PHOTO: This observation post near Israel's border with the Gaza Strip, adjacent to where a number of female Israeli soldiers were kidnapped by Hamas on Oct. 7, was one of the sites visited by Jewish Federation of Greater Portland Board Chair Mindy Zeitzer and President and CEO Marc Blattner during their recent tour of Overseas Special Projects funded by JFGP. (Courtesy Mindy Zeitzer)

By ABIGAIL MINCH
For The Jewish Review
In February, Mindy Zeitzer, board chair for the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland, and
Marc Blattner, Federation President and CEO, traveled to Israel. After the Jan. 19 Israel and Hamas ceasefire deal, they knew it was time to visit and check in on the Overseas Special Project programs that Federation funds, visiting 16 out of the 17 programs in just five days. 
The Overseas Special Projects Committee earmarks funds to empower individuals and families on the margins of Israeli society. Zeitzer describes the programs as being “Portland-esque.” The initiatives include support for the LGBTQ+ community, efforts dedicated to building bridges between Jewish Israelis and Arab Israelis, and a program to help bring youth to a Kibbutz-style school. 
Although these programs were established before the tragic events of Oct. 7, 2023, their importance and need have grown considerably in the aftermath. 
“I feel like the programs that we support are really helping on the ground,” said Zeitzer. “But even more so now as the challenges that the Israeli people are experiencing are exponentially larger. (They are) helping with mental health services, helping with education,
helping with all those challenges that just got significantly worse since October 7th.” 
Zeitzer was able to see that the Federation dollars are truly making a difference in Israel. She says that every agency she and Blattner met with expressed immeasurable gratitude for the support. 
Beyond meeting with program agencies, Zeitzer was able to see for herself the damage that the country has suffered in the wake of Oct. 7. 
“There is something broken in Israel now,” Zeitzer said. “And they’re hurting.” 
Zeitzer and Blattner confirmed firsthand the harsh realities Israelis face by going to the sites of destruction: the northern border with Lebanon, the evacuated Kibbutzim, the Eastern Gaza border, Kibbutz Be’eri, and the site of the Nova Festival. 
It was clear to Zeitzer that every Israeli she encountered had been traumatized and is experiencing deep pain. 
“Everybody there is connected to Oct. 7,” Zeitzer stated. “Everybody. It’s either a family member, a brother, a sister, a cousin, a kid, a grandparent, a parent, or a close friend. Everybody has been impacted, knows somebody who was there, knows somebody who’s still a hostage, knows somebody who was killed. Everybody. And that is a very real pain.” 
Zeitzer remains hopeful that the Federation’s funding will continue to support Israelis as much as possible through the healing process. 
“Some of the programs are very specifically oriented to the challenges that they’re experiencing,” Zeitzer said. “A lot of the programs that are funded were helping before and are even helping in a greater capacity now because of the increased needs.” 
Abigail Minch graduated from The University of Oregon with a degree in Journalism and a minor in Judaic Studies. She is excited to combine these two loves into writing for The Jewish Review.