Report on American Jewish Committee’s Israel Emergency Fund

*As of Report Date February 20, 2024

The vicious assault by Hamas on October 7, 2023, was the largest terror attack in Israel’s history and the worst massacre of Jews since the Holocaust. Over 1,200 Israelis were killed and 250 people were kidnapped and taken to Gaza. Thousands were injured, with many more displaced, traumatized, and broken.

In the immediate aftermath of the attack, hospitals, first responders, and non-governmental organizations alike were stretched to their limits as they tended to the enormous volume of civilians who suffered physical injury, sexual violence, and severe trauma; continued to recover the bodies of victims; and transported survivors of decimated communities to safe locations. Over 220,000 Israelis remain displaced, wounded, scarred, and in desperate need of basic necessities such as food, clothing, and toiletries.

Now, over 150 days into the Israel-Hamas war, with 12,000 wounded, over 500 IDF soldiers killed in battle, and hostages still held by Hamas, a pervasive mental health crisis threatens the resilience of the Israeli people. The psychological impact of the terrorist attack and toll of the current war has caused widespread post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) across all age groups. In addition, the long-term consequences of physical injuries continue to drain resources on medical and rehabilitation facilities. Compounding these challenges is the strain on the social sector, as small businesses struggle to recover financially, efforts to rebuild devastated communities are hampered by limited government resources, and NGOs – which play a crucial role in providing essential services to those in need – face a constant shortage of funds.

On October 9, American Jewish Committee (AJC) launched its Israel Emergency Campaign to raise funds for direct humanitarian assistance to help these vital facilities, services, and organizations alleviate suffering on the ground. $5.4* million was raised from over 3,000 generous donors. 

In addition to disbursing grant money, AJC has mobilized its unparalleled global network to tackle the unprecedented threats facing Israel and the Jewish people. From college campuses to world capitals, AJC works with leaders at the highest levels to support Israel and combat surging antisemitism, and we leverage strategic communications to educate, counter misinformation, and shape public opinion.

This report provides a comprehensive overview of the recipients of AJC Israel Emergency Fund grants, made possible by your incredibly generous support, as well as an overview of AJC’s major advocacy activities since October 7. 

AJC worked with our partners in Israel and the U.S. – including our AJC Jerusalem Office – to issue 56 grants totaling approximately $5.4 million to date*. Grant money was directed to carefully-vetted organizations to support a wide range of needs including food, medical supplies, trauma counseling, housing, and much more. Nearly all funds have been disbursed with 100% of the proceeds going directly to grantees.

To track progress, AJC carefully recorded allocations, executed grant agreements with each NGO recipient, and requested progress reports from funded entities. 

Below is a full list* of all grantees supported by AJC’s Israel Emergency Campaign.

Hospitals in Southern and Northern Israel

• Assuta Ashdod Hospital (Ashdod)
• Barzilai Medical Center (Ashkelon)
• Carmel Medical Center (Haifa)
• Galilee Medical Center (Nahariya)
• Kaplan Medical Center (Rehovot)
• Rambam Hospital (Haifa)
• Soroka Medical Center (Be’er Sheva)

First Responders and Other Emergency Medical Services

• Magen David Adom (MDA): For a special effort to train people throughout communities in Israel in first aid and basic medical care, and to use medical supplies received from MDA.
• ZAKA: To purchase urgently needed safety equipment, medical supplies, first aid kits, and ambulances for ZAKA’s search, rescue, and recovery volunteer workers.
• Friends of the IDF (FIDF): To support setting up temporary field hospitals, intensive care ambulances, hygiene and plasma kits, and other essential needs of the IDF.
• United Hatzalah: To provide volunteers with life-saving equipment and protective gear including protective vests and helmets, oxygen tanks, defibrillators, trauma bandages, and tourniquets.

Medical Supplies and Rehabilitation

• AFYA Foundation: For the procurement and delivery of personal protective equipment (PPE), consumable medical supplies, and biomedical equipment to Israeli medical facilities.
• Restart: To support the treatment of wounded IDF soldiers. Scaling and expanding crisis-response initiatives in hospitals all across Israel. Restart provides immediate support teams for the wounded and their families, builds customized solutions for the injured, and offers mentor teams to build pathways to employment post-injury.
• Sheba Medical Center: To support the newly opened Victims of War Rehabilitation Center, which offers cutting-edge treatment and groundbreaking technologies, such as virtual reality and robotics. The rehabilitation center is designed to address physical ailments of war victims and to foster a conducive environment for mental healing.
• Tikkun Olam Makers (TOM): To provide aid to the unprecedented number of wounded, many of whom are amputees and dealing with severe upper body injuries and need support for rehab and homecoming. TOM creates 3D printing products such as wheelchairs, prosthetics, and devices to help charge multiple cell phones simultaneously.

