ISRAEL AT WAR
Jewish Federations launch $500 million campaign to support Israel
Jewish Federations of North America plans to divide, 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
Jewish Federations of North America is launching a $500 million campaign to support Israel following Hamas’ terrorist attack last Saturday. 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.”
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.
Elsewhere, the Israel-America Chamber of Commerce, which brings together approximately 300 American and Israeli companies, in cooperation with the American Chamber of Commerce and the Israeli Embassy in Washington, initiated a virtual meeting on Thursday with the 500 largest companies in the American economy including technology companies, banks, communication companies and more.
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In addition to these companies, dozens more representatives of chambers of commerce from around the world participated in the conversation.
Oren Sagi, Chairman of the Israel-America Chamber of Commerce and CEO of Cisco Israel, gave an up-to-date picture of the situation to the participants and said: "The State of Israel is going through one of the most difficult times in its history, but it is strong and united. My children are also now fighting in the south along with the entire Israeli public who have come together to help the evacuees from Gaza and the IDF soldiers. It is good to see that, like U.S. President Biden, the leading companies in the American economy also understand the magnitude of the hour, are mobilizing to help Israel, and are standing by the Israeli state and economy at this difficult time. The Israeli economy is strong, and the support of these companies makes it even stronger."
