In response to the most devastating fire in Israel’s history, the Jewish United Fund/Israel Emergency Fund has advanced $500,000 to JUF's overseas partners to provide immediate support for their humanitarian relief efforts.
The forest fires killed 42 people and forced the evacuation of some 17,000 in Israel’s north.
JUF's overseas partners, the Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI) and American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC), have staff on the ground helping residents and putting plans in place to help victims rebuild their lives.
JAFI has been providing respite-type help for parents by organizing day camps for the evacuated children and offering counseling and other assistance to victim families. JDC, which works with Israel's most vulnerable populations, helped evacuate the elderly, disabled and children and is working with local municipalities to address immediate needs like organizing home hospitality in other parts of Israel.
Contributions are being accepted through the JUF website, www.juf.org; by mail, at 30 S. Wells St., Chicago, IL 60606; as well as through phone calls to 312-444-2869, and e-mail to pledge@juf.org.
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