Herzog honors CAM-supported volunteers for post-Oct. 7 response

Israeli President Isaac Herzog on Wednesday recognized volunteers supported by the Combat Antisemitism Movement (CAM) for their efforts helping people and communities hurt by Hamas’s Oct. 7 massacre.

Those recognized were Yahaloma Zechut, who established the Ofakim Resilience Center to support residents affected by the Hamas attack on the city; Racheli Tadesa Malkai, who addresses the urgent needs of the Ethiopian community living in the south; the Alon and Ella NGO, which distributed winter packages to 3,000 displaced children and provided hundreds of tablets so they could continue their education while schools were closed; and Wahid Alhuzeil, who built an emergency center to assist Bedouin affected by the war and share their stories around the world.

The Presidential Volunteer Medals were awarded at a ceremony held at Herzog’s official residence in Jerusalem.

“October 7 was one of the most difficult moments for the people of Israel. But it turned into our finest hour, thanks to the spirit of volunteerism of the people of Israel, who mobilized en masse—from all corners of Israeli society, in all its variations,” tweeted Herzog.

“The recipients of these medals showed an extraordinary spirit of volunteerism, coming from different places, with different views, opinions, and beliefs, and gave so much of themselves for others,” he added.

In the aftermath of the Oct. 7 terrorist invasion, the Combat Antisemitism Movement established the Israeli Emergency Support Fund, which raised more than $1.7 million to directly assist response and recovery activities.

“I couldn’t be prouder of our work today,” Combat Antisemitism Movement CEO Sacha Roytman said, adding that the four entities “have provided crucial assistance to thousands in need across the country with our support and guidance.

“We worked closely on projects we believed were vital and impactful for war-affected communities,” Roytman continued. “Together, we reached many who lost everything on October 7, doing everything we could to help.”