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Jewish Nevada has raised over $900,000 from over 650 donors for the Israel Emergency Fund. Jewish Nevada has a task force specifically focused on allocating the funds raised that meets every two weeks. We’ve granted more than $800,000 to the following organizations. These are the total amounts that have been allocated so far. 

 

 

Let's talk about the Jewish Federations of North America Collective Emergency Relief Fund. This fund has raised over $800 million to date from the 140+ Jewish Federations across the USA and Canada. Here's how that money has been spent so far. 

 

 

More than $700 million has been granted to help:

The outpouring of support for Israel in time of need from our community is incredible. But the numbers don't tell the whole story. Here are real stories of impact from the organizations your dollars can support.

 

As of October 30, 3,946 grants have been transferred from the Fund for Victims of Terror to families and an additional 800+ are in process for a total of more than 4,000 cases to date.

 

In our partner region, Ramat HaNegev, they are hosting 2,000 terror survivors and evacuees from the south. We’ve also supported our second largest grantee in the region, Derech Eretz, to increase their trauma social workers from part-time to full-time.

 

United Hatzalah is a community-based volunteer emergency medical service (EMS) operating across Israel. It has mobilized all 7,000 of its volunteers and dispatched over 120 rescue vehicles to Israel's southern region. With the help of Jewish Federations, United Hatzalah will be able to purchase critical emergency medical supplies to respond to ongoing attacks.

 

The Jewish Agency for Israel is delivering 2,500+ hot meals for home-bound seniors each week, serving high school students who have seen unspeakable horrors with long term intervention plans, and operating respite camp programs for hundreds of traumatized children. 

 

The Hostage and Missing Families Forum was formed by the families of hostages following the horrific terrorist attack on Israeli citizens. The Forum is a nonprofit organization, founded solely for the purpose of bringing back the people abducted and being held hostage in Gaza. The Forum’s strategy is to affect sustainable global public opinion in order to pressure countries who host and support Hamas for the immediate release of the hostages. Jewish Federations provide direct support to these families.

 

The Israel Trauma Coalition (ITC), a key Federation emergency partner, is the cornerstone in the national treatment of trauma and emergency preparedness in Israel. ITC operated 12 resilience centers, mostly in the Gaza border area, which offer a unique model that provides a seamless response along the continuum between emergency preparedness, emergency, and recovery. ITC also works through its member organizations to provide additional mental health and psychosocial services, such as the emotional support hotlines that have been opened by Eran and Natal. Jewish Federations will support the provision of care for evacuees, first responders, and medical professionals, along with a national hotline. 

 

All Israeli LGBTQ+ non-profit organizations have joined together and entrusted the Jerusalem Open House to lead the establishment of a mental health emergency support system. More than 50 psychologists and social workers have been enlisted to provide a nationwide response to trauma, loss, and other challenges that LGBTQ+ Israelis are facing during the crisis. This need arose quickly, as many LGBTQ+ individuals hesitate to access services through state institutions, especially during periods of turmoil, and will be better served in specialized frameworks.

 

Nefesh B’Nefesh supports those making Aliyah from North America, from the initial process to starting new lives in Israel. With the support of Jewish Federations, Nefesh B’Nefesh will provide free counseling services to support families living in the South, parents of Lone Soldiers, bereaved Olim families, injured Lone Soldiers, and the general English-speaking population. In addition, a dedicated team of social workers will assist Lone Soldiers, visit hospitals, counsel bereaved parents, and address incoming calls from concerned parents overseas.

 

Shalva is a Jerusalem-based association for care and inclusion of people with disabilities, providing a range of services for people of all ages and backgrounds from recreation to employment training to independent living, plus family support. Shalva has taken in 100 evacuees from an institution for youth-at-risk and with Jewish Federations' support, will provide for all their needs during the stay.

 

The JDC has initiated trauma therapy sessions for children coming from the hardest-hit communities surrounding the Gaza strip. These children have lost family members and are currently residing with their families at hotels and temporary centers. The trauma intervention initiative, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education's Educational Counseling Service, includes the Hibuki therapeutic doll. Hibuki (Hebrew for 'hug') was originally introduced in 2011 to help children in southern Israel cope with rocket attacks, and has since been used to treat trauma among Japanese children affected by the tsunami that same year, and most recently among Ukrainian children coping with trauma from the ongoing war Ukraine. 500 child survivors of October 7 have received JDC’s "Hibuki" therapeutic dolls. This unique trauma intervention, which will ultimately reach 7,000 young evacuees over the coming months, is designed to help children cope with traumas they experienced and relive daily.

 

The JDC is working with the Ministry of Health to support frontline medical professionals working in highly affected areas. This includes developing interventions focused on resilience training, and support for those working in mixed Jewish-Arab teams.

The following is a list of organizations supported by the Jewish Federations of North America Collective Emergency Relief Fund, organized by services offered on the ground in Israel.

 

Basic Needs

Food and financial assistance for impacted families, the elderly, and the homebound. 

