Operation Rising Lion: Four Days In—What Funders Should Know

Dear friends and partners,

Four days into the unprecedented missile attacks on Israel, we wanted to give you an update of needs and developments on the ground. As of now, there are at least 24 fatalities and hundreds of injured. As horrific as these figures are, they are lower than what the authorities had estimated in this scenario. Shelters and mamadim (safe rooms) are proving highly effective in saving lives. The IDF Home Front Command has improved its alert system and now Israelis have between 15 and 30 minutes to get to the shelters. Yet, no system is perfect and, sadly, more casualties are expected.

JFN has activated the coordination mechanisms we set up after Oct 7^th and we are in constant communication with the IDF Home Front Command, the Prime Minister’s office, the Civil Society umbrella organization, the national volunteer council, and the local municipalities. Our role is to provide funders with updated information on the needs and how they can help. The IDF Home Front Command is emerging as an able and effective coordinating body in the crisis.

As always in these situations, the “fog of war” is dense and there are many open questions. However, we are able to share some specific observations and general recommendations:

• As we said in our previous update, funders need to “pace themselves.” The full scope of needs is still unclear and the duration of the crisis is a big unknown that may affect the philanthropic response. So far, it’s important to “keep a finger on the pulse” and see how needs evolve. As a funder, you can “put money aside,” but don’t rush to allocate all of it until there’s a clearer picture of the long term needs.

• As of now, there are 2,765 evacuees hosted in 8 hotels. Naturally, this figure rises after every barrage. The evacuees receive a first subsidy from the Welfare Ministry, which is distributed to them via local municipalities. There is some concern about the long-term solution for the evacuees as the government hasn’t yet decided on a mechanism to assist them beyond the immediate crisis. Most of these evacuees don’t have homes to return to and their displacement may last for months or years.

• There was concern about the lack of a “central address” for people impacted by the crisis. For example, those whose homes were hit need to turn to one office for an insurance payment, another for temporary needs, and so forth. The local municipalities are stepping as a coordinating body for folks in their catchment areas.

• In general, local municipalities are much nimbler and more effective than the central government. It also helps that many of the cities affected are not peripheral but have resources and systems in place, some of which is thanks to the joint work of philanthropy and the non-profit sector with these municipalities to set up mechanisms after October 7th. Funders are encouraged to check with those municipalities with which they have ongoing relationships.

• Many groups and programs (like Birthright and Masa) are stranded in Israel. They have worked out temporary solutions, like moving participants to low-risk areas, and they are working on plans to help those who wish to leave the country. Funders should reach out to those organizations as this will make them incur unexpected expenses.

• There are between 100,000 and 200,000 Israelis stranded overseas. EL AL and Arkia airlines have started to register folks who seek to return and adjudicating seats in flights by priority order. These flights will start operating in the next 72 hours. Still, many Israelis will remain stranded and may need assistance: places to stay, medical supplies, etc. Israeli-American organizations and Israeli consulates across the world can be of assistance.

• As said, shelters and mamadim save lives. However, 28% of Israelis (2.6 million people) don’t have access to approved shelters, and 60% don’t have a mamad, as those did not become mandatory in new buildings until 1992. While the first impulse was to provide miguniot (mobile shelters) to peripheral locations, that recommendation is now revised since only special mobile shelters are effective against ballistic missiles. Organizations are working with the IDF HFC to deploy those. Contact us for more information.

• Since a lot of Israelis depend on public shelters, it’s important to provide supplies and activities for children in those places. Several organizations are working on that. Since schools and summer activities are closed, families need help with children’s activities – organizations like IsraAID, Pitchon Lev, Latet, and Chamal Ezrachi are helping.

• Related to that, the stress on Israeli families is mounting. Families with members in reserve duty are particularly hard-hit. The effect here is cumulative as many citizens have been in and out of reserve duty for the past 620 days. The suspension of economic activity is hitting small businesses and freelance laborers particularly hard. If the crisis continues for weeks, these people will need economic support.

• First responders are stretched thin both physically and psychologically. Some are being injured in the line of duty. If the situation continues over time, this population will require special attention and support.

• Hospitals are moving a significant part of their operations underground. While building underground facilities takes time, some medical centers have improvised solutions, like moving patients to underground parking. These measures require resources that so far the government has been able to provide, but it’s foreseeable that very soon hospitals will need our support. Providing respite, childcare, and trauma counseling for the staff is particularly important at this stage.

• As we said in the previous update, please check with your grantees. The civil sector in Israel is under stress. Many organizations find it hard to operate while the spouses of their staff are on reserve duty, and with no school or childcare support. Some organizations depend on income-generating activities that are now suspended. For nonprofits, knowing that we have their backs goes a long way.

• Last, but certainly not least, mental health and trauma are big concerns. Trauma organizations (like Natal or Eran) have been building infrastructure since Oct 7^th and those efforts are now being utilized. Some, for example, offer online support for folks in shelters. Yet, the level of trauma is going to be massive, and we foresee increased needs in that area.

Again, we are in awe at the spirit of the Israeli people and we’re enormously grateful to our staff and members on the ground. JFN members have been directly impacted by this crisis—our hearts, support, and unwavering solidarity are with them.

As always in a crisis, networking and communications are essential, so please, share with us what you’re hearing and/or doing on the ground. We aim to serve as a clearinghouse of needs and ideas for our members and beyond.

If you need guidance, please reach out to us or to Anat Danis.

Stay strong and pray for swift victory and peace.

Andrés and Sigal

Andrés Spokoiny
President and CEO
Jewish Funders Network

Sigal Yaniv Feller
Executive Director, JFN Israel
Jewish Funders Network