As a result of Operation Shield and Arrow, Israel faced over 800 rocket attacks from Gaza this past week, putting innocent civilians at risk and causing immense damage. The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia stands in solidarity with the State of Israel and its people during these recent attacks.
While a ceasefire is currently in place, the need for emergency relief and aid remains critical in the aftermath of the fighting.
The Jewish Federation supports multiple emergency volunteer programs that work to protect Israel in the wake of this violence. In the past year, the local Jewish Federation granted nearly half a million dollars through the Emergency Ukraine Fund to the Emergency Volunteer Project (EVP), an organization that deploys aid and volunteers to Israel.
Early Saturday morning, American firefighters arrived in Israel, where they were greeted by President and CEO of the Jewish Federation Michael Balaban, CEO of EVP Adi Zahavi and EVP’s Gil Haller. They were then deployed to fire stations in Netivot and Ashkelon in Southern Israel.
They have been, and will continue to be, working with local firefighters from the Israeli Fire and Rescue Services to answer the hundreds of calls generated by the current situation.
“Once again our American friends have shown their support for Israel and their determination to do everything they can to help their brother firefighters,” Zahavi noted. “I am honored and humbled to be part of this project that brings help to Israel whenever needed and builds strong bonds of friendship between American and Israeli firefighters.”
WATCH: American Firefighters at EVP
The local Jewish Federation also gives funding from the Emergency Ukraine Fund and its Jewish Community Fund – the main source of unrestricted dollars – to United Hatzalah, an organization that provides free emergency medical first aid all over Israel. Through this partnership, the Jewish Federation has assisted United Hatzalah to train and equip volunteer medics in Israel's southern region who are now responding to rocket-related emergency calls and making sure civilians are safe and secure. Last Thursday, these medics responded to a direct missile hit in Sderot.
WATCH: Operation Shield and Arrow
These are just two of the many organizations that the Jewish Federation supports to protect the State of Israel and its people. Your support helps secure the Jewish homeland when its existence is being jeopardized and ensures aid during times of need. Click here to see a full list of the programs in Israel that we support through the Jewish Community Fund.
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The Jewish Federation stands committed to ensuring a safe and secure Israel, and stands united with Israel. It is our hope that all parties engage in constructive dialogue and work towards a peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict. May peace and safety be restored to Israel and the region as a whole.
You can support the work of protecting the Jewish State by making a donation today: jewishphilly.org/donate