Published By: ICEJ Team
ICEJ Providing Assistance in the Midst of War
When Israelis huddled in bomb shelters together and waited for the all–clear of the nightly Iranian missile barrages during 12 days of war, they wondered once again whether they had friends in the world who would care. The answer was clear. The ICEJ’s headquarters and their families not only stood in bomb shelters with Israelis but stepped out to help those that have lost everything in a battle of good versus evil.
We must not look away, but step in and help these battered Israelis who have lost everything in a battle of good versus evil.
Home For Holocaust Survivors In A Targeted War Zone
The Haifa area was a main target of Iranian missile barrages during the war. While some of the residents of the Haifa Home for Holocaust Survivors could make it to the bomb shelters, many of the elderly simply could not. They remained in bed, listening to the sirens, the sounds of incoming missiles, and the boom of the inceptions, and waited for the danger to pass. “Our residents,” wrote Yudit Setz ICEJ Team Leader in the Home, “are all in their 80s and 90s, and once again facing the haunting echo of war. As they sit in the shelter, they listen to the terrifying sounds of explosions and interceptions above.”
Yudit and her husband chose to spend those nights at the ICEJ office in the Haifa Home, to help guide the survivors into the bomb shelter and staying with them until the all-clear was given. Their presence offered reassurance in these difficult moments.
And during those frightening days, our Call Centre was overwhelmed. Holocaust survivors across Haifa, many too frightened to leave their homes, called in seeking reassurance, food, or simply the sound of another voice. Ongoing daily hot meals (over 400 per day) and calming conversations express love for Holocaust survivors living in Haifa.
Thankfully, life has returned to a routine. But even throughout the war, despite the sirens, the fear, and the tension in the air, daily rhythms continued. Continuing Hebrew lessons, bingo, physiotherapy sessions and shared meals brought connection and a quiet strength
ICEJ Aid Team And The Destruction Of Homes
As the ICEJ Aid team toured the Bat Yam neighbourhood following a missile strike, the destruction was unbelievable! Some 75 surrounding apartment buildings sustained serious damage, with 22 of them already marked for demolition.
Hundreds are now left homeless and have been evacuated to nearby hotels. Among them are many elderly people in need of medicines still buried in the hopelessly gutted remains of their homes. Approximately 200 children from five local schools are also among those affected, facing uncertainty about school next fall.
Surveying the damage two days later, Nicole Yoder, ICEJ Vice President of Aid and Aliyah, recoiled at the wreckage caused by the blast. “This level of devastation is something new for us to see in Israel,” she observed. “We’re heartbroken for the lives lost and deeply concerned for the thousands now displaced here and elsewhere in Israel, many of whom have no safety net.”
Economic Impact On Israel’s Citizens
The long-term mobilisation of tens of thousands of reservists has taken a serious economic toll on families and small businesses. The ICEJ is stepping in with targeted aid, offering support to small business owners to help keep them keep their businesses afloat while loved ones are on the front lines. This support helps ensure families don’t fall into crisis.
ICEJ Cares For Israeli Arabs
During the war between Israel and Iran, which escalated on June 13, 2025, 28 Israelis lost their lives. Among them was Shada Hatib, a 20-year-old law student from Tamra, whose bright future was cut short on June 15 when an Iranian missile struck her home, claiming her life along with her mother, Manar, her 13-year-old sister, Hala, and her aunt, Manal.
Shada was a passionate and driven young woman deeply committed to justice, community, and empowering Arab youth. She was actively involved in an ICEJ-sponsored program that opens doors for young Arab talents to Israel’s high-tech industry, providing training in programming, biotech, engineering, and essential skills like leadership and networking.
ICEJ Headquarters wrote: ICEJ extends its deepest condolences to Shada’s loved ones. Our hearts are with them in this time of profound grief. May Shada’s memory be a blessing, and may her life and dedication continue to inspire the students this project touches.
Homecare Continues To Care
The homecare visits continued through the war. The elderly were greatly concerned and worried. Memories of the Second World War were vivid and relived. Corrie van Maanen shares an example:
‘An elderly lady who lives alone was visibly worried by the war. She had eaten and drunk very little but she spoke with conviction: “Nobody, nobody we can trust anymore, except God! God is for us, He is with us.” and she started to cry. “His patience with the world is running out.” She said, displaying she had some understanding that it was a spiritual battle. “Between Light and Darkness. Between the God of Israel and His opponents.” After we drank coffee we went for a walk together in the park near her house, “In case of an alarm there is a shelter nearby,” I assured her. She gradually relaxed. For a moment she had forgotten the stress.’
Whenever it was safe to do so, Homecare was there to offer comfort to elderly immigrants and shut ins.
Healing After October 7
As well as our ongoing projects to communities close to Gaza, such as the Children’s Centre at Beeri, and the rebuilding the Animal-Assisted Therapy Center at Kibbutz Urim, ICEJ is refurbishing an existing building in Kfar Aza as a Therapeutic Music Complex.
Kibbutz Kfar Aza was among the hardest hit communities on October 7. In the wake of this trauma, as part of the healing process for survivors, the new centre will offer music therapy through rehearsal rooms, a recording studio, workshop spaces, and areas for community performances—all designed to use music as a tool for emotional healing, processing grief, resilience, and restoring community. This space will welcome children, youth, and adults to engage in therapeutic music sessions.
Donate
Please join us in showing Israeli families that Christians are their truest friends. Many are still suffering from the traumatic effects of the October 7 massacres and living in a protracted war footing. Now many have lost everything due to these cruel missiles. Your gift to our “Israel in Crisis” fund can help us provide vouchers for homeless families to purchase food, clothing, and other essential items, and offer the children summer therapy camps and other urgent trauma care.
So, please donate today.
