Responding to COVID-19 with Emergency Grants

In the face of the global COVID-19 pandemic, our mission of supporting and empowering older Jewish people is more relevant than ever. Older communities are most vulnerable to the physical and psychological consequences of the virus. Now more than ever, they urgently need resources and support to be mobilized so they can continue to feel safe and connected to their communities. That’s why we announced a round of emergency grants directly responding to the pandemic. By leveraging our network of local and global partners working on the front lines of physical and mental health, we hope to be a vital line of support for Jewish older people as we face this uncertain moment in history together.

Grants Awarded

A total of $340,000 has been awarded to 17 organizations providing emergency relief to older people who are homebound. Grantees range from organizations operating in New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New Jersey, to organizations in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. An additional $250,000 has been awarded to Or Yom, a Jewish community nursing home in Istanbul, Turkey. Here’s a full listing of our first round of emergency grants:

Or Yom

Award: $250,000

Istanbul, Turkey – Or Yom is the Jewish community’s nursing home in Istanbul and provides a warm and caring environment to its many residents.

Dorot

Award: $20,000

New York City — Dorot alleviates social isolation among older communities in the city. Our emergency grant to Dorot will be earmarked to their Kosher Meals at Home Program for older people who are isolated.

Syracuse Jewish Family Service at Menorah Park

Award: $20,000

Syracuse, NY — Syracuse JFS provides social services to Central New York. Our emergency grant will fund their prepared pantry and food delivery service.

Jewish Community Services of South Florida

Award: $20,000

North Miami, FL – JCS of South Florida improves the quality of life and self-sufficiency of the South Florida community in accordance with Jewish values. Our emergency grant will fund their prepared pantry and food delivery service.

Jewish Family & Children’s Services

Award: $20,000

Waltham, MA – JFS Waltham provides human services and healthcare programs, guided by Jewish traditions. Our emergency grant will be earmarked to their food pantry and food delivery services being provided to older people.

Jewish Family Service of Greater New Haven

Award: $20,000

New Haven, CT – JFS New Haven provides social and human services to the community, guided by Jewish traditions. Our emergency grant will be earmarked to their food pantry and food delivery services being provided to older people.

Jewish Family & Children’s Services of Greater Mercer County

Award: $20,000

Princeton, NJ – JFS of Greater Mercer County provides social services and programs aimed at strengthening families and individuals in the community. Our emergency grant will be earmarked to their food pantry and food delivery services being provided to older people.

The Blue Card

Award: $20,000

New York City – The Blue Card provides direct financial assistance to Holocaust survivors. Our emergency grant will be earmarked to the Holocaust survivor stipendiary program.

JCC of Greater Coney Island

Award: $20,000

Brooklyn, NY – JCC of Greater Coney Island provides social services to low-income seniors in southern Brooklyn. Our emergency grant will be earmarked to their meals on wheels program for older adults.

National Council of Jewish Women – New York

Award: $20,000

New York City – Using advocacy, education, and direct service, NCJW strives for social justice by improving the quality of life for women, children, and families. Our emergency grant will be earmarked to their Monday Food Pantry and Wednesday/Sunday Community Kitchen Program.

Met Council

Award: $20,000

New York City – The largest Jewish charity serving poor New Yorkers, Met Council has many programs that focus on older adults, specifically around government benefits, food pantry, crisis services, long-term planning, counseling and social programming. Our emergency grant will be earmarked to Met Council’s COVID-19 Emergency Crisis Fund for older people, holocaust survivors, and New York’s neediest.

Citymeals on Wheels

Award: $20,000

New York City – Citymeals was founded in 1981 and is now the designated emergency response provider of meals for older (60+) New Yorkers who are homebound. Citymeals’ Response to the COVID-19 Epidemic has been efficient and effective. Over the course of one week, they’ve delivered 45,000 meals to homebound clients, and 96,000 shelf-stable meals to care centers. About 4,000 homebound clients received Kosher meals. And because we know this situation is likely to last for some time, Citymeals has ordered enough food for another 220,000 meals. Our emergency grant will be earmarked towards their food delivery program.

Akim – Jerusalem

Award: $20,000

Jerusalem, IL – Akim enables people with intellectual disabilities to live independent and meaningful lives within their community. Our emergency grant will help pay for the daily costs of additional staff needed to keep the facility clean and provide high quality, individual care.

Adopt-A-Safta

Award: $20,000

Tel Aviv, IL – Adopt-A-Safta decreases social isolation through intergenerational programs. Our emergency grant will be earmarked to Adopt-A-Safta’s new Pesach-in-a-Box program.

Leket

Award: $20,000

Raanana, IL – Leket Israel, the National Food Bank, is the leading food rescue organization in Israel. Unique among all other organizations that serve the poor in Israel and food banks worldwide, Leket Israel’s sole focus is rescuing healthy, surplus food and delivering it to those in need through partner nonprofit organizations. Our emergency grant was earmarked towards Leket’s food delivery program.

Misgav LaKashish

Award: $20,000

Jerusalem, IL – Misgav Lakashish provides nursing care and health and welfare services to the elderly. Misgav LaKashish serves thousands of elderly people each year, including Holocaust survivors, self-employed seniors, caregivers, Alzheimer’s patients, and others. Their mission is to provide older people with high-quality programs and services necessary to enable them to live the rest of their lives in their own home and their natural environment. Our emergency grant will be earmarked to their food pantry and food delivery services being provided to older people.

United Hatzalah of Israel

Award: $20,000

Jerusalem, IL – United Hatzalah created a National Emergency Call Center for the Elderly, which will operate from 8am to 10pm daily. The Call Center will extend assistance to older adults by using volunteers from all over the country who will be dispatched using GPS technologies. The Call Center will respond to a wide range of needs including: logistical support in collecting and delivering medicine, medical equipment and food, and responding in person to calls for assistance; emotional support for elderly who are alone and at a higher risk for infection; assistance for people with disabilities.