Israel at War

Since day one, UJA has been in constant communication with our partners on the ground to understand the immediate needs. We're mobilizing the entirety of our nonprofit network and donor community to provide help — immediately and strategically, with full compassion and broken hearts.

This is a moment where Israel needs our support more than it has in decades. Please give to our Israel Emergency Fund and stand with the people of Israel.

Please check back, we will be frequently updating this page. And find local events and resources here.

To date, we've allocated $50.6 million for the following urgent needs:

$45.2 million allocated to provide essential support to the people of Israel. 

• $11.8 million to support residents of southern Israel: The south of Israel continues to be the most active front line. The civilian population in this region is disproportionately displaced and suffering from severe distress and trauma. We are caring for evacuees; offering trauma support; providing frail elderly and others who cannot leave their homes with food, generators, and medical services; supporting youth activities; and providing emergency cash assistance. We’re also focused on the needs of particularly vulnerable populations including people with disabilities and those who are ill. At the same time, we are helping towns replace essential security and emergency services infrastructure and equipment; assisting agriculture businesses that have sustained tremendous losses; making interest-free loans available to individuals, nonprofits, and small businesses; and mobilizing student volunteers across the southern region. 
  
  • Grantees: The Kibbutz Movement, City of Sderot, The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC), Sdot Negev Regional Council, Leket Israel, Latet – Israeli Humanitarian Aid, Eshel Chabad, Ogen: Free Loan Fund, Brothers and Sisters for Israel: Civic Situation Room, Israel Association of Community Centers, Kedma, Shalva, Hof-Ashkelon Regional Council, Eshkol Regional Council,  Shaar Hanegev Regional Council, City of Ashkelon, City of Ofakim, Kibbutz Kfar Azza, Kibbutz Nir Oz, Early Starters, NATAN Worldwide Disaster Relief, Lev Chash, Israeli Youth Villages Hosting of Evacuees, Avnei Derech La’Haim, The Independent Movement, Larger Than Life, Summit Institute, Center for Deaf and Blind, AKIM Israel, Nirim, City of Eilat, Regional Council of Hevel Eilot, Jordan River Village, Aleh-Ezer Layeled Hameyuchad, Afiki Orot, Women’s Spirit, Ben Gurion University in the Negev, and Shahaf Foundation 

• $6.3 million to supply and equip hospitals: At hospitals in the south, supplies intended for months have been used up in days. The need for lifesaving equipment like X-ray machines, infusion pumps, and operating tables is greater than what hospitals have on hand. At the same time, given rising tensions in the north, the Health Ministry has prioritized emergency preparedness of medical facilities in the Galilee and Golan. Funding will ensure that hospitals have what they need to care for wounded civilians and soldiers.
  
  • Grantees: Soroka Medical Center, Barzilai Medical Center, Samson Assuta Ashdod Public Hospital, Ziv Medical Center, Galilee Medical Center Nahariya, Baruch Padeh Poriya Medical Center, Yoseftal Hospital- Eilat, Galilee Medical Center, and AFYA 

• $4.5 million for trauma support: There is dire need for professional trauma care, particularly for people who have lost loved ones, families of hostages, survivors of the October 7 massacre, those who are injured, first responders, soldiers, marginalized populations, and social service teams. We are mobilizing social workers and trauma professionals, supporting recruitment and training for trauma hotlines, and supporting education departments as they care for students and teachers. 
  
  • Grantees: The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, The Jewish Agency for Israel, Israel Trauma Coalition, NATAL, Enosh, Community Stress Prevention Centers/Mashabim, Eran, Herzog Israel Center for the Treatment of Psychotrauma/Metiv, Tamar,  Our Brothers, The Adler Institute, Tech for Israel Fund, Yemin Orde Youth Village, SafeHeart, Education Department Eshkol Regional Council, Healing Space, Education Department Shar Hanegev Regional Council, and Dror Educational Centers. 

• $ 4.2 million to support residents of northern Israel: It is becoming increasingly necessary to prepare the north of Israel for a possible Hezbollah incursion. We’re providing funding for civilian preparedness including emergency equipment and training of volunteers who serve in critical community security and first response roles.  
  
  • Grantees: City of Nahariya, City of Kiryat Shmona, Maale Yosef Regional Council, Merom HaGalil Regional Council, Mevo'ot HaHermon Regional Council, Matte Asher Regional Council, Upper Galilee Regional Council, City of Metula, Golan Regional Council, The City of Ma’alot-Tarshicha, Hurfeish Regional Council, Fasuta Regional Council, Beit Jan Local Council, Shlomi Local Council, Kisra Sumya Local Council, and Kfar Vradim Local Council

• $3.7 million for well-being and care: With the call-up of 360,000 reservists to join soldiers who are already on active duty, there is a tremendous need for support in the community. We're working with nonprofits on the ground to provide essential help and humanitarian aid. Our funding is also supporting hospitalized, injured soldiers and the care and well-being of their families. 
  
