Jan 2, 2024

Serving Israeli Evacuees With Special Needs

“We have accessible bathrooms, showers, bedrooms. What we didn’t have is all the equipment for the people who came from their houses with nothing,” said Rachel Cohen, Project Manager at Beit Hagalgalim, a center for learning in Herzliya that is offering housing for people with disabilities who had to flee Israel’s south after October 7. Now the center is receiving critical equipment for evacuees — including shower chairs, special beds and more — through the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC), a Federation overseas partner supported year-round by the Annual Greater Miami Jewish Federation/UJA Campaign. Because JDC was on the ground in Israel before the Hamas terrorist attack, its staff had extensive experience working with special populations, including people with disabilities and the elderly, and was able to immediately spring into action to help centers like Beit Hagalgalim serve the vulnerable. Click here to watch a video on this vital work and how your support is making a difference.