NEW YORK – Ahead of the second commemoration of the October 7 terrorist attack in Israel, the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) continues to lead efforts to meet the wide-ranging needs of Israelis plunged into vulnerability, helping them recover and rebuild in the face of ongoing crisis. The past year has presented new and growing challenges for hundreds of thousands of the hardest-hit Israelis – Jewish and Arab alike – grappling with loss of homes, property, and employment, as well as displacement and trauma. Programs focusing on trauma-informed career training, post-Iran attack housing solutions, and revitalizing Israel’s North draw on innovative social service models developed during the war that harness the ingenuity and fortitude of Israelis on the frontlines of these issues. JDC has assisted more than 1 million of the hardest-hit Israelis to date.

“Israelis from all walks of life are facing urgent needs as they work to rebuild their lives and heal from the deep wounds inflicted over two years of war since the October 7 atrocities,” said JDC CEO Ariel Zwang. “While our hearts still ache, especially for the plight of the hostages and ongoing conflict, we are deploying innovative solutions to help Israelis forge a new path. Millions may need our help, but they are perseverant, strong, and ready to partner with JDC and the global Jewish community in charting a course to a resilient future.”

Since October 7, 2023, JDC has been meeting the needs of at-risk populations and people newly plunged into vulnerability, including the elderly, children, those with disabilities, evacuees, the unemployed, and injured reservists and civilians. JDC also continues to partner with local and national governments, NGOs, and the business sector to address the post-October 7 reality facing Israelis. Building on its century-plus of work empowering the most vulnerable populations in the land of Israel, JDC is leading scores of initiatives to address numerous challenges, including mental health, economic resilience and welfare. Flagship programs include:

  • Initiatives revitalizing Israel’s workforce and economy, both vital to Israel’s recovery. JDC’s specialized employment programs are focused on those most at risk of not returning to work: evacuees, people injured or disabled on October 7, and combat survivors facing physical and psychological trauma. For example, Back on Track provides individualized, trauma-informed career coaching to help people return to work or pursue new career paths as they rebuild their lives. Participants are paired with coaches who work with them to address the emotional and professional effects of trauma, clarify their goals, build on their strengths, and take concrete steps toward reentering the workforce, which can include retraining or pursuing new opportunities. To date, the program has supported over 500 people.
  • Rebuilding the war-torn northern region of Israel—home to 35% of the country’s population, comprised of Jewish, Arab, and Druze residents in an area with many small towns and stretched services. JDC and its partners are deploying a multi-year initiative to help the most vulnerable people recover and rebuild. For example, the Community Caseworker program is assisting evacuees from vulnerable populations to return home safely and with stability. Another major effort offers workforce training aligned with local industry needs, attracting young people and families to the region by creating viable economic opportunities. These and other regional initiatives are in partnership with the government of Israel, municipal and regional governments, the business sector, philanthropy, including the Jewish Federations, and the local communities.
  • Helping communities recover from the destruction caused by this past June’s Iranian missile attacks. For example, JDC has initiated the Ad HaBayit program to assist the most vulnerable—primarily elderly, people with disabilities, and at-risk families—who lost their homes to secure permanent housing. Currently, JDC is helping 150 of the poorest households from three of the hardest-hit cities—Ramat Gan, Beer Sheva, and Bat Yam. Trained staff guide program participants step by step, from needs assessment and accessing benefits to locating housing and undertaking renovations, all the way through to getting people settled into their new home. This unique program is done in partnership with local and national governments.

JDC has been addressing the profound and evolving challenges facing Israelis since October 7, 2023, including those impacted by the widespread destruction in the North and the attacks this past June, including:

  • 606,680+ pieces of emergency medical and hospital equipment and first aid supplies delivered throughout the country
  • 200,000 Israelis accessed mental health services made available by JDC
  • 105,100 at-risk seniors and elderly evacuees given emergency social support
  • 400,000 people received career guidance from JDC-developed digital platforms
  • 23,900 frontline professionals trained and counseled to support Israel’s most vulnerable
  • 162,000 at-risk children, young adults and parents provided therapeutic and educational support
  • 32,500 people with disabilities received emergency services and assistance
  • 14,400 evacuees, unemployed, people wounded in the war and reservists received career guidance and support
  • 104,400 professionals accessed JDC’s digital knowledge center to enhance their skills to meet clients’ new needs caused by the war
  • 4,000 struggling small businesses, farms and factories given financial and technical support
  • 123,000 residents in frontline communities helped by the Mashiv Haruach (Reviving the Spirit) initiative to support personal and community resilience and trauma recovery
  • 1,800 NGOs, philanthropies, government ministries and businesses connected to coordinate emergency responses
  • 91% of Israel’s 258 municipalities were provided with emergency aid for residents

JDC’s post-October 7 emergency response efforts in Israel are supported by the Jewish Federations and tens of thousands of foundations, families, corporations, and individual donors.

Before October 7, 2023, one million Israelis were helped by social services created by JDC every week. Since its founding in 1914 to aid starving Jews in Jerusalem impacted by the outbreak of WWI, JDC has invested more than 10 billion shekels to improve the lives of Israel’s most vulnerable, to close social gaps, and to ensure opportunity for all Israelis.