This weekend marks four weeks since the horrific Hamas terror attacks of October 7th. Throughout this time, Federation CJA has been mobilizing the full resources of our Montreal Jewish community to ensure a strong, unified response to this emergency. The situation is constantly evolving in Israel, as well as here in Montreal when it comes to the growing challenge of antisemitism. We’ll have more to share in the coming days about our ongoing efforts to combat hatred of Jews—and what you can do to play a role.
Today, we wanted to update you on the new emergency grants Federation CJA has deployed to meet urgent needs in Israel. We have received over 4500 gifts that have generously given more than $20 million to the Israel Emergency Fund. Thank you to all who have donated.
Since our last update, Federation CJA has sent over $11 MILLION to our partners in Israel to be deployed on an emergency basis. In the interest of transparency and keeping you informed, here is the list of the NEW emergency grants we have made to our partners on the ground this week that amounted to a total:
$ 700,000 in additional emergency grants for victims of terrorism and traumatized communities (via the Jewish Agency for Israel). Providing direct aid to over 3,000 families victimized by terror.
Total allocated to Victims of Terror Fund: $ 2.7 million.
$ 250,000 (via JRoots and HealthyMind) to provide traumatised Israelis with mental health support services and provide free psychiatric services to more than 3,000 people. Funds will cover the cost for each patient, allowing individuals to be assessed, diagnosed, and prescribed vital treatment and follow-up. This endeavour also aims to alleviate the significant pressures currently faced by overwhelmed hospitals and medical staff.
Total allocated to treat war trauma and emotional first aid: $ 2 million.
$ 270,000 (via Eretz-Ir $ 50,000; Joint Distribution Committee $ 220,000) to building community resilience in Be’er Sheva by providing workshops, dialogue groups, psycho-social support, and sports activities for families in the South. Funds will also support youth movement counsellors who have played a vital role in assisting evacuated children with from the south of with the tools they need to cope with the current situation, and training and deploying volunteers who provide essential resources to communities such as bringing medicine to older population, delivering meals to frontline workers, and running activities for children who cannot attend school.
Total allocated to support communities affected by the war: $ 970,000.
$ 120,000 for a bomb shelter (via Keren Haysod) at the Amigour Sheltered Home in Be’er Sheva in memory of Alexandre Look z”l, Montrealer who’s life was tragically taken at the Nova Music Festival.
Total allocated for building bomb shelters: $ 326,000.
*NEW* $ 370,000 to provide direct financial aid and support to families of hostages and partners of fallen soldiers (via Hostages and Missing Families’ Forum $320,000; Partners of Fallen IDF Soldiers $50,000). Families of hostages will also receive psychological and post-trauma treatment. Funds will allow for global awareness on the hostage situation such as international advocacy, media, public relations, and diplomatic affaires.
*NEW* $300,000 for the coordination of health care services for all those affected by the war (via Ben Gurion University and AI for Social Welfare). Funds will aid in the implementation of AI software that will deliver real-time recommendations to health professionals to optimize the provision of wraparound services at the individual, family, and community levels, with a focus on achieving a care continuum in the most effective way. This project is in partnership with South District Welfare System inspectors, Israeli national officials of the Strategy division in the Ministry of Social Services and Social Security, Soroka University Hospital, and more.
Watch how your contributions, care, and compassion are having a real and profound impact on the survivors of the attacks and the people taking care of them now.
It has become clear now that the needs are immense and far exceed the current amount raised. Rest assured, we are fully committed to persisting in our fundraising and allocation efforts until the Jewish State is restored to health and prosperity.
As the week comes to an end, we recognize that this Sunday marks the shloshim of our Israeli brothers and sisters who were murdered on October 7th. We encourage you to light a memorial candle in their memory. Please keep them, as well as those recovering from injuries, those held hostage in Gaza, and all the people of Israel in your prayers.
Am Israel Chai.
Yair Szlak, LL.B
President and Chief Executive Officer,
Federation CJA
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