Category: Crisis Response & Resilience

On Friday, February 27, just before Shabbat, Inbal called her family in Israel with a question that had become all too familiar: Are you prepared for every possible scenario?

They told her they had already been ready for weeks. In many ways, everyone felt that something was coming. And yet, as she would soon learn, nothing can truly prepare you for war.

Inbal is part of the Community Shlichim program, a partnership between The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington and The Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI), which brings Israeli emissaries to our region to deepen connection and bring Israeli life and perspective into our community. Originally from a small town in northern Israel, Inbal now finds herself navigating the distance between two realities—supporting the Greater Washington community while her own family lives through the unfolding crisis at home.

Here is her story:

When Sirens Began

The night of February 27 on the East Coast, Saturday morning in Israel, I received a news alert: sirens were sounding across Israel. I immediately called my father, sensing that this might be the beginning of a war with Iran. He told me that he was already on his way to his military base to report for reserve duty.

My thoughts then turned to my grandfather, who goes to synagogue early every Shabbat morning. That day, we could not reach him. He only realized what had begun when he returned home from prayer. Our whole family was tense, worried a siren might go off while he was still outside and unprepared.

That was Shabbat morning in Israel.

Between Fear and Joy

The war began during the holiday of Purim. Purim is meant to be one of the happiest holidays, a time to dress up, celebrate, laugh, and be together, filled with joy and light. And yet, in Israel, the transition between sadness and joy is something we know all too well, and sometimes the distance between them is only a matter of hours. In a strange and almost ironic way, 2,500 years after the story of Purim, it can feel as though we are witnessing another Purim story unfolding, another moment in which the Jewish people are called upon to stand strong.

Holding Two Realities

Since that morning, I have spoken with my family almost every day. My grandfather continues to go to synagogue, still without taking his phone. When sirens sound, he says they simply continue praying, even though the stress is very real. He maintains his routine because, as he explained to me, staying at home for so long is not healthy, neither mentally nor physically.

Many of my family members and friends have also been called for reserve duty, some for the seventh time since October 7. They are exhausted, and yet they tell me that they understand the importance of this moment. They hold on to the hope that after this round, there will finally be a few years of quiet.

Meanwhile, being here in Washington as an Israeli shlicha during a time like this is deeply complex. On the one hand, I feel a strong responsibility to be present with the community, to continue showing up, and to create connection and meaning around what is happening. On the other hand, there is a constant feeling of distance, and with it, the fear of being disconnected from everything unfolding back home.

A Community to be Proud Of

Nevertheless, I feel incredibly fortunate to be part of the Greater Washington Jewish community, a community that truly cares. Every day, people ask me how my family is doing. They check in. They engage in conversations about what is happening. This support helps me stay connected and grounded, while also allowing me to find a sense of balance.

Perhaps most unexpectedly, it is the young children in the community who help me the most in these moments. They bring me into their world of imagination, stories, and innocence, and for brief moments, they allow me to breathe.

Through this experience, I have come to understand that the message I bring here is my sense of responsibility. If the people in Israel can continue to demonstrate resilience, courage, and strength every single day, then I must carry and reflect that same resilience here as well. After all, the story of the Jewish people has always been one of resilience, of facing darkness and still choosing light.

With Hope for Spring

As the war enters its fifth week, we now find ourselves approaching Passover, the holiday of freedom and spring. Passover tells the story of leaving Egypt, of moving from slavery to freedom, and of becoming who we are meant to be. In this moment, I find myself hoping that this Passover will bring a sense of freedom for all of us—the freedom to live openly as who we are, proud of our Israeli and Jewish identities; to walk with our flag and our Star of David without fear; and to live without the routine of war, without constantly seeking the nearest shelter.

Passover also marks the arrival of spring, a season of renewal, when everything begins to grow again after the storms. There is something deeply powerful in that connection: just as strong trees withstand the storm, we see resilience, and like flowers that bloom in the fields, we see new beginnings. Perhaps that is the Jewish people’s story—to hold both, and to remember that if we want to see the rainbow, we must first be willing to stand in the rain.

Learn more about our Community Shlichim program.

On March 1, the city of Beit Shemesh, located in the hills near Jerusalem, was rocked by a direct strike from an Iranian missile. In the immediate aftermath, The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington mobilized our network of on-the-ground partners to rapidly assess urgent needs and direct emergency support where it would have the greatest impact. We quickly identified the Zinman Community Center as a critical anchor for relief and recovery.

