IEC Impact Report 03-12-24

ISRAEL EMERGENCY CAMPAIGN IMPACTREPORT

A Letter From Our CEO, Eric M. Robbins

DearCommunityMembers,

AswereflectontheeventsthattranspiredsinceOctober7th,it'sundeniable thatourcollectivejourneyhasbeenmarkedbygrief,resilience,andunwavering solidarity.Thoughtimehaspassed,thepainstillfeelsraw,andtheechoesofthat tragicdaycontinuetoreverberatewithinourhearts.

Everymorning,wewakeuphopingforaglimmerofhope—forthesafereturnof hostages,thedestructionofHamas’militarycapabilities,andanendtothe conflict.Yet,amidsttheturmoil,wefindsolaceinourunityandourshared commitmenttosupportoneanotherandourbelovedIsrael.

SinceOctober7th,ourFederationhasstoodasabeaconofstrengthand compassioninourcommunity.Ihavedefinedmyroleatthismomentasour ChiefHealingOfficer,I'vewitnessedtheprofoundimpactofourcollective effortstohealandrebuild.Together,we'veorganizednumerousgatherings, providingspacesforthousandstocometogetherinsolidaritywithIsraeland withoneanother.

Ourfundraisinginitiativeshavebeennothingshortofremarkable,raisingmillions locallyandcontributingtoanationalefforttoaddressurgentneedsinIsrael. ThroughourpartnershipwithYokneam,we'veadoptedKibbutzNachalOz, offeringsupporttothosedisplacedbythetragicevents.

Additionally,we'veremainedvigilantinaddressingsecurityconcernslocally, providingemergencyfundstocongregationsandorganizationsinneed.Our continuousengagementwithcampuscommunitiesandotherorganizationshas beenvitalincombatingtheriseofantisemitism.

Furthermore,ourcommitmenttosupportIsraelextendsbeyondourborders.I recentlyledatriptoIsraelwith15ofourrabbisandorganizationalleaderswhere wefosteredconnectionsandofferedsupporttothoseonthefrontlines.

Intimesofcrisis,weoftenfindourtruecalling.Asanorganization,wewerebuilt formomentslikethese tostandunwaveringlywithIsraelandourcommunity, offeringhope,strength,andguidance.Evenaswenavigatethesechallenges,we remainsteadfastinourdedicationtobuildingabrighterfutureforourJewish communityasweareseeingcontinuedsuccessinourcommunity’sannual campaign.

Aswemoveforward,letusdrawstrengthfromourresilienceandour unwaveringcommitmenttooneanother.Together,wewillcontinueto overcomeadversityandemergestrongerthaneverbefore.

Withheartfeltgratitudeanddetermination,

THEUNTHINKABLE

On October 7th, Jewish communities around the world awoke with horror and disbelief as we learned that terrorists from Gaza had infiltrated Israel. More than 1,200 innocent Israelis lost their lives, 240 Israelis and people of other nationalities were abducted and taken hostage to Gaza, and nearly 2,000 people were wounded during the brutal terror attacks. Our hearts were shattered. From grief and anger emerged a shared determination to ensure our brothers and sisters in Israel could feel the strength, warmth, and unwavering support of their North American Jewish family as they began to navigate the challenging months ahead.

OURAPPROACH

As communities around the world processed the worst atrocities in modern Jewish history, they knew they could count on the Jewish Federation system. Thanks to our powerful network across North America, global reach, and vetting process that allows us to get dollars where they are needed most, Jewish Federations were there, ready to respond. Our system launched in full force, assessing needs, connecting with NGOs on the ground, and coordinating in real time with foundations and the Israeli government. We raised an incredible amount of funding and began making a significant impact. As part of the allocation process, our team developed four strategic pillars. Our immediate response focused on offering lifelines, including delivering critical resources, strengthening vital infrastructures, and caring for individuals We also quickly began giving to lasting medical and mental health efforts. Now, we are taking steps to strengthen Israel’s economy. We will soon turn our collective attention toward rebuilding communities and restoring Israel’s national resilience. In every stage of Israel's need, we will be there.

