Hundreds of Jewish community leaders, gathered in Jerusalem on Sunday for The Jewish Agency's Board of Governors meeting, where they announced a new new 60 million shekel ($18 million) grant program to support businesses owned by the spouses of Israel Defense Forces reservists.
The initiative, launched in partnership with the Class Action Foundation, aims to help business owners whose livelihoods were disrupted as their partners were called up for extended reserve duty during the ongoing war.
Spouses of IDF reservists who own businesses that suffered significant economic harm during the war will be eligible for one-time grants ranging from 5,000 to 20,000 shekels (about $1,500 to $6,000), based on business size and eligibility criteria. Recipients will also receive a package of business and consumer assistance, including mentoring, guidance on exercising rights, and professional workshops.
This fund is being launched with the support of world Jewry as a powerful expression of Jewish unity. Its purpose is to demonstrate global solidarity with Israel’s reservists and their families, and to express appreciation for their tremendous contributions to Israel’s security during the Swords of Iron War.
Businesses owned by spouses of reservists in Israel must meet the following two main criteria to receive assistance: The reservist has served at least 200 days in reserve duty since the outbreak of the war on October 7, 2023; and the business has experienced a decrease of at least 30% in revenue compared to a corresponding pre-war period (for example, January-June of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023).
The announcement was made by Maj. Gen. (res.) Doron Almog, Chairman of the Executive of The Jewish Agency; Mark Wilf, Chairman of The Jewish Agency’s Board of Governors; Yehuda Setton, CEO and Director General of The Jewish Agency; and representatives of the Class Action Foundation, chaired by Judge (ret.) Yaakov Shineman.
Almog described the initiative as a message of solidarity from world Jewry, "This fund is an expression of mutual responsibility and deep gratitude from the entire Jewish people, in Israel and around the world, with a clear message: You are not alone. This is an expression of our connection - one heart, one people, and one commitment - which leaves no one behind."
Wilf emphasized that Jewish communities worldwide stand behind the families of those serving on the front lines, “Our new grant program reflects the deep, enduring bond between the Jewish people and the men and women who defend the State of Israel". He said, "This initiative is a tangible expression of our collective gratitude and unity as one Jewish family.”
Setton said the fund was as much about morale as it was about money, “This fund is not merely financial assistance for their families - it is a bridge of hope and resilience that connects the families of reservists with the entire Jewish people, as one family. This is how we at The Jewish Agency, together with our partners, continue to build hope as the foundation for renewal.”
Judge Shineman noted that the partnership builds on the Class Action Foundation’s mission to aid those affected by national crises, “The Class Action Fund continues its efforts to assist those affected by the war, in accordance with the goals set by the courts in class action proceedings. The fund seeks to support the spouses of reservists so that they can sustain their small businesses for the benefit of consumers, thereby strengthening Israel’s society and economy.”
Since the October 7 terrorist attacks, hundreds of thousands of Israelis have left behind their families and jobs to serve extended reserve duty to defend the country. During this time, their spouses have borne the double burden of managing home and family life while struggling to keep their small businesses afloat amid severe economic uncertainty.
The new grant program, supported by global Jewish partners including the World Zionist Organization, Jewish Federations of North America, and Keren Hayesod, seeks to ease that burden and to remind families of reservists that their sacrifices have not gone unnoticed.
For applications and more information about the grant program, visit: https://marom.jewishagency.org/asakim-bamiluim
The application process opens online November 2, and the deadline for submissions is November 12. Requests for grants can be submitted at: https://marom.jewishagency.org/asakim-bamiluim.
Written in collaboration with The Jewish Agency