Addressing Trauma

• Association of Rape Crisis Centers in Israel (ARCCI): To expand the capacity of ARCCI’s crisis hotline resources for rape survivors, both from during the war and for those whose past traumas have resurfaced. AARCCI is the umbrella organization for nine rape crisis centers in Israel. 
• Brothers for Life: For critical and immediate help to injured Israeli combat veterans.
• Eden Association: To support Eden’s efforts to care for at-risk girls evacuated from the Gaza Envelope with post-traumatic and sexual trauma, as well as to assist in post-war infrastructure rehabilitation of the facilities and buildings in Karmiya. 
• ERAN: To expand the capacity of ERAN, one of Israel’s largest emotional first aid organizations, to train 400 new volunteers to operate emergency services. 
• Hagal Sheli: For “Swords of Iron Emergency Project” surfing programs for kids from Kfar Aza suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.
• The Koby Mandell Foundation: To support Koby Mandell’s response to a variety of critical needs facing families bereaved from the October 7 terror attack, including operating an emergency hotline staffed by therapists; organizing emotional peer-to-peer support visits to families of victims; and planning Healing Retreats and Camp Koby to meet the near future needs of bereaved families in the war. 
• NATAL: To expand the capacity of NATAL, one of Israel’s largest NGOs for victims of trauma, in order to support residents on the front lines in Southern Israel, those being evacuated from their homes, residents in Central Israel within missile range, and those searching for wounded and missing loved ones. NATAL is also operating the "One Soul" helpline with the Ministry of Defense Rehabilitation Department to support IDF veterans and families with PTSD.
• The Partners of Fallen IDF Soldiers: To support the partners of fallen IDF soldiers and victims of terror with emotional support and tools for rehabilitation.
• Tel Aviv University National PTSD Clinic: To support the opening of the new National PTSD Clinic, the therapeutic arm of TAU’s National Center for Traumatic Stress and Resilience, which combines research, training, and intervention in the field of post-trauma and related mental health disorders. In the coming year, the Clinic is expected to treat many civilians and reserve soldiers suffering from PTSD.

Servicing Displaced Populations from Southern Israel

• American Joint Distribution Committee (JDC): For a number of humanitarian relief services, including social services for children and youth at risk, the elderly, and people with disabilities in the South of Israel and those displaced by the war; economic relief for Israelis in distress and small business owners in the South; assistance to agricultural businesses; aid for economic development during and after the war; and support to Israeli cities and villages with no other resources; psychosocial training for frontline responders, including teachers, nurses, social workers, and volunteers.
• American Joint Distribution Committee: Eshel: For assisting elderly Israelis who have been evacuated to shelters and administering other relief efforts. 
• Bayit Brigade: For Bayit Brigade’s Emergency Support Fund, which provides housing and humanitarian aid to the victims of October 7, working directly with leaders from the Kibbutzim to organize local relief initiatives. 
• Dror Israel: To support evacuees from Gaza border communities, including providing day care and educational programs for traumatized children and families who have been evacuated from Gaza border communities, as well as those of hospital workers and other essential staff.
• HIAS: For activities addressing the needs of African asylum seekers in Israel during the current emergency. 
• IsraAID: For work in partnership with local and civil society organizations to coordinate humanitarian efforts, provide psychosocial support, stress relief, relief supplies as needed to vulnerable communities, evacuees and their families.
• The Jewish Agency for Israel: For a number of humanitarian relief services, including emergency aid for businesses in Israel’s south; providing for the elderly and disabled who are house bound; shelter renovations; support for new olim living in absorption centers; and emergency service delivery.
• The Jewish Agency for Israel: Amigour: For assisting elderly Israelis who have been evacuated to shelters and administering other relief efforts.
• Kibbutz Movement Emergency Campaign: To support the Kibbutz Movement's  emergency fundraising drive to bring urgent recovery support to 23 kibbutzim along the border with Gaza including Kerem Shalom, Sufa, Holit, Nir Yitzhak, Magen, Nir Oz, Nirim, Ein Ha’Shlosha, Kisufim, Re’im, Be’eri, Nahal Oz, Kfar Aza, Mefalsim, Erez, Nir Am, Gevim, Or Ha’Ner, Bror Hayil, Yad Mordechai, Zikim, Karmiya, and Gvar’am. The Kibbutz Movement set up an emergency situation room to handle the many needs and to help survivors, families and communities begin to recover.
• Latet: A coordinated effort of 180 organizations. For support in providing an immediate humanitarian response to families in need and populations affected by the war situation as needed, including emergency aid kits containing food and hygiene products to the people of Israel and security forces on the front line. 
• Leket Israel: For the purchase and delivery of cooked meals and delivery of baby supplies for residents in the south and supplying rechargeable cards for local grocery stores, caterers, and restaurants. 
• Maccabi World Union: For emergency response effort to provide shelter and care to those that were directly affected by the terrorist attacks in Southern Israel. 
• Migdal Ohr: For emergency response project "Magen Yisrael" to relocate and provide for over 1,500 victims of the massacres in the south. Migdal Ohr transported families from the communities and kibbutzim bordering Gaza to two major hotels in Jerusalem and provided for all their emerging needs.
• Lev Echad: For “Iron Swords of War Emergency Response”, which supports the agriculture industry, families of security forces and those affected and displaced by the war, and soldiers.
• Sapir College: To support Sapir College’s newly created “Trauma Treatment and Basic Needs Fund” which provided students and staff with the means to cover their urgent needs, including critical trauma and resiliency treatments to regain the capacity to function. Over 250 staff of Sapir College live locally, along with over 500 students in Sderot and hundreds of students in local kibbutzim — all living in the Gaza Envelop.
• Shalva: Shalva has been designated a National Crisis Response Center to help evacuees from the South by providing shelter, aid, practical support, and comfort.

