People around the world, and in Israel, from the elderly to young students, have been stepping up to help those impacted by terror in Israel this week as the country entered a war with Hamas.

Amigour residents organizing packages | Photo: The Jewish Agency

Residents of our Amigour in Kiryat Gat packed care packages for evacuees while the residents of the “Rupin” Home for the Elderly in Kiryat Ata organized donations for soldiers. Many Masa Israel Journey Fellows have been participating in volunteer activities – organizing food packages, babysitting, deliveries, etc. At Ulpan Etzion in Jerusalem, olim (immigrants) put together 250 care packages for Ethiopian kids from the Ibim Absorption Center who were evacuated to the Park Hotel in Netanya. Shortly thereafter, the 450 immigrants from the Ibim, Ashkelon and Ashdod Absorption Centers, including 170 children, who were evacuated to the Park Hotel, received donations of diapers, toys and sweets, distributed by dozens of volunteers.

Jewish Agency Chairman Doron Almog visits Ethiopian evacuees from our Ibim Absorption Center at the Park Hotel | Photo: The Jewish Agency

On October 10, Jewish Agency Chairman Doran Almog and Jewish Agency Director General and CEO Amira Ahronoviz both visited the Park Hotel to meet with immigrants from the absorption centers. Amira spoke with Esther, a resident of Netanya, who arrived at the Park Hotel in the city to help new immigrants now evacuated from their home at Ibim. Esther, who was born in Ethiopia, works in the field of education and because schools are currently closed, wanted to find a way to volunteer and help others.

“When I heard about the evacuation of olim in the south, I didn’t think twice and joined the other coordinators at the hotel to help with whatever was needed. I asked the evacuees what interests them and what they like and a lot of people told me that one of the things they lack is the Injera (traditional bread of the Ethiopian community), which is part of the foundation of our community. So I published a post on social media asking my followers to help prepare injera for the evacuees and there was a huge turnout,” shared Esther.

Amira and Esther at the Park Hotel | Photo: The Jewish Agency

Esther is grateful for the opportunity to help immigrants now displaced by the war. “I spoke with one of the evacuees and he told me that suddenly after one night in Netanya, he realized what a difficult situation they were facing and being here allows them to breathe easier,” she recounted. “I’m really thankful to be able to contribute and be here for them.”

Meanwhile, at The Jewish Agency’s Ramat Hadassah Szold Youth Village southeast of Haifa, a logistics center was opened into which endless donations flow from all over the country. The village team, students and the residents of the area from Mevanon and all the nearby settlements are working around the clock to organize the items and transport them to the required areas.

In Belgium, Harel, our Shaliach (Israeli emissary), got the community to come together to package equipment for Israeli soldiers. Each soldier received a box containing helpful items from food to clothes and more.

So many Jewish communities worldwide have come together to organize and purchase supplies for Israeli soldiers and countless Israelis and others visiting Israel have volunteered to help within the country, from donating items including breastmilk and meals to lending their expertise as medical and tech professionals, chefs, and more. The Jewish Agency is doing all we can to assist those impacted by the war and recruiting additional volunteers for educational activities, staff reinforcement and emotional support for immigrants and refugees.

To support The Jewish Agency’s emergency efforts and Fund for Victims of Terror, donate here.