TheJewishFederationofGreater Atlantahasraised

$12.4MILLIONFORISRAEL

$768.5MraisedbyJFNA

472organizationssupported

THE NEED THE RESPONSE

Hundredsofthousandsofpeoplehave beenimpactedacrossIsrael–especiallythosecommunitiesinthe WesternNegevandintheNorth— rangingfromvictimsofterror, evacuees,andhostagefamiliestolone soldiers,familiesofreservists,and more.

Weworkwithincrediblelocal communityorganizations,leaders, firstresponders,andindividualswho aresetuptodelivergoods,dollars, andservicestothosewhoneedthem most.Whilethescopeofneedsis tremendousandever-changing,our systemisdesignedtocontinuously assessandmeettheneedsinevery moment.

Withinhoursoftheattack,andin partnershipwithTheJewishAgencyfor Israel,JDC,andhundredsofother organizations,JewishFederationsbegan providingcriticalresourcesand immediateassistance.

Wewereonthegroundimmediately, identifyingnew,criticalpartners,and coordinatingwithleadersand government.

And,asfundskeptpouringin,wewere abletocatertomoreandmorepeople andtheirneeds.

We

Tomer

JDC; Community Director,

239,000+

1

LIFELINESERVICES

$177,060,080 Allocated

142,300 nights in evacuation stays

Inacrisis,themostimmediate needsarealsothemost fundamental.Wemobilized,with theaidofourpartnersonthe ground,toprovidelifesaving services.Theseincludedfood, clothing,housing,financial assistance,medicalcare, spiritualcare,classesfor evacuatedchildren,andsupport tothehealthcaresystem.

146,100 individuals receiving respite services

$10.9M distributed in cash food assistance

14,600 children receivingeducational support

SPECIALPOPULATIONS

AsthousandsofIsraelishavebeen displacedfromtheWesternNegev, northernbordercommunities,andbeyond, JewishFederationsareprovidingtargeted assistancetovulnerablepopulations, includingtheelderlyandtheircaretakers, youngchildren,Russian-speakingIsraelis, EthiopianIsraelis,Holocaustsurvivors,the LGBTQcommunity,andmore.

140,000

Elderly individuals

61,000

Bedouin Israelis

69,000 $31M 4,600

New immigrants

Individuals with disabilities

For special populations

25,000

Holocaust survivors

CaringforAyisa’s MedicalNeedsinthe MidstofWarand Displacement

ReenaRaj,acaregiverfromIndia,exemplifies unwaveringdedicationandresilienceincaringfor Ayisa,anelderlypersoninIsrael,amidtheOctober7th attacks.

“Ifsomeemergencycame,IwasworriedIwouldn't beabletoleave.Ayisaisalittlebitheavywiththe wheelchair,sofinallyIdecidedtoevacuate.”-Reena Raj

WithAyisa'sfamilystrandedabroad,Reenanavigated thechallengesofthecrisis,requestinghelpwiththeir evacuationtoYadSarah'sWellnessandRehabilitation Hotel.SupportedbytheJewishFederationsofNorth America,thisfacilityprovidesspecializedcareand supportforAyisa,includingrepairingherbroken wheelchair,accommodatingherdietaryrestrictions, andprovidingaspecializedbed.

Thisunderscorestheimportanceofspecialized facilitiesforevacueeswithuniquemedicalneedsto ensuredignityduringtumultuoustimes.

2 MEDICAL&TRAUMARELIEF

$59,629,746 Allocated JewishFederationshelpedhospitals obtainmedicalequipmentand maximizetheircapacity.Our proactiveapproachtomentalhealth andtraumareliefincluded supportingdedicatedhotlines, additionaltrainingforthousandsof caregiversandresponders,and ongoingsupporttoemergency teams.Weprovideddirectcareto morethanamillionpeople,including firstresponders,lonesoldiers, families,andcaregiverscopingwith theloss,injury,orabductionoftheir relativesandfriends.

“We are experiencing immense fear and trauma. The children heard everything..the screaming…the shots.”

Yael Yosei Therapist Watchthevideo

$46.2M

$1.7M

49,000 Invested in medical equipment

Individuals treated in healthcare facilities

19,000

Medical and mental health professionals received additional training

Individuals treated through mental health organizations

“Yoursupportsaves lives.”—Elisha,a paramedicwho’sbeen volunteeringheavily sinceOctober7th.