  • Grantees: Oz Leadership for Life, Association for the Wellbeing of Israel’s Soldiers, The Lone Soldier Center in Memory of Michael Levin, Brothers for Life, Brothers and Sisters for Israel: Civic Situation Room, American Friends of LIBI, Help Israel/Lev Tov, Medison Aid, Yashar LaChayal, Upper Galilee Regional Council, and The Shaldag Foundation.
    
    
• $2.8 million for community mobilization and volunteerism: There has been an incredible outpouring of volunteers coming forward to help. We are supporting the coordination and mobilization of volunteers within Israel so they can best meet humanitarian, educational, economic, and trauma needs. Our most recent grants in this area are supporting the unprecedented mobilization of the Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) community.
  
  • Grantees: Leket (to support a partnership with Medison Pharma), Nefesh B’Nefesh, HaShomer HaChadash – The New Israeli Guardians, Yesodot Lezmicha Dror, Ish Lereeho Olam Hesed Ibane, Ezer MiZion, IsraAid, The Israeli Volunteering Council, Youth Renewal Fund, Tzedek Centers, Lev Echad, Gvanim Association for Education & Community Involvement, Forum of Foundations, Negev Theater, Women’s International Zionist Organization (WIZO), Yedidim, the Jerusalem Situation Room (at the Jerusalem Campus for the Arts), Social Delivery, Tene Briut Association, Volunteer Situation Room, Achavat Torah Situation Room, Iron Sisters Situation Room, and The Association of Milk Producers. 

• $2.3 million to support evacuees: 120,000 Israelis who previously lived in southern and northern border communities have been ordered by the government to evacuate from their homes. They are now living in approximately 300 hotels across the country, many in areas that were not well-resourced areas before the war, and which are now consequently buckling under the struggle to absorb the evacuees. We are particularly focused on providing reliable and stable educational programming and activities for youth. There is another group of approximately 30,000 Israelis who were temporarily evacuated and  have had to return to their homes. They are deeply traumatized and need to figure out how to rebuilde their communities, even as they are living under rocket attack and ongoing threats of violence. We are providing a broad range of supports for both groups of evacuees.
  • Grantees: The Jewish Agency for Israel, The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, Yesodot Lezmicha Dror, Hebrew Scouts Movement in Israel, Eshkol Kinneret Amkim, Bnei Akiva Israel, Hashomer Hatzair, and Agricultural Youth Movement. 

• $2 million for the Victims of Terror Fund: This fund provides grants to assist victims, as needed, within 48 hours of an attack. Given the number of victims, this fund has been nearly depleted and must be replenished so that we can provide immediate support to victims and their families.
  • Grantee:  The Jewish Agency for Israel: Fund for the Victims of Terror
    

• $1.8 million to support emergency operations and recovery efforts: The demand for first responders is unprecedented. Ambulances are in need of supplies, medics are in need of protective gear to treat victims even while rockets are incoming, and the bodies of those who have died must be collected and cared for with dignity. 
  • Grantees: Magen David Adom, United Hatzalah of Israel, ZAKA – Search and Rescue in Israel, and Yad Sarah
    
    
• $1.7 million for charter flights: We’re also funding flights to bring Israelis traveling overseas back home to Israel. Some are needed to assist in humanitarian aid, security efforts, and the rebuilding of destroyed infrastructure. Others are desperate to return for family emergencies, illnesses, and funerals.  

• $1.3 million to support Arab Citizens and Bedouins: Bedouins and Arab citizens are among the thousands of Israelis who have been injured and killed. Their communities are in need of culturally sensitive trauma care and humanitarian services. Many Bedouin are living in the zone that Hamas is targeting, in extreme poverty and without access to fortified shelters. Our funding will provide emergency services, trauma support, humanitarian assistance, and mobile shelters. We are also supporting the mobilization of Arab youth volunteers and short-term, informal education programs to provide safe, structured, and positive environments while schools remain closed.
  • Grantees: Sonduk El Yanabia, AJEEC-NISPED, Regional Council of Unrecognized Villages of Negev, Ajyal Dreams and Fulfillment: Arab Youth Movement, Social Venture Fund for Jewish Arab Equality and Shared Society in Israel,  Keshet: First Aid Units, Lana: Disabilities in Bedouin Community, Atid BaMidbar, the Rifman Institute,  Givat Haviva, Atidna Volunteer Situation Room, Kerem El – Druze Situation Room, and The Jerusalem Institute for Policy and Research
    
    
• $875,000 to care for Israelis in New York: Israelis living in, displaced in, or arriving to New York require a host of supports. We are making microgrants to UJA’s trusted, local partners to provide a variety of services, including: counseling and mental health services in Hebrew, housing, meals, and educational frameworks for children. We are also providing funds to day schools and yeshivas enrolling Israeli children to cover costs associated with English language learning, academic tutoring, mental health support and counseling, school lunches, technology, transportation, and supplies.  
  • Grantees: Day schools, yeshivas, and social service organizations across New York

