Federation-Supported Israeli Agency Wins Award

Debbie Gross, Director of Tahel-Crisis Center for Religious Women and Children, in Israel, was recently honored with the President’s Prize for the Advancement of Equality Between the Genders. Over the past 15 years, Federation's Women’s Amutot Initiative (WAI) has allocated nearly $200,000 to Tahel from the Annual Federation/UJA Campaign. Earlier this year, Gross spoke to Federation about Tahel’s work in Israel’s Orthodox community. Regarding her award, Gross said, “As an American who made aliyah 40 years ago, it is truly moving to stand on the stage in the President’s Mansion and receive an award for community service in Israel. I believe that this moment encompasses so much of what aliyah is about — the belief in the ability to make a change in the world… a change in Israel… a change for the Jewish nation.”

Most recently, Tahel received a Women’s Amutot Initiative grant to produce two movies (one for children and one for parents) to use in sexual abuse prevention workshops. WAI grants focus on organizations that help empower women to improve Israeli society through social, economic, religious and political equality. Gross said, “I am proud to have received this honor and will continue to move forward with Tahel to create a better world for our women and children.”

For more information about the Women's Amutot Initiative, click here or contact Dahlia Bendavid at dbendavid@gmjf.org or 786.866.8445.