InthemidstoftheIsrael-HamasWar,paramedics havefacedunprecedentedchallengesandamassive surgeindemand.Elisha,amedicalstudentatHebrew University,hasvolunteeredbetween12to24hoursa daytoprovidecrucialassistanceinambulancesand theMagenDavidAdomCallCenter.

"I'mveryhappytohavesomethingIcandoeveryday andhelpwith,”saidElisha.

JewishFederationsofNorthAmericahasplayeda pivotalroleinbolsteringMagenDavidAdom'sefforts byprovidingfundingtoupgradeIntensiveCareUnits. Thelifesaving,high-tech,donatedequipment, includingtheLUCASmachineandcorpuscardiac monitor,notonlyincreasessurvivalratesbutalso extendstotraumacare,benefitingadiverserangeof patients.

"AhugethankyoutotheJewishFederationsofNorth AmericaforallyoursupportinIsrael,”Elishatoldus. “Youshouldknowthatyoursupportissavinglivesin theintensivecareunits."

3

$29,134,000Allocated

4

Atthesametimeasattacksforced thousandsfromtheirhomes,they alsoforcedclosuresofbusinesses acrossallofIsrael.Familiesarenow alsostrugglingwiththelossof incomeasreservesoldiersanswer thecallofduty.JewishFederations areattheforefrontofeconomic reliefefforts,investinginfrontline communitiesandinafundthat makesloanstosmallandmediumsizedbusinesses.Ourinvestments aredesignedtoensurearesilientand flourishingeconomy.

COMMUNITYRESILIENCE &REBUILDING

$2,521,938Allocated

Inthemonthsandyearsahead,our workwillhelpenablethousandsof peopletoreturntotheirhomesand rebuildtheircommunities.Jewish Federationsaimtobolstersocietal resilience,ensuringthatdespitethe eventsofOctober7th,wewillmake possiblethegrowthandpotentialof theIsraelipeople.Ourgiftsand effortswillensuretherebuildingand strengtheningofIsraelisociety.

TherapistYaelYoshei helpsfamiliesaffected bytheOctober7th terroristattackstackle theirtrauma

“Ithasbeenanemotionalrollercoasterbetween feelingsadandscaredandthreatened,and betweenfeelingthatatleastthere'ssomething thatIcandoforotherpeoplethatIcanhelpin somesortofway,”saidYaelYoshei,whorecently shiftedherfocustoprovidingpsychological supporttofamiliesaffectedbythescarring eventsofOctober7th.

JewishFederationsofNorthAmericahas contributedfundingtoBeitIssie,toprovide therapy,respite,emotionalsupport,andother copingmechanismsforpeoplewithdisabilities throughoutIsrael.Thesetherapeutic interventionsareafoundationoftheroadto normalcyforthesesurvivors.

“Itmeanssomuchtoknowthatsomeoneelseis thinkingofyouinthisterribletime,”Yosheisaid. “Toknowthatsomeoneissupportingyou,to knowthatsomeoneistryingtounderstandhow youfeel-itjustmeanssomuch.”

OURPARTNERREGION: YOKNEAMMEGGIDO

Weensuredourpartner regionhadtheresources andtoolsto...

Createcomprehensivefirstaidkitswith suppliesthatenablemedicalpersonnelto addressthecitizens'mostcriticalneeds Host120peopletoprovidesaferefugefrom thesouthattheReutYouthCenter,withtwo additionalKibbutzimwithintheregionhosting othersforatotalof300people Provideactivitiesandprogramsforkidsand youth,bothamongthosedisplacedfromthe southandlocalchildrenwhorequireadditional enrichmentasschoolisnotcurrentlybeing heldinthecountry.

Deliverwarmlunchesforelderlyinthe Moshavimduetothetemporaryclosingof elderlyhomesintheregion

Asmallrayoflightcandiminishthedarkness Weare alreadyamonthintothiswarthathasbroughtusin Israelandaroundtheworldintoanewreality.Despite thedarknessweallfaced,wecanconstantlywitness raysoflightshowingthestrengthoftheJewishpeople worldwide,emphasizingAmIsraelChai.Theunwavering supportoftheFederationsinIsraelinsomanydifferent aspectsistrulyfeltandappreciatedatnewlevels

EliadEliyahuBenShushan PartnershipDirectorandFederations'RepresentativeinIsrael

FromOctober7th, Atlantaimmediately jumpedintosupport ourpartnerregionin Israel,Yokneam Meggido.