The Zinman Community Center has been dedicated to serving the city’s most vulnerable residents for many years, including lower income elderly and young Ethiopian Israelis. Located just one block from the site of the missile strike, the Center was able to respond immediately—opening its doors to first responders and survivors within an hour of the attack.

In the wake of a missile strike, Israelis are often left navigating uncertainty: damaged or inhabitable homes, injured loved ones, and the ongoing stress and anxiety caused by further sirens and attacks. In those first critical hours, speed and coordination were essential to ensure there was a clear, trusted place to turn for support.

From community center to support hub

Because of its longstanding relationship with the Center, Federation was able to act quickly and decisively, recognizing that the Center was not only well-known within the community, but also strategically positioned to meet the moment. With Federation’s emergency funding, the Center became a Family Support Hub for the neighborhood. Staff and volunteers helped residents file government claims for damaged property, access other government and local benefits, and connect with social workers for psychological support.

At the same time, Federation’s support made it possible for the Center to bring moments of normalcy and joy. Children and families were able to gather in the immediate days following the strike to celebrate Purim, enjoying a party outside and in the Center’s mamad (safe room) when needed. Volunteers assembled and delivered warm meals and activity kits to elderly Holocaust survivors who remained in the area. Every day, the Center helps hundreds of residents find connection, relief, and support from each other.

What made this possible

At a moment of crisis in Israel, Federation’s role is to act quickly and strategically—activating trusted local partners who are already embedded in their communities, so support reaches people quickly and where it matters most. Through its support for the Zinman Community Center, Federation is helping residents of Beit Shemesh recover, rebuild, and remain resilient in the face of immense challenges.

Learn more about how we are supporting partners in Israel during the current crisis.

Prepared by Jewish Federations of North America’s Israel Office
Shared by The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington

Jewish Federations of North America’s Israel Office has issued a detailed update on the rapidly evolving conflict between Israel, the United States, and Iran, including developments in Israel, the broader region, and guidance for Jewish institutions.

Following a deadly Iranian missile strike in his hometown of Beit Shemesh, one Federation’s community shaliach (Israeli emissary), Yismaw, shares his personal perspective.

When I was three years old, my family and I made aliyah (immigrated) to Israel from Ethiopia. We settled in Beit Shemesh, a city about thirty minutes from Jerusalem, where I was raised.

To me, Beit Shemesh is much more than just the city where I grew up. It is the place that shaped me, where my childhood and teenage years unfolded, where I forged friendships and created countless memories. Beit Shemesh has always been and always will be my home—it is embedded deep in my heart.

That’s why when I first learned that there was a deadly attack on Beit Shemesh on March 1, the first full day of the war between Israel and Iran, my first instinct was to call my friends and family back home. Everyone is there: my grandfather, my family, my community. Thank God, everyone I called was okay. Sadly, the same can’t be said for many other families in my city.

Being so far away from home during moments like these is not simple. The distance feels heavy, the pull to home and the desire to be there stronger than ever. Yet at the same time, I feel grateful to be here, with my Greater Washington community. I have felt an outpouring of warmth and support from everyone I’ve spoken with. Each person reaching out, asking questions, and genuinely caring about the safety of my family and friends in Israel has created a sense of home for me here.

Thank you for holding my family, my city, and all of Israel in your thoughts and prayers. During this painful and complicated time, this support is what strengthens me.

To learn more about what Federation is doing to support Israel in this time of crisis, including in Beit Shemesh, see here.

Many have already asked how to help. Our current response is being mobilized through existing Federation resources and long-term investments stewarded by the Foundation, enabling swift and accountable action. Those who wish to contribute may do so here.

On Monday, March 9, 2026, The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington’s Israel & Overseas Committee approved $125,000 in emergency allocations to partners in Israel to support urgent medical, humanitarian, and community needs following recent attacks.

In moments of crisis, Federation mobilizes the resources and relationships of our community to ensure help reaches those who need it most.

The allocations approved this week reflect urgent areas of need identified by Federation’s partners across Israel.

