May 18, 2007 / 1 Sivan 5767

United Jewish Communities, UIA Canada and Keren Hayesod to fund camp for 8,000 children from Sderot area

The Jewish Agency has received $2 million in emergency funding from the United Jewish Communities, UIA Canada and Keren Hayesod to bring all 8,000 children living in Sderot and the surrounding area to a week-long camp in the safety of center of the country. Jewish Agency Chairman Zeev Bielski made the announcement of the emergency assistance during a tour of Sderot today (May 18).

When Sderot came under attack earlier in the week, the Jewish Agency began providing residents with emergency assistance. On Wednesday, the Jewish Agency brought a group of 250 children and teens to attend the Israel soccer cup final in Tel Aviv. Thursday the Jewish Agency brought a truckload of essential shelter supplies, including electric appliances, emergency lighting, and cleaning materials to Sderot residents. Today, the Jewish Agency will bring 150 youth from the area for a weekend in Jerusalem; the children and teens will stay at Jerusalem youth hostels and will visit tourist and amusement attractions.

The Jewish Agency has also made available $20,000 from its Victims of Terror Fund for immediate assistance to those who have been injured in the Kassam rocket attacks. Also, it will provide financial assistance to businesses damaged in the attacks.

"Just as we did in the North during the war in Lebanon last summer, the Jewish Agency and our partners the UJC, UIA Canada and Keren Hayesod, are here to help the residents of Sderot and surrounding area who are under attack and living under impossible conditions," said Jewish Agency Chairman Zeev Bielski on a tour of Sderot today to oversee Jewish Agency assistance to the area.

A Jewish Agency hired truck provides relief supplies to residents in shelters in Sderot Thursday
(Credit: Moshe Stern)

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