Charity Page
Jewish National Fund is a non-profit organization founded in 1901. Its genesis was inspired by Theodore Herzel who stood before the delegates Fifth Zionist Congress in Basel, Switzerland and delivered a passionate plea for the immediate establishment of a national fund that would purchase land for a Jewish State in Ottoman-controlled Palestine.
Over the past 109 years, JNF has evolved into a global environmental leader by planting 250 million trees, building over 210 reservoirs and dams, developing over 250,000 acres of land, creating more than 1,000 parks, providing the infrastructure for over 1,000 communities, bringing life to the Negev Desert and educating students around the world about Israel and the environment.
AFMDA is Israel’s ambulance, blood-services, and disaster-relief organization, serving as emergency medical first responders for the state’s 8 million people. MDA is the only organization mandated by the Israeli government to serve in this role, but it’s not a government agency, so it relies on people like you for funding. Through your gift, you’re saving thousands of Israeli lives.
Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (FIDF) was established in 1981 by a group of Holocaust survivors to provide for education and well being of the men and women who serve in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) as well as the families of fallen soldiers. Headquartered in New York City, FIDF is a 501c3 not-for-profit corporation that operates 15 regional offices in the United States and Panama.
The American Jewish Committee is one of the oldest Jewish advocacy organizations worldwide. Established in 1906 to help protect Russian Jews from the pogroms, it has since spoken out on the behalf of Jews in vulnerable communities across the world. Take note of the AJC’s special projects, which include:
- Its blog, the AJC Wire
- The AJC Archives (an amazing historical and cultural resource)
- The Green Project, which seeks to make its national offices compliant with LEED (the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Green Building Rating System)
American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee
The Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (aka the JDC or “the Joint”) helps vulnerable Jewish and non-Jewish populations worldwide. Its primary program areas are; rescue, relief and recovery, renewal, and Israel. The JDC supports global hunger relief and causes close to the interests of the Jewish people in more than 70 countries worldwide. In addition to providing for the world's poorest Jews in a variety of countries, the organization also seeks to promote Jewish culture and Jewish leaders. In 2007, the group won the prestigious Israel Prize, the Israeli equivalent to the Nobel Prize, for its work around the world.
Anti-Defamation League
Hadassah, the Women's Zionist Organization of America, is a volunteer organization that inspires a passion for and commitment to its partnership with the land and people of Israel. It enhances the health of people worldwide through its support of medical care and research at the Hadassah Medical Organization in Jerusalem.
Hadassah empowers its members and supporters, as well as youth in Israel and America through opportunities for personal growth, education, advocacy, and Jewish continuity. Hadassah has long been renowned as the central address for Jewish women’s philanthropy. Hadassah is probably best known for its support of medical organizations.
PEF/ Israel Endowment Funds
PEF was established in 1922 by Justice Brandeis, Rabbi Stephen Wise, Robert Szold and a group of distinguished Americans to enable the direct distribution of funds to selected and approved charitable organizations in Israel. PEF invites gifts, bequests and contributions for specific purposes and institutions. As specifically requested by contributors, PEF grants (now totaling over $1 billion) have touched almost every facet of Israeli life.
Areas of support include, but are not limited to: primary and secondary education; supporting scientific research; promoting greater tolerance and understanding between religious and secular communities and between Arabs and Jews; the special needs of women, children and families in distress; special education and education for the gifted; veterans programs; drug abuse; promotion of the arts; and relief for the handicapped.
United Jewish Community Federations
Jordan River Village: The place in the Middle East where seriously ill children - can just be kids.
This unique endeavor was a dream of its founders Murray and Marilyn Grant and spearheaded by Chaim Topol (Star of Fiddler on the Roof) and Sara Lahat. After years of fundraising efforts with international and Israeli donors and foundations, and working with the Israeli government, the Jordan River Village opened in August 2011.
By creating free, fun-filled, memorable, empowering, medically sound and safe camping experiences, the Jordan River Village enriches the lives of children of all ethnic and religious backgrounds in Israel, who suffer from a chronic or life-threatening illness. The Village’s 60-acre, wheelchair-accessible campus in the Lower Galilee of Israel is the only camp of its kind in the Middle East. Open year-round, the Village can accommodate up to 64 campers during each session.