Emergency Allocations Supporting Communities Across Israel ($125,000)

Strengthening trauma capacity in northern Israel ($50,000): Federation funding will help expand emergency surgery capacity at Tzafon Medical Center (formerly known as Poriyah), which serves more than 300,000 residents in Israel’s north, where attacks have sharply increased demand for emergency care. The grant will fund the purchase of an additional anesthesia workstation for the hospital’s Trauma Unit.

Supporting vulnerable residents in the Kinneret Valley Cluster ($35,000): Communities in the Kinneret Valley Cluster—one of Federation’s partner regions in Israel, comprising 15 municipalities—remain under threat, with many residents without private shelters in a region where there is often only one minute to reach protection. Federation support will help the Cluster provide transportation to safe spaces during alerts, expand trauma response services, and deliver essential supplies during prolonged emergency conditions.

Standing with victims of terror ($25,000): After an attack, Israelis may be faced with the need to evacuate their homes, receive medical or psychological care, or confront a new reality of grief. Through the Jewish Agency for Israel’s Fund for Victims of Terror, families affected by these attacks receive immediate assistance, including emergency financial support, trauma care, and guidance in the difficult days following injury, displacement, or loss. Federation support helps ensure this rapid-response system is available when families need it most.

Providing community support in Beit Shemesh ($15,000): Following an Iranian missile strike that killed nine civilians and forced evacuations in Beit Shemesh, the Zinman Community Center became a gathering point for affected residents. Federation support is helping the center coordinate emergency programming and provide emotional support for evacuees and survivors.

Federation maintains long-standing relationships with these partners through decades of work with The Jewish Agency for Israel, our response following October 7, and our prior partnership with the city of Beit Shemesh. These connections allow our community to respond quickly and meaningfully when it matters most. They also reflect Federation’s broader Israel strategy: strengthening ties between Greater Washington and communities across Israel.

Once again, our hearts and minds are turned toward Israel as the conflict with Iran continues to unfold. In a briefing this week with Karen Katzman, director of our Israel office, we heard about what life is like in Israel right now. Karen described text messages warning of incoming missiles. Rushing to shelters. Looking after family. Even young kids are now well practiced as to what to do when a siren goes off.

It’s hard watching this from afar. It may also feel hard to figure out what to do. Do we respond based on what we see on the news or what shows up in our inbox? Where are needs most urgent? As we consider Federation’s response, I want to highlight some specific ways that we are thinking about this moment and what we can collectively do to help.

For many decades, since before the creation of the State of Israel, Federation has been working with global organizations to support the needs of Israel and Israelis through our partnership with JDC and the Jewish Agency (JAFI). They continue to be central to an effective response.

For example, the Jewish Agency’s Fund for Victims of Terror provides immediate cash assistance to people who have been displaced or whose family member was injured or killed by rocket attacks. The funds can be used for food, clothes, toothbrushes, diapers, and whatever else they need to get situated. JDC is likewise deploying emergency supplies, running a national mental health initiative, and supporting a network of caseworkers to continue caring for Israel’s vulnerable, among other rapid-response efforts. These are critical and ongoing programs that serve an important and unique role in times of crisis.

Beyond our traditional partners, Federation has also developed new relationships with Israeli communities and organizations since October 7. Take, for instance, Poriya Hospital in the north. Medical professionals are working 12-hour shifts to ensure full coverage. Meanwhile, schools and daycare centers are closed, which means doctors, nurses, and hospital staff need help with childcare. This isn’t something you would hear about on the news, but we know about this need because of the ongoing relationships we’ve established with our network over the past three years. (Federation, in fact, helped get onsite childcare up and running at the hospital following October 7 and the shelling from Hezbollah.)

Finally, we are working closely with local Washington-based synagogues and other organizations to understand their direct relationships in Israel and support them in making a difference. For example, one of our local synagogues is working with their sister congregation in Israel to ensure they can gather safely, with adequate access to shelter space during missile alerts.

Across all these mechanisms, Federation and the Greater Washington Jewish community is well positioned to understand the challenges Israelis are facing beyond the headlines. The relationships we have developed with Israeli leaders and organizations allow us to gain a clearer and more detailed picture of what’s happening on the ground. Together, this enables us to act swiftly, thoughtfully, and effectively to meet emerging needs.

I could go on but what I want you to know is that our community is making a difference. We are showing up for Israel and Israelis by responding to real needs in real time. And we are doing this all thanks to the tireless work of our partners in Israel and the incredible support of our community members. Ultimately, Federation is a conduit for your passion and commitment. Thank you for being there for Israel in this moment and for everything you do for the Jewish people.

