Supporting Victims of Sexual Violence Following 10/7 Giving Guide

During times of war and conflict, there are multiple devastating impacts on women. While sexual violence has always been present during war, the October 7 attack by Hamas included the intentional, premeditated decision to use sexual violence as a weapon of war. By widely introducing this act of terror, Hamas used violence against women as a brutal strategy, rather than a byproduct of the conflict. It is imperative that the world community acknowledges and condemns what survivors and the bodies of victims tell us about this gruesome assault. 

Also, it’s important to understand that during times of conflict, domestic violence increases. Even before October 7, domestic violence was at an all-time high in both Israel and the U.S. due to the pandemic; the war has only exacerbated this trend. Crisis centers and hotlines are seeing a surge in calls from Jewish survivors of sexual assault and victims of domestic violence.

We highly recommend supporting the following organizations doing vital work addressing the continued growing need of supporting women during this challenging time in Israel and the U.S. The list was curated by experts in Federation's Israel office along with our professional philanthropic advisors, with guidance from our partner the National Council for Jewish Women.

If you are interested in opening a Federation donor-advised fund to facilitate your giving, start here.

 

​​
 

Association of Rape Crisis Centers in Israel

The Association of Rape Crisis Centers in Israel (ARCCI) is an umbrella organization for nine regional Rape Crisis Centers (RCCs) whose main aim is to combat sexual violence. The RCCs work at the individual and regional levels providing services and support for individual victims of sexual violence and working to raise awareness in their local communities. ARCCI trains professionals with war-trauma-informed therapy and tools, provides direct assistance to survivors, support groups for survivors and witnesses, and ensures evacuee hotels are as safe as possible. Donations facilitated through P.E.F. Israel Endowment Funds, Inc. Grant purpose: The Association of Rape Crisis Centers in Israel.

Learn More GRANT Now

Tel Aviv Sexual Assault Crisis Center

The Tel Aviv Sexual Assault Crisis Center is Israel's first and largest center of its kind. It fields more than 12,000 crisis calls annually through its hotlines and provides clinical care and tailored programming for individuals and communities across the spectrum of Israeli society, including IDF and first responders. Since the October 7 attacks, the Center has received a surge of requests from survivors of sexual violence. Funding from Jewish Federations ensures that survivors receive the care they need and that first responders receive critical training. Donations facilitated through P.E.F. Israel Endowment Funds, Inc. Grant purpose: The Tel Aviv Sexual Assault Crisis Center.

Learn More   GRANT NOW

Counseling Center for Women

The Counseling Center for Women is dedicated to promoting individual, social, and economic gender equality through its psychotherapy center, providing more than 10,000 therapy hours for women each year, especially women-at-risk, survivors of abuse and violence, and those struggling with depression, anxiety, or other illnesses. The Center provides private and group psychotherapy from a gender-sensitive perspective for women suffering from trauma and post-trauma due to the war. Donations facilitated through P.E.F. Israel Endowment Funds, Inc. Grant purpose: The Counseling Center for Women.



Learn More   Grant Now

;

Maslan

Located in the south of Israel, Maslan offers comprehensive support to victims of sexual and domestic violence, viewing their journey holistically, fostering independence, prosperity, and a community of healing, leadership, and social change. Maslan also works to dismantle the social structures that enable these acts, promoting education, prevention, and information to reduce the incidence of sexual and domestic violence. The demand for Maslan’s services continues to rise in the aftermath of the events on October 7. The need for resources has become increasingly urgent as the center addresses the pressing need of a growing number of women who survived horrifying sexual assaults during the attack. Donations facilitated through P.E.F. Israel Endowment Funds, Inc. Grant purpose: Maslan.

Learn More   Grant Now

Ad'ar – The Professional Forum to Fight the Murder of Women

Ad'ar's mission is to contribute to the elimination of femicide within Arab society in Israel. The organization works with the victims of gender-based violence and relevant professionals to develop effective risk-assessment tools to prevent femicides in their communities. During the war, Ad'ar has activated a phone hotline, facilitated groups of social workers in the Negev, Galilee, and Haifa, and is producing and distributing a booklet in Arabic and Hebrew for therapists to use during wartime with a focus on gender-based violence prevention. Donations facilitated through JGIVE - Friends of Asor Fund USA, Inc. Grant purpose: Ad'ar – The Professional Forum to Fight the Murder of Women.

Learn More   Grant Now

Ruach Ashit / Women’s Spirit

Women's Spirit, founded in 2007, works to promote economic independence for women survivors of abuse in Israel and strives for social change from a feminist perspective and commitment to social and gender justice. Women's Spirit is the only NGO in Israel providing women survivors of abuse with long-term solutions to escape the vicious cycle of abuse through a focus on employment and financial empowerment. Women's Spirit works with the social and business community, policymakers, and government bodies to raise awareness and create significant change. Donations facilitated through P.E.F. Israel Endowment Funds, Inc. Grant purpose: Women's Spirit.

Learn More   Grant Now

Canal Alliance Logo

Shalom Bayit

Shalom Bayit’s mission is to foster the social change and community response necessary to eradicate domestic violence in the Jewish community. The organization creates effective, culturally-based strategies to improve Jewish community accountability and response to domestic violence. They work to strengthen the future of the community by teaching youth, adults, and community leaders to respond when violence occurs. Shalom Bayit’s goals are to support and advocate on behalf of Jewish battered women and their children; to educate the Jewish community and its leadership about domestic violence; to empower Jewish youth with the knowledge and skills they need to make healthy relationship choices; to organize effective abuse prevention and intervention strategies; and to improve Jewish women’s access to domestic violence services. Grants made to: Tides Center - Shalom Bayit.

Learn More   Grant Now  

National Council for Jewish Women

National Council of Jewish Women

The National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) has approached the October 7 terrorist attack by Hamas in Israel through a gender lens that places women, children, and families front and center throughout their response. With professional staff in Israel and the United States, they hosted a special session at the United Nations, which reached over 80 million people and drew international attention to the use of rape as a tool of war by Hamas, hosted roundtables with feminist leaders, and engaged in 1:1 conversations with civil rights organizations about the sexual violence. On a federal level, they are working with the Department of Education to implement Title VI to protect Jewish students, and with the Department of Homeland Security to enhance protections for Jews across the country. NCJW has a long history of working on behalf of women, including authoring the original Violence Against Women Act in the United States.

Learn More   Grant Now

Jewish Community Federation Logo

Federation Israel Emergency Fund

Join the Bay Area’s collective response in providing assistance to the people of Israel. Urgent Mental Health Needs and Trauma Relief is a top priority for granting from this fund. We are committed to helping Israeli communities provide the types of specialized care that is required to help victims of sexual violence heal emotionally and physically. By funding organizations providing both direct services to victims as well as important advocacy activities, we help fill the void left by the indifferent community of global women’s groups.

Learn More   Grant Now