The Jewish Agency for Israel
For more than 90 years, The Jewish Agency has been the champion of our Jewish story. Once JAFI achieved their original goal of establishing a secure homeland in Israel, they turned to helping Jews in peril come home. As the needs of the Jewish People continued to change, so did their response. JAFI’s mission today is to ensure that every Jewish person, no matter where they are in the world, feels an unbreakable bond to one another and to Israel.
Connecting Young Jews to Israel
The Jewish Agency inspires young Jews to delve into their collective heritage and to engage in Jewish communities around the world. JAFI does this by providing and supporting formal and informal Jewish education programs and opportunities to engage with Israelis, visit Israel in person and connect them to their Jewish identity through:
- Immersive Israel experiences, 10 days to 12 months
- Direct connections with Israelis in local communities and on university campuses
- Formal education to learn Hebrew, study Judaism and explore Jewish culture
- Jewish and Zionist leadership development programs and youth movements
Connecting Young Israelis to Jewish People
For more than 90 years, The Jewish Agency has been the champion of the Jewish story. Once the original goal of establishing a secure homeland in Israel, JAFI turned to helping Jews in peril come home. As the needs of the Jewish People continued to change, so did our response. Our mission today is to ensure that every Jewish person, no matter where they are in the world, feels an unbreakable bond to one another and to Israel. The Jewish Agency works to connect young Israelis to the global Jewish family and to their Jewish identity. JAFI expands their notion of the roles that Israel and Judaism can take in their lives through:
- Jewish knowledge through support for Reform, Conservative, and Modern Orthodox communal and educational activities in Israel
- Leadership development to impact Israeli society through our pre-army training, returning emissary and gap year programs
- Israeli communities partnered directly with Jews around the world through Partnership2Gether
Supporting Vulnerable Populations in Israel
Jewish people are not just connected to each other but are responsible for each other. The Jewish Agency addresses urgent socio-economic needs by providing access to education, housing and cultural enrichment. JAFI also train young social entrepreneurs, who widen the circles of impact and lay the groundwork for long-term, positive social change through:
- Mentorship, housing and rehabilitation services for at-risk youth
- Subsidized housing for the elderly, new immigrants and single-parent families
- Financial and emotional assistance to families in the wake of terror attacks or in times of war
- Support for small-business owners and young activist leaders in target geographies and populations
Aliyah and Absorption
The Jewish Agency helps Jews be part of the Jewish story in a very special way: JAFI brings them home to Israel. Each year, tens of thousands of Jews from around the world decide to make Israel the setting of their life stories, and JAFI is there for every single one through:
- Crucial pre-Aliyah information and guidance, travel logistics and special needs
- Absorption Centers and immersive Hebrew language instruction to ease new immigrants’ integration into Israeli society
- Comprehensive support programs for immigrants aged 18-35, with a focus on preparation for military service, university studies and employment
- Covert operations to quickly bring Jews out of hostile and dangerous countries
For more information on programs, initiative and on how to get involved visit The Jewish Agency for Israel.
American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC)
JDC is the world’s leading Jewish humanitarian assistance organization. Since 1914, JDC has exemplified that all Jews are responsible for one another and for improving the well-being of vulnerable people around the world. Today, JDC works in more than 70 countries and in Israel to alleviate hunger and hardship, rescue Jews in danger, create lasting connections to Jewish life, and provide immediate relief and long-term development support for victims of natural and man-made disasters.
The JDC serves the following peoples throughout the world:
- Aiding vulnerable Jews, including isolated elderly, at-risk family’s children and youth, immigrants, and people with disabilities
- Jewish communities around the globe building their future, wherever they may be
- Cultivating a Jewish future
- Strengthening Israel
- Rescuing Jews in Danger
- Lead the Jewish Response to Global Crisis
For more information on programs, initiative and on how to get involved click here.
