Jewish Federation of Cincinnati

“It’s a long walk, we want someone we can hold hands with, who can think with us,” said Dahlit Tener Visotzky, a kibbutz administrator, describing the kind of support Kibbutz Carmia desires. My colleagues, on the ground in Carmia, told her we are fully on board. I agree. 

While we’d decided in April to support Carmia over the next three years, this meeting, at the kibbutz this past Monday, was the first time people from Carmia and Cincinnati met in person. 

“We are independent, but we now need support,” continued Dahlit. Kibbutz Carmia is in the Western Negev, three miles from Gaza. The night of October 6, the community was having their annual “sleep out” in their olive grove, with over 100 sleeping in tents. They woke to sirens and crammed into bomb shelters. While they were not breached by terrorists and had no deaths, it was “apocalyptic,” said Dahlit. Their 600 members had their lives blasted apart; entire families living in one hotel room, everyone in donated clothes with no familiar possessions. They were traumatized. 

The First Phase: Allocations Since October 7

Cincinnati responded immediately. We committed $4.75 million through our Israel Emergency Fund, with:

• 42 percent sent to our national organization, Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) for immediate crisis response. These funds provided emergency aid such as medical supplies, food, shelter, and psychological support. See this impact report for more.
  
  
• 8 percent allocated to support Kibbutz Carmia as its people return home and it rebuilds. To learn more, click here.
  
  
• 6 percent allocated according to donor preferences.

The remaining 44 percent was set aside, in line with other Federations across North America, to directly support Israeli nonprofits to respond to urgent needs and long-term rebuilding efforts. Last week, guided by Karen Goodman, our VP of Israel & Overseas, our executive committee approved this second phase of allocations.

A Second Phase Beginning August 1

I am pleased to share that last week, for this second phase, we committed $699,000 to four vital projects. This amount represents approximately one-third of remaining funds. You can view detailed information about each project here.

Here is a brief overview: 

• Bshvil Hamachar: 24 percent will go to support this organization, which helps IDF combat veterans cope with combat-related trauma through nature-based therapeutic activities. The funds will allow more veterans to receive care in the coming year.
  
  
• Nativ Officers’ Victims Trust (NOVT): 29 percent of the funds go to providing comprehensive support for families of terror victims, including trauma care and family support programs. Our allocation will provide care for an additional 50 families.
  
  
• ReGrow: 26 percent of the funds assist Kibbutz Nir Oz in replacing essential farming equipment destroyed during the conflict.
  
  
• Shinua Hevrati: 21 percent of the funds support emergency preparedness in Northern Israel, going to train 100 community members in emergency response techniques, starting this month.

Looking Ahead

We remain committed to reviewing and recommending further allocations in a way that is responsive to Israel’s evolving needs.

Dahlit said one last thing that moved me. “This is our home in Israel but now we want this to be your home in Israel,” she said. “We want to create a living bridge between us.” 

Dahlit—Cincinnati says yes. We say yes to supporting you, to walking with you, and to creating a living bridge with you, as well as all those we fund.

And to you—our donors—we could build no bridges without you. Thank you for supporting Kibbutz Carmia and our other allocations. I promise to keep you informed as we move forward.

Shabbat Shalom,

Danielle V. Minson
CEO
Jewish Federation of Cincinnati

PS: Yesterday, during a call with Federation leaders, Israeli experts briefed us on the escalating situation in Israel’s northern region. We are closely monitoring the situation with our partners on the ground and are prepared to allocate additional Israel Emergency Fund dollars as needed. The call reaffirmed the importance of keeping a portion of our Israel Emergency Fund dollars in reserve to respond to urgent needs as they arise.