Standing With Israel Amid The Tension

STANDING WITH ISRAEL AMID THE TENSION

The Jerusalem Post reports "The Islamic Jihad organization announced a new ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip early Friday morning." Nonetheless, tensions in Israel escalated again Thursday when a new barrage of rockets struck communities in the south.

The Israel office of Jewish Federations of North America reports that the situation remains dangerous and agencies funded by The Birmingham Jewish Federation and other Federations continue to respond.

Over 1,000,000 Israelis are currently in the range of Gaza rockets, and their lives are tense, difficult and frightening. Frequent attacks require a sprint to the nearest shelter, a task that is almost impossible for groups such as the disabled, the elderly and even young children. Normal life has been all but abandoned in places like Be'er Sheva, Ashdod, Ashkelon, Ofakim, Sderot and smaller towns, and residents are particularly nervous about what will happen when the new school year starts next Thursday.

The Jewish Federation movement, along with the Jewish Agency, Joint Distribution Committee and Israel Trauma Coalition, all Federation-funded agencies, are active on the ground across the entire southern region in Israel providing relief, giving support, monitoring needs and assessing results.

FUND FOR TERROR VICTIMS

The staff of the Jewish Agency's Fund for the Victims of Terror continue to provide assistance to residents in need. Once an attack occurs, the staff immediately provides assistance to those whose homes took direct hits by rockets, and later continue to the hospitals to work with the wounded. Finally, in the unfortunate event of deaths, the staff visit the families of those killed, after the mourning period ends, to discuss immediate needs.

On Wednesday, the Fund's staff worked intensively with families affected in Be'er Sheva, Ofakim, and the communities surrounding Gaza. Urgent cases were identified and in the coming days emergency assistance will be provided to these families.

Following the recent spate of attacks, the Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) activated its emergency response team. Program professionals have been reaching out to the region's vulnerable residents to assess and respond to their needs. This includes special emphasis on the elderly, people with disabilities and children and youth at risk. JDC also is working with its consulting teams to support city leadership.

In addition, JDC Centers for Young Adults have mobilized volunteers to provide activities for children, who are confined to local shelters and protected spaces. JDC continues to monitor the situation.

DIRECT CARE

The Israel Trauma Coalition has been doing substantial work in the south, responding to a large number of needs throughout the region. Some of the most important work has involved providing individuals with direct care, reaching out to homes of citizens in need and offering guidance to parents with children in areas under attack.

In addition, the Israel Trauma Coalition is providing on-site training for local welfare teams, support and training for volunteers and professional consultation for municipalities. It also is planning special "preparedness days" to be held at schools, so schools are ready for all scenarios once the academic year begins next week.

As is always the case in such urgent situations, personnel from the Jewish Federation movement are on the ground, monitoring the situation and assessing needs. On Wednesday, Federation officials visited Ofakim and Be'er Sheva. In those two cities they obtained an in-depth understanding of how residents of southern Israel have been coping with the recent violence, and how the Federation-funded agencies mentioned above have responded.

In Be'er Sheva, they met with local professionals and volunteers who are providing support for the city's disabled population at JDC's Center for Independent Living. In the Western Negev town of Ofakim, they met Shula Amuyal, whose home was one of two destroyed last Saturday night. They also met with professionals from the Victims of Terror Fund, who have provided Shula and her neighbors with immediate financial assistance.

As this Shabbat approaches, please pray for the people of Israel. May they soon know the peace and tranquility they deserve.

Above information is from Jewish Federations of North America. Picture is of a car destroyed when a rocket exploded Wednesday in southern Israel. (Photo: Rafael Ben-Ari/Chameleons Eye)

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