Ahava Tomer sits outside the ICU at the Hadassah Hospital in Jerusalem. Her son, Yonaton, the youngest of Tomer’s 11 children, was recently rushed there, victim of a terrorist stabbing.Yonaton is slowly improving physically, but the lingering effects of the attack, and the psychological effects on so many Israelis, are expected to last some time.

During these troubled times, critical programs that provide financial and emotional support to individuals and families can make the difference between a bright or troubled future. The Associated: Jewish Community Federation of Baltimore, through funds provided to its global partners – the Jewish Agency for Israel and Jewish Distribution Fund – as well as direct grants to programs in Israel and Baltimore’s sister city, Ashkelon, is providing this light.