November 1, 2012 / 16 Cheshvan 5773

Today, (Thursday 01.11.2012) the Chairman of  the Executive of The Jewish Agency for Israel, Natan Sharansky, joined the Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, on a visit to the Jewish community of Toulouse, France, including the Ohr Torah School which was the scene of the devastating terror attack in March this year.
 
During the visit the Chairman of the Executive of the Jewish Agency, Natan Sharansky, announced that in response to the terror attack in Toulouse, and the increase in antisemitic incidents globally, The Jewish Agency for Israel has established a fund to help upgrade security in Jewish communities. The fund’s purpose is to enhance the security of Jews around the world. It will fund infrastructure upgrades and other security measures for communal institutions in small Jewish communities including schools, community centres and synagogues.
 
In March this year, four members of the Jewish community of Toulouse were murdered at the Ohr Torah School: Rabbi Jonathan Sandler (29), a teacher at the school; his two sons, Arieh (6) and Gabriel (3.5); and Miriam Hanna (8), daughter of the principal of the school, Rabbi Yaakov Monsonego.
 
Since the attack, The Jewish Agency has provided ongoing assistance to the Sandler and Monsonego families and helped the students and teachers of Ohr Torah school to recover from the attack. Steps taken by the Jewish Agency included sending trauma experts immediately after the attack, providing Israeli counsellors and other relevant professionals. In addition the Jewish Agency brought students and teachers form the school to Israel on a range of educational programs.
 
Natan Sharansky said during the visit that: “Global terror is a threat to both the citizens of Israel and Jews around the world. The establishment of this fund for Jewish communities is a clear expression of the ancient Jewish concept that ‘all of Israel is responsible for one another’. We, the Jewish people, are one large family who identify with and care for one another.”
 
For further information please contact:
Benjamin Rutland
Spokesperson to the Foreign and English Language Media
Cell:  972-2-526091099