Jul 11, 2014

Miami Jewish Leaders in Israel as Federation Reopens Israel Emergency Fund

As terrorist rockets rain down on Israel – putting more than 6 million citizens in harm’s way and damaging and destroying homes, schools and businesses – a group of Jewish leaders from Miami is also there, experiencing the tense situation firsthand.

“We have heard the Red Alert sirens, seen the Iron Dome in action, and spent time in bomb shelters with our extended family here in Israel,” said Michael Wagner, who co-chairs The Network, the Greater Miami Jewish Federation’s division for those under the age of 40.

Wagner has been in Israel along with Federation General Campaign Chair Amy N. Dean, Women’s Philanthropy Campaign Chair Sheree Savar, Annual Campaign Director Abbey Feinberg and Women’s Philanthropy Director Ofi Osin-Cohen since just after the Israel Defense Forces launched Operation Protective Edge. The five have been visiting various sites where Federation, through its overseas partners, provides assistance to vulnerable Israelis year-round by funding a network of humanitarian programs and social services. Prior to arriving in Israel, the delegation also visited Federation-funded programs in Greece.

“Through community support of our Annual Campaign, Federation’s overseas agencies were working on the ground in Israel long before the recent escalation in violence,” said Robert G. Berrin, Federation Chair of the Board and immediate past General Campaign Chair. “Our partners were able to mobilize instantly to aid those affected, providing relief funds to families whose homes were hit by rockets, counseling traumatized citizens, and bringing food and other vital supplies to elderly and homebound Israelis.”

“We were able to respond at a moment’s notice because our Federation system was here the day before the escalation in violence,” said Amy N. Dean.

On Sunday, July 13, The Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA), umbrella organization to hundreds of Jewish communities across the continent, welcomed participants — including the Miami delegation — to a three-day solidarity mission to Israel.

“In this difficult time in Israel, the only response for me would be to stand strong with her citizens,” said Dean.   
 
On Thursday, July 10, JFNA also committed an initial allocation of immediate additional funding to provide for the increased needs that are anticipated as the crisis intensifies. In support of this commitment, the Greater Miami Jewish Federation has reopened the Israel Emergency Fund – a fundraising effort deployed during previous crises in Israel. One hundred percent of all funds raised will be used to help provide for the needs of Israelis affected by the crisis.

The injection of additional funding will support:

• Weekly respite for more than 37,000 children who live within 40 kilometers of the Gaza Strip, with programs and activities out of harm’s way
• Social workers to assess and provide for the needs of homebound seniors, people with disabilities, new immigrants and other vulnerable Israelis
• Financial assistance for those whose homes have been damaged or destroyed
• Individual counseling and therapeutic workshops to help victims of terror and trauma
• Assistance and social services to enable people and communities to be resilient during this time of crisis

Through JFNA, the Federation system will continue to assess the fluid situation and provide care and aid where it is needed.

“While we are all praying for a swift end to this crisis, it is critical that our community, through the Greater Miami Jewish Federation, works collectively to provide comfort and humanitarian assistance during this most difficult time – and sends a clear, unmistakable message that we stand in complete solidarity with the people of Israel now and always,” said Berrin.

To make a donation to the Israel Emergency Fund, click here or call 305.576.4000. You also may send a check payable to the Greater Miami Jewish Federation, 4200 Biscayne Boulevard, Miami, FL 33137, with a notation for “Israel Emergency Fund.”

Read the Greater Miami Jewish Federation’s statement on Operation Protective Edge by clicking here.