A missile siren sounded just before Karen Katzman, Director of The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington’s Israel Office, joined our community for a live update from Israel. 

“Just about 20 minutes ago… I received a siren. Luckily, I have a safe room in my home and just had to go into it, which is just a few meters away from my office. Generally, if we get an alert like that, I have about 90 seconds to move to the shelter.”

Life Under Missile Alerts

Across Israel, families are living with repeated missile alerts. Schools are closed, businesses shuttered, and people are staying close to shelters. In the moments after a strike:

“You see the people emerging in the minutes after the attack… people coming out in shock, holding babies, helping elderly people leave their apartments, holding their dogs and pets. People were sobbing.”

In the midst of all this, Karen said something that stayed with many of us:

“It sounds maybe kind of cliché, but Israelis truly are resilient.”

She also shared joyful moments she’s witnessing:

“Some of you may have seen on social media the clips of Israelis celebrating Purim in the shelters. I saw a clip today that there was even a wedding in an underground shelter in a garage.”

The Toll of Sustained Conflict

Karen spoke about the growing mental health strain:

“For many people, the sirens and the missile attacks are extremely triggering after everything they’ve experienced over the past year and a half.”

Communities are responding to missile strikes, displacement, and the growing emotional toll.

How Our Community Is Responding

Moments like these are why Federation exists: to bring our community together and respond when Jews in Israel need support.

Earlier this week, Federation allocated an initial $250,000 to begin addressing urgent needs.

The full scope of need is still coming into focus, and we are working closely with partners across Israel—from national organizations to municipalities, hospitals, and grassroots groups—to understand how our community can respond in the days and weeks ahead.

For those who want to help today, your gift strengthens our community’s ability to respond quickly and responsibly as needs emerge.

Support our work in Israel

Karen closed with a message to our community:

“It really means a lot to know that we’re not alone and that you’re thinking of us.”

Thank you for standing with Israel and for being part of a community that shows up when it matters most.

May the people of Israel continue to find strength in one another and know that our Jewish community in Greater Washington stands with them.

Watch the full conversation.

As the war with Iran continues to escalate across the region and families across Israel once again take shelter in safe rooms and bomb shelters, we stand firmly with the people of Israel. We mourn the victims of the recent Iranian ballistic missile strike in Beit Shemesh, in which at least nine civilians were killed and dozens were injured. We remain in close communication with partners there as more details emerge.

Immediate Action

Federation is allocating $250,000 to address the urgent needs in Israel. Funds will be directed to existing partners on the ground, including JDC and The Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI), and based on evolving local needs in coordination with community partners.

Over the coming days and weeks, we will continue to evaluate developments carefully to mobilize our community to respond where support is needed most.

Security at Home

JShield, Federation’s community security initiative, remains in regular contact with law enforcement and community partners. While there are no known or anticipated security threats in Greater Washington at this time, we continue to reinforce vigilance and encourage all organizations to continue maintaining the security protocols already in place.

Community members who witness suspicious activity can report an incident here. In an emergency, call 911 immediately.

Organizational security-related questions may be directed to security@shalomdc.org.

Next Steps

Watch a live, firsthand update from Israel. Federation’s Israel Office Director, Karen Katzman, joined Gil Preuss on Wednesday, March 4 on Zoom. Speaking directly from Israel, Karen shared what she is seeing on the ground and what we are hearing from partners across the region.

Read the latest Israel update. Special briefings from the Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) are available on our news page.

Stay informed and engaged. We will continue to post verified briefings and share meaningful ways for our community to respond as the situation evolves.

Many have already asked how to help. Our current response is being mobilized through existing Federation resources and long-term investments stewarded by the Foundation, enabling swift and accountable action. Those who wish to contribute may do so here.

Learn more about or support our ongoing work in Israel.

Photo credit: L: Erik Marmor/Getty Image; R: Rami Slush/Reuters

Purim typically conjures images of costumes and raucous merriment, and rightfully so. But the holiday also carries with it a special commandment, matanot la’evyonim, to give directly to those in need. Amid our revelry, we are called to ensure our joy is shared and that no one is left behind.

