Caring for Vulnerable Populations
Amigour residents in Kiryat Gat with food care packages
Photo: The Jewish Agency for Israel
The impact of the war quickly touched every part of Israeli society, and The Jewish Agency rapidly facilitated expanded support for Israeli senior citizens, many of whom are Holocaust survivors, new olim (immigrants), vulnerable Israeli youth in the geographic and social periphery and more.
More than 5,000 Israeli senior citizens and Holocaust survivors live in The Jewish Agency’s Amigour subsidized homes throughout Israel's south and central regions. Because of the war, Amigour’s staff needed to extend their hours to ensure the safety and well-being of the residents, in addition to coordinating food packages deliveries and mental health support.
In 2023 after the war began, Amigour residents received 23,231 food packages and 5,500 hot meals.
- Erez Shani, CEO of Amigour
“Throughout this tragic time, we continued to help our elderly residents; our caretakers came to work every day, including on the weekends, and stayed late. We provided our seniors with food and support, with whatever they needed.”
Food care packages provided to Amigour residents
Photo: The Jewish Agency for Israel
“What gives me strength is the constant support I received at the Amigour residence throughout the war. Amigour staff visited each resident to check in and distribute food donations,” said Irena, who has lived at The Jewish Agency’s Yuval Amigour home in Ofakim for five years. “Amigour for me means security: emotional security, financial security and psychological security.”
With thousands of new olim, mostly from Ethiopia, Ukraine and Russia, living in 12 Jewish Agency absorption centers in regions under rocket threat by Hamas, The Jewish Agency evacuated olim in the line of fire to safer locations. During the relocation period, we provided housing, psychological counseling, education for children, activities for adults, and supplemental income for lost work due to the displacement, as well as opportunities for respite.
“In the beginning, it was tough,” reflected Addise, an Ethiopian immigrant residing at one of our absorption centers who was evacuated with her family to a hotel after October 7. “But The Jewish Agency gave us plenty of support, including clothes, shoes, shelter; all the necessary stuff. They are taking care of us and doing everything to help, giving us strength and courage.”
Jewish Agency CEO Amira Ahronoviz with young immigrant evacuees at Park Hotel
Photo: The Jewish Agency for Israel
Besides helping seniors, new olim, and youth and teens, we also worked closely with our Wings program, which supports around 2,200 lone soldiers in the Israel Defense Forces who do not have family in Israel. From sending social workers to visit soldiers in the hospital who had been wounded to offering counseling and resources, we ensured these brave individuals did not feel alone in the aftermath of October 7 and the war.
“During my military service, I lost myself a bit,” shared a Wings participant who made Aliyah four years ago and is a tank specialist in the Caracal Battalion. “Wings helped me a lot during the war, making sure I got the treatment and therapy I needed to bring me back to myself.”
A Jewish Agency employee comforts and offers support to an impacted Israeli after October 7
Photo: The Jewish Agency for Israel