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The Joint Australia COVID-19 Update – 19 June 2020

WORLD REFUGEE DAY 2020 – WITHOUT A HOME BUT NOT WITHOUT A HOPE

For 106 years, The Joint has been the global Jewish 000, putting Jewish values into action when the world needs it most. When Jewish refugees and other displaced people have been forced from their homes by violence or persecution, compassionate Jews like you have been there, working through The Joint to provide them with a lifeline.

World Refugee Day is this Saturday.

Meri Zegelman is just one of over a million displaced Jewish people The Joint has helped in their time of need. When war broke out in eastern Ukraine in 2014, she and her husband, Leonid, both Holocaust survivors, had to flee their hometown of Luhansk carrying only two small suitcases.

What they thought would be a two-week evacuation in Kharkiv became permanent. Thanks to the generosity of supporters like you, The Joint was able to provide food, medicine, and emotional support, helping the Zegelman’s rent and get settled into a new apartment. Meri quickly became a vital member of the Kharkiv Jewish community; now a Joint volunteer, she leads a group of other elderly Jews who gather for food, conversation, holiday celebrations, and more.

“LIFE FELT LIKE IT HAD COLLAPSED FOR US.  BUT THANKS TO THE JOINT, WE STILL FEEL LIKE JEWS AND WE STILL FEEL NEEDED” – Meri Zegelman

Today, with COVID-19 making in-person gatherings impossible, Meri continues to hold her newfound community together with phone calls, video chats, and an online cooking class she teaches about Jewish cuisine.

Every life is priceless, and each life we lift up enriches countless others. That’s why we do what we do.

Once again, the world is in turmoil. But together, we can ensure that the global Jewish 000 is still there to help.

Thank you for your support — and for standing with refugees and all other displaced people.

The Joint Australia wishes you Shabbat Shalom and a safe and enjoyable weekend.

Kind regards,


Eva Fischl OAM 
President


Philip Bos
National Director

Brett Kaye
Victorian Director

Please show your support in helping The Joint continue to provide its lifesaving services in these unprecedented times.

Donate Today

Get Involved with The Joint!
There are many ways to take action: Follow our Facebook page, sign up for our global update, make a gift, volunteer or travel with us, or alert your network about The Joint’s lifesaving work around the world.

The Joint Australia
P.O. Box 3229
Tamarama, NSW 2026
Australia
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 1300 683 653
Website: thejoint.org.au

An open letter to the Australian Jewish community – Global world rescue

The Joint Australia COVID-19 Update – 12 June 2020

AN OPEN LETTER TO THE AUSTRALIAN JEWISH COMMUNITY, INVITING YOU TO PARTICIPATE IN A GLOBAL WORLD RESCUE OF OUR PEOPLE AFFECTED BY THE COVID-19 CRISIS.  HELP US TO HELP THEM.

  • The Covid-19 Crisis has The Joint on the front line, rescuing Jews facing medical, social and economic duress.
  • We are rescuing those affected by Corona, while still undertaking our 1,400 programs in over 70 countries including Israel, where we are the largest NGO.
  • Assist NOW, so that our Jewish brothers & sisters have a future life after Corona that “doesn’t go backwards”.
  • Please plan your Chesed and philanthropy to include us.
    Follow our program as we make future announcements.

         

Eva Fischl OAM
President
The Joint Australia

Eva’s PS: I do feel that, as our sages teach us: “Kol Yisrael areivim ze ba’zeh.  All Jews are responsible for one another”.  I trust that you agree.

________________________________________________________________________________

For over 106 years, The Joint (JDC) operates in five main areas:

  • Helping the World’s Neediest Jews in the Former Soviet Union (FSU), Eastern and Central Europe, Africa and India
  • Empowering all Israelis
  • Building Jewish Life & Leaders
  • Rescuing Jews in Danger
  • Tikun Olam – helping non-Jewish world in times of natural disaster

Please visit our new website thejoint.org.au to make a donation or to learn more about The Joint.

The Joint Australia wishes you Shabbat Shalom and a safe and enjoyable weekend.

________________________________________________________________________________

Please show your support in helping The Joint continue to provide its lifesaving services in these unprecedented times.

Donate Today

Get Involved with The Joint!
There are many ways to take action: Follow our Facebook page, sign up for our global update, make a gift, volunteer or travel with us, or alert your network about The Joint’s lifesaving work around the world.

The Joint Australia
P.O. Box 3229
Tamarama, NSW 2026
Australia
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 1300 683 653
Website: thejoint.org.au

Israel Update

The Joint Australia COVID-19 Update – 22 May 2020

Israel Update from The Joint

Good afternoon Joint Supporter

I hope that you are well in these trying times.

