Feb 1, 2024

Israeli Small Businesses Impacted by the War Receive Economic Relief Through JDC

“We were in trauma and mourning. Who could think about a business?” said Osi Glick, who was forced to abandon her home and her women’s clothing store in Netivot after escaping the October 7 Hamas terrorist attack on her community near the Gaza border. But when she began worrying about the fate of her five employees, Federation partner the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) offereda solution: free retail space at a mall where she could sell her goods, enabling her to pay their salaries.

This initiative to help small businesses from the south impacted by the war is a partnership between JDC and the Azrieli Group, Israel’s largest real estate company. Glick’s was one of up to 50 small businesses afforded the opportunity to operate free of charge in Azrieli malls throughout the country. She succeeded in reviving her women’s clothing business in a mall in Modiin in central Israel, where locals show their support for the war’s evacuees by patronizing her clothing stand. As a result, Glick, who is determined to save her business, has been able to reopen her store in Netivot with limited hours.

JDC is also helping online small businesses through a partnership with Zap, an Israeli price comparison website. The Pay Now, Receive Later initiative allows customers to prepay with the understanding the products and services ordered will be received at a future date. So far, 60 businesses have benefited from this arrangement.

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