The Wilf Family Foundation seeks to address one of Israel’s most pressing social challenges with $5m grant to The Jewish Agency’s Senior Affordable Housing Initiative
Press Release – New York, NY, February 15, 2018 — The Wilf Family Foundation has granted $5 million to The Jewish Agency for Israel’s Senior Affordable Housing Initiative, in a philanthropic effort that will address one of Israel’s most acute social challenges. The New Jersey-based Foundation joins a host of other major donors that have commited in excess of $27 million to the initiative to date.
The severe shortage of affordable and subsidized housing for seniors has left many having to find shelter in storage facilities or end up on the street. Currently, there is a waiting list of 27,000 low-income Israeli seniors—half of them Holocaust survivors—for subsidized housing. The Jewish Agency’s Senior Affordable Housing Initiative is a program that is uniquely equipped to address this crisis. Approximately 3,000 affordable housing units will be built on 17 sites in nine cities across Israel.
The Senior Affordable Housing Initiative offers a historic opportunity for philanthropic capital investment in Israel and is particularly attractive for those wishing to leave a lasting legacy in the Jewish State. The Israeli government has guaranteed to fund half of the project’s construction costs and will also subsidize 85 percent of the market rate of tenants’ rent for the next 20 years. Amigour, which serves as the Jewish Agency’s developer and manager of the project, is Israel’s leading sheltered housing company, operating 6,000 units in 57 buildings around the country.
“We are gratified that The Wilf Family Foundation is granting this generous and crucial support to assist some of Israel’s most vulnerable citizens,” said Joshua Fogelson, CEO of Jewish Agency International Development. “In addition to providing a lifeline for an at-risk population sector, increased access to affordable housing for seniors will contribute to the creation of a more equitable, inclusive and vibrant Israeli society as a whole.”
The Initiative’s first site, located on Tel Aviv’s Derech Hashalom Street, is currently under construction. In recognition of the extraordinary commitment that Joseph Wilf z”l made to support the needs of Holocaust survivors, and the Wilf Family Foundation’s generous gift, The Jewish Agency this fall will name and dedicate the building “The Joseph Wilf Building.” Chairman of the Executive of The Jewish Agency, Natan Sharansky, said “During the time I spent with Joseph, I came to know him as a proud Jew, a passionate Zionist and a generous supporter of the State of Israel. I can think of nothing more suitable than this project to memorialize his name.”
The Wilf Family Foundation is joining other major donors—including the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation; the Claims Conference; the Belz Foundation; the Coopersmith Charitable Trust; the Iranian Jewish Federation; and Keren Hayesod donors from South America, Sweden and Holland—in supporting this Initiative.
“Affordable housing for seniors is not only a crucial element in any community’s infrastructure, but also a true embodiment of the Jewish value of tikkun olam—repairing the world. In this context, we are honored to support The Jewish Agency’s Senior Affordable Housing Initiative, a project that puts our values into action. We are especially pleased that priority will be given to elderly Holocaust survivors – a very fitting tribute to our father who dedicated so much of his time and resources to improving their lives and preserving their legacy” said Mark Wilf of the Wilf Family Foundation.
About The Jewish Agency for Israel
Since 1929, The Jewish Agency for Israel has been working to secure a vibrant Jewish future. It was instrumental in founding and building the State of Israel and continues to serve as the main link between the Jewish state and Jewish communities everywhere. This global partnership has enabled it to address the Jewish People’s greatest challenges in every generation. Today, The Jewish Agency connects the global Jewish family, bringing Jews to Israel, and Israel to Jews, by providing meaningful Israel engagement and facilitating Aliyah. It also strives to build a better society in Israel – and beyond – energizing young Israelis and their worldwide peers to rediscover a collective sense of Jewish purpose. The Jewish Agency continues to be the Jewish world’s first responder, prepared to address emergencies in Israel, and to rescue Jews from countries where they are at risk.