Please read this Israel update on the way The Joint is adapting to the needs in Israel.

The Joint Australia wishes you Shabbat Shalom and a safe and enjoyable weekend.

Kind regards,


Eva Fischl OAM 
President


Philip Bos
Executive Director

Please show your support in helping The Joint continue to provide its lifesaving services in these unprecedented times.

Donate Today

Get Involved with The Joint!
There are many ways to take action: Follow our Facebook page, sign up for our global update, make a gift, volunteer or travel with us, or alert your network about The Joint’s lifesaving work around the world.

The Joint Australia
P.O. Box 3229
Tamarama, NSW 2026
Australia
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 1300 683 653
Website: thejoint.org.au

A moment of clarity

The Joint Australia COVID-19 Update – 15 May 2020

A moment of clarity, by Executive Director, Philip Bos

Good afternoon Joint Supporter

I hope that you are well in these trying times.  I wanted to share with you all, this personal moment of clarity I experienced, which I hope you can take the time to reflect on.

During my life, I have always found heroes fascinating. What drove them? Would I be as brave should I face similar challenges? Was it chance or active leadership, that placed such people in the crosshairs of life? A moment to do the right thing, or perhaps find oneself falling short of managing the impact of the threat.

Recently I learnt that there is far more to the concept of a hero, than performing at the moment. Allow me to explain:

The term ‘Corona Crisis’ is often used. When a Critical Incident is not managed, it worsens to become a crisis. It may even spiral out of control, on an global scale, to become a disaster.

At The Joint, we are not facing a crisis; because the impact of Corona is being managed by JDC staff. I call it a Managed Incident. That is not to say that the Corona impact is trivial, in fact, it is extreme in its effect and devastation. Still, I suspect that soon we may consider our new operating environment BaU – Business as Usual.

How is this so? Is it because of our 106-year history of coping with the worst that the world has thrown at The Joint? Yes, certainly in no small part. However, mostly, the answer lies in The Joint staff.  Not only have the staff of The Joint had to accommodate new and challenging personal and family circumstances, they also must ensure that they are match-fit for the most important work that a person can do – the protection of others.

A new definition of hero has emerged for me. It is not just the fast reaction to an emergency. Equally now for me, hero defines the dedicated staff of The Joint, who quietly and without fanfare, adapt and transform in response to incredible pressure. They do so with composure, as they continue to provide protection for those who cannot or struggle to fend for themselves.

The weeks and months of Corona continue and the efforts and expertise of field and office staff, relentlessly grind down the Corona “Crisis” into Corona BaU. This occurs individually and collectively.

The word hero comes from the Greek hērōs, literally “protector”. Each day as I read of The Joint’s work in protecting our people, pursuing the betterment of our Jewish brethren in need, is a day when I find myself in the company of hērōs. Whenever I face concern with the struggles at hand, should I introspect and falter; I remind myself that I am working with hērōs. That imbues confidence in me, for my future and that of The Joint’s clients. I feel restored.

They are our protectors and my inspiration.

 

The Joint Australia wishes you Shabbat Shalom and a safe and enjoyable weekend.

Kind regards,


Eva Fischl OAM 
President


Philip Bos
Executive Director

Please show your support in helping The Joint continue to provide its lifesaving services in these unprecedented times.

Donate Today

Get Involved with The Joint!
There are many ways to take action: Follow our Facebook page, sign up for our global update, make a gift, volunteer or travel with us, or alert your network about The Joint’s lifesaving work around the world.

The Joint Australia
P.O. Box 3229
Tamarama, NSW 2026
Australia
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 1300 683 653
Website: thejoint.org.au

Where Are They Now?

The Joint Australia COVID-19 Update – 1 May 2020

Where Are They Now?

Dear Joint supporter

I hope that you are well in these trying times.

I want to bring to life Holocaust survivor Asya Sederenko, client number 15,732 of the 102,000 people that we look after every day in over 70 countries and Israel (as the largest NGO). Her message, video and article below illustrate that The Joint is diligently working to ensure your gift is incredibly useful. We can both have pride in what we achieve together.

Our clients continue to receive the services they need to survive, even in these challenging times:

Asya_Yom-Hashoah video

Asya_Yom-Hashoah article

“During this difficult time for me and all of us, due to the coronavirus pandemic, I have to be at home and in self-isolation, because I understand I’m in a high-risk group. But even today, when there are so many restrictions, my JDC Hesed homecare worker continues to come to me and provide me with vital assistance.

