• On October 7, 2023, during the holiday of Simchat Torah, Hamas terrorists launched an unprecedented attack on Israel from Gaza, firing thousands of rockets, breaching the country’s borders, infiltrating Israeli communities, and kidnapping civilians.
• Known to date, over 1,229 Israelis have been killed, and thousands more wounded. 410 soldiers have been confirmed killed since October 7. 88 hostages kidnapped and held in Gaza by Hamas have been released. Tragically 139 men, women, and children remain captive. The US confirms that 31 Americans were killed in the attack and there are American hostages being held as well.
• Jewish Federations of North America have raised over $800 million to support Israel, surpassing the $500 million emergency campaign goal. Already, Jewish Federations have allocated over $242 million through 116 partner organizations and NGOs including the Jewish Agency for Israel, JDC, World ORT, Israel Trauma Coalition, United Hatzalah, Magen David Adom, and Dror Israel. These funds are being put to several immediate and urgent needs, such as medical care, emergency services, evacuation, transport, housing, supporting victims of terror, trauma relief, and psychological support, as well as preparing for medium- and long-term needs. In addition, with 200,000 Israelis displaced, the danger of a multi-front war, and the array of human and economic challenges growing by the day, Jewish Federations are expanding their support in line with the ever-developing needs.

Campaign

Our Response To Date

• As of today, the Jewish Federation of Greater Rochester’s Israel Emergency Campaign has raised $4,400,000 million from 1,041 donors.
• Locally, community security remains a core priority. The Federation continues to work closely with local and national law enforcement to safeguard the welfare of our community. We are grateful to local police departments for their ongoing vigilance.
• Donate to the Israel Emergency Campaign Today.

Our Impact

How The Campaign Funding Will Be / Has Been Used

The Jewish Federations of North America Israel Office, having activated emergency protocols, is working closely with our partners and is in close contact with the Government of Israel and the IDF.

Your support makes it possible for our primary partners the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC), the Jewish Agency for Israel, World ORT, and Israel Trauma Coalition to respond immediately to urgent needs on the ground in Israel.

The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) PDF

The Jewish Agency for Israel PDF

World ORT PDF

See a detailed update on allocations here.

War in Israel: Update on Current Situation

January 23, 2025 – October 7 War, Day 475

The first Jewish Federations mission to northern Israel since the ceasefire in Lebanon went into effect concluded today. Participants included leaders from several communities, as well as Jewish Federations’ National Campaign Chair David Heller; Israel Emergency Response Committee Co-Chairs Steve Hoffman and Jeff Schoenfeld; and Jewish Federations of North America’s President and CEO Eric Fingerhut. 

Ceasefire and Hostages

• The ceasefire between Israel and Hamas that went into effect on Sunday, January 19 seems to be holding. 
• On Sunday evening Israel Time, amidst highly emotional scenes, three hostages - all young women - were released following 471 agonizing days in Hamas captivity. Romi Gonen, Emily Damari and Doron Steinbrecher were in reasonable health (although Damari lost two fingers after she was shot on October 7) and are now recovering at specially-prepared facilities in Israel’s Sheba Hospital. 
• Watch this video and see these photos of the emotional reunions between the women and their immediate families, as well as the following three clips of the hostages being reunited with their mothers shortly after arriving back in Israel: 
  • Romi Gonen
  • Doron Steinbrecher
  • Emily Damari

Click Here for the complete report.

How You Can Help

Support the Israel Emergency Campaign

Support the people of Israel during this devastating time through our Israel Emergency Campaign. 100% of your donation directly supports the victims of terror, helps rebuild damaged infrastructure and addresses the unprecedented levels of trauma throughout Israel.

Donate to the Israel Emergency Campaign Today

Donate to the Federation's 2024 Annual Campaign

The war in Israel is affecting our entire global Jewish family, including our community here in Rochester. As we continue to support Israel during this critical time, we also have to ensure that the 2024 Annual Campaign remains strong. Our ability to respond to urgent needs in Israel—and those in our backyard—depends on the success of our Campaign.

Please donate here.

Call on all elected officials in America to act and continue speaking out for Israel’s right to defend itself

At this moment, Israel needs the unwavering support of the American people. Join the American Jewish Committee (AJC) in pushing for all federal, state, and local leaders to unequivocally condemn Hamas and stand with Israel against terror.

Take action now. It only takes 30 seconds.

Participate in the #BlueRibbonsForIsrael Campaign

The blue ribbon symbolizes support for the safe return of the hostages taken by Hamas terrorists in Israel, and solidarity with the hostages, their families and all who care about their safety. Wearing a ribbon or tying them to your trees and mailboxes publicly unites you with people of all religions, races, nationalities, ethnicities, ages and generations and demonstrates to the people of Israel that they are not alone and that good people across the globe are with them during this dark time. Pick up your ribbons at Federation.

Learn more here.

A Note on the Donation of Solider Supplies and Volunteering in Israel

While we greatly understand and appreciate the intent, physical donations are not being collected at this time. The Jewish Federations of North America has put together a list of FAQ’s in response to inquiries about equipment donations for soldiers and opportunities for foreign volunteer opportunities.

You can find the Requests for Donations of Equipment for Soldiers FAQs here.

The Overseas Volunteers in Israel FAQs can be found here.