For 2,000 years, Jews in the Diaspora dreamed of returning to Israel and creating a Jewish homeland.

When Jews in British-controlled Palestine (known as "the Yishuv" of Eretz Yisrael) were faced with starvation during World War I, the American Jewish community established JDC to provide immediate aid. From 1914 to 1948, JDC played a pivotal role in providing welfare and social services to Palestinian Jews and in laying the foundation of the State of Israel. Together we shared the dream of making Israel a just and caring society, a welcoming homeland, for Jews throughout the world.

On May 14, 1948, Jews reclaimed their homeland and declared the independent State of Israel. One day later, Israel was fighting for its survival.

When the war ended in 1949, the country desperately needed help. Hundreds of thousands of Holocaust survivors and Jews from across the Moslem world were arriving in Israel. Many were elderly or disabled. The young State of Israel was unable to provide care for them and turned to JDC for help. JDC immediately responded and established JDC-MALBEN, Israel’s first social service program for the aged and handicapped. JDC-MALBEN was funded and directed by JDC until the Israeli government was able to assume responsibility for its programs. Since then, we have worked in partnership with the Israeli government to help strengthen Israel’s capacity to meet the social service needs of its most vulnerable people.

During the past 50+ years – through conflict and quiet, in good times and in hard times – JDC has helped Israel build social services for the elderly, children and families at risk, vulnerable immigrant populations, for the disabled – for all Israelis in need. Together with the Israeli government, the nonprofit sector and our funding partners, we have and continue to create a nurturing and caring environment for all who call Israel home.

2006