She supports me emotionally, and my anxiety goes away after talking with her. I’m grateful to her for taking care of my health. She comes in a mask and gloves, and she always disinfects her hands. These items of personal protective equipment were given to her by JDC and Hesed.

The help given to me at this time is simply invaluable. It makes me feel like I’m not alone, and it helps me believe in a better tomorrow. I feel connected to a large, friendly global Jewish community.

I’m very grateful to JDC’s donors, who finance Hesed and our Jewish community, for the assistance they’re providing, without which I couldn’t survive this terrible time.”

DOUBLE YOUR IMPACT

Thanks to a generous anonymous donor, from now until 5 May 2020 (the end of #GivingTuesdayNow) which is a global day of giving and unity, your gift to The Joint will be matched dollar-for-dollar (up to $20,000 USD) doubling your impact. 

Together we will change the world for Jews in need, in over 70 countries and in Israel, as the largest NGO in the Holy Land.

The Joint Australia wishes you Shabbat Shalom and a safe and enjoyable weekend.

Kind regards,


Eva Fischl OAM 
President


Philip Bos
Executive Director

Please show your support in helping The Joint continue to provide its lifesaving services in these unprecedented times.

Donate Today

Get Involved with The Joint!

There are many ways to take action: Follow our Facebook page, sign up for our global update, make a gift, volunteer or travel with us, or alert your network about The Joint’s lifesaving work around the world.

The Joint Australia
P.O. Box 3229
Tamarama, NSW 2026
Australia
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 1300 683 653
www: thejointaustralia.jdc.org

The Joint Australia appoints new Victorian Director – Mr Brett Kaye

The Joint Australia COVID-19 Update – 27 April 2020

The Joint Australia appoints new Victorian Director – Mr Brett Kaye

Dear Joint supporter

We have appointed our Victorian Director (part-time) – Brett Kaye.

We are super excited by this development, achieved within our existing budget, despite adverse world circumstances.


AJN announcement regarding Brett Kaye

The Joint Australia wishes you a safe week ahead. Our efforts together to assist our brethren, and shine the JDC light into their lives, may be of interest for some quick viewing

Kind regards,


Eva Fischl OAM 
President


Philip Bos
Executive Director

Please show your support in helping The Joint continue to provide its lifesaving services in these unprecedented times.

Donate Today

Get Involved with The Joint!

There are many ways to take action: Follow our Facebook page, sign up for our global update, make a gift, volunteer or travel with us, or alert your network about The Joint’s lifesaving work around the world.

The Joint Australia
P.O. Box 3229
Tamarama, NSW 2026
Australia
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 1300 683 653
www: thejointaustralia.jdc.org

The Joint

On this night, Why is The Joint different from any other organisation in The Jewish World?

The Joint Australia COVID-19 Update – 8 April 2020

On this night, Why is The Joint different from any other organisation in The Jewish World?

Dear Joint supporter

The Joint Australia wants to share a short, good news message of resilience and continuity.

Rest assured that The Joint will never Let Our People Go. Read how we are shining a light in all the dark corners of the world and in Israel:

  • The Joint is working. Our clients continue to receive the services they need to survive.
  • We have over 1 million clients in-need, in over 70 countries, including of course Israel (where we are the largest NGO).
  • All this is made possible by your generous support, for which we thank you.
  • In many countries, we are donning Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and negotiating complex travel restrictions to ensure the most vulnerable Jews in the world have a life-line, needed now more than ever.
  • 120,00 of our elderly customers are at the highest risk from Covid-19.
  • Every day, we see them and care for them, on your behalf. No-one is forgotten. No-one is alone.
  • I am immensely proud to be part of the worldwide network that for 106 years has managed adversity as a regular part of our duties.

If you wish to learn more about what we are doing in response to Covid-19, please click here and for example here.

The Joint has always operated in extreme environments.
The Pesach message is one of rescue and salvation. Such is the mission of The Joint:

  • During World War I, World War II, the commencement of the State of Israel
  • When we rescued Jews from Arab lands – Operation Magic Carpet Yemen 1950, Iraq 1952, Syria 1948 – until we took the last Jews out this decade
  • In Egypt 1957, Iran 1949-1979, Ethiopia – Operations Moses, Joshua and Solomon in the 1980’s and ’90s
  • Today in Ukraine, South America and other countries in secret.

The Joint prevailed then. The Joint will prevail now. This too, will pass. The impact we are making together is palpable.

From home to home, we wish you a Chag Pesach Sameach.

