Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia Announces Israel Emergency Fund to Aid Evacuation of Children and Victims of Terror
In coordination with national and international relief efforts, the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia announced the activation of its Israel Emergency Fund. The fund will provide immediate aid for Israelis affected by the escalating conflict between Israel and aggressive terrorist organizations along its borders, Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza.
The Israel Emergency Fund will join relief efforts from Federation's national and international partners, United Jewish Communities and the Jewish Agency for Israel. Donations will be directed to JAFI to support the current evacuation of children from Israel's northern communities, which have sustained terrorist missile attacks in residential areas. The fund will also help bring thousands of young people to safer areas further south for one month (which will include attending one-week summer camps), to give them a respite from the attacks and life in bomb shelters, and possibly bring entire families out of harm's way; assist the elderly, the disabled and other at-risk populations in the impacted areas by offering intervention programs and trauma relief in day-care centers; and be ready to offer support and trauma care for terror victims.
"The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia supports the government of Israel's decision to defend itself, secure its borders, protect its citizens and pursue the release of its kidnapped soldiers," said Ira M. Schwartz, president of the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia. "We applaud the U.S. government's statement of support and recognition of Israel's right to defend itself."
For more information on the Israel Emergency Fund visit www.jewishphilly.org.