It’s been just over a week since dozens of fires scorched Israel, and UJA’s overseas partner, the Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI),  continues to look after those affected by the various blazes.

Assistance for Homeless Families
After coordinating with the Jewish Federations of North America and Keren Hayesod, JAFI will be distributing special grants immediately to families who have lost their homes due to the fires. Currently the estimate is that there are around 700 such families, and they will be receiving a grant of $1,000 per family. 

Amigour 
When Amigour, Israel’s leading sheltered housing company located in Haifa caught fire, Amigour stepped up to provide shelter to nearly 30 elderly residents, who were evacuated from their facility to the newly-expanded Amigour building in Kiryat Yam.

The fact that JAFI is two months ahead of schedule on that construction was especially fortuitous. JAFI received permission to open the new floors ahead of schedule to provide solutions for these elderly individuals whose long-term care facility was on fire.

JAFI salutes the Amigour staff for their hard and dedicated work throughout the last few days in helping these individuals feel safe.

Amigour directs rehabilitation for war damages to properties on behalf of the Israeli government. It is prepared, at the request of the state, to manage the repair and, in some cases, renovation, of those facilities that are determined to have been damaged as the result of arson.

Hanita Absorption Center
As the fire spread in Haifa, JAFI staff deployed a special team to evacuate our Absorption Center in the Neve Sha’anan neighborhood. The team visited each apartment and guided the olim in preparing for temporary relocation. They also prepared apartments in Kiryat Yam and buses for the transfer. Luckily, firefighters were able to stop the flames on the ridge in front of the absorption center, so an evacuation was averted.

Throughout the country, our professional staff have reviewed fire safety guidelines at absorption centers, ulpanim, and other Jewish Agency facilities.