Kind regards,


Eva Fischl OAM 
President


Philip Bos
Executive Director

Please show your support in helping The Joint continue to provide its lifesaving services in these unprecedented times.

Donate Today

Get Involved with The Joint!

There are many ways to take action: Follow our Facebook page, sign up for our global update, make a gift, volunteer or travel with us, or alert your network about The Joint’s lifesaving work around the world.

The Joint Australia
P.O. Box 3229
Tamarama, NSW 2026
Australia
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 1300 683 653
www: thejointaustralia.jdc.org

The Joint Australia Update – 18 March 2020

Dear Joint supporter

For the obvious Coronavirus precautionary reasons, The Joint Australia has cancelled the visit to Australia of our esteemed speaker Will Recant, who was visiting Australia on a Speaker Tour in late April/early May this year.

We have simply folded over the Will Recant event to the end of the year and will announce shortly.

The 2020 Joint Gala events are on:

  1. Wednesday 4th November in Sydney
  2. Thursday 5th November in Melbourne

Our speakers will be exciting and motivating and we will share that with you shortly.

We are all receiving many messages of cancellation and postponement from a plethora of organisations. Let me take you down a different pathway:

I must express my pride in belonging to an organisation that exercises excellent leadership in communication and action. As President, I am receiving daily updates from Head Office and far-flung corners of the world, messages that are encouraging and comforting. JDC continues its mission unabated, albeit modified to accommodate new risks and challenges.

As someone who can quickly adapt to the new circumstances due to the nature of my role at JDC, I am in awe of those who must continue to work in the field, maintaining care and social services to “our clients (who) are a vulnerable population even in the best of times”.

This dedication to the mission, now and for 105 years, is why we are the world’s leading philanthropic Jewish organisation.

It is with great satisfaction that I share and will continue to share these stories with you our donors and friends, demonstrating how, in these trying times, JDC is at the forefront of care for those in need.

JDC leads the Jewish world from the front. Coronavirus is just another challenge, no worse than us continuing operations during two world wars and helping the creation of the State of Israel.

How galvanising and riveting to see the JDC not miss a beat in permeating the world with our network of essential services. These are the stories that make history.

On your behalf, I have passed on the thanks of the Australian Joint supporters, to all who provide these services.

——– Original message ——–
From: Amos Lev-Ran
Date: 3/17/20 17:43 (GMT+02:00)
Subject: JDC-FSU Update on the Coronavirus Situation – March 17

JDC-FSU is taking measures to ensure the safety and well-being of our clients and staff in the FSU. We have issued emergency protocols to our local field offices, and to the Heseds, following consultations with an expert in disaster and emergency management. We continually monitor the situation and adapting plans as the situation develops.

Our strategy is to prioritise lifesaving services, utilising staff and resources for those needs, while minimising risk to clients and staff. Our clients are a vulnerable population, even in the best of times. With the Coronavirus pandemic, they are a focused at-risk population.

Critical services are continuing, mainly homecare and material support, and we are minimising Hesed activities that require gatherings. We are taking precautions and minimising entrance to clients’ homes for non-homecare services. To compensate for less face to face contact, we are looking to increasing remote connections with clients. Call centres will continue to operate – we are examining how to enhance their activity while applying cautionary measures – and are considering rapid expansion of hotlines to additional areas.

In addition to advising Heseds to regularly consult with the updates from their local authorities, we have guided the Heseds to establish a response and preparedness taskforce to respond to Coronavirus issues; hold online briefings for employees and homecare staff and regularly share with them updates and other resources on the pandemic; create workflows and mapping of different risk scenarios; and create an organisational emergency structure. We have also provided recommendations regarding cleanliness and hygiene, and increasing cleaning frequency in the premises.

We have guided Heseds to map clients who are prioritised for life-sustaining service – primarily bedridden, homebound and lonely clients, as well as clients with severe disabilities: create groups of volunteers for emergency communication and remote assistance to the clients; and prepare a support (non-medical) hotline for clients to call.

We are looking to mobilise volunteers as much as possible, mainly remotely, taking into account risks of public transportation, and contact with clients.

JDC staff has long been prepared for remote work, and we are gradually implementing improved protocols in different areas. We are working hard and doing our best to respond in uncertain conditions, and we will adapt and develop our operations as the situation evolves. This reality is complex, and travel limitations and variances amongst countries’ responses make our work even harder.

The good news is that we will prevail.

