In the immediate aftermath of the October 7, 2023, attacks, the St. Louis Jewish community wasted no time in stepping up to support Israel, raising significant funds for emergency aid. Now, in May 2025, that commitment remains intact. The Jewish Federation of St. Louis and its donors are rolling out new grants to bolster trauma care, emergency services and long-term recovery efforts through a network of partner organizations across Israel.

Community response to crisis

“The rehabilitation of Israel continues,” said Karen Sher, Chief Impact Officer at the Jewish Federation of St. Louis. “The crisis in Israel is ongoing, and our commitment to providing aid, healing and hope has not wavered.”

Beyond thoughts and prayers

Over the past 18 months, St. Louis has been doing more than just sending thoughts and prayers to Israel—it’s been sending real, life-changing support. As one of the first U.S. communities to join the Jewish Agency for Israel’s Communities2Gether initiative, St. Louis has doubled down on its long-standing partnership with the Yokneam-Meggido region, extending a hand to families evacuated from Kibbutz Nahal Oz, one of the hardest-hit communities in the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack.

That support has meant everything from trauma and mental health care to healing workshops for Nova Festival survivors, emergency communication devices and custom kits for Holocaust survivors and families with disabilities. It’s been a lifeline for thousands, proving that when it comes to community, St. Louis doesn’t just talk the talk.

Investing in long-term resilience

One recent example of this ongoing commitment is the partnership between the Staenberg Family Foundation and the Jewish Federation’s Israel Emergency Campaign. Together, they turned a generous $95,000 grant into a powerful $185,000 investment through matching gifts to United Hatzalah, Israel’s leading volunteer emergency medical service.

That match is already making a difference, fueling the launch of a new volunteer medic training center in the Yokneam-Meggido region. The facility will train 20 to 25 volunteer medics and sustain emergency services in the region for at least the next three years—proof that St. Louis support isn’t just a one-time gesture, but a long-term investment in saving lives.

Lifesaving impact

“I wanted to make this matching donation because it’s a chance for the St. Louis Jewish community to stand with everyday Israelis who choose to volunteer in such a meaningful way,” said Michael Staenberg of the Staenberg Family Foundation.

United Hatzalah provides rapid, lifesaving care across Israel, reaching victims in as little as 90 seconds—dramatically faster than the national average response time of up to 20 minutes.