GLOBALPEOPLEHOOD COMMITTEE

TheFederation’sGlobalPeoplehoodCommitteeis dedicatedtosupportingourpartnerregionby makingthoughtfulandstrategicallocation decisions,workingwithourIsraelipartnersonthe groundtobetterunderstandtheirneeds,and deepenourconnectiontothemthroughshared experiences,learning,andvolunteer opportunities.TheyrecentlyflewtoIsraeltospend timeinYokneamMegiddoandshowthatAtlantais andforeverwillbeastrongpartnerandally.

Our people-to-people partnership is more important than ever now that our community in Yokneam Megiddo has been impacted by the events of October 7. They have all been touched by this war - losing family members, sending children and husbands to defend Israel, volunteering in so many ways to support each other, and welcoming the devastated community of Nahul Oz. Our global peoplehood committee spent the week standing beside our brothers and sisters in the region and we will continue to partner with them in so many waysthrough financial support, by reaching out always and by continuing to visit and stand beside them.

SusieMackler,PeoplehoodManager, JewishFederationofGreaterAtlanta

THESOLIDARITYRALLY

Eventhoughwe’re6,500milesaway,ourlocalAtlantacommunitydid notshyawayfromshowingoursolidarityrighthereinGeorgia.

OnOctober10th,onlythreedaysaftertheatrocitiesbeganinIsrael, FederationorganizedaSolidarityforIsraelrallywithmorethan4,000 peopleinattendance.

FLY-INSTOISRAEL

SinceOctober7th,manyofourlocalFederationstaffmembers, volunteers,andcommunityleadershaveflowntoIsraelon variousorganized tripstomeetwithourpartnership organizationsontheground,gainabetterunderstandingofhow wecanhelp,volunteerinourpartnerregion,YokneamMegiddo, andstandinsolidaritywithIsraelisinperson.

FLY-INTOWASHINGTON,D.C.

OnJanuary30thand31st,over400JewishFederationactivistsfrom65 communitiestraveledtoWashington,D.C.tomeetwithover190 congressionalofficestoadvocateforlegislationthatwouldsupportIsrael, combatantisemitism,andhelpsecureJewishcommunities.

TheactivistsurgedtheirmembersofCongressandSenatorstoadvance theAntisemitismAwarenessAct,passmilitarysupportforIsrael,and increasefundingfortheNonprofitSecurityGrantProgram(NSGP).

TheAtlantadelegationmetwiththeForeignPolicyAdvisorsfromthe officesofSenatorRaphaelWarnock,SenatorJonOssoff, Congressman BarryLoudermilk(GA-11),andCongresswomanNikemaWilliams(GA-05).

Duringthesetwodays,IsraeliAmbassadorMichaelHerzogspokeofthe ongoingtraumabeingexperiencedbyIsraelisocietyandlaidoutthefour goalsofthewar:todismantleHamas’warmachineandremoveits leadershiptoensuretheycannotrebuildit,releasealltheremaining hostages,restoreIsrael’sshatteredsenseofsecurityandrebuildthe communitiesthathavebeendestroyed,andavoidaregionalwar.

THEWASHINGTON,D.C. RALLY

With300,000comingtogetherinWashington,D.C.,theMarchFor IsraelinWashington,D.C.onNovember14wastrulyadefining momentinbothJewishandAmericanhistory.Dozensofourlocal Atlantaresidentsattendedtorepresentourcommunity.

FACESOFOCTOBER7TH

OnFebruary1st,200communitymembersgatheredinAtlantatohearthe storyofJennySividya,asurvivoroftheNovaMusicFestivaltragedy.Itwasa deeplymovingeveninghearingherstoryofsurvival,thelossofherbrother andhundredsofothers,andherstrengthtosupportgrievingfamilieswho losttheirlovedones.TheattendeesalsoheardfromAnatSultan-Dadon,the ConsulateGeneralofIsraeltotheSoutheastUnitedStates,andStacey Fisher,Federation'sCampaignViceChair.AnatSultan-Dadonsaiditwell, "October7hasforeverchangedus."