Amos Lev-Ran
Director
External Relations Division | FSU
JDC (The Joint)  | JDC.org
office +972.2.6557319

Kind regards,


Eva Fischl OAM 
President


Philip Bos
Executive Director

Get Involved with The Joint!
There are many ways to take action: Follow our Facebook page, sign up for our global update, make a gift, volunteer or travel with us, or alert your network about The Joint’s lifesaving work around the world.

The Joint Australia
P.O. Box 3229
Tamarama, NSW 2026
Australia
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 1300 683 653
www: thejointaustralia.jdc.org

The Joint Australia Update March 2020 – 9 March 2020.

Dear Joint supporter

Today is not the first time Jewish communities have faced adversity.

For 105 years and in over 70 countries, The Joint has rescued, restored, and made resilient our people in need:

  • throughout two world wars
  • before, during and after the establishment of the State of Israel
  • and right now

We provide services to those whose lives are at grave risk. We continue to build independent sustainability, success and growth. A million smiles a day are our reward.

The Joint uses both its left hand to pull communities from danger and desperation, and right hand to push social mobility and success. You make this happen – thank you!

Rest assured that as the world faces a new challenge of the Coronavirus, The Joint will continue to provide our essential services to one million customers. Wars, bombs, bullets, tyranny and disease have never stopped The Joint from delivering on its sacred mission. We will continue to do so.

As the festival of Purim starts, I would like to take this opportunity to share this piece of history with you and show you how we always meet our promises.

Throughout our history, we’ve stared down hate and each time we’ve survived. Since 1914, The Joint has played a pivotal role in overcoming these crises. We’ve been there in the darkest moments, whether that meant rescuing those in peril or helping the survivors rebuild.

We were there in July 1945, when a newly liberated Holocaust survivor in Warsaw sent a four-word telegram to The Joint’s New York office. “I Live Require Help,” she wrote, confident that The Joint was the correct address for her plea.

Her confidence was well-placed. The Joint had already launched a massive post-Holocaust rescue and rehabilitation program, which by 1947 was aiding half of all the Jews in Europe living west of the Soviet Union.

We were there when Israel was born, facilitating the immigration of some 440,000 Jews to Israel and creating a network of social services to help thousands of elderly and fragile new immigrants.

We were there, in secret, during the Cold War era, working to sustain Soviet Jewish refuseniks, as well as successive waves of Soviet émigrés.

We were there in Ethiopia in 1991, when we paved the way to airlift 14,000 Jews to Israel in just 36 hours.

We were there in Argentina in 2001, when the economy collapsed, building a coalition to support 36,000 Jews suddenly plunged into poverty.

We are there right now, in places we can’t even talk about because of ongoing crises, saving Jewish lives no matter the risk.

We can’t know what this health challenge will bring, but you can count on The Joint to always be there for Jews in need. Together, we can confront anti-Semitism and help Jews all over the world do what we’ve always done: Survive, and thrive.

That’s why the future needs us now.

Chag Purim sameach.

Kind regards,


Eva Fischl OAM 
President


Philip Bos
Executive Director

Get Involved with The Joint!
There are many ways to take action: Follow our Facebook page, sign up for our global update, make a gift, volunteer or travel with us, or alert your network about The Joint’s lifesaving work around the world.

The Joint Australia
P.O. Box 3229
Tamarama, NSW 2026
Australia
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 1300 683 653
www: thejointaustralia.jdc.org

The Joint achieves 4 Star Charity Navigator Rating

Dear Friend
As you would expect The Joint Australia (JDC) has again achieved the highest possible rating from Charity Star Navigator, which is a philanthropic tool that assesses

  • strong financial health,
  • minimal overheads,
  • effectiveness of programs,
  • commitment to accountability, and
  • transparency of charitable organisations.

Investing your philanthropic dollar with The Joint goes further than with those charities who do not go through the same rigorous auditing and transparency reporting that we do. This rating sets us apart from others.

We understand that these metrics are of key importance to your philanthropic endeavours, which is why we are so proud of our rating. The 4-star rating is the highest rating possible and confirms that The Joint exceeds industry standards and that we execute our mission guaranteeing your valued gifts attain maximum benefit in the field.

We hope you take this into account when choosing your philanthropic partners.

Attached is our certificate and congratulatory letter for your perusal.

Kind regards,

             
Eva Fischl OAM  
President 


Philip Bos
Executive Director

The Joint Distribution Committee (Australia)
T: 1300 683 653
E: [email protected]
W: www.thejointaustralia.jdc.org

For over a century, The Joint’s mission has been “saving Jewish lives and building Jewish life,” and that work continues today. From young people to the elderly, from large to small communities, we help millions in need each year.