In these troubled times, when there are many questions and concerns about the actions of the current Israeli government, questions also arise around the Jewish Federation of Greater Ann Arbor’s Israel/Overseas allocations from the Annual Community Campaign.
“We hear from donors who do not want their gifts to be spent in support of governmental policies with which they do not agree,” says Federation’s Communications and Development Director Rachel Wall. “Ann Arborites also tell us they don’t want their donations to be used to fund projects in occupied territories.”
Since 2002, the Ann Arbor Jewish Federation has been a pioneer in allocating funds to projects and initiatives in Israel and globally that reflect the local community’s values, and “we are proud of the impact we have had,” says Wall.
Historically, Federations in communities across North America have sent their overseas allocations to a collective body. This body has changed names and organizational structures over the years; today, the existing network of Federations is part of Jewish Federations of North America. The greater Ann Arbor Federation, in partnership with Federations across the continent, continues to contribute collectively to the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC), the Jewish Agency for Israel and World ORT. In addition, the local Federation has chosen to make elective allocations directly to Israeli NGO’s doing important work related to its key priorities:
- promoting religious pluralism,
- fostering Jewish/Arab understanding and cooperation,
- assisting Israel’s minority and disadvantaged populations,
- supporting environmental efforts,
- aiding Jews in need in Israel and around the world, and
- strengthening Ann Arbor’s relationship with its partnership community in Moshav Nahalal and in the Central Galilee Partnership region.
“We are proud of our long record of supporting organizations that work towards building a strong shared civil society and address the needs of those in greatest need,” says Federation’s Israel and Overseas Programs Manager Amichay Findling. “We are confident in sharing that no community campaign funds are spent on projects in the occupied territories, nor in support of governmental activities.”
This month, the Federation shares some information about the Jewish Agency, which it funds through both its collective allocations and elective funding for specific Jewish Agency initiatives. In the future editions of the WJN, you’ll be able to learn about the JDC and World ORT, as well as Federation’s targeted elective allocations.
Jewish Agency for Israel
The Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI) is one of the more misunderstood organizations the Federation supports because it once served as the Jewish pre-state “government” in mandate Palestine. It continued to serve as a quasi-governmental bureaucracy for many years. However, JAFI is not your grandfather’s Jewish Agency. Its mission is to act “collectively to strengthen Israel and the Jewish people worldwide—by advancing Aliyah as a core value, deepening connections between our global Jewish family, supporting the resilience and security of global Jewish communities, and encouraging every Jewish person to engage with Israel.”
Advancing Aliyah
What many people don’t realize is that advancing Aliyah—immigration to Israel—often includes both public and behind-the-scenes rescues of Jews in danger – from Ukrainian Jews fleeing Russian invasion to covert operations helping Jews in Yemen and Iran escape to Israel. Living in Israel continues to be an aim for Jews around the world for ideological reasons and/or to flee rampant antisemitism, and the Jewish Agency is there to help.
Connections
The Jewish Agency refers to their work deepening connections as creating “living bridges” between Israel and the diaspora. Many of the programs that foster these connections and a more nuanced and complex understanding of Israeli society exist in the greater Ann Arbor community. In August, the greater Ann Arbor community welcomed the second pair of “ShinShinim” to town. These Israeli young adults spend a year of service (shnat sherut) here, bringing with them Israeli art, culture, and connection. Departing ShinShinim, Danielle and Lahav, touched the hearts and minds of people from across the religious and political spectrum and left a lasting legacy of connection. You can learn more about the program elsewhere in this edition of the WJN. Likewise, the Israel Fellow at UM Hillel comes through the Jewish Agency to offer to Israel-related programs and connections for the campus community.
Through the Jewish Agency, Ann Arbor has developed its years-long partnership with Moshav Nahalal, hosted summer camp emissaries (shlichim), and sent Ann Arbor area children on meaningful Israel gap year and semester experiences through Masa Israel Journey supported programs.
Security & Resilience
Another aspect of JAFI’s work is supporting the resilience and security of communities in Israel and around the world. Just last year, the Jewish Agency, through its Security Assistance Fund, invested over $5.5 million in strengthening the security and preparedness of Jewish communities in 43 countries around the world. This fund, which was initially established in 2012, has enabled communities to implement resilience training and enhanced security measures such as security cameras, armored doors and more. These security enhancements have saved actual lives, most notably during a 2019 shooting at a synagogue in Halle, Germany.
In addition, thanks to its existing presence on the ground in 65+ countries worldwide, JAFI is able to provide immediate material, logistical and psychological support in the wake of major upheaval, such as Russia’s attack on Ukraine, or after acts of antisemitism, like the November 2024 mob-instigated antisemitic attacks against Israelis and Jews following a Europa League soccer match.
And JAFI also attends to those in need inside Israel. Since October 7 and through 2024, the Jewish Agency’s Fund for Victims of Terror has distributed 8,425 emergency grants to victims and families, enabling them to tend to immediate needs after an incident without worrying about how to pay for them. The 3,369 rehabilitation grants JAFI has distributed since 10/7 include supporting the families of those killed and injured by Hezbollah’s rocket attack on a soccer field in the Druze community of Majdal Shams in July 2024, as well as an additional 60,000 ILS in special emergency aid to help the community rebuild.
In addition, JAFI has invested in small businesses that have suffered due to the ongoing war, security situation, and reserve call ups; helped tens of thousands of evacuees meet vital basic needs; and sent more than 1,000 teens impacted by the war and evacuation to Jewish summer camps throughout North America for respite and connection.
Youth Futures
Since 2020, the Ann Arbor area community has been helping at-risk youth and their families through direct funding to the Jewish Agency’s Youth Futures program in Nazareth/Nof HaGalil. Youth Futures, one of Israel’s leading positive-intervention programs, partners skilled mentors with at-risk children for a sustained period of cooperative learning and growth. Ann Arbor’s local support of the branch based in Nazareth/Nof HaGalil serves Jewish, Christian and Muslim children from across the spectrum of observance all together and offers an important social service in Ann Arbor’s Partnership region.
Federation CEO Eileen Freed visited the Youth Futures branch in Nazareth/Nof HaGalil, located within Ann Arbor’s Partnership Region, in summer 2024.
The Jewish Agency is a vast organization with numerous projects in Israel and around the world, from youth villages to senior housing. You can learn more at jewishagency.org and see their 2024 Impact report at 2024.jewishagency.org.
The Jewish Federation’s team is available to answer any questions or concerns you have about programs and initiatives it funds in Israel and around the world. You can contact Federation’s Israel and Overseas Programs Manager Amichay Findling (amichay@jewishannarbor.org) to continue the conversation.
Eileen Freed is the CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater Ann Arbor.