• On October 7, 2023, during the holiday of Simchat Torah, Hamas terrorists launched an unprecedented attack on Israel from Gaza, firing thousands of rockets, breaching the country’s borders, infiltrating Israeli communities, and kidnapping civilians.
• Known to date, over 1,229 Israelis have been killed, and thousands more wounded. 410 soldiers have been confirmed killed since October 7. 88 hostages kidnapped and held in Gaza by Hamas have been released. Tragically 139 men, women, and children remain captive. The US confirms that 31 Americans were killed in the attack and there are American hostages being held as well.
• Jewish Federations of North America have raised over $711 million to support Israel, surpassing the $500 million emergency campaign goal. Already, Jewish Federations have allocated over $242 million through 116 partner organizations and NGOs including the Jewish Agency for Israel, JDC, World ORT, Israel Trauma Coalition, United Hatzalah, Magen David Adom, and Dror Israel. These funds are being put to several immediate and urgent needs, such as medical care, emergency services, evacuation, transport, housing, supporting victims of terror, trauma relief, and psychological support, as well as preparing for medium- and long-term needs. In addition, with 200,000 Israelis displaced, the danger of a multi-front war, and the array of human and economic challenges growing by the day, Jewish Federations are expanding their support in line with the ever-developing needs.

Campaign

Our Response To Date

• As of today, the Jewish Federation of Greater Rochester’s Israel Emergency Campaign has raised $4,400,000 million from 1,041 donors.
• Locally, community security remains a core priority. The Federation continues to work closely with local and national law enforcement to safeguard the welfare of our community. We are grateful to local police departments for their ongoing vigilance.
• Donate to the Israel Emergency Campaign Today.

Our Impact

How The Campaign Funding Will Be / Has Been Used

The Jewish Federations of North America Israel Office, having activated emergency protocols, is working closely with our partners and is in close contact with the Government of Israel and the IDF.

Your support makes it possible for our primary partners the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC), the Jewish Agency for Israel, World ORT, and Israel Trauma Coalition to respond immediately to urgent needs on the ground in Israel.

The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) PDF

The Jewish Agency for Israel PDF

World ORT PDF

See a detailed update on allocations here.

Update April 1, 2024

Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Activities

• Over the weekend, terrorists shot an RPG (rocket-propelled grenade) at a top-story apartment in a building in Khan Yuneis in the southern Gaza Strip where IDF soldiers were stationed. As a result of the explosion and ensuing collapse of some of the walls, a soldier was killed and sixteen were injured including six who are in serious condition.
• The IDF has now concluded its operations in and around the Shifa Hospital in Gaza; and is withdrawing forces from the hospital complex. After two weeks of fighting, dozens of terrorists have been killed and hundreds detained, including high-ranking members of both Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad. In addition, large quantities of weapons were discovered and confiscated in the hospital complex including pistols, rifles, rocket-propelled grenades, thousands of rounds of ammunition, and explosives. Weapons were even found hidden in beds and pillows in the maternity ward. Remarkably,
  • 6,000 civilians were evacuated by the IDF to keep them safe.
  • 200 Hamas terrorists were killed.
  • 500 Hamas terrorists have been captured.
  • And, incredibly, zero civilians were killed.
• Over the weekend, a terrorist stabbed and lightly wounded an IDF officer at the Beer Sheva Central Bus Station. The terrorist, who came from the nearby Bedouin city of Rahat, was shot and killed by another soldier who was on the scene. And yesterday, in a separate attack in a shopping mall in near Ashdod, three people were stabbed;  they are all now in serious condition. The terrorist, a Palestinian who was working at one of the stores at the mall, was killed by a passing policeman.
• Earlier today, IDF forces arrested the sister of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tel Sheva on suspicion of having ties to Hamas and engaging in incitement and support for terror.
• A new survey conducted by the Israel Democracy Institute polled the public’s assessment of the performance of Israel’s political and military leadership since October 7. IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi topped the rankings of positive performance (48%), followed by Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant (40%) and Minister Benny Gantz (34%). Only 28% ranked Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s performance as positive, while 57% of respondents ranked it as “poor” or “very poor.” With tensions rising between the US administration and the Israeli government about the necessary next steps in the war, the survey also asked whether Israel should act on its own or in coordination with the US. Most Israelis think Israeli leaders should act on the basis of their own judgment, though there has been a slight increase among Jewish Israelis who favor coordination with the US, from 38% in January 2024 to 43% in the present survey. See the full results here.
• Every year before the spring holidays, Israel’s National Security Council publishes an assessment of the threat of terrorism for Israelis traveling abroad. See this year’s advisory.
• As the debate in Israel continues on the question of ultra-Orthodox conscription, a Real-Time Data Institute survey was published by Haredi news site Kikar HaShabbat, with surprising results. Among Ultra-Orthodox responders:
  • 89% said it was essential for their children to live in Israel;
  • 69% were proud to be Israeli;
  • 63% were proud of the IDF;
  • 63% said that haredim who are not involved in full-time Torah study should serve in the IDF;
  • 55% said that secular Israelis feel animosity towards Haredim
  • 15% said they felt animosity towards the secular public.

Click Here for the complete report.

How You Can Help

Support the Israel Emergency Campaign

Support the people of Israel during this devastating time through our Israel Emergency Campaign. 100% of your donation directly supports the victims of terror, helps rebuild damaged infrastructure and addresses the unprecedented levels of trauma throughout Israel.

Donate to the Israel Emergency Campaign Today

Donate to the Federation's 2024 Annual Campaign

The war in Israel is affecting our entire global Jewish family, including our community here in Rochester. As we continue to support Israel during this critical time, we also have to ensure that the 2024 Annual Campaign remains strong. Our ability to respond to urgent needs in Israel—and those in our backyard—depends on the success of our Campaign.

Please donate here.

Call on all elected officials in America to act and continue speaking out for Israel’s right to defend itself

At this moment, Israel needs the unwavering support of the American people. Join the American Jewish Committee (AJC) in pushing for all federal, state, and local leaders to unequivocally condemn Hamas and stand with Israel against terror.

Take action now. It only takes 30 seconds.

Participate in the #BlueRibbonsForIsrael Campaign

The blue ribbon symbolizes support for the safe return of the hostages taken by Hamas terrorists in Israel, and solidarity with the hostages, their families and all who care about their safety. Wearing a ribbon or tying them to your trees and mailboxes publicly unites you with people of all religions, races, nationalities, ethnicities, ages and generations and demonstrates to the people of Israel that they are not alone and that good people across the globe are with them during this dark time. Pick up your ribbons at Federation.

Learn more here.

A Note on the Donation of Solider Supplies and Volunteering in Israel

While we greatly understand and appreciate the intent, physical donations are not being collected at this time. The Jewish Federations of North America has put together a list of FAQ’s in response to inquiries about equipment donations for soldiers and opportunities for foreign volunteer opportunities.

You can find the Requests for Donations of Equipment for Soldiers FAQs here.

The Overseas Volunteers in Israel FAQs can be found here.