Gvahim Emergency Fund

With the war raging, Gvahim is focused on the needs of our community of Olim (new immigrants). These immigrants are in an extremely vulnerable situation as they are often alone without family, not completely settled in Israel, and unable to secure employment in this environment. According to Israeli labor law, new immigrants are not eligible for government unemployment insurance if they are not fully employed for at least 12 months. OUR GOAL Out of the community of 10,000+ Olim who we serve, approximately 1,000 urgently need economic and emotional support. We've already secured $200,000 to help the Olim during the war and are actively reaching out to generous supporters to reach a total of $1 million. OUR PLAN To provide a comprehensive package for Olim during current war times through the below activities: 1. Employment assistance ● Context: The current situation in Israel is compounded by a challenging economic slowdown due to the ongoing conflict. As a result, companies are laying off employees, and Olim find themselves in a highly vulnerable position due to the language barrier and lack of professional and social networks. ● Gvahim will assist Olim with HR consultation, mentors, and direct connections to employers through our broad network. We will also provide essential training tools to help them enter (or re-enter) the Israeli job market. 2. Emotional support ● Context: Olim have a limited network, friends, and family in Israel, and therefore deal with loneliness and psychological distress. ● Gvahim offers a series of online meetings in several languages to support them emotionally, providing them with practical tools to handle stressful situations and giving them a sense of belonging to a community. ● Gvahim will enable Olim to learn Hebrew, especially during this time, and to volunteer in relevant areas, enhancing their sense of purpose. 3. Assistance with bureaucracy regarding their rights during the war ● Context: The Israeli government has established processes to support people affected by the war. It is challenging for new immigrants to understand what is offered and how to fill out the various forms that are available only in Hebrew. ● Gvahim will help Olim with the administrative process – through Zoom meetings in multiple languages to explain the processes and through 1:1 support meetings. 4. Financial support ● Context: Unlike most Israelis, New Olim do not qualify for government unemployment benefits as they have recently arrived in Israel, and therefore, they do not have any safety net that will help them navigate these turbulent times. ● Gvahim will provide immediate assistance to unemployed Olim who lack government support. We aim to offer a one-time payment to help them meet their urgent needs over the next few weeks up to $1,000 based on specific criteria. Cinthya’s Story Cinthya is 39 years old and made Aliyah alone in May 2023 after completing her first degree in communication in France and working in local companies in her field of expertise. She is from a low-income family that lives in the suburbs of Paris. Cinthya felt she had fulfilled her dream by coming to Israel and escaping the antisemitism and anti-Zionism she had experienced in France. She has been actively participating in Gvahim programs since shortly after her arrival. She has been improving her Hebrew language skills and learning about entering the Israeli job market, expecting to start working by mid-October. Cinthya needs the emotional support of Gvahim and a small stipend to provide her with much-needed income while she continues to search for a job. HOW YOU CAN HELP Your generosity is crucial to Gvahim's mission to support Cinthya and the score of new immigrants affected by the war. By contributing to this initiative, you are helping Olim navigate these challenging times, empowering them to become self-reliant and contribute to Israel’s economy. To contribute to this emergency fund or for more information on becoming a partner in Gvahim's mission, please contact Juan Taifeld, Gvahim's CEO, at juant@gvahim.org.il. Your support can make a significant difference in the lives of these resilient individuals as they embark on their new journey in Israel. Your donations through Gvahim are tax-deductible in both the United States and Israel.