren’t sure how they would make ends meet after they completed their service. UJC raised $5 million for 8,850 reservists and university students, particularly those who live or go to school up north.