WE INVEST IN ISRAEL & OVERSEAS

 

Over the past 69 years, UJA Federation of Greater Toronto has established an exceptional bond with the State of Israel including investments in Aliyah and absorption, vulnerable populations, education, healthcare, and cutting-edge technology. Because UJA seeds innovative initiatives aligned with our strategic plan we attract tactical partnerships, multiplying donors’ dollars by leveraging millions more from the Israeli government, Israeli philanthropists and private foundations for a significantly bigger impact.
UJA is also a vital supporter of humanitarian relief and rescue efforts for Jews around the world living in war zones such as Ukraine and in areas of growing anti-Semitism such as France.

PARTNERSHIPS WITH COMMUNITIES IN ISRAEL

 

A number of years ago, UJA Federation’s Israel and Overseas Committee determined that the primary focus of UJA’s future investments in all three partnership regions - Sderot, Bat Yam and Eilat/Eilot - should be in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education. The aim of the initiative was to increase the number of high school students who graduate with a full diploma in Sciences, and then proceed to study STEM subjects in university. Since its inception, more than 5,000 children have participated in various STEM programs.

  • SDEROT

    • Over the past couple of years, specialized programs have been developed to improve the performance of students from kindergarten age all the way through college. Through STEEM (Science Technology Engineering English and Math) Education Program:

      • 360 kindergarten children are learning math through Robotics programs
      • 500 elementary school children are enjoying the use of five new science laboratories
      • 200 junior high school students are benefitting from additional English classes

      Teachers have been trained with special emphasis on STEM and counseling is offered regularly to thousands of young people through the Netivim program. The Netivim Young Adults Center provides educational guidance and job counseling to thousands of young people. To date, 250 students have received full college scholarships.

      In the most recent matriculation reports, Sderot ranked as the #1 city, within the southern region of Israel, with the highest number of students who graduated.

  • EILAT/EILOT

    • The Eilat/Eilot region, similar to other remote areas in Israel, continues to experience difficulty keeping up with the demand for high level education services, healthcare services and employment opportunities.

      Through STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Math) Education Program:

      • 2,541 pupils are currently involved in STEM Programs in Eilat and Eilot
      • 2 Joint STEM programs have been set up with Elementary Schools in Eilat and Toronto
      • Increase of 20% in pupils choosing an advanced mathematics track in Eilot
  • BAT YAM

    • Nearly 40% of Bat Yam’s residents are immigrants from Ethiopia, the former Soviet Union, Ukraine and France. Despite its close proximity to Tel Aviv, Bat Yam is set within Israel’s socio-economic margins. With almost no industrial or commercial base, Bat Yam is solely dependent on government funding.

      UJA Federation partnered with the city of Bat Yam to advance this community and accelerate its integration.

      In 2016, 1,000 students participated in STEM programs. In addition to supporting STEM education in Bat Yam, UJA Federation also invests in: vocational training in various fields (nursing, early childhood education, bookkeeping, bus driving and more); afterschool educational enrichment for children and youth.

      Through STEEM (Science Technology Engineering English and Math) Education Program:

      • 780 pupils are receiving access to advance Math, Science and English programs in Bat Yam
      • 700 children are provided with field trips to science and technology centers in Israel
      • Hundreds of children are participating in Cyber and Science competitions throughout the year
      • 18 young Ethiopian adults received scholarships to study Nursing

PROGRAMS FUNDED THROUGH THE JEWISH AGENCY FOR ISRAEL (JAFI)

 

The Jewish Agency for Israel inspires Jews throughout the world to connect with their People, heritage, and homeland, and empower them to build a thriving Jewish future and a strong Israel. For more than 80 years, the Jewish Agency has served as the link between Diaspora Jews worldwide and Israel. Some of UJA Federation’s investments in the Jewish Agency include:

  • ALIYAH & RESCUE

    • UJA Federation has helped over three million Jews relocate to Israel since Israel’s inception. Through JAFI, Jews from areas such as Ukraine, Iran, Tunisia, and France are able to fulfill their Zionist dreams, often leaving behind growing insecurity.

  • MASA ISRAEL JOURNEY

    • The Masa Israel Journey is the leader in immersive international experiences in Israel for young adults (18-30). Its diverse portfolio of study abroad, internship, service learning, or Jewish studies programs help young adults grow as professionals and leaders. Since its founding in 2004 over 120,000 young people from more than 60 countries have participated in Masa Israel programs.

  • YOUNG ALIYAH

    • JAFI offers specialized Aliyah absorption programs designed to help young olim (ages 18-35) and students take their first steps to a lifetime in Israel. Programs are located in every region of Israel and offer diverse services such as Hebrew language courses on kibbutzim and in cities; preparation for college or graduate studies; guidance for employment; and preparation for IDF enlisting.

  • AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR SENIORS

    • Amigour, JAFI’s leading sheltered housing company, operates 57 sheltered housing projects throughout Israel, serving more than 7,500 vulnerable senior citizens, the majority of whom are Holocaust survivors along with others who participated in World War II as soldiers and as partisans. For a nominal monthly fee, residents enjoy independent living in their own apartment within a tight-knit community. In addition to meeting the physical needs of this special population, Amigour provides a wide variety of social and cultural services that enhance the quality of life of its residents.

  • YOUTH FUTURES - MENTORING FOR YOUTH AT RISK

    • Youth Futures is a nationwide program that provides youth at risk with comprehensive, tailored intervention to enable them to take their place as independent, productive members of society. At the heart of the program are professionally trained mentors - some 300 young adult Israeli social pioneers - who work full time to build a strong relationship with children and their parents. The program serves nearly 10,000 youth in 32 localities, primarily in the Negev and Galilee.

PARTNERSHIP WITH THE AMERICAN JOINT DISTRIBUTION COMMITTEE (JDC)

 

JDC is the world’s leading Jewish humanitarian assistance organization, impacting millions of lives of the world’s poorest and most vulnerable Jews in more than 70 countries. Their efforts help revitalize Jewish life in remote communities, build tomorrow’s leadership among Jewish youth, and rescue victims of global emergencies. In 2016, the JDC provided relief from global disasters to 68,000 direct beneficiaries from the following countries: Afghanistan, Ecuador, Ethiopia, Haiti, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Macedonia, Nepal, Philippines, Sri Lanka and Turkey.

Examples of JDC's work worldwide include:

UJA's partnership in Bat Yam offers hundreds of Ethiopian Israelis, like Meytal, an opportunity to study in a 3-year nursing program, uplifting their spirit and socio-economic mobility.

Youth Participants

in Masa Israel programs since 2004

Direct Beneficiaries

of global disaster relief from the American JDC

Children

enrolled in various STEM initiatives across Sderot, Eilat/Eilot, and Bat Yam.