Friends,
We celebrate the rescue of Farhan al-Qadi after 326 days held hostage by Hamas. As we and al-Qadi’s community welcome him home, we remain committed to supporting the evolving situation in Israel, particularly in the north. Many of you have asked how you can help.
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Today, some of the most pressing needs include emergency response, construction of bomb shelters, trauma support for families, and mental empowerment and resilience programming, especially for women head of households and the Druze community in the north impacted extensively by the war.
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The Jewish Community Foundation has identified three organizations that need immediate investment as they continue to provide critical relief, support, and rehabilitation services. Please consider donating to these organizations through your Donor Advised Fund.
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Emergency Response: IsraAid (EIN: 46-2118225)
IsraAid is launching a $3.7 million program to train emergency response teams in community centers across northern Israel and set up bomb shelters in areas threatened by Hezbollah, Iran, and other Iranian proxies. Their Safe Harbor program is ensuring leaders in 80 communities across Israel are equipped to lead on logistical crisis response, mental health, and education, with an emphasis on safe spaces for children. Each community receives a small grant for procuring emergency preparedness equipment. "Right now, it’s important to support and strengthen local leaders, who know best what their communities need,” said Einav Levy, IsraAid Head of the Israel Mission.
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Trauma Support: Jewish Agency for Israel (EIN: 23-7254561)
The Jewish Agency for Israel’s Fund for Victims of Terror (FVOT) provides immediate response and long-term rehabilitation grants to families and individuals who have been impacted by acts of terror. They respond within 48 hours of an attack and connect survivors with post-trauma care through social service agencies and hospitals. To date, including with funding from The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington, FVOT has provided 46 grants to the Druze community, with more in process, and direct support to any family in the north and throughout Israel impacted by acts of terror. FVOT will be first-line responders in the event of a full-scale northern war.
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Empowering Druze Women: Itach Maaki
Itach Maaki partners with the Druze community to support women’s empowerment in northern Israel’s Arab society. Since October 7th, the organization has elevated the impact of the war on the invisible women of Israel, including in the Druze community where women have borne the brunt of family and economic responsibilities. Itach Maaki operates Gender Advisors Labs in municipalities such as Dalyat al-Karmel, a Druze town near Haifa, and Bichara, a choice-activism center for Jewish and Arab women in Haifa focused on gender-based violence, health, leadership, and economic mobility. (To give to Itach Maaki through your DAF, direct your distribution to P.E.F Israel Endowment Funds, Inc. and note "Itach Maaki" in the memo.)
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We hope that you will join us in giving generously through your Donor Advised Fund to these organizations as we stand in solidarity with all people of Israel. If you have questions, please reach out to foundation@shalomdc.org at any time.
Read more about how The Jewish Federation, the Jewish Community Foundation, and our community are supporting those in Israel.
As always, we are grateful to be your partners in philanthropy.
Sara Brenner
Executive Director
Jewish Community Foundation
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The Jewish Community Foundation
by The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington
6101 Executive Boulevard Suite 100 | North Bethesda, MD 20852 US
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