From October 2023 – June 2025, our community stepped up and contributed nearly $13 million to provide critical financial support for the victims, families of hostages, soldiers, and every Israeli who needs our support.
In June 2025, the ongoing war took a different turn with the 12 days of attacks with Iran. Many cities were directly hit, including our sister city of Rehovot. From this crisis, as well as the previous two years, there are thousands of Israelis who are displaced and unable to return home. For some families, their current home is a hotel room that they have lived in for months or years.
Others, some of whom have performed Reserve Duty six or seven times, are impacted physically, mentally, spiritually, and economically.
Our brothers and sisters need our support, and we have launched Tikvatenu: No Place Like Home, as a concluding phase of our Tikvatenu Israel Emergency Campaign.
Between now and December 31, 2025, we plan to raise $1 million for urgent needs related to displaced Israelis, mental health support, small business relief, and soldiers, reservists and their families
The Minneapolis Jewish Federation is committed to community input and transparency. For this phase, a task force will be determining where funds will be distributed. Read below for a full accounting of partners and allocations, both from Phase 1 and this immediate phase.
Beginning in 2026, we will incorporating a long-term approach for funding intended to rebuild Israel as part of the Jewish Federations of North America system effort.
Click here for the latest allocations report through JFNA.
The funding is directed towards various critical needs during times of crisis and emergencies. It primarily supports impacted families, including the elderly and homebound individuals, by providing essential food and financial assistance. Additionally, funds are allocated for evacuations and housing solutions to ensure the safety of affected communities, including transportation and temporary housing. Frontline communities, such as first responders and volunteers, also receive support in the form of temporary housing, respite trips, and increased security measures. Furthermore, financial aid is allocated for victims of terror to provide immediate cash grants for post-trauma care, home rebuilding, bill payments, and the purchase of necessities like food and medical supplies. These funds are essential for aiding those affected by crises, disasters, or acts of terror.
The primary partners involved in this initiative are the Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI) and the Joint Distribution Committee (JDC).
JAFI’s Fund for Victims of Terror provides crucial assistance to affected families and individuals, including support for rebuilding homes, covering bills, purchasing food, and obtaining medical supplies. JAFI is also actively engaged in ensuring the safety of immigrants (Olim) in numerous centers, caring for residents in Amigour senior housing who must remain in place, and supporting young adult Masa participants and youth at risk.
The Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) plays a significant role in providing support to those in the line of fire during emergencies. This includes the elderly, individuals with disabilities, children and families at risk, and other vulnerable populations, ensuring their safety and well-being.
Through the Jewish Federations of North America, we partner with vetted nonprofits that need funds urgently and can use the funds to sustain their work and additional capacity provided. Click here for the latest allocations report through JFNA.
Our Israel Emergency Grant-Making Task Force is meeting on a monthly basis to allocate where funds raised to-date are distributed, with funds being sent to partner organizations immediately after Board approval.
Emergency response is part of our mission. For Phase 1 of Tikvatenu, we did not take an administrative fee. For Phase 2, as it was not part of our planned budget and operations for 2025, we are requesting 1% of the total amount raised to support campaign implementation. This work includes philanthropy, community impact, finance, and marketing capacity. With our goal of $1 million, this equates to $10,000 total to offset our expenses.
Yes. Please make gifts via check or Donor-Advised Fund payable to Minneapolis Jewish Federation and send to: Minneapolis Jewish Federation PO Box 64773 St. Paul, MN 55104-0773 In the note section, please write: Israel Emergency Fund. Our EIN is: 41-0693866
Please urge your elected officials at the federal, state, and local level to speak out and make a clear and unequivocal statement in support for our ally Israel and its right to defend itself. Take Action here!
