Last Edited: March 23, 2026
March 24 - JDC: A Special Briefing with Col. (Ret.) Miri Eisin
Join the Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) on Tuesday, March 24 at 11 AM Central Time for a briefing with Col. (Ret.) Miri Eisin, Middle East geopolitics expert, retired IDF Colonel, and chair of the board of the Taub Center for Social Policy Studies in Israel.
With life across Israel disrupted amid escalating missile and drone attacks, Col. Eisin will share her perspective on the larger geopolitical forces shaping the current moment in Israel and the implications worldwide, followed by a moderated conversation. The JDC will also provide an update on its work on the ground, supporting vulnerable people and communities during this critical moment.
To register for this briefing, please visit the JDC’s website.
March 19 - Updates from the Jewish Agency for Israel
Jewish Federations of North America’s Israel office has activated its emergency protocols and is in close contact with the government of Israel and partners.
Actions taken include:
- Through the Jewish Agency’s Roaring Lion Fund, expanded emergency assistance continued, with approximately $707,000 allocated. A total of 601 grants were approved, and an additional 497 grant applications remain in process.
- The Jewish Agency’s Amigour subsidiary addressed immediate civilian needs by distributing food and stabilizing damaged housing, already delivering 10,665 food baskets and sealing 269 homes damaged during the fighting.
- Aliyah‑related emergency services have seen sustained demand, with high‑volume intake at the Global Center, including 14,099 calls received and 850 case files opened.
- A special flight to Israel overnight brought more than 50 olim – new immigrants from France and the United Kingdom. The group included over 20 young families, as well as a 5‑month‑old infant and a 92‑year‑old, with arrivals settling in multiple cities including Netanya, Ashkelon, Arad, and Ra’anana.
March 12 - JFNA Security Briefing with Amit Segal
On Thursday, March 12 at 10 AM CDT the Jewish Federations of North America held a special briefing on the conflict between Israel, the United States, and Iran. They were joined by Israeli journalist and political analyst Amit Segal, who will shared insights and a timely update on the latest developments.
To watch the recording of this video, please visit: https://youtu.be/mBk-ZxgMCv8?si=nuVk8K4adBqUGsvT or use the video player below.
March 19 - UPCOMING: Israel Bonds' Strategic Briefing on Israel & Iran
Join the Israel Bonds team for a virtual strategic briefing on the evolving situation between Israel and Iran. Hear a live update from IDF Spokesperson Lt. Col. Nadav Shoshani and expert analysis from former Mossad intelligence official Sima Shine, now a senior researcher at the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS). The program will also feature remarks from Israel Bonds National and International Chairman of the Board of Directors Andrew M. Hutter, MD, and Israel Bonds President & CEO Dani Naveh.
To register for this briefing, please visit: A Strategic Briefing on Israel and Iran
March 9 - WATCH: JFNA Security Briefing with Amb. Yechiel Leitner
On Monday, March 9th, the Jewish Federations of North America held a special briefing to discuss the latest updates on the conflict. On the call was Ambassador Yechiel Leiter, who provided timely insights on the latest developments.
To watch the recording of this video, visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8YI2sjJM30A or use the video player below.
March 5 - WATCH: JFNA Security Briefing with Col. (Ret.) Miri Eisin
On Wednesday, March 4, the Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) held a special briefing on the rapidly unfolding conflict between Israel, the United States, and Iran. On the briefing was Col. (Ret.) Miri Eisin, who provided timely insights on the latest developments.
To watch the recording of this video, visit: https://youtu.be/R7gnoLv8cu8 or use the video player below.
March 5 - Update from Rosh HaAyin
As of Thursday, March 5, Israeli authorities had reported that at least 1,000 residents have been displaced after their homes were damaged by missile impacts and deemed uninhabitable.
The largest numbers are in Tel Aviv–Jaffa (approximately 730 residents) and Beit Shemesh (around 150), with additional displacement reported in Ramat Gan, Bnei Brak, Tirat Carmel, and Rosh HaAyin.
The Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans is in close communication with our friends and loved ones in Rosh HaAyin. Sigal Shalev, a Rosh HaAyin-based member of the Partnership 2Gether committee, reported that at least one missile had landed near her house and caused damage to the structure. The owners of the home are safe and in good health, however. We share this video of the damage with their permission.
March 5 - How Jewish Federation's Partners Are Helping Right Now
The Jewish Federations of North America’s Israel office remains in close contact with the government of Israel and our partners, who are on the ground providing critical assistance where it’s needed most in this tense and rapidly developing situation.
Some updates from our partners around the world include:
The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC):
- In response to missile strikes that rendered residential buildings uninhabitable in Beit Shemesh and Beer Sheva, JDC is working with local authorities to support displaced residents. JDC also initiated a partnership with the Beer Sheva municipality to expand emergency assistance to evacuees whose homes were damaged or destroyed.
- As part of this response, JDC is supporting the distribution of first‑aid and basic‑needs kits to evacuees, including toiletries, clothing, and other essentials. The organization also provides emergency readiness and medical equipment to support local response efforts. This includes deploying community case workers to strengthen support for older adults and people with disabilities affected by the evacuations.
- A flexible humanitarian assistance fund has been activated to enable timely, case‑specific support for residents in need.
- JDC-supported digital emergency platforms serving Arab-Israeli communities recorded a significant increase in use during the current emergency, indicating expanded access to emergency information and well-being resources.
- In northern Israel, JDC activated a shelter-based support initiative in Nahariya, distributing 160 respite kits to public shelters within one day. The respite kits include age-appropriate games and activities designed to support children and families who are spending extended periods in shelters.
The Jewish Agency for Israel:
The Jewish Agency launched a new emergency mechanism, the Roaring Lion Fund, to provide immediate financial assistance to civilians affected by the current war with Iran. The fund provides automatic, direct grants of $1,300 to individuals whose homes were damaged or destroyed, or who were physically injured as a result of the attacks. Grant recipients do not need to apply; eligible cases are identified by local authorities and conveyed to the Jewish Agency for processing. The fund was created because existing victim‑assistance mechanisms are limited to terror incidents and do not cover wartime damage.
In addition, following the start of the current emergency, the Agency’s Youth Futures mentors shifted to emergency operations and are maintaining direct contact with participating children and families to assess needs and identify urgent cases. Youth Futures is assisting affected families with navigating their rights and accessing available support, including coordination with Jewish Agency emergency response mechanisms.
March 3 - The Latest on Joint United States & Israel Actions in Iran
The Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans prays for the success of the joint United States and Israeli actions in Iran, and for the safety of the brave members of the U.S. Armed Forces and the Israel Defense Forces carrying them out.
We are closely monitoring events and Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) is keeping us informed through communication with our partners in Israel.
The safety of the Jewish community in New Orleans remains our highest priority. Our Community Security Director, James Stewart, is on full alert, coordinating closely with law enforcement to ensure a heightened security presence at all upcoming events.
We are pleased to report that this week’s community festivities were both jubilant and secure, thanks to the proactive support of NOPD, JPSO, the Mandeville Police Department, the Louisiana State Police, and the FBI.
As Eric Fingerhut, CEO of Jewish Federations of North America, reminds us: “May this moment bring a renewed understanding of our shared responsibility for the future of the Jewish people and the free world.”