Samis Makes First Set of Emergent Needs Grants to State of Israel
October 16, 2023
Samis Foundation and Prizmah Highlight Increased Enrollment in Seattle Jewish Day Schools Participating in Local Day School Affordability Initiative
January 3, 2024
| In the aftermath of the barbaric atrocities committed by Hamas in Southern Israel on October 7th, the Samis Foundation initiated a series of emergent needs grants to the State of Israel. Samis is committed to continuing its support for those directly impacted by the attacks and the resulting war. To date, nearly $500K in grants have been dispersed. Use this blog post to stay updated on how Samis is taking the lead to support emergent needs in Israel and the Seattle Jewish community. _ _ _ _ October 2023 State of Israel Grants Leket – $35,000 Debit cards for food purchases and food support for the elderly, homebound, and families at risk Municipality of Sderot – $35,000 Equipment for first responders and emergency teams, mental and emotional well-being of residents, and relief and respite for families Municipality of Ofakim – $30,000 Food baskets, basic needs, and respite for families Natal – $35,000 Support for telephone hotline and clinical therapists _ _ _ _ November 2023 Seattle Grants Jewish Day School Education Samis approved per capita funding for displaced Israelis in excess of local day schools expected costs. For Israelis who have been living in Seattle, Samis will fund all tuition assistance, both needs-based scholarships (Traditional Tuition Assessment) and middle income affordability (Day School Affordability). _ _ _ _ December 2023 State of Israel Grants JDC Tevet – $50,000 Mobile employment service for evacuees, employment support for small businesses and apprenticeship program for vulnerable youth BeAtzmi – $50,000 Employment support for displaced Israelis using one-on-one mentoring and group workshops to strengthen employment resilience; maintain employment or integrate into new employment; improve home budgeting, financial management and rights optimization Chamaniyot – $30,000 Establishment of a center for orphans in the Gaza envelope Sheatufim Yeladenu Initiative – $40,000 Develop and implement solutions for youth multi-system needs based on collective impact model that is scaleable and adaptable. Areas of focus include resilience, education and welfare. Goal of engaging 5,000 children and youth Forum of Youth Villages – $50,000 Direct support to those evacuated from youth villages and group homes in the South. Services include therapy, enrichment activities, clothing, toiletries and laptops Yeladim – Fair Chance for Children – $40,000 Support for 20 NOAM families who have opened their homes for residential children for an extended period during the crisis. Therapy for 15 foster care children suffering from severe trauma Afikei Orot – $50,000 Resilence center to provide therapy for traumatized children and youth in Ofakim Kav L’Noar – $20,000 Team of 3-5 trauma experts working one full day per week for the next 12-18 months with support for the leaders of kibbutizim Tzohar – $20,000 Meaningful funeral ceremonies, rabbinic/therapist teams doing outreach to the bereaved and families of hostages, shiva help, and halachic hotline – – – – All Samis Foundation grantmaking to Israel is in support of relief efforts. No funding is used for military or political purposes. |
