About Us

The United Israel Appeal (UIA) is the Australian arm of Keren Hayesod in Israel. The UIA, through a partnership between Israel and Diaspora communities, mobilises support for Israel and the rescue of Jews in distress, by encouraging and assisting in aliyah and absorption into Israeli society. UIA saves Jewish lives, strengthens Jewish identity, fortifies the fabric of Israeli society and reinforces solidarity within the Jewish people.

The UIA raises funds to
facilitate the following:

Securing the Future for New Immigrants
Bringing a substantial number of Jews to live in Israel, including the rescue of Jewish communities at risk, as well as general aliyah, and ensuring their successful integration and absorption into Israeli Society.

Securing the Future of Israel’s High-Risk Populations
Helping close social gaps – between new immigrants and veteran Israelis and between Israel’s social and geographic periphery and its centre – by providing equal opportunities for disadvantaged populations.

Securing our Future as a People through Jewish/Zionist Education
Building the centrality of Israel for the Jewish People. Connecting the next generation with Israel as a core part of the Jewish identity. This involves cultivating Jewish identity among the next generation and developing the future bonds between the Diaspora and Israel.

History:

Keren Hayesod – United Israel Appeal is the central fundraising organisation for Israel throughout the world (except USA), based in Jerusalem. It operates in 46 countries on every continent through 58 Campaigns under the terms of the “Keren Hayesod Law, 1956” passed by the Knesset.

Keren Hayesod (“The Foundation Fund”) was established in 1920 at the World Zionist Conference in London. The resolution adopted called on “the whole Jewish people”, Zionists and non-Zionists alike to do its duty through Keren Hayesod. Jewish communities throughout the world established local fundraising campaigns under the Keren Hayesod umbrella, often using local names, such as the UIA – United Israel Appeal, in Australia.

Keren Hayesod – United Israel Appeal facilitates immigration and absorption in Israel, advances education of Israeli young immigrants, provides opportunities and care for weaker segments of Israeli society and enhances Israeli culture often beset by grave security issues and economic uncertainty.
In recent years, KH has helped facilitate Jewish Agency rescue operations and aliyah from the Former Soviet Union, Ethiopia, Yemen, Syria, Cuba and Iran. Most recently, Jews have been assisted and brought to Israel in the wake of economic collapse in Argentina and the escalation of Antisemitism in Europe, particularly France.

Since the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948, KH has:
• Supported the immigration of over 3,000,000 Jews to Israel
• Given new hope and opportunities to 350,000 youth-at-risk
• Reconstructed 90 disadvantaged neighbourhoods and development towns