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UJA Federation of Greater Toronto Allocates $1.5 Million for Emergency Aid

The Jewish community in Toronto is allocating C$1.5 million in emergency aid for victims of terror in Israel, including grants, rehabilitation, and strengthening mental resilience, in partnership with The Jewish Agency for Israel (The Jewish Agency) and the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC), for the benefit of residents in frontline areas.

As Israel copes with the consequences of the recent security events, the Jewish community in Toronto is mobilizing to support residents in conflict zones. UJA Federation of Greater Toronto announced a significant emergency allocation of C$1.5 million, intended to strengthen the humanitarian response and provide direct support to those affected.

Immediate Support for Victims of Terror

The difficult data from the field reflects an urgent need: 15 people killed, more than 3,400 injured, and approximately 3,000 individuals evacuated from their homes to hotels. In response, UJA allocated C$1 million to The Jewish Agency’s Fund for Victims of Terror.

This assistance will translate on the ground into the following actions:

  • Emergency grants: immediate initial aid of approximately C$1,800 to affected families.
  • Long-term rehabilitation: financial support for bereaved families, the injured, and those whose homes were completely destroyed.
  • Community resilience: targeted programs to strengthen the mental well-being of vulnerable populations, with an emphasis on the elderly and children.

Strategic Partnership with the JDC

At the same time, UJA’s Israel & Overseas Committee approved an additional C$500,000 for JDC. This collaboration is intended to leverage the organization’s extensive aid infrastructure in co-ordination with local authorities and government ministries.

The funding will focus on two critical tracks:

  • Humanitarian aid in affected areas: logistical support and urgent resources for local authorities in impacted cities.
  • “Ad Habayit” (To the Home) initiative: personalized support for evacuated families in finding permanent housing solutions, accessing their rights with the state, and assistance in returning to normal life.

“The Jewish community in Toronto stands with the citizens of Israel in these difficult moments,” said William Kleinbaum, CEO of the Federation’s Israel office. “Given the high number of casualties, our commitment is to ensure that aid reaches those in need quickly and efficiently, while building community resilience that will endure beyond the immediate crisis.”

UJA Federation of Greater Toronto, which operates in Israel through Jewish Federations of Canada-UIA, continues to closely monitor evolving needs on the ground and co-ordinates its efforts with partners in Israel to provide a flexible and rapid response to any scenario.

The original article is on Maariv’s website in Hebrew.