Together with Israel, today and tomorrow

For the past 25 years, the Bay Area Jewish community has built a partnership in Israel based on a shared vision and common values. This relationship is now more important than ever. Today in the midst of the current crisis in Gaza, we’ve mobilized to provide immediate assistance to the conflict zone.

• At Kibbutz Nir Am, we have trained daycare workers to provide therapy for children traumatized by 8 years of rocket fire.
• In Sderot, we fund Atzmaut, a comprehensive, family-based program for Ethiopian Jews, a program dealing with added strain.
• In the Negev, we support a center that helps build economic empowerment and equality for Bedouin single mothers.
• In Be’er Sheva, we operate kindergartens within a joint educational program for Israeli Arab and Jewish children.

These are just some of the projects creating economic empowerment, promoting religious pluralism, teaching tolerance, alleviating suffering and fighting hopelessness. Throughout the past few weeks our staff in Israel have gone beyond the call of duty to affect real change on the ground. We recently had the chance to hear from them directly. In spite of the difficulties presented by the war, our staff in Israel continue to do amazing work. On January 21,  a community conference call allowed members of our community to learn more about the important work of Federation staff in Israel, ask questions, and voice their support. Listen to the conference call now! [audio /sites/default/files/2009/01/israelcall-jan2009.mp3] Or Download the Conference Call Audio File Our programs throughout Israel will continue to help build an inclusive, strong and vibrant democracy. We are not only responding to the immediate crisis; we will continue our innovative projects and partnerships.