The aftermath of an Iranian missile strike, in Bat Yam, Israel, June 15, 2025. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.

CAM Emergency Fund Strengthens Israeli Resilience With New Aid Round

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In the aftermath of the October 7th massacre and the multi-front war that followed, the Combat Antisemitism Movement (CAM) launched the Israel Emergency Support Fund.

Partnering with carefully vetted Israeli organizations, CAM has aided October 7 survivors, evacuated families, and wounded IDF soldiers, while also funding trauma counseling, reconstruction efforts, and community healing initiatives.

The project reflects CAM’s unwavering commitment to Jewish solidarity, Israeli national resilience, and universal humanitarian values.

This week, CAM unveiled the latest round of fund allocations, which will see $133,500 distributed to Ziv Neurim, SafeHeartRestart Global, and Ofakim Resilience Center.

Details of the newest funded projects:

Ziv Neurim – Psychological Support at Sea

Ziv Neurim is launching a sea-based rehabilitation program for 25 reservist soldiers who served more than 300 days in Gaza and are officially recognized by the Israeli Ministry of Defense as suffering from post-traumatic stress. The program blends psychological therapy with sailing to help participants reconnect with daily life, family, and community.

It includes bi-weekly four-hour sessions, a full therapeutic week at sea, and completion of an accredited skipper’s course. Each graduate receives a skipper’s license and access to port facilities, creating a sustainable therapeutic outlet.

SafeHeart – “Healing Together” Retreat in Cyprus

SafeHeart will soon host the “Healing Together” retreat in the “Secret Forest” in Cyprus. The program will support 50 survivors of the October 7th Nova music festival attack and their parents, part of a larger cycle serving 240 participants.

The retreat is timed just before the second anniversary of October 7. Programming includes group and family therapy, art therapy, mindfulness, and integrative healing. Participants will also learn coping strategies for trauma triggers and flashbacks. Family activities will reinforce trust and resilience.

Restart Global – Makers Hub for Wounded Veterans

Restart Global is creating a national Makers Hub to design and scale rehabilitation solutions for wounded IDF and security forces veterans. The hub will unite engineers, medical experts, volunteers, and veterans to co-develop technologies that restore independence and dignity.

Over the next five years, the hub will benefit more than 12,000 veterans. Participants will gain access to new rehabilitation devices, professional training, and reintegration programs.

Ofakim Resilience Center

CAM allocated funds to renovate the Resilience Center in Ofakim, a southern Israeli city deeply scarred by October 7. The center serves 200 people weekly, providing trauma recovery and resilience programs. Funding will cover essential renovations, including painting and restroom upgrades, ensuring the facility remains safe and welcoming.

Other recent fund recipients include:

Shoulder to Shoulder – Small Business Emergency Relief 

Over the past two years, many small businesses in northern and southern Israel have faced closures, lost income, and mounting strain. Shoulder to Shoulder launched a recovery program to help five family-owned businesses rebuild.

Each business received three months of mentorship and a direct recovery grant. Tailored outreach efforts also helped owners restore client confidence, reconnect with their communities, and attract new customers. These businesses are the backbone of local economies in Israel’s hardest-hit regions.

Safe Harbor – Emotional Support for Evacuated Families

CAM created Safe Harbor to provide daily therapeutic activities for families living in hotels following the Iran war. Over the next 18 months, the program will operate as a structured rehabilitation initiative centered on the sea. Its focus is restoring balance and resilience, especially for children and teens.

Safe Harbor will serve 150 participants divided into 10 groups of 15. Each group will complete 12 three-hour sessions (36 hours total). Activities combine group surfing—which promotes trust and body awareness—with therapy led by trauma professionals, instructors, and volunteers. By creating a safe environment, the program helps evacuees process trauma, rebuild confidence, and regain strength.

CAM’s Enduring Mission

To date, CAM donors and partners have generously contributed $4.6 million to the Israel Emergency Support Fund, which has supported more than 60 entities and individuals, reaching hundreds of thousands of Israelis over the past two years of war.

“Every day in Israel, resilience is lived—in the recovery of the wounded, the rebuilding of homes, and the renewal of communities,” said CAM CEO Sacha Roytman. “These initiatives show the world that the spirit of Israel and the Jewish people will never be broken.”

“Our responsibility is clear: to transform pain into power, loss into fortitude, and crisis into unity,” he added. “In this moment of challenge, we send a message far beyond Israel’s borders—that antisemitism will be answered with strength, despair will be met with solidarity, and the Jewish people will stand unshakable, resolute, and together.”

For more information about the Israel Emergency Support Fund, and to donate, please visit: philanthropy.combatantisemitism.org

Logo of the Combat Antisemitism Movement’s Israel Emergency Fund, featuring the Israeli flag, a red heart, and a hand symbolizing support.