We are writing to report to you about the ongoing impact of our Toronto Jewish community’s Israel Emergency Campaign, as Israelis continue to rebuild after October 7th. We have three important updates to share:

• The latest news about the difference we are making on the ground, especially the incredible story of Sderot’s transformation these past months, and the announcement of a new allocation.
• The power of collaboration among our partner organizations for supporting recovery.
• How we’re amplifying our impact by bringing together other philanthropic supporters and matching funds for our projects.

We write this report after our Israel & Overseas Committee’s November consultation trip to Israel. Our committee of dedicated volunteer leaders—responsible for allocating Israel Emergency Campaign funds—paid for this and all past trips out-of-pocket. These consultations help us better understand the impact of our partnerships and plan future allocations.

Joining the committee on this consultation were members of UJA’s Board of Directors, including outgoing chair Jeff Rosenthal, incoming chair Ken Tanenbaum, and treasurer Glennie Lindenberg. We deeply appreciate their commitment and leadership during this critical time for our efforts in Israel.

Our Impact in Israel

Since October 7th, our top priority has been supporting recovery for those Israelis hardest hit by the war. We have been working intensely in northern and southern Israel, especially with our partner city, Sderot, and its neighbouring municipalities in the Western Negev.

In southern Israel, an extraordinary comeback story is unfolding thanks to your support. Our targeted investments in local leadership development, mental health, and education—amplified by millions of matching dollars from other partners—are transforming Sderot and its neighbouring areas. For example, because of our partnerships:

• Close to 87 percent of regional residents who can do so have returned home successfully. 
• All the children of Sderot will now have access to mental health services in their schools through 20 mental health stations and therapy programs.
• Tens of thousands of children under the age of six are being assessed by local and national health specialists and will be receiving a personalized plan to aid them in their recovery.

The situation in the north is different, and more challenging due to several serious barriers to recovery. In contrast with the south, there is weaker regional co-ordination, municipal leadership, and public service availability in the north; the Israeli government has been slower in budgeting for rehabilitation there; and many of the philanthropic groups operating in the north at the start of the war are no longer present. Importantly, it is also unclear how many of the north’s 60,000 displaced residents plan on returning home after being away for so long. Regional depopulation would undermine long-term recovery.

Thankfully, the lessons we have learned from rebuilding the south provide a strong foundation as we pivot our focus to supporting the devastated communities of the north. Our continued investment and commitment will be crucial in helping these areas recover and thrive once again.

To that end, we are proud to announce a $100,000 allocation to our partner, the JDC, to support the development of educational initiatives in northern Israel. This funding is part of a larger $2.8 million investment together with the JDC, UJA Federation of New York, Jewish Federations of North America, and other Canadian partners. This multi-faceted initiative will address immediate local needs, while also laying the groundwork for a long-term strategy to rebuild the north. We remain committed to being a strong partner in fostering resilience and strength in this hard-hit region. (Please click here for a full list of all Israel Emergency Campaign allocations made to date.)

The Power of Collaboration

During our committee’s consultation trip in November, we hosted a one-day conference with senior leaders from our partner organizations, all playing critical roles in rebuilding the north, the Western Negev, Sderot, and surrounding communities. Our goals for the conference were gaining a better understanding of the critical work of our partners; exploring key issues related to the recovery of the Western Negev region; and uncovering what areas of work could be made more impactful through further collaborations, all while exchanging knowledge, experiences, and ideas from our work together so far.

Our Toronto Jewish community has achieved so much in just over a year since October 7th because of a foundation laid long before the crisis. We have a dedicated team in Israel, working directly with local partners, and our committee conducts regular visits to assess the impact of our projects and plan future initiatives. For years, we have been working on the ground, investing in projects that strengthened the resilience of Sderot and other southern communities. These long-standing relationships and deep trust have been key to our success.

Amplifying Impact Through Matching Funds

This collaborative approach also allows us to seize unique opportunities for transformative investments, bringing together multiple philanthropic partners to create an exponential, lasting impact. For example, we recently announced that Israel Emergency Campaign funds would establish a special fund to support Sderot’s long-term recovery and rehabilitation. Our $20 million allocation through the Sderot Foundation is being matched by an incredible $1.8 billion from additional partners.

To put this into perspective: for every dollar generously donated by members of our Toronto Jewish community, $90 is being added through this partnership. This translates into hundreds of millions of dollars that will transform Sderot—ensuring its future as a cornerstone of southern Israel’s prosperity and stability.

Thank You for Standing with Israelis

During our November consultation trip, we felt the immense gratitude of Israelis everywhere we visited. They deeply appreciate the friendship of our Toronto Jewish community and the way we stood by them during their darkest moment. For Israelis, the support of our community is a beacon of hope and strength. Together, we should all feel incredibly proud of the impact we are making.

The road to recovery will be long, and the situation on the ground continues to evolve. But one thing is certain: Toronto’s partnership with Israelis will remain steadfast. We will continue to allocate Israel Emergency Campaign funds thoughtfully, focusing on the greatest opportunities to make a lasting difference.

Thank you for your unwavering support. To learn more about all of our allocations to date and their impact, click here to review the full list.

Am Yisrael Chai,

Berry Meyerowitz and Adir Koschitzky
Co-Chairs, Israel & Overseas Committee
UJA Federation of Greater Toronto