JA fund for terror victims reestablished

Jewish Agency obtains $15m commitment from the United Jewish Communities.

By HAVIV RETTIG GUR
terror attack 298.88 (photo credit: AP [file])
terror attack 298.88
(photo credit: AP [file])
In the wake of the summer's war in the north, the Jewish Agency for Israel has decided to reactivate the Fund for Victims of Terror. "We were forced to close the fund a little over a year ago," explained Jeff Kaye, director-general of the Department for Resource Development and Public Affairs at the Jewish Agency. "Even when there were several terror attacks in the first half of 2006, we simply couldn't continue the work, because we understood that the resources weren't there," he told The Jerusalem Post on Wednesday. Now, however, the Jewish Agency has obtained a $15 million commitment from the United Jewish Communities (UJC), "and we expect more commitments from all sorts of other organizations," Kaye said, allowing the fund to be reactivated. The fund, which distributed some $20 million between 2002 and 2005, will grant special funds to victims of terror attacks in order to cover expenses not covered by government aid. "For example, if a person has a special need for a handicapped car, and the National Insurance Institute (NII) or the Defense Ministry has an upper limit for their [financial] participation and the victim can't afford the rest, we complete the amount," Kaye said. Recipients are chosen by a professional public committee headed by retired judge Ezra Kama, with representatives from the Immigrant Absorption Ministry, the NII, the Defense Ministry's Rehabilitation Department, The Jewish Agency and donor organizations. Those who are eligible for the grants must hold Israeli citizenship, be recognized officially as terror victims and submit their request for aid to the NII, the Rehabilitation Department or the Jewish Agency within a year of the attack. Keren Hayesod - the United Israel Appeal and the United Jewish Communities are partners in reestablishing the fund.