Israel Terror Relief Fund

November 15, 2012

As rockets rain down from the Gaza Strip on the Israelis living in the South, the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh is directing immediate support to victims dealing with the emotional and psychological impact of living under siege on a daily basis.

The Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh is collecting contributions to the Israel Terror Relief Fund to support the more than one million residents of Israel’s South and provide immediate aid to the most vulnerable Israelis during this time of conflict.

Please CLICK HERE to donate online.

“We stand by Israel now and always,” said Chair of the Board Louis B. Plung. “And we understand that when our enemies target Israeli children and their families, it is a sure sign that we are all under attack. With heavy grief and concern, we pray that this conflict ends quickly and peacefully. Words fail to describe the sadness we feel as our brothers and sisters in Israel are forced to hide from harm.”

This fund has been opened in addition to – not in lieu of – the recently-launched 2013 Annual Campaign, which continues to nurture and sustain our Jewish community here in Pittsburgh and enrich Jewish life around the world. Please contribute to the Israel Terror Relief Fund and help our brothers and sisters living in the Jewish homeland, including more than 20,000 children, who need our immediate support right now.

Checks for the Relief Fund can be sent to 234 McKee Place, Pittsburgh, PA 15213. Please indicate Israel Terror Relief Fund in the memo line.

“Parents have just 15 seconds to get their children to safety,” said President and CEO of the Federation Jeffrey H. Finkelstein. “What if one of those children is in a car seat? Is that enough time? No state should have to live in a reality where civilians are continuously threatened by rockets fired by known terrorists.”

The Jewish Federations are leading the Israel Terror Relief Fund to help their partners, The Jewish Agency for Israel, the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC), the Israel Trauma Coalition and World ORT, deliver immediate services and assistance on the ground throughout the South. Such services include trauma counseling, financial assistance, portable bomb shelters, and potentially other initiatives including bringing children in the strike zones out of harm’s way. FOR CONTINUING UPDATES, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

The Israel Terror Relief Fund will support critical, life-saving services provided by our overseas partner agencies, The Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI), the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC), and the Israel Trauma Coalition and World ORT.

Such services will include:

• Respite for the 23,500 grade-school students who live in affected areas, as well as psychological interventions for parents and children from Israel’s southern region.

• The providing of such necessities as medical equipment and treatment; emergency cash grants; basic furnishings, repair and home equipment; and other services to help restore and rebuild lives.

• Distribution of food and emergency kits to the elderly and disabled.

• Emotional and physical support from emergency caseworkers and immediate and special care to the most severely disabled or frail elderly in their homes.

• Post-traumatic interventions and volunteer-led activities for children in shelters.

We will continue to monitor the situation closely and share with you additional information, analysis and recommended actions as conditions warrant.

Thank you for your support and generosity.

Warmly,

The Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh

For more information, please contact Brian Eglash, Senior Vice President and Chief Development Officer, at 412-992-5240 or beglash@jfedpgh.org.

The Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh
234 McKee Place
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
www.jfedpgh.org