JAFI Establishes Emergency Account for Israeli Terror Victims

The Jewish Agency Activates Emergency Fund to Immediately Assist the Family of the Victim in Ashkelon and Other Casualties

Jewish Agency Chairman Natan Sharansky:
"We are making every effort to help residents return to normal life, despite the tensions"

New York, NY; October 31, 2011 -- Following the most recent rocket attacks launched against southern Israel from Gaza, the Jewish Agency has activated its Emergency Fund to provide immediate aid to the family of Ashkelon resident Moshe Ami, who was killed in yesterday's rocket attacks, as well as to other families affected by the barrage of Grad rockets. Jewish Agency staff visited the victim's parents and other areas where the rockets fell to help assess the needs of the victims.

The Jewish Agency's Emergency Fund is designed to provide immediate assistance, in real-time, to those physically injured from rockets or those whose homes were damaged by rocket fire. Its goal is to help provide funding for needs that are not being met by other bodies, such as the supplying of food, medication, and essential equipment destroyed by the attacks, the financing of ambulances, and other urgent necessities.

Jewish Agency Chairman Natan Sharansky said that the fund is intended to help victims immediately following an attack by responding to primary and urgent needs.

"The Jewish Agency is making every effort to help residents of the south return to normal life in spite of the difficult tensions in the area," Sharansky said.

The Fund works in cooperation with the Ministry of Defense, the National Insurance Institute, and local authorities. Since its launch, the fund has helped about 750 families affected by the firing of Kassam rockets, in the amount of over 2 million shekels. The Jewish Agency's Emergency Fund operates through donations of the Jewish Federations of North America, Keren Hayesod, and other donors.

About the Jewish Agency for Israel
Established in 1929, the Jewish Agency was instrumental in the founding of the State of Israel and now works to ensure the future of a connected, committed, global Jewish People with a strong Israel at its center. The Jewish Agency addresses the most pressing issues in Jewish life by working to Inspire Jews throughout the world to Connect with their people, heritage and land, and Empower them to build a thriving Jewish future and strong Israel. The Jewish Agency pursues this goal by bringing young Jews to Israel for life-changing experiences and involving them in social activism in Israel and abroad. More information can be obtained at www.jafi.org.