Love, Loss and Resilience—The Unbreakable Spirit of Tomer Zak
Impact Stories:
Victims of Violence in Israel and How You Help
May 12, 2021
Responding Immediately to the Israel Crisis
We are heartbroken over Israeli deaths and injuries from terrorist rockets and violence over the past few days. Our partners on the ground help those in need during this crisis.
Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI)
Helps every victim of terror with the Jewish Agency’s Fund for Victims of Terror. Within hours of identifying victims and their families, JAFI sends a 4000 NIS check (about US$1200) to help the victims with immediate needs including funeral costs, days off work or basic repairs. JAFI also provides professional guidance on receiving government and insurance compensation. Later on, victims may receive services and grants of up to $6,300 per family for recuperation efforts such as psychological care, job retraining, or a respite camp for children victims of terror.
JAFI’s subsidiary Amigour works with government staff to ensure the safety of thousands of seniors living in Amigour public housing in Ashkelon, Ashdod, and Bat Yam, all under the line of fire. JAFI’s staff repair homes and provide support.
Hundreds of immigrants in JAFI’s Absorption Centers, including recent Ethiopian arrivals in Ibim near Sderot, as well as Masa program participants from overseas, face their first experience with rocket attacks on Israel. JAFI staff ensures that they are familiar with the Homefront Command procedures and that they feel supported.
JAFI’s shlichim (emissaries) around the world continue to educate about Israel; JAFI briefs them continuously with educational material.
Israel Trauma Coalition (ITC)
The newly operational Ashkelon Resilience Center, whose team were extensively trained by the ITC, is functioning at full emergency capacity. Teams were on emergency duty throughout the past few nights and are preparing to provide reinforcement for local staff in line with any future developments.
ITC’s national trauma hotlines have received very heavy traffic since the escalation began. ITC has also been working with therapists in the East Jerusalem area to cope with a large number of requests from Arab families for help with teens who have joined the rioting.
ITC treats anxiety victims in the areas around Jerusalem and Central Israel, where a number of long-range rockets fell on Tuesday.
The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC)
JDC has convened their emergency situation team and is assessing the situation on the ground and mapping the needs. Their staff will supplement JAFI support with additional funding and services.
JDC is activating virtual services to help thousands of people living with disabilities stay connected and get the assistance they need during rocket attacks and the aftermath.
JDC is deploying newly-developed technologies to monitor the health and wellbeing of Israel's tens of thousands of Holocaust survivors.
JDC is offering social and material support to the poorest and most at-risk children and families unable to work due to school closures and travel safety concerns.
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