Nearly three years after Oct. 7, Israeli donations keep climbing as philanthropy shifts to recovery

Nearly three years after the October 7, 2023 massacre, Israeli philanthropy has sustained elevated giving levels, with JGive CEO Ori Ben-Shlomo reporting donations rose from NIS 160 million before the attack to nearly NIS 400 million last year. The platform's figures indicate a lasting shift from emergency relief toward long-term rehabilitation, with most donations still coming from Israeli donors.

Nearly three years after the October 7, 2023 massacre, Israeli philanthropy has sustained elevated giving levels, with JGive CEO Ori Ben-Shlomo reporting that donations on the platform rose from NIS 160 million before the attack to nearly NIS 400 million last year, with further increases this year. The initial surge in emergency donations—food, supplies, evacuee assistance, soldier support—was expected to fade as the immediate crisis subsided, but giving continued to climb. Ben-Shlomo says the shift reflects a lasting change in Israeli society's attitude toward donations and solidarity. Most donations still come from Israeli donors, though the war strengthened ties with Diaspora Jewish communities. A notable trend is the rise of direct giving, bypassing traditional intermediary institutions like federations, though those still play a role in large donations. The philanthropic focus has shifted from emergency relief to rehabilitation, including wounded soldiers, mental health care, and civilian recovery. New organizations have been established by professionals—doctors, psychologists—who were not previously involved in the nonprofit sector.