 

Association for the Wellbeing of Israeli Soldiers ​

Brothers and Sisters for Israel

Eshel Chabad

Hostages and Missing Families Forum

The Israel Movement for Reform and Progressive Judaism (IMPJ)

JDC

LATET

Leket

Machon Shitim

Sapir College

The Jerusalem Civilian Command Center

Tzohar Rabbinical Organization

 

Evacuation, Housing, Respite, Support for Frontline Communities

Support for communities under fire and for new olim (immigrants) living in absorption centers through evacuations, temporary housing, children’s activities, and increased security.          

 

Birthright Israel

Brothers and Sisters for Israel

Dror Israel

Givat Haviva – The Center for a Shared Society

Hashomer Hatzair and Tzedek Centers

Israel Association of Community Centers

JDC 

Jewish Agency for Israel

Local Municipalities/Regional Councils

The Masorti Movement

Osim Shechuna

Sheatufim/Zionism 2000

World ORT

 

Victims of Terror

Provides immediate cash grants to families and individuals who have been impacted by acts of terror and violence, for post-trauma care, etc.        

 

Jewish Agency for Israel      

 

Trauma Relief & Psychosocial Care    

Support wide-scale trauma relief and psychosocial support with expanded capabilities through telephone hotlines; direct care to first responders, Lone Soldiers, the injured, and families whose relatives were murdered, injured, or abducted; training and support for caregivers and responders, including hospital emergency teams and municipal teams.            

 

Israel Association for Child Protection (ELI)

The Israel Movement for Reform and Progressive Judaism (IMPJ)

Israel Trauma Coalition (ITC)

The Masorti Movement

NATAL

Nefesh B'Nefesh

Sapir College

World ORT

 

Emergency Medical Services and Healthcare      

Medical supplies and equipment for first responders and hospitals.          

 

Assuta Hospital

Barzilai Medical Center

Bnai Zion Hospital

Emek Medical Center Afula

Galilee Medical Center

Hadassah Medical Organization

Herzog Hospital

Ichilov Hospital Sourasky Medical Center

Kaplan Hospital Rehovot

Magen David Adom

Poriya Tzafon Medical Center

Rambam Medical Center

Reuth Rehabilitation Hospital

Shamir Medical Center (Asaf Harofeh)

Sheba Medical Center Tel Hashomer

Soroka Medical Center

United Hatzalah

Yad Sarah

Yoseftal Hospital

Zaka

Ziv Medical Center

 

Special Populations   

Targeted assistance to vulnerable populations and their caregivers, including the elderly, young children, people living with disabilities, Ethiopian Israelis, Holocaust survivors, and marginalized populations, such as the Bedouin communities.    

 

AJEEC-NISPED       

Beit Issie Shapiro

Ethiopian National Project

Foundation for the Welfare of Holocaust Survivors

Israel Trauma Coalition (ITC)

JDC

Jewish Agency for Israel

Jerusalem Open House – National LGBTQ+ Emergency Response   

Orr Shalom

Regional Council for Unrecognized Arab Villages

Shalva

Tene Briut

The Israel Movement for Reform and Progressive Judaism (IMPJ)            

Yanabia

 

Local Efforts and Volunteers     

Enhance capacity and provide operational support to evacuees, special populations, frontline communities, and those responding to the crisis.

 

Israeli Volunteering Council  

 

Emergency Operational         

Initiatives to support the coordination for organizations to scale efforts effectively. 

 

Emergency Volunteer Program (EVP) 

JDC

Jewish Agency for Israel  

Jewish Funders Network / Forum of Foundations

Social Delivery

Yad Sarah

JUST ADDED: Swords of Iron: Fighting Back Online. A how-to on fighting disinformation.

 

On Friday, March 8th, we marked International Women's Day. This year, Israel recognized the remarkable contributions of Israeli women to the war effort. Women throughout the country have displayed exceptional leadership and initiative in numerous ways, from aiding the vulnerable and fighting against hate, to fostering community resilience and beyond.

As we know all too well, the October 7th attacks had a devastating impact on women across the country. Sadly, since the war began, gender-based vulnerability and trauma are on the rise, along with increased challenges some women now face caring for their families. And of course, none of us can forget the 19 women still being held hostage by Hamas. We all pray fervently for their safe return.

Jewish Federations are supporting civil society organizations which have mobilized to assist women directly impacted by the war. Learn more about our emergency support of women in Israel in this brief. We salute the abiding commitment of women across the Federation system who are leading in their own communities and helping raise and deploy emergency funds to help Israel and Israelis grapple with unprecedented needs.

With the holiday of Purim in just a few weeks, we are reminded of Queen Esther- of her strength and courage as she faced – and halted - the destruction of the Jewish people in ancient Persia. This email celebrates all of the modern-day Queen Esthers, who with strength and spirit are making a positive difference in these challenging times. Below are a few examples of some of the many ways Jewish Federations are supporting Israeli women.

