The New Israel Fund community’s response to the crises Israel faced in 2023–the extremist ruling coalition’s assault on democracy and the horrific attack on October 7 and its devastating aftermath–has been nothing short of awe-inspiring. While we would never celebrate growth borne of disaster, our community’s generosity at this time has been incredible. It was recently featured in an article from the journal eJewish Philanthropy as well as the highly-regarded magazine Chronicle of Philanthropy. 

“The fund and its grantees didn’t have time to mourn as they hit the ground running after the attack,” reads the article in eJewish Philanthropy, “providing basic needs to those who were displaced, survivors and those whose family members were taken hostage. A system was already in place to turn grants around within 24 hours, perfected during the protest movement, allowing them to leap into action quickly after the attacks.” 

“…Donations to the New Israel Fund have poured in, well above the normal levels,” it said. “The fund had raised some $6 million in an emergency campaign from over 3,500 donors, a third of whom were new to the organization. Even before the attacks, donations and interest in the NIF were hitting new highs as protests against the government’s judicial overhaul raged throughout Israel. As of the end of Nov it has already brought in well over 12 million dollars in addition to the emergency funds, up 34% compared to last year’s, with 60% more donors.

“My hope is and has always been that we would not be needed in Israel,” NIF Vice President Libby Lenkinski told eJewish Philanthropy. “But my realistic hope is that more Israelis understand that the status quo vis-à-vis the Palestinians is neither sustainable nor desirable for any of us. And that we have to do everything in our power to put governments in place who can make peace. That is my hope. My hope is that the deaths of October sevens and subsequent deaths in Gaza and of soldiers are not in vain. And that this is the wake-up call that needs to be. That a different future has to happen. That there is no time to spare.”