The Jewish Agency’s Roaring Lion Fund

Amid the incessant Iranian missile attacks on Israel, the scale of devastation has been measured not only in physical destruction but in shattered routines, displaced families, and lives abruptly upended.

Announced on March 4, the fund was established in partnership with The Jewish Federations of North America, Keren Hayesod, and additional donors. Its mission is both straightforward and profound: to ensure that no victim of the missile attacks is left to navigate the aftermath alone.

At its core, the Roaring Lion Fund delivers direct emergency grants of NIS 4,000 (approximately $1,300) to those most affected – bereaved families, individuals hospitalized with injuries, and households whose homes were destroyed or rendered uninhabitable. These grants are distributed quickly and automatically, without requiring applications, thanks to coordination with government authorities.

But beyond financial aid, the initiative recognizes a deeper need: healing. Through resilience programs, such as individual counseling, workshops, and group therapy, the fund aims to address the psychological toll of living through war.

The Roaring Lion Fund is not just a logistical operation – it is an expression of a longstanding Jewish principle: mutual responsibility.

Mark Wilf, Chairman of the Board of Governors of The Jewish Agency, emphasized this ethos, stating, “The Jewish Agency’s Roaring Lion Fund embodies our community’s deepest commitment to mutual responsibility. In moments of profound crisis, such as the current war, we show up for one another without hesitation. This powerful gesture of solidarity from world Jewry to the Israeli people strengthens resilience and forges meaningful bonds of connection. This is how we rise – together – and emerge stronger than before.”

That sense of unity has translated into rapid mobilization. Immediately following the onset of Operation Roaring Lion (known in the United States as Operation Epic Fury), The Jewish Agency activated its emergency operations center.

From supporting new immigrants in absorption centers to assisting lone soldiers and young participants in programs such as Masa Israel Journey, the organization expanded its reach to ensure that vulnerable populations were not overlooked.

Amigour is The Jewish Agency’s subsidiary that serves as the operational arm of the Government of Israel’s Compensation Fund in matters pertaining to property damage from missile fire. As part of this work, Amigour’s role includes assisting families and municipalities with the immediate repair of war damage, which includes apartments, shelters, public institutions, and more.

Maj.-Gen. (Res.) Doron Almog, Chairman of the Executive at The Jewish Agency, underscored the moral urgency behind these efforts: “In these challenging days, the heart of the Jewish people is here in Israel – with the families who have lost their loved ones, with the wounded, and with those whose homes were destroyed in an instant. At this moment, we are measured by our actions, which are expressed through rebuilding and renewal. The Roaring Lion Fund was established to respond immediately, to extend a helping hand, and to help ease the pain.”

While the numbers are significant, the true impact of the Roaring Lion Fund is best understood through the stories of those it has helped.

Shani and Itzik, a young couple with a baby, found themselves suddenly homeless after a missile strike destroyed their home in Beersheba. What might have become a prolonged crisis was instead met with swift intervention. Shortly after the missile strike, a representative from the Roaring Lion Fund was there to offer an immediate grant to assist the family.

In a moment when stability was critical – especially with an infant – the immediate grant provided them with the means to secure temporary shelter and basic necessities.

“The grant helped us tremendously. In a situation where in one second you have nothing, any help is incredibly meaningful,” Itzik said. “The grant arrived quickly and helped us with the most basic needs. Every dollar, every bit of help, matters in a situation like this.”

Abed and his parents were extremely appreciative to know that world Jewry was sending their good wishes for Abed’s recovery, and showing their solidarity with all of Israel’s citizens.

In Beit Shemesh, Chana was among the 600 Israelis forced to evacuate their homes on February 29 after missile strikes inflicted severe damage. Representatives from The Jewish Agency went to visit her at the hotel to provide financial assistance and to convey the message that she is not alone and that Jews around the world are thinking of her and her family.

The fund’s assistance allowed her to quickly stabilize her living situation, while access to emotional support services helped her begin to process the experience.

Then there is Sandra, 86, who decided to travel to Israel from Memphis, Tennessee, with her daughter for a family wedding. She was also visiting her grandson Bradley, his wife, Sufa, and their two-year-old son, Ariel.

She had no idea her trip would take a drastic turn when the war with Iran began. While rushing to a safe room in Bradley and Sufa’s home in Netivot, she suffered a broken hip and now contends with post-traumatic stress.

Her story highlights the dual nature of recovery: physical and psychological. Through the Roaring Lion Fund, she received not only financial assistance but also access to resilience programs designed to support long-term well-being.

Each of these individuals represents a different facet of the crisis – and a different pathway to recovery. Together, they illustrate how targeted, timely support can transform outcomes.

Yehuda Setton, CEO of The Jewish Agency, pointed to the organization’s preparedness as a key factor in its rapid response.

“From the moment the war began, we activated The Jewish Agency’s emergency response center,” he said. “Our ability to respond in real time is based on our years of experience and our partnership with Jewish Federations of North America and our partners around the world. We are able to provide rapid assistance to families affected by the missile attacks, while continuing to support new immigrants, young Jews visiting Israel on programs, lone soldiers, and at-risk youth. The spirit of Jewish mutual responsibility reveals its strength precisely at moments like these and sends a clear message to the people of Israel: You are not alone.”

That message – you are not alone – is central to the Jewish Agency’s philosophy. Financial assistance addresses immediate needs, but resilience programming ensures that recovery is sustainable.

Workshops and therapy sessions are being implemented in coordination with local municipalities, which help identify those in need and connect them to services. This localized approach ensures that support is both accessible and tailored to community-specific challenges.

As Israel continues to navigate a complex and evolving security situation, the need for initiatives like the Roaring Lion Fund remains urgent. Recovery is not a single moment but an ongoing process – one that requires sustained support, adaptability, and compassion.

In the words of Maj.-Gen. Almog, the fund represents “a profound expression of the mutual responsibility that binds us together – an embrace from an entire people rooted in unconditional love.”