The S.F.-based Jewish Community Federation is not waiting for the next Kassam rocket to fall before helping Israelis in the line of fire.
In a Jan. 16 letter to board members, federation CEO Daniel Sokatch outlined the measures his organization has been taking to help Israel.
“We have a long history of engagement with our Israeli partners in building a stronger, more democratic, and pluralistic society for all of Israel’s citizens,” Sokatch wrote. “Many of the programs we support … are located within target range of the Kassam missiles being launched from Gaza, and as such have been directly impacted by this crisis.”
Unlike other Bay Area Jewish federations, the S.F.-based federation chose not to launch a separate fundraising effort in the wake of Israel’s Gaza offensive. Instead, Sokatch and his colleagues will redouble efforts to strengthen ongoing programs in affected Israeli regions.
Among measures taken, federation leaders were in touch with the organization’s Israel-based partners at the outset of hostilities. Gila Noam, director of the federation’s Israeli office, made numerous site visits to grantees to assess immediate needs.
Locally, a team of federation senior staffers and lay leaders met to address the long-term needs of the impacted communities. The lay-led Israel & Jewish Peoplehood Commission also met to discuss outreach.
Some of the federation’s ongoing programs include support for Ethiopian families living in Sderot, trauma therapy programs for children and families from regional kibbutzes, and crisis training of kindergarten teachers.
A communitywide conference call, sponsored by the federation, took place Jan. 21. Participating were Noam and three Israelis living in the rocket zone: an Ethiopian immigrant, an elementary school teacher near Gaza and a Beersheva-based director of an Arab-Jewish coexistence organization.
In addition, the federation’s Israel Center joined forces with the Jewish Community Relations Council in organizing solidarity rallies around the Bay Area, and helping with publicity, media relations and logistical support.
“Things are changing quickly in Israel,” said Deborah Mintz, chair of the Israel & Jewish Peoplehood Commission. “Some of the immediate needs, like getting things to children in shelters or respite for families, are no longer needed. But we have been involved in some very long-term relationships, especially with kibbutzim [in the Negev]. They took a lot of [rockets].”
The federation bought a half-page ad in the Jan. 21 edition of the San Francisco Chronicle informing the community of its commitment to Israel, and the federation Web site provides a link to a Gaza action page.
“Another major theme at the federation is the need for all of us to be supportive publicly of Israel, particularly given where we live,” said Mintz. “People are eager to be supportive.”