The Concept

"IsraAID does not undertake projects on its own. It does not undertake the activities. It's a catalyst. It's a motivator," says Schneider. "It seeks out its member organizations when a certain disaster hits. It tries to access the most appropriate one or more when there's a need to respond." Schneider says the umbrella organization then provides the funding for the affiliates selected to respond to the crisis.

Through IsraAID, there is a way to channel assorted Israeli know-how to where it can best be put to use, and to also showcase the country."

IsraAID turns out to be an incredibly efficient and reliable program, and has proven to be a place where B'nai B'rith can channel its disaster relief funds for immediate assistance in affected areas," says Joel Kaplan, BBI's chair for disaster relief. "B'nai B'rith always takes time to vet appropriate places to give funds, and proposals submitted by IsraAID hasten the process."

"IsraAID also demonstrates the ability of the State of Israel to help people and to do the job that has to be done for the welfare and health of people worldwide, Jews and non-Jews alike," Kaplan says.

An army of like-minded Israelis fulfills IsraAID's mission. These include Shachar Zahavi, chairperson of IsraAID.

"Our three main goals are coordination, education, and advocacy," says Zahavi. "That's our idea, and all these three goals help the members improve their knowledge, build partnerships, and eventually be able to do larger programs.

"Most [IsraAID] members are small and have small programs abroad, and, unfortunately, they don't get enough media attention and don't get enough funds to continue to enhance their programs. The concept of IsraAID was to bring all these groups together…to help each other and leverage their activities."

Schneider summarizes: "[Before] you didn't have a marrying of the different pieces. [Now] we have a cadre of nonprofits… each organization has its strengths, [and provides] its expertise, as needed. The additional value is that we expand the scope of Israeli aid abroad."

Israel in a Good Light

"The need to highlight Israel's compassion is critical in today's world," says BBI Program Director Rhonda Love. "Israel wants to be a good neighbor, and IsraAID provides the world with a very positive view of Israel. When a disaster happens [the Peru earthquake, the South Asia Tsunami in 2004, Hurricane Katrina in 2005], there's an opportunity for Israel to respond with boots on the ground. B'nai B'rith believes this shows Israel in the best light."

The first major joint project undertaken by IsraAid and B'nai B'rith was Israel's civilian aid to Sri Lanka following the tsunami. This was done with assistance from the Israel National Council for Volunteerism during the first six months after the tsunami. IsraAID involved other entities, including the Negev Institute for Strategies of Peace and Development (NISPED). Development and rehabilitation projects continue today in and around the Sri Lankan city of Galle. Additionally, NISPED-through its IsraAid /BBI World Center connection-supplies the Sri Lankan population with the tools to compete more successfully in national and global economies.

It is through IsraAID that the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society [HIAS] today provides a psychosocial program to refugees in Kenya, Darfur, and Chad. "These programs are designed to ensure that refugees can live in safety and dignity while in exile, with the ultimate goal of preparing them to rebuild their lives," says Mark Hetfield, senior vice president for policy and programs at HIAS.

For Israel, the benefits derived from these very visible hands-on mitzvahs are enormous, which makes BBI's Schneider proud. "You have the Israeli flag [flying above]," says Schneider of what accompanies IsraAID teams to these across-the-globe projects. "It shows Israelis care, they are [generous], and that they want to help."

If you would like to help B'nai B'rith in its disaster relief efforts, including programs operated through IsraAID, you can send contributions to the address below. For additional information or to make a contribution online, visit the Disaster Relief web page. B'nai B'rith Disaster Relief Fund | 2020 K Street, NW, 7th Floor | Washington, DC 20006 E-mail: cca@bnaibrith.org | Telephone: 212-490-3290

IsraAID in Peru

When a massive earthquake devastated Peru this past summer, BBI, as part of IsraAID, joined with the American Jewish Committee, the Israeli Embassy in Lima, B'nai B'rith Peru, and the Lima Jewish community in picking up the $10,000 transportation tab to send a six-member team of Israeli doctors and nurses to the stricken country. The medical personnel came from the Fast Israel Rescue and Search Team (FIRST).

According to news reports, the earthquake destroyed more than 34,000 residences, leaving more than 100,000 Peruvians homeless. Within hours of arriving, the Israelis treated hundreds of victims suffering from injuries and exposure.

"We [opened] temporary medical clinics…and we gave treatment to the populations that were living outside in tents or in the streets," recalls Dror Sinai, a lieutenant colonel in the Israeli army and head of the six-member FIRST delegation: two doctors, three nurse/paramedics, and a supervisor.

Sinai says the group treated an array of ailments, ranging from sprains and broken bones to asthma attacks aggravated from "living outside on the streets."

He says IsraAID and B'nai B'rith were key to the success of the operation. "Without this donation, we could not send this assistance," Sinai says.

"The IsraAID team relied on B'nai B'rith…and the Jewish community in Peru to form some kind of relationship with [a Christian organization on the ground] that took the IsraAID team to the small villages that were hit by the earthquake, and they went from village to village in the outlying areas where there were no other medical teams," says BBI World Center Director Alan Schneider.

Read more on the disaster relief efforts in Peru.