Jewish National Fund at Work Helping Israelis in Time of Need

In response to ongoing rocket attacks from Gaza into Israel’s southern, central and coastal cities, Jewish National Fund (JNF) is working with its partners throughout Israel to help the several million Israelis under attack.

CEO Russell Robinson said, “All across Israel, from Sderot to Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, we are providing the resources so that people can be safe and continue to enjoy a good quality of life. While these are not ideal times, I pray for the safety of the people of Israel and all who have the yearning for peace.”

JNF is actively supporting Israeli firefighters, who have been on duty 24-hours a day in response to rocket-ignited fires and rocket-related accidents across the country. Donations are needed to purchase much needed firefighting equipment and provisions for fire stations.

To encourage people to continue to maintain a sense of normalcy in their lives, JNF’s heritage sites partner, the Society for Preservation of Israel Heritage Sites, is offering free admission to many of their sites in the north, including the Atlit Detention Camp, HaReut museum, Kineret Courtyard, Ayalon Institute, Mikveh, Sarona Visitor Center, Yellin House, among other sites.

“We hope that people will come out to these great historical locations and use this time as a nice break from the situation that surrounds their homes,” stated Noa Gefen, Executive Vice-Chairman for the Society for Preservation of Israel Heritage Sites.

Since rockets first began to rain in southern Israel, JNF has kept its Sderot Indoor Recreation Center open 24-hours a day. The 21,000 square foot center doubles as a bomb shelter and can accommodate more than 1,800 people on a rotating basis. The center was initially used as a command center by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) following the destruction of a plastics factory, located a short distance away from the recreation center.

Three rockets landed on Wednesday in the new desert communities in Halutza on the border with Egypt – a community founded by the very people who were evacuated from Gaza in 2005. No Code Red alert sounded as none exists there and one rocket landed right next to a house that had many children inside. Fortunately no one was hurt, but twenty-four families in this new community are living in caravans, which are not equipped with bomb shelters as they wait for their permanent homes. JNF is working with donors across the country to fund 24 mobile shelters, which cost $30,000 each to ship and install.

Aleh Negev, a rehabilitative village for young severely disabled adults, located in the southern region, recently experienced a rocket assault on its compound. Fortunately none were injured but activities are now taking place in secure rooms to protect residents there.

Alexander Muss High School in Israel, a JNF partner and a fully accredited study abroad program for international high school students, is continuing its academic itinerary with some adjustments to ensure student safety. Emergency drills have been performed in the event a siren sounds during classes. Officials there are closely monitoring the security situation and in frequent contact with parents.

To assist in JNF’s efforts to restore normalcy during this time of distress, please visit Jnf.org/protectiveedge or call 888.JNF.0099.