In one of the darkest moments of Israel’s history, Jewish Federations of North America are launching a historic $500 million campaign to support the Jewish state and her people.

You can donate at jfeds.org/SupportIsrael, or find your local Federation here.

Every Jewish Federation has already begun raising significant funds to provide for the needs of the people, families and communities impacted. The funds will be divided, as needed, between urgent humanitarian needs, such as medical supplies and equipment and housing, and longer-term rebuilding and rehabilitation, ranging from rebuilding homes and infrastructure trauma counseling. 

“I was in Israel when Hamas attacked,” said Jewish Federations of North America President and CEO Eric Fingerhut. “Their cruelty was shocking, and the images of their crimes against Jews – the worst since the Holocaust – will stay with me forever. But I have also been privileged to see Israelis pull together as one nation like never before, volunteering their time, organizing relief efforts, and getting the truth of what happened to the world. This moment requires our support, and Jewish Federations will provide it both financially and by mobilizing our communities to sustain backing for Israel in the weeks and months ahead.”   

We are grateful that the Union of Reform Judaism, United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, Hillel International, the JCC Association of North America, and NCJW have joined us in a unified campaign effort, and we welcome others to do so as well. We will work together to determine the most pressing needs and allocate accordingly.

Already, Jewish Federations have allocated $10 million to 20 organizations providing emergency relief and support in Israel, including the Jewish Agency for Israel, JDC, World ORT, Israel Trauma Coalition, United Hatzalah, Magen David Adom, ZAKA, Barzilai Medical Center, and the Soroka Medical Center.

These funds are being put to a slew of immediate and urgent needs, such as medical care, emergency services, evacuation, transport, housing, supporting victims of terror, trauma relief and psychological support, as well as preparing for medium- and long-term needs.

This campaign is only one part of how Jewish Federations are working to support Israel. We have launched the largest community mobilization effort to support Israel in our history. Already, over 120 Federations have helped organize community events, drawing hundreds of thousands of supporters and including leading political and civic leaders.

“For over 100 years, even before Israel’s independence, Jewish Federations have been a pillar of support for the Jewish State. We helped build her communities, strengthen her society, and have always been there to support her during her most difficult hours. And we will do so now, during this darkest of moments,” said Jewish Federations of North America Chair Julie Platt.

The message is clear: Israel must have the support it needs to eradicate the terrorist threat and return safety and security to its people, however long that takes and however difficult that may be. We will all work together to make sure this support does not flag.