Former envoys launched mass mobilization campaign for Jewish community in Italy • So far, more than 30 Jews have died in the boot country

While the Corona epidemic continues to hit Italy, Israelis who used to serve as envoys in the boot country launched a fundraiser on Sunday to raise millions of dollars for the Jewish community collapsing in the country. 

The nucleus of the emissaries of the State of Israel, the Zionist organizations, and other bodies, in recent days, has volunteered to raise money for the Jewish community in Italy. Behind the initiative are Israelis who have served as Chabad emissaries, Bnei Akiva, Jewish Agency, Keren Hayesod and KKL-JNF in recent years, or have served in official positions of the State of Israel on behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Finance, Security and Economy in Italy. 

The initiative also enlisted the "Israeli Spirit" organization, the Jewish Agency and UCEI - the umbrella organization of Jewish communities in Italy. The campaign is backed by a special video produced specifically for him, in Hebrew and Italian, with the participation of a news release 12 Yonit Levy.

The Corona has so far taken the lives of more than 28,000 people in Italy. There are approximately 25,000 Jews living in most of the major cities in the country. The Jewish death toll from the virus is over 30, and most of the victims are from major cities - Rome and Milan.

Jewish communities have reported that the number of families in need has risen by more than 10, following the outbreak of the Corona and the country's economic collapse. These are families that the community has been helping with in the past few weeks with food baskets, electricity bill payments and a mortgage. All the synagogues in Italy, some 40 institutions, are still closed and so are all the Jewish schools operating in the country.

Director of Israeli Spirit Mickey Dahab said: "This is a unique project for us, because it is about raising resources for a community abroad. There is an impressive mobilization of volunteers from all parts of Israeli society who are very concerned about the collapse of the Jewish community in Italy."

Rabbi Elia Ricetti, who until recently served as mayor of Milan and is now in charge of synagogue activities outside Rome and Milan, added: "The community is facing many difficulties. The outbreak of the crisis will be slow and will require resources to help many families. The health and economic situation in Italy is very severe and it is clearly affecting We, too, as a community. "

To date, approximately NIS 51,000 have been raised during the campaign. To donate to the project you can go to the following link