Destroyed homes in an Israeli community bordering Gaza
Photo: The Jewish Agency for Israel
Rehabilitating Communities
Communities bordering Gaza that were hit hard on October 7 face a tough and long recovery, especially with the war ongoing. But The Jewish Agency wasted no time in acting to support Israeli society in its time of need, facilitating critical volunteer opportunities and bringing global Jewish communities together to help with Israel’s rebuilding process.
Volunteerism
When the war began, 5,700 Masa Israel Journey Fellows were participating in 142 programs across Israel. Masa immediately ensured the safety and well-being of each participant, checking in with Fellows and relocating programs in regions under fire. With the country reeling in the aftermath of the attacks, Masa Fellows already in Israel promptly started to participate in volunteer activities. From organizing food packages to picking crops to babysitting and more, thousands of young Jews played an essential role in assisting impacted Israelis.
After October 7 through the end of 2023, Masa Fellows participated in volunteer activities including organizing food packages, babysitting, making deliveries, etc., for a total of 450,000 hours.
In fact, so many Jewish young adults wanted to come to Israel’s aid, with a large number contacting Masa to inquire about possible volunteer opportunities. Prompted by the high demand, Masa launched a new program, Masa Volunteers, welcoming its first cohort of young Jews from around the world in December 2023.
In 2023, Masa Israel Journey brought 279 participants from 30 countries to volunteer in Israel through its new Masa Volunteers program.
During their six weeks of volunteering, participants engaged in activities ranging from cooking for soldiers to teaching English to evacuated students and beyond.
“I study business administration and when the war started, I decided to leave school for a bit and come to Israel,” explained Mike from Costa Rica, who participated in one of the first Masa Volunteers cohorts. “Within three days I was here, and now that I am, I see how important it is to help the people who need me right now.”
Masa participants volunteer picking fruit
Photo: Masa Israel Journey
In addition to Masa’s dedicated volunteers, participants in other Jewish Agency programs, including Partnership2Gether Fellows, Ulpan Etzion and Mechinot (pre-army leadership academies), mobilized passionate groups of hundreds of volunteers.
250 Ulpan Etzion participants volunteered across Israel post-October 7 and put together care packages, along with participants from 15 Jewish Agency Mechinot and five Youth Villages.
“When the war broke out, we immediately started to volunteer. Although some of our scheduled plans were canceled, many other opportunities opened up for us and we really were able to help,” said Ben, a participant at our Mifne pre-army academy at Or Yehuda.
In a true circle of giving and with a spirit of volunteerism, some of our beneficiaries, including seniors at our Amigour homes and children in our absorption centers, also put together care packages for evacuees and soldiers.
New immigrants and Jewish Agency program participants pick cauliflower
Photo: The Jewish Agency for Israel
Partnership and Support
Beyond coordinating volunteer opportunities, The Jewish Agency leveraged its Partnership2Gether model to further assist Israelis in their time of need. In close coordination with the new Tkuma Government Authority and local municipalities, and together with Jewish communities worldwide, we established the Communities2Gether program.
Communities2Getther pairs Israeli communities in the Western Negev impacted by the war with a Jewish community abroad, which will offer sustained support for 3–5 years through funding, resources, and personal connections, helping rebuild infrastructure and restore hope.
Kibbutz Kissufim is one of many Israeli communities that is a part of Communities2Gether. On October 7, dozens of Hamas terrorists infiltrated Kibbutz Kissufim, murdering 11 kibbutz members and six Thai national laborers, kidnapping one kibbutz member, and damaging numerous local buildings, with 24 houses completely destroyed. In the battle to defend Kibbutz Kissufim, eight Israeli soldiers were killed. Since October, the Kissufim community has been evacuated to a hotel near the Dead Sea.
“The people of Kibbutz Kissufim – like so many in Israel – have suffered an unthinkable horror,” said Jared Miller, Chair of The Jewish Federation of Cleveland’s Kibbutz Kissufim partnership. “It is an honor to be able to work with these strong and determined people at this time of need.”
- Shmuel, a resident of the Kibbutz whose grandmother was murdered in Kissufim on October 7.
“In the days after October 7, we were searching for an anchor and stability. We were so touched by the consistent and persistent care from The Jewish Agency. This included the new connection between Kissufim and the Jewish community in Cleveland, Ohio. Thanks to this important effort, we have support, and we know we are not alone.”
Cars damaged in the October 7 attack
Photo: The Jewish Agency for Israel
Additionally, in the first weeks of the Swords of Iron War, The Jewish Agency established Operation Falcon, a vital initiative aimed at ensuring that emergency teams in Israeli towns near the Gaza and Northern borders had all the essential equipment they needed.
In collaboration with security agencies in Israel and generous donors from the U.S. who quickly raised $2,723,520 in funds, and in cooperation with the IDF's Home Front Command and the Government of Israel, we facilitated the purchase of a large number of supplies abroad to be delivered to border communities.
The equipment included helmets, ceramic vests, radios, generators, and emergency kits, and The Jewish Agency managed a complex logistics operation to bring the equipment to Israel, clear the items through customs, and distribute them to their destinations along Israel's borders.
And to further build Israeli communal resilience, particularly among young people, The Jewish Agency, Mosaic United and the Ministry for Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism established the Campers2Gether initiative. Campers2Gether will bring 1,500 Israeli teens impacted by the war to Jewish summer camps in North America and around the world in summer 2024. The transformative program will provide Israeli campers with a respite from the current upheaval in their lives, helping them heal and regain strength while building relationships with Jewish peers and immersing themselves in Jewish values and culture.
Jewish kids and teens at summer camp
Photo: Omer Shabtay for The Jewish Agency for Israel