• $575,000 to fund activities for children who were evacuated: One of the central challenges for cities absorbing evacuees is providing children and teens with frameworks that provide a routine and build a sense of community that is critical to getting through this difficult period. There is great concern among mental health professionals and educators that without programming, youth are at risk of mental, emotional, and even physical dangers. While for the first few weeks of the war, volunteers provided informal programming, there is now a need for reliable and stable youth programming, which is exactly what our funding will provide.
  • Grantees: Yesodot Lezmicha Dror, Hebrew Scouts Movement in Israel, B’nai Akiva Israel, and Hashomer Hatzair
    
    
• $345,000 for specialized support for Holocaust survivors: The impact of the horrific attacks on survivors is particularly traumatic; it has re-awakened memories of atrocities they thought they would never experience again in their lifetime, particularly in Israel, a place that was supposed to be their safe haven. We are providing trauma care, food, medication, and medical care to survivors, including those who have been evacuated from their homes. 
  
  • Grantees: The Jewish Agency for Israel: Amigour, Foundation for the Welfare of Holocaust Survivors, AMCHA Emergency Hotline for Holocaust Survivors, Aviv for Holocaust Survivors, and LeMaanam: Physicians for Holocaust Survivors
    
    
• $330,000 to support cities where Jews and Arabs are living side-by-side: In May 2021, we saw the outbreak of violence in mixed cities. We have not yet seen this happen with the current crisis, but we must take proactive steps to prevent the outbreak of both verbal and physical violence as the conflict escalates. To that end, we are funding trusted conflict-resolution and community building partners to provide monitoring, communication, materials, and coordination among local leaders.  
  
  • Grantees: Mosaica – Religion, Society and State, The Abraham Fund, and Citizens Build A Community

• $317,000 to promote social and economic mobility of Haredim: Since the start of the war, we have seen an unprecedented interest coming from the Haredi community to serve in the IDF and/or enter the workforce to help fill jobs previously held by soldiers who are now on reserve duty. UJA has long worked to promote the social and economic integration of Haredim, and there is now a unique window of opportunity to further support this change coming from within Haredi society.
  • Grantees: HaShomer HaChadash, Haredim Le’Israel, and The Haredi Employment Coalition 

• $180,000 to support families of hostages: The families of the missing are suffering in every area of life. Our funding will address their declining mental and emotional well-being and offer direct financial support when necessary.
  • Grantee: Hostages and Missing Families Forum 

• $175,000 to nurture Jewish community and engagement: Since the start of the war, we have been witness to the healing power of Judaism. We are supporting a long-time partner organization to ensure that Jewish practices and experiences are accessible to audiences of every age and stage across Israel.
  • Grantee: Reshut HaRabim 

Additionally, UJA has allocated $5.4 million to meet emergency needs in New York resulting from the war in Israel. 

• $4.5 million to enhance security at New York Jewish institutions: Since the start of the war, antisemitic incidents in the United States have spiked by 388%. Given the significantly increased threat to Jewish schools, synagogues, Hillels, Jewish community centers, and other Jewish institutions, we are allocating additional dollars to the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York for the Community Security Initiative (CSI) to support physical security upgrades, increased security guards and patrols, and expansion of overall CSI capacity.
  
  
•  $725,000 to responding to antisemitism on campus: As anti-Zionist rhetoric soars on campus, Jewish students and Hillel professionals are facing unprecedented levels of challenge as well as emotional and physical insecurity. We believe that the single best way of combatting the incendiary campus climate is strengthening Jewish student life through our Hillels. UJA-Federation of New York currently provides 11 Hillels (serving over 20 campuses) with approximately $2 million in annual support. Now we are making further investments to:  
  •  Confront Harassment and Intimidation: $200,000 to support an attorney at the Brandeis Center for Human Rights Law focused on New York area campuses.
  • Strengthen Jewish Programming: $200,000 for new educational opportunities at the Hillels in UJA’s network to equip students with information and inspiration.
  • Support Mental Health and Wellbeing: $200,000 for mobile social workers to meet the mental health needs of students and Hillel staff.
  • Increase the capacity of the Israel on Campus Coalition (ICC): $125,000 to support the rapid deployment of field organizers to help students on campuses respond in real time to activists and protests and to expand ICC’s social media presence with positive, unified, and clear pro-Israel messaging. 
• $200,000 to supporting community-based activities: We are working to promote pro-Israel voices in traditional and social media and funding Israel education groups to provide thoughtful content and facilitation about what is happening in Israel for Jewish community members.
   

The needs are great, but so is our resolve and our ability to make a difference. We do not know what the days and weeks ahead will bring, but we do know that with you by our side, we’ll continue to provide urgently needed relief to Israel and all of her people.