Following Israel’s decisive response to the escalating and deeply troubling nuclear threat from Iran, Israeli civilians now find themselves under relentless attack. Since last week, Iran has launched more than 400 ballistic missiles and over 100 drones. The toll continues to mount, with rising numbers of killed and wounded Israelis and significant destruction of civilian infrastructure.
After 20 months of war, the lives of the Israeli people have once again been thrown into turmoil. As our international partner, the Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI) stated: “These events are without precedent in Israel’s history.”
In response to the dire needs of those affected, Federation is sending $1 million from its Israel Emergency Campaign to directly support urgent needs in Israel.
These funds, which we’ve held for just such a necessity, will be distributed to the Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) for use in coordination with JAFI and JDC
- Emergency financial support to families of those killed and injured.
- Immediate assistance to meet the needs of those that have lost their homes as well as individuals and families evacuated from their residences.
- Delivery of food and medicine to vulnerable individuals and older adults who are unable to leave their homes.
- Support for families with children who spend long hours in shelters as well as mental health and trauma care.
- Financial assistance for the thousands of young people participating in Israel Experience Programs (Masa, Onward, Birthright, etc.) navigating the challenges of being stranded in Israel for an unknown length of time.
We are also deeply concerned for Detroiters currently stranded in Israel, many of whom are separated from their families. The Federation is doing everything possible to provide direct support to our community members during this difficult time.
This includes the Detroit participants of the Onward program. Our staff in both Israel and Detroit have been working tirelessly to ensure their well-being until they are able to return home safely. Throughout this experience, these young Detroiters have shown remarkable strength and resilience. As participant Aidan Fishkind shared
“Though the anxiety and fear of an unprecedented situation was a shock, this did not stop us. In fact, it only pushed us ‘onward.’ Maybe somewhere else in the world with a different group it would’ve been ‘every person for themselves,’ but not here — not in Israel. To be in Israel is to be a team, to be a family.
To those back home, worrying about their loved ones, understand the following: We are not alone. We are not broken. We are only growing closer and stronger. The Jewish people do not run from challenges, we face them head on!
David beat Goliath.
We will return, and will return stronger than we knew we could ever be.
עם ישראל חי !”
The Jewish Federation is uniquely positioned to meet this moment—thanks to the extraordinary support of our Detroit Jewish community. We are able to stand with the people of Israel today because we were there yesterday, with trusted staff and partner organizations already in place to respond to urgent needs as they arise.
While we cannot know what tomorrow will bring, those who wish to support our Israel Emergency Campaign can do so here.
In this critical and uncertain time, we stand in unwavering solidarity with our Israeli brothers and sisters, and we pray for a future of lasting peace and security.
Am Yisrael Chai.
Gary Torgow
President
Jewish Federation of Detroit
Michael Berger
President
United Jewish Foundation
Steve Ingber
CEO
Jewish Federation of Detroit