Rebuilding and Social Sector Recovery

• Arab-Jewish Center for Empowerment, Equality, and Cooperation – Negev Institute for Strategies of Peace and Economic Development (AJEEC-NISPED): AJEEC-NISPED is an Arab-Jewish organization for social change that was established in the Negev in 2000 to create an equal, shared society that allows Arabs and Jews to coexist while preserving their identity and culture. Currently, the organization is partnering with IsraAID and the Tamar Center to install protective spaces as fighting puts Bedouin communities at disproportionate risk. 
• The Joint Jewish-Arab Emergency Center Social Impact Project: To provide food parcels and equipment for Bedouin and Jewish families in the south that need support the most.
• Kibbutz Be'eri: For Kibbutz Be'eri’s rebuilding and rehabilitation efforts.
• Ogen: To financially support small and midsize businesses in Israel struggling amid the economic slowdown.

The horrific events of October 7 unleashed a tidal wave of antisemitic and anti-Israel vitriol in our streets, on our campuses, among journalists and activists, and within many of our most respected institutions. In response, AJC mobilized our unparalleled global network of offices, institutes, and international partnerships, including:

• 25 U.S. Regional Offices
• 14 Overseas Posts
• 38 International Jewish Community Partnerships 
• More than 3.5 million engaged advocates worldwide

Through our extensive infrastructure, AJC engages with key leaders at the highest levels of government and civil society – crossing all sectors, faiths, and ethnic and national identifies – to advance policies that strengthen the well-being of Israel and the Jewish people. During this time of crisis, we have remained focused on ensuring that the narrative surrounding the attack remains focused on the innocent lives that were brutally cut short and the hostages that were violently taken from their families.

• AJC is rallying government leaders in the U.S. and abroad to condemn Hamas terror and reaffirm their commitment to Israel’s security. We are advocating for policies and legislation that help safeguard the Jewish state and the Jewish people.
• AJC is bringing opinion leaders and policymakers to Israel on fact-finding missions. Since October 7, AJC has brought delegations of European lawmakers, journalists, social media influencers, and others to bear witness and better understand the immense impact of Hamas’ brutal attack on the people of Israel. To date*, this has included 31 high-ranking European Parliamentarians and Members of the European Parliament from 14 countries, 10 U.S. Social Media Influencers with over three million followers collectively, and 17 journalists from nine European countries whose publications and social media viewership exceeds eight million. These 58 participants shared their impressions of what they saw, heard, and experienced in real time on social media, in the press, and in televised interviews that were broadcast in their home countries and in Israel. A seventh delegation of European Lawmakers took place in February and additional fact-finding missions will be implemented as the year (and conflict) continues. 
• AJC is keeping the plight of the Israeli hostages in the public eye. During visits to Washington, D.C., AJC has assisted 36 families to date* whose loved ones are held hostage by Hamas in sharing their stories with decision-makers. These stories have been shared with over 128 members of Congress, multiple national media outlets, the State Department, the FBI, high-level administration officials (including the Vice President), diplomats, and other relevant parties. AJC is increasingly helping to arrange opportunities for hostage families to meet with foreign diplomats and share their loved ones’ stories.
• AJC is training leaders across society to effectively address antisemitism. Whether it’s law enforcement agencies, entertainment and media companies, sports franchises, or top colleges and universities, AJC is helping these institutions understand how antisemitism masked as anti-Zionism manifests itself and how they must respond.
• AJC is countering misinformation and getting the truth to millions every day through TV interviews, op-eds, and social media. AJC is also collaborating with companies like TikTok, X/Twitter, and Meta to address antisemitic hate speech on their platforms.
• AJC is empowering young Jews by equipping them with the resources and training they need to tackle anti-Jewish hate in high schools, on college campuses, and online.
• AJC is providing urgently needed guidance, action plans, and toolkits to university presidents and other school administrators to help them address the dangerous rise of antisemitism on their campuses.

The explosion of anti-Jewish hate we’re seeing doesn’t just threaten Jews; it threatens the foundation of democratic societies. We must all work together to fight it. Our actions today will shape our future.

We deeply appreciate your generous support of AJC’s Israel Emergency Campaign. Thanks to your gift, AJC has been able to direct vital support to the many incredible NGOs operating in Israel. Through a combination of tireless efforts on the ground to provide humanitarian aid and AJC’s steadfast advocacy work in the U.S. and around the world, we can collectively pave the way for a brighter, more resilient future for the people of Israel.