At Federation, this mitzvah animates our work throughout the year. We know that many people are struggling throughout the community and that Jewish poverty is real and often hidden. Families facing job loss, rising housing costs, medical bills, mental illness, or unexpected crises can quickly find themselves struggling to make ends meet. Last year, through our partnerships and targeted investments, Federation provided $1.85M in critical funds to our local agencies supporting many who are struggling and helps mobilize emergency cash assistance to help individuals and families cover rent, utilities, food, and other essential expenses. These efforts provide not only immediate relief, but also stability and dignity at moments of profound vulnerability. This is a core part of our work that we collectively do every day.

A critical entry point for this support is J-CARING, our community support hotline. With a single call, community members can be connected to financial assistance, mental health services, career counseling, and other vital resources. J-CARING ensures that when someone reaches out, they are met with compassion, discretion, and a clear path forward. You do not need to navigate hardship alone. If you or anyone you know could use some help, please call 703-J-CARING (703-522-7464).

As part of the global Jewish family, we also support Jews in Ukraine who remain affected by four years of war and counting. Our collective efforts have helped deliver cash assistance, humanitarian aid, medical care, and essential supplies, including dignity and hope. Likewise, in the wake of ongoing social and economic strain, individuals and families in Israel continue to face deep uncertainty. Through our trusted partners on the ground, we are providing services and aid to Israel’s most vulnerable.

Inherent in the story of Purim are several lessons that feel as relevant as ever: that circumstances can change in an instant, that collective action matters, that we are bound to one another’s fate. And, importantly, that joy is incomplete if it is not shared.

Please consider making a gift to Federation as we continue our collective work to ensure that those in need across the community have access to critical resources. Your support enables us to forge ahead in our efforts to respond swiftly to crises and sustain the systems of care that define us, among other components of our vital work. As we prepare to celebrate the victory of the Jewish people over those who would cause us harm, we are reminded that we must also care for those struggling within our own community. In true Purim fashion, we get to indulge both our exuberance and our generosity.

Four years into the war, daily life in Ukraine remains unpredictable. Over the past several months, intensified missile and drone attacks once again plunged major cities into darkness, interrupting heat and electricity during the coldest weeks of winter and renewing fear for families already living under constant strain.

And still, Jewish life continues—for the approximately 150,000 Jews who remain in Ukraine and for the nearly 20,000 who have made Aliyah (immigrated to Israel) since the start of the war.

Some are rebuilding their lives in Israel. Others remain rooted in their communities despite the uncertainty. Our responsibility extends to both.

Through Federation’s global network of partners, and the generosity of our community, individuals and families on both paths.

Providing Care and Connection in Ukraine

Through the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC), Federation’s support strengthens a network of Hesed centers serving vulnerable Jews across Ukraine.

For Lyudmila, a 79-year-old woman in Lviv with serious health conditions, that support means homecare, food assistance, trauma services, and connection to Jewish community.

Since the start of the crisis, nearly 57,000 vulnerable Jews like Lyudmila have received assistance through Hesed centers—essential community lifelines, providing physical warmth, emotional support, and spaces to gather and connect.

Strengthening Jewish Life

Through the Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI), new olim (immigrants) receive support as they integrate into Israeli society and Jewish life and resilience continue in Ukraine even under fire.

Jewish Agency camps in Ukraine last year served more than 800 children and teens, with local and Israeli counselors providing Jewish learning, connection, and support amid the realities of war.

In 2025:

• 16,000+ people participated in Jewish Agency programs.
• More than 80% remained actively engaged, and more than half began preparing for Aliyah.
• An Aliyah Fair in Kyiv welcomed 780 participants in a parking structure adapted as a bomb shelter.
• Camps, family learning programs, and resilience trainings connected hundreds of children, parents, young leaders, and mental health professionals.
• Security grants strengthened nine Jewish institutions.

Our Community Response

Since 2022, more than 3,500 donors across Greater Washington have contributed more than $2.5 million to support Federation’s Ukraine Emergency Fund. As the crisis has continued, this work is now sustained through our Annual Campaign and the strategic allocations we make to trusted global partners, including JDC and JAFI.

Four years in, this is what showing up looks like.

The needs continue to evolve, and so does our response. Thank you for your continued commitment. Your generosity ensures we can continue providing steady support to those who need it most—in Ukraine, here at home, and wherever Jewish life endures.

Photo credit: JFNA