NEW YORK – As attacks on Israel from Iran intensify, the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) swiftly deployed emergency aid and services to support vulnerable populations – the poor, elderly, people with disabilities, and at-risk families – across Israel who are at increased peril from constant bombardment. The global Jewish humanitarian organization is also deploying immediate, comprehensive humanitarian relief to Tamra, Bat Yam, and Bnei Brak, communities devastated in recent attacks.

“Millions of Israelis already grappling with the challenges of post-October 7 life and recovery are once again dealing with the loss of loved ones, displacement, trauma, and living in fear of what will come next,” said JDC CEO Ariel Zwang. “JDC is on the ground assisting the most vulnerable and distributing aid to those in the line of fire, and we’re prepared to expand our humanitarian response immediately as the situation requires throughout this crisis. We pray for the safety of all Israelis and that peace will come soon.”

JDC’s vital humanitarian support to people in the line of fire throughout Israel includes:

  • A comprehensive emergency humanitarian response in three severely affected cities – Tamra, Bat Yam, and Bnei Brak: This effort includes an emergency aid package funding the cities’ provision of food, medicine, clothing, hygiene supplies, and medical equipment, as well as mattresses and entertainment kits for shelters; expanding JDC’s community caseworkers to these three hard-hit locations by placing new caseworkers in each city to ensure that the elderly and people with disabilities are provided with medical and mental health services, emotional support and safety guidance, and needed social benefits; and deploying JDC emergency response professionals to assist the municipalities in meeting emerging needs.
  • Specialized trauma support for children in the line of fire: JDC’s proven therapy program, Hibuki (meaning hug in Hebrew) – a stuffed animal in the shape of a dog with comforting long arms that children can project their emotions onto – is expanding to provide healing to hundreds of children in Rishon LeZion, Tel Aviv, and Ramat Gan. These children face trauma caused by the attacks as well as loss of their homes and displacement for those who are evacuated, all in addition to the ongoing stress of the war. Hibuki was developed by JDC, the Ministry of Education and Tel Aviv University. JDC is also providing online group support for the children, parents, and teachers in the northern and southern regions where Hibuki has been operating to prevent retraumatization and continue the treatment process that was underway.
  • Digital tools helping vulnerable populations remain safe: This includes providing emergency preparedness education for seniors and people with disabilities, stress relief activities and vital necessities for children and families without safe rooms, expanded online services for families with young children, and digital mental health resources like JDC’s flagship Nafshi web portal, which now reaches 190,000 Israelis.
  • Connecting Israelis to essential goods and services: Israelis can access real-time information via a JDC digital resource to find open services such as supermarkets, pharmacies, medical clinics, and gas stations.
  • Increasing access to emergency information for non-Hebrew speaking and other vulnerable populations: Life-saving guidance and resources are being translated into multiple languages, including Russian, Amharic, and French, in addition to the existing information in Arabic. People with disabilities and the elderly are receiving tailored safety tools, information, and support to help them be prepared and maintain resilience.
  • Training foreign caregivers working under fire: Foreign caregivers will be trained and supported through multilingual videos, emotional support sessions, and practical caregiving tools to help them continue their vital work with Israeli elderly during intense missile attacks.

Following the attacks on October 7, 2023, and throughout the war, JDC has assisted more than one million of the hardest-hit Israelis. JDC’s emergency response work in Israel is made possible through the continued partnership and support of the Jewish Federations of North America, foundations, and individual donors worldwide.