When global delegates gather in Sydney for The Jerusalem Post’s Australia Summit on November 19, Keren Hayesod-United Israel Appeal will highlight a critical national priority: rebuilding Northern Israel. Since October 7, the organization has mobilized approximately NIS 2.5 billion worldwide for national recovery. While initial efforts focused on communities in the Gaza envelope, Keren Hayesod-UIA is now directing significant resources toward the equally urgent needs of the North.
“The challenges facing Northern Israel did not begin on October 7,” explains Edna Weinstock-Gabay, CEO and Director-General of Keren Hayesod-UIA. “The war exposed and deepened structural gaps that had existed for years. We have a responsibility not only to respond to immediate needs, but also to create the conditions for a stronger, more resilient future.”
From emergency response to long-term regional development
Before the war, Northern Israel already faced significant disparities in healthcare, education, welfare, employment and access to essential services. The evacuation of approximately 70,000 residents from communities along the border placed additional pressure on families and local authorities.
“If you have a child with special needs, they may have to travel an hour and a half every day just to get to school,” Weinstock-Gabay notes. “If you need a specialist, sometimes you drive more than two hours. These are not temporary challenges created by the war. They reflect deeper gaps that we must address if we want families to return and communities to thrive.”
To address these challenges, Keren Hayesod-UIA is supporting the Jewish Agency’s “Communities Together” model. Initially developed with ten southern kibbutzim and moshavim, the program has expanded to regional municipalities in the North. Keren Hayesod-UIA is partnering with four municipalities, including one serving Druze communities.
“We are working with each municipality to strengthen local leadership, build community resilience and create the conditions for residents to return and build their future in the North,” says Weinstock-Gabay.
Multiplying impact through government matching and philanthropic partnership
A central focus of Weinstock-Gabay’s address will be Keren Hayesod-UIA’s landmark tri-sector initiative, bringing together philanthropy, the business community and the Israeli government. Co-initiated by Keren Hayesod-UIA, the agreement established a dedicated NIS 500 million fund outside the regular state budget, leveraging philanthropic contributions and business-sector investments through government matching. The initiative includes mobile resilience centers, youth outreach efforts, and an effort to encourage new immigrants to settle in the Galilee.
“This is a powerful example of what can be achieved when philanthropy, the business sector and government work together. It sends a clear message that rebuilding the North is a shared national responsibility,” Weinstock-Gabay says.
The broader mission extends beyond immediate rehabilitation, connecting Jewish communities worldwide with those in Israel, striving toward sustainable, long-term impact. With Australia among Keren Hayesod’s most committed and significant campaigns, Weinstock-Gabay’s message in Sydney will be clear: rebuilding Northern Israel is a shared responsibility.
“Our vision goes beyond restoring what was lost,” she concludes. “We want to build a stronger, more resilient and prosperous North, where families return, young people see a future, new immigrants choose to settle, and communities have the infrastructure, economic opportunities and services they need to thrive.”
This article was written in collaboration with Keren Hayesod.