This time of year, the Jewish High Holidays inspire us to take stock of our good works over the past 12 months. By all measures this year has been extraordinary, with events that the world and we the Jewish people witnessed, some with shock and utter sadness, and others with joy and optimism. We are proud that our North American Jewish community has responded with generosity and loving kindness.
Conflict in Ukraine
Seven months ago, Russia invaded Ukraine and dragged the whole region into conflict and chaos. Federation communities and donors swiftly and compassionately reached into their pockets to give. Our system has raised more than $74.5 million to date and delivered support to more than 80 organizations doing lifesaving work on the ground, foremost among them Federation’s historic overseas partners, the Jewish Agency for Israel, JDC, and World ORT.
Through Jewish Federations of North America’s (JFNA) partners, Jewish Federations were there to help fleeing refugees as they crossed the border, providing them with food, shelter, medical aid, trauma care, and more. This urgent and timely response was possible because of the work we do day in and day out – thanks to Federation communities and your generous annual donors.
Thanks to Federation support, JFNA has been able to help refugees take the next steps toward resettlement, whether in Europe or North America; and if they were eligible to resettle in Israel, they helped them make Aliyah. They sent 91 Ukrainian and Russian-speaking professionals who rushed to volunteer and provided invaluable aid in countless ways, helping more than 35,000 refugees in Poland and Hungary. In addition to millions allocated by individual Jewish Federations, the JFNA system was able to deliver this help through more than $30 million in collective allocations. A representative committee of lay leaders from across our Federation system has diligently reviewed proposals, heard multiple briefings from experts and those on the ground, and made difficult decisions on how to best steward our communities’ precious dollars. Their work and the impact of Federations’ collective emergency support have been assessed and publicized in this ongoing series.
Until a short while ago, the mandate of the Committee was clear: to meet immediate urgent needs, secure individuals under immediate threat, expedite Aliyah and aid resettlement, and secure Jewish communal facilities and infrastructure as much as possible. With the crisis stabilizing for many, and with our partners able to draw tighter budget projections, JFNA is now looking further out on the horizon, past the end of 2022. New requests are shifting from urgent needs to ongoing ones, including those addressing the broader impact of the conflict in Ukraine across the region, most notably in Russia, where concerns over the health and well-being of the Jewish community are rising. Internal unrest in Russia following the call to conscript 300,000 men could see things shift yet again.
Since the conflict began, JFNA has proven ready to review and change direction as events demand. Now, they are rapidly reassessing the situation to determine whether a course adjustment is needed.
Aliyah from Ethiopia
Over the last seven months, Federations have also worked through JFNA to support a new wave of Aliyah from Ethiopia. Flights resumed on June 1, 2022 and Federation leaders, together with The Jewish Agency, flew with the first 180 Ethiopian olim to their new home in Israel. Earlier this month, another 60 Federation leaders accompanied over 200 more new olim on their flight to Israel. You can watch the moving arrival ceremony here and see history in the making!
For the first time in many years, there are currently more than 6,000 Ethiopian olim being supported in absorption centers as they start new lives in Israel. Each has an amazing story that instills in us hope and pride. JFNA is committed to raising $9 million this year to support Ethiopians making Aliyah, as well as those continuing to wait in Ethiopia.
Hurricane Ian
Jewish Federations of North America have been in constant touch with eight Federations in Central and North Florida, as well as those in Georgia and the Carolinas, to assess their needs in the aftermath of the storm. Unfortunately, the communities of Naples and Lee & Charlotte Counties sustained significant damage and face an extremely long road to recovery. Many members of the Jewish community lost everything – homes, cars, and life-long possessions. It is still not clear how many people have been evacuated.
In response to the devastation, Jewish Federations of North America’s Emergency Committee approved an initial allocation of $225,000 for immediate humanitarian relief for the communities hardest hit by Hurricane Ian’s devastating path.
The funds will be distributed to local Federations and Jewish Family Services for food, clothing and shelter; expert assessment on the community needs and effective deployment of volunteers; and support for kosher food.
You can donate to the Hurricane Ian fund here.