Today, Jewish Federations of North America CEO & President Eric D. Fingerhut joined Israeli Minister of Health Uriel Menachem Busso to officially open the first of 16 planned community-based health centers in Israel that will provide much-needed services to more than 200,000 people each year, allowing them to get the help they need without the stigma associated with mental illness. 

 
In July, Jewish Federations announced they were contributing nearly $7 million to the Mental Health in the Community program – something sorely needed after the 10/7 Hamas attacks on Israel. The center which opened today is in the Hadassah Youth Neurim Village in Beit Yanai. 

 
“[T]he need for us to invest in professional, high quality, consistent, permanent network of mental health support is an absolute necessity,” Fingerhut said. “And so being able to be here in person today to help cut the ribbon and dedicate this one part of what is a broad network of mental health support is the culmination of a commitment -- or the representation of a commitment that our Jewish communities have today to the rebuilding of the soul and the mental health of the people of Israel.” 

 
Federations in Chicago, Toronto, Houston, and Dallas each made significant financial contributions to the program. 

 
“The project we are launching today would not have been possible without the wonderful partnership of the Jewish Federations of North America,” said Minister Busso. “The organization, which brings together 146 Federations in the United States and Canada, has once again proven the strength of the bond and the deep commitment to the state of the Jewish People.” 

 
The center is established in memory of Niv Raviv & Nirel Zini, a young couple tragically murdered in the terror attacks at their home on Kibbutz Kfar Aza, who dreamed of improving the lives of those suffering from PTSD. The center is supporting the acute, immediate, and specific needs of first responders, reservists, and special forces.