On Thursday, Israeli President Isaac Herzog cited Maimonides in applauding the Jewish Federations of North America and its partners for precisely this highest form of giving, hosting an event at the President’s Residence in Jerusalem in recognition of a loan fund created in the wake of the Oct. 7 terror attacks to support small Israeli businesses.

“In the reality forced upon Israel since Oct. 7, many businesses have faced tremendous obstacles, including those small- and medium-sized businesses that represent a third of the economic activity of the [Israeli] market,” Herzog said, noting that they did not face these challenges “because of poor business decisions or a lack of demand for their products” but because of displacement and enlistment into the reserves.

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