 
 
 

HaOgen

HaOgen, founded by leading female social activists, has established a comprehensive volunteer-based support system for families of reserve soldiers. HaOgen has deployed thousands of women volunteers to help over 12,000 families of reserve soldiers in 250 localities. Watch this videohighlighting their amazing work nationwide.

 
 

The Israel Midwives Association

The Israel Midwives Association’s 1,200 members are supporting pregnant women who have been widowed or whose partners have been severely injured in the war. The midwives accompany the women throughout their pregnancy to medical appointments, prepare them for parenthood in the wake of the tragedy, deliver the babies, and check in on them for two months after the birth. This project is in partnership with the IDF Widows and Orphans Organization. Click here to read more about the impact of this work.

 
 

Yozmot Atid

Female business owners are especially vulnerable in times of war and social disruption as among them are many single mothers and families for whom the business is the main or sole source of income. Yozmot Atid works to reduce socioeconomic gaps by leveraging the power of women, providing them with comprehensive support and training to start and grow their own businesses. Since October 7 they are assisting 260 women micro-business owners manage through the crisis.

 
 

Ad'ar - The Professional Forum to Fight the Murder of Women

Since the war, Ad’ar has expanded their routine work, focused on the elimination of femicide within Israeli-Arab society, by activating a hotline, facilitating groups of social workers in the Negev, Galilee, and Haifa, and producing and distributing a booklet in Arabic and Hebrew for therapists to use during wartime, focusing on gender-based violence prevention. Read Ad’ar’s newly published report outlining the experiences and insights of Israelis affected by the war.

 
 
 

The Jewish Agency’s Fund for Victims of Terror

Meet Tamar who was severely wounded, and whose boyfriend Ofek z”l was killed by terrorists, at the Nova Music Festival. Tamar is one of nearly 8,000 victims of terror receiving critical financial and rehabilitation support from The Jewish Agency for Israel’s Fund for Victims of Terror.

 

Givat Haviva

During the war Givat Haviva, a civil society organization for social change, turned their campus into a warm home for 260 evacuees, providing accommodation, three meals a day, mental health support, and a variety of healing activities. Hear from the women running these programs and from mothers whose families found respite there.

 

 

Follow us on Instagram and Facebook for daily updates, and click here for six ways to support Israel now

On October 7, 2023, during the holiday of Shmini Atzeret, Hamas terrorists launched an unprecedented attack on Israel from Gaza, firing thousands of rockets, breaching the country’s borders, killing over 1,300 Israelis, and wounding hundreds more. More than 200 Israelis have been kidnapped by Hamas. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that Israel was at war to defend itself and gave the order for the IDF to commence "Operation Swords of Iron.” 

Nevada Stands With Israel

At Temple Beth Sholom in Las Vegas

An update from RHN

With Mayor Eran Doron
Monday, October 16, 2023

Especially during difficult times, we want you to take care of yourself and your families. You can only be a powerful ally if you're safe, physically and emotionally.

  • There is concern that horrific videos may circulate on social media platforms – specifically TikTok, X (formerly Twitter), and Instagram. Hamas has threatened to execute Israeli hostages on video. These images can be traumatic to anyone who views them, and especially youth. We recognize that we cannot control all of what our children consume on the internet, but we can protect them from harm in this way.
  • Jewish Nevada is compiling a database of counselors and mental health professionals who are equipped to handle traumatic situations and are offering pro-bono and discounted services to our community at this time. Options for in-person and tele-health visits will be available. If you are looking for resources or if you are a provider and would like to add your name to this list, please contact andrew@jewishnevada.org.
  • If you are a parent of a soldier or reservist currently serving in the IDF and would like information about a parent support group, please contact Julia@jewishnevada.org
  • And click here for six ways you can help support Israel now.

Additionally, here are some resources we’ve found helpful this week when talking to our families about what's going on:

JFNA webinar: How to talk to kids about Operation Swords of Iron

Here’s How to Talk to Your Kids About What’s Happening in Israel Right Now  

How to Talk to Teens and Kids About the Israel-Hamas War 

How to talk to children about Israel today 

Talking to teens about Operation Iron Sword

To see what your donation to the Emergency Campaign can do, click here.

On October 16, 2023, Democratic and Republican leaders in the Nevada Assembly issued a proclamation unequivocally condemning the Hamas attacks and reiterating support for Israel in Nevada. 
 
Jewish Nevada received a copy this week, and it is now hanging in our office. It is signed by Speaker Steve Yeager and the Minority Leader PK O’Neill.
 
We are appreciative of this show of support of Israel by our home state. 

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Blue Ribbons for Israel. The blue ribbon symbolizes support for the safe return of the hostages taken by Hamas terrorists in Israel. It symbolizes solidarity with the hostages, their families, and all who care about their safety. Send a powerful message by wearing your ribbon.

 

Jewish Nevada has ordered thousands of blue ribbons to distribute in our community and throughout the state. We are already wearing ours, and have started distribution. Pick up yours at the Jewish Nevada office in Southern Nevada or in Northern Nevada, reach out to mara@jewishnevada.org.