Since October 7th, we have deployed a diverse array of emergency services to save lives and assist tens of thousands of Israelis who have been forced into a new and difficult reality. Together with numerous partners including government ministries, authorities, civil society, philanthropy, and the business sector, and with the support of Diaspora Jewry, we have operated and deployed new initiatives for mental, economic, and welfare resilience to assist the most vulnerable populations in Israeli society, including the elderly, people with disabilities, and families evacuated from their homes; frontline authorities, cities, and communities; Israelis who have lost their livelihoods, workplaces, or businesses.
“The number of Israelis in need of assistance has grown significantly since the October events. As an organization committed to vulnerable populations in Israel, we have adapted our activities and reached new audiences that have entered our sphere of action,” said Dr. Sigal Shelach, CEO of JDC Israel. “We are working in collaboration with government ministries, local authorities, social organizations, businesses, and donors to provide immediate and comprehensive response. The goal is to reach the most vulnerable populations that are often overlooked and not prioritized on the agenda.”
Over 120,000 Israelis have used JDC Israel’s services (including online and digital services)
As part of our activities, we have operated extensive assistance programs with various partners for Israelis severely affected by the October 7th events and the Swords of Iron War. We have worked to reach as many populations as possible and strengthen the personal and community resilience of people and communities throughout the country, through programs to expand and make mental health treatments accessible, or provide financial assistance to those in need. We have acted in direct and personal ways, and also assisted professionals treating populations in need.
Whether it’s the elderly and people with disabilities who received support, assistance, and personalized services in their homes and in the hotels to which they were evacuated. Or children and youth who received emergency services in the form of formal educational frameworks for evacuees that we took part in establishing and informal educational activities throughout the country. Or children and parents experiencing trauma who received treatment and guidance. In addition, we developed various digital solutions to assist professionals and affected citizens.
82 cities and authorities receive emergency assistance aimed at strengthening their ability to care for their residents
As part of strengthening community and personal resilience, we operate in cities and authorities throughout the country, in cooperation with local authorities. The goal is to rehabilitate and restore residents’ personal security within the authority, by strengthening the services they receive from the authority. In addition, in cities that absorb evacuees, we provided assistance to authorities so that they could accommodate the influx, whether it’s educational frameworks for children or activities tailored for the elderly.
In Israel’s affected frontline cities near the Gaza Strip, and those attacked in the north, cities that even before October 7th faced various challenges due to being in Israel’s social and geographical periphery – we are operating an extensive and long-term program. JDC’s new “Meshiv Haruach” (Restoring Spirit) program is now building community resilience, healing, and sustainable recovery in Ofakim, Ashkelon, Rahat, and expanding to Nahariya in the north. The initiative offers a variety of innovative emergency methods, upgraded social services, and financial assistance to provide resilience to all residents, through a dedicated project manager in each authority who characterizes the unique needs together with authority personnel. These services can be replicated and when expanded to dozens of cities and towns across Israel, could reach millions of people.
Over 30,000 professionals receive support, guidance, direction, and professional tools to cope with the situation.
The large numbers of physical and mental injuries to citizens and reserve soldiers, children, parents, and the elderly require special preparation among caregivers and expansion of the responses provided for treatment. For this purpose, we operated on two axes. The first was designed to provide professionals with professional tools that will serve them in their work with new populations that have entered the circle of patients. In addition, the need arose to care for the mental resilience of those on the front lines of care, so we operated support and assistance services for frontline emergency forces.
Over 60,000 Israelis used online services developed by JDC
Digitization of services is an important tool to reach as many Israelis as possible who need assistance in exercising rights, job searching, or mental health care. Digital solutions allow overcoming obstacles of distance, or relocation of residence forced on evacuees, for example.
“Portal Nafshi” (Mental Portal) is a good example of this. Thousands of Israelis have already used the digital platform that offers a variety of therapeutic, group, and community solutions alongside self-help tools and more. The platform allows everyone to find the appropriate solution according to various parameters such as population group, age, type of assistance required, and more. These include helplines, self-help tools, educational content, and online responses for home access. Thus, it serves both professionals and ordinary citizens looking for solutions. The platform allows reaching large populations, as well as developing new responses such as self-diagnosis, self-treatment, and more. All these help provide quick and effective response in many cases.
3,000 businesses and organizations in risk areas received assistance in financing, training, and strengthening management capabilities in times of emergency to aid their survival and preserve their employees.
Many Israelis lost their jobs, many businesses and organizations in the north and south are struggling to survive in the face of the reality forced upon them. Together with relevant partners from the ecosystem, we operated a fleet of stationary units for professional training and partnerships with employers to create training and placement programs to rebuild the workforce and integrate them into vacant positions. In addition, we implemented a personalized business consulting program for small business owners and farmers to ensure they can continue to operate. This program includes creating new business plans and online arenas to increase revenue and impact, as well as professional advice for their implementation. More than 1,100 small businesses, farms, factories, and industries close to bankruptcy received emergency assistance.
JDC’s emergency operation so far has been made possible with the support of Jewish Federations and tens of thousands of foundations, families, companies, and private donors
“The mobilization of Jewish communities around the world, at this time and in great strength, to donate and assist our projects in Israel testifies greatly to the strong connection between Israel and the Diaspora,” adds Dr. Shelach, “I thank our donors and partners who take a critical part in our commitment to ensure a better future for all Israeli citizens, immediately and in the long term.”
