JHF approves emergency grants to Tel Aviv Sexual Assault Crisis Center
"The Jewish Healthcare Foundation's funding allows the Center to expand programs to address the ongoing trauma of survivors."
The Jewish Healthcare Foundation approved emergency grants totaling $25,000 to the P.E.F. Israel Endowment Funds, which will direct the money to the Tel Aviv Sexual Assault Crisis Center, Israel’s first and largest rape crisis center.
“Since the attacks of October 7th, the Tel Aviv Sexual Assault Crisis Center has been at the forefront of addressing the aftermath of the atrocities committed that day,” said Danny Rosen, vice chair of the JHF’s board of trustees, in a prepared statement. “The Center, led by Miriam Schler, has offered crisis counseling, support groups, and other services to survivors of rape and sexual violence perpetrated by Hamas on October 7th as well as the broader Israeli community as it deals with the trauma of those events. There has been a significant increase in demand for the Center’s services, and the Jewish Healthcare Foundation’s funding allows the Center to expand programs to address the ongoing trauma of survivors.”
Since Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on Israeli civilians, the Center has seen a rise in crisis intervention needs on three separate hotlines “for women, men, and religious men in response to the horrific accounts of sexual violence,” according to JHF officials.
The Center’s staff is contacting evacuees from the attack sites “and offering services at hotels and in communities where they are currently being housed, as well as providing trainings and supervision for mental health professionals and staff who are working with evacuees.”
The Center also serves as a resource for the families of the victims, and is sharing professional knowledge with parents and educators to guide them in speaking with children and teens about trauma. PJC
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