OURJEWISHAGENCY SHLICHA,LIORFRIDMAN

Eachyear,theJewishAgency’sShlichimprogram(‘emissaries’inEnglish) placeshundredsofnativeIsraelisinvariousJewishcommunities throughouttheUnitedStatestoengagewithJewishandnon-Jewish peopleaboutIsrael,teachJewishheritage,andspeakaboutissuesof nationalandreligiousidentity.WearefortunatetohaveLiorFridmanas ourlocalIsraeliShlicha,whohasbeenanintegralpartJewishAtlantapostOctober7th.

Watch this video of Lior, our local Shlicha (Jewish Agency emissary) talk about 100 days of hostages being in captivity.

Watch Here

What has Lior been up to since October 7th?

Since October 7th, I have mainly focused on bringing my personal Israeli story to the community. I participated in and helped organize many gatherings for Israel within the community. I was invited to speak at various fundraising, educational, and pro-Israel events. I hosted programs about the situation in Israel for children and teenagers in schools and various synagogues. I organized a project called "Bringing the Light" where we sent 200 full gift bags for Hanukkah to families who were displaced from Kibbutz Nahal Oz to our partnership area, Yokneam Meggido. Local teenagers and young adults made Hanukkah menorahs, women made candles, and children made greeting cards and decorations for the holiday. I organized a community event through a project, "Faces of October 7th", where we heard the testimony of Jenny, a survivor of the Nova Festival. Throughout the entire period, I continue to deliver programs to youth and educators talking about Israel.

SHINSHINIM

Eachyear,theGreaterAtlantacommunityisblessedtohaveeightrecent Israelihighschoolgraduateswhohavedeferredtheirarmyservicetospend ayearinourcommunity.Theirtimehereisspentinsynagogues,schools, communitycentersandmore,sharingtheirloveandpassionforIsraeland educatingthecommunityinmeaningfulways.SinceOctober7th,theyhave beenhands-onwithengagingthecommunity,providingeducation, support,andguidance.

SinceOctober7th,our Shinshinimhavemetwith morethan1,000students fromelementaryschools, middleschools,high schools,youthgroups,and synagogueprograms throughoutthegreater Atlantaareatoeducate themaboutlifeinIsrael,its history,anditsbeautiful culture.

Whilebeingawayfromtheir familiesatthistimeis extremelychallengingfor theseyoungadults,they knowthattheyhavemadea hugeimpactonyoung Atlantans’perceptions, understanding,and connectiontoIsrael.

By going into these classrooms, we were able to provide a space for many teens to ask questions and feel connected to Israel for the first time. Since October 7th, we have been able to provide them with comfort, information, insights, and connection to what is going on in Israel so that they can go out into the world and be better advocates. For many of them, this was their first time meeting people from Israel close to their age, and I believe that the connections made have transformed the way they relate to Israel and Zionism.

THANKYOUFOR MAKINGAWORLD OFDIFFERENCE.

InthistraumaticmomentfortheJewishpeople, youhavemadeanenormousdifference.Every singlepersonwhohasshownup,inevery community—together,yourunprecedented givinghasmadeatrulysignificantdifferencein somanylives.Wehaveempoweredhundredsof organizationsandthousandsofvolunteersand havemadeadifferenceinthetrajectoryof Israel’songoingabilitytorespondto medical,mentalhealth,communal,and economicneedsasthiscrisiscontinues.

Weareinaweoftheimpactwearehaving together,andwethankyou.

OURPARTNERS

Thisworkwouldnotbepossiblewithoutourhistoricpartners,TheJewishAgencyfor IsraelandtheAmericanJewishJointDistributionCommittee.Formorethanacentury, JewishFederations’globaleffortshaveenabledustomeettheJewishpeople’smost pressingneedsinIsraelandaroundtheworld.

WewerereadytotakeactiononOctober7thbecausewewerealreadydoingthecritical workonOctober6th,5th,andeverydaybeforethat.Wehavealwaysbeentherefor Israel,andthankstogenerousdonorslikeyou,wealwayswillbe.

AmYisraelChai.Together,weareJewishATL.

Iamverygrateful.Somuchdeep-feltthanks fromthebottomofmyheart Ifyouhave money-donatemoney.Ifyouhavetimedonatetime.Ifyouaresmartand knowledgeable-donatethat.

Tomorrow,anyofuscouldneedhelp.Iwishfor youthatyouwillgetbackmorethanyouputin.

MiriamRose Recipient of basic need assistance through The Jewish Agency for Israel