Unity, Resilience, and Financial Resources at this time.

Updated March 12th 2026 

Business owners, are you losing income due to this war?
Here are the details of what the compensation plan might look like:
***This is for general informational purposes only as its not yet signed and sealed**

Compensation Plan Emerging “Operation Roaring Lion”
Business Grants: Revenue Tiers and How Compensation Is Calculated
As currently being reported, businesses will only qualify for compensation if their revenue dropped by at least 25%. Below are the main details of how the grants are expected to be calculated.
Base Grant for Small Businesses
Annual revenue ₪12,000–₪50,000: ₪1,833
Annual revenue ₪50,000–₪90,000: ₪3,300
Annual revenue ₪90,000–₪120,000: ₪4,400
Compensation Based on the Size of the Revenue Drop
For larger businesses, the grant amount is determined by how large the drop in revenue was.
The greater the decline, the higher the compensation.
Examples:
Revenue ₪120,000–₪150,000: up to ₪8,328
Revenue ₪150,000–₪200,000: up to ₪9,819
Revenue ₪200,000–₪250,000: up to ₪12,570
Participation in Business Expenses and Employee Salaries
In addition to the grants, the government is also expected to help cover:
Fixed business expenses (property tax/arnona, electricity, water, rent)
Employee salaries, based on the wages actually paid
Salary cap for calculation: up to the average salary in Israel ₪13,773 per employee.
For larger businesses, compensation for salary expenses can reach up to ₪600,000.

(Translated from the Hebrew announcement)

Updated March 10th 2026

Were you asked to return to work? 

We are still running back and forth to our safe rooms’ yet at the same time, the army are easing the security restrictions and many workplaces in Israel are reopening. It is understandable if you don’t feel safe traveling around. Yet, if the workplace follows safety regulations they can still ask you to come back.  If you are scared to travel to work at this time,  I encourage you to see if your workplace can consider accommodating your needs like working from home, alternatively you might be entitled to take unpaid leave known in Hebrew as “Chalat”.  Take into account that this might be necessary but we do not yet know if there will be payment for unpaid leave. 

If you were asked to return to work, here is a quick guide to what you need to know.

When Must You Return to Work?

You may be required to return if the workplace has proper protection, such as a safe room, shelter, or protected area that can be reached within the required warning time.

If the workplace meets these safety rules and your employer schedules you to work, the expectation is that you will return. Employees generally cannot choose the type of shelter they prefer as long as it meets official guidelines.

What If Your Child’s School Is Closed?

If schools or childcare are closed by Home Front Command/”Pikud Haoref” orders, parents may stay home without being fired, if:

• The child is under age 14

• The other parent is working and not staying home for the same reason

• No other childcare arrangement exists

For children with special needs, this extends until age 21.

However, as of now it is unknown if they you will get a salary for these days this will depend on a government compensation plan, which has not yet been decided.

Can Your Employer Require You to Work from Home?

Yes. If your employer instructs you to work remotely and your job allows it, you are generally expected to work from home.

But the exceptions apply for childcare, medical or reserve duty.  

Employer:

You can’t force and employee to take unpaid leave, or fire an employee because of the security situation or force a change in job role, working hours, or employment conditions without agreement

Any change must be reasonable, explained, and discussed with the employee first.

If you are short of workers at this time you can ask employees to work longer hours. 

Praying for our safety. עם ישראל חי! Rifka

Updated October 24th, 2023

The current war with Hamas has affected us all, and our hearts go out to the families who have lost their loved ones, those who are missing, taken hostage, and those who have been injured. In times like these, our solidarity and compassion are essential, and it’s heartwarming to witness the immense support and collective efforts of the entire country and globally. 

Despite the pain and loss of our brothers and sisters old and young in the south, there is a remarkable sense of togetherness. It seems that everyone who has not been called up is mobilizing in different ways, sending food and supplies, raising funds, and providing unwavering support. It’s truly inspiring to see the outpouring of help from abroad, and the fact that EL AL had to add flights to bring those called up and volunteers back to Israel speaks volumes about our shared commitment to our homeland.

In other parts of the world, people might consider running away in times of crisis, but here, it’s evident that the connection to this land runs deep in our hearts. We all come together because, despite our differences, we recognize how much we need this place we call home.

I am sharing some financial resources that can be useful at this time. Every effort has been made on my part to make sure this information is accurate. I have added sources, made calls to check the information and added links with more information where possible.

Banks

All the banks are trying to be helpful at this time. If your salary didn’t come in, you need to enlarge your overdraft or take out a loan, you can reach out to your bank to get the help needed. They are trying to be sensitive and accommodating according to each case.  They will allow you to freeze mortgage payments (at a cost) and some are giving an interest free loan or will enlarge overdraft without paying interest on the additional sum. 

To check what bank branches are open The Bank Of Israel has a link to each bank here with the details. מידע לציבור על הפעולות שנוקט בנק ישראל בעקבות המצב הבטחוני | בנק ישראל – הבנק המרכזי של ישראל (boi.org.il) 

There is a Bank Of Israeli Helpline if you aren’t able to sort a bank or credit card issue directly with your bank *9086 or 02-655-2680 between 9:00 – 16:00

Sochnut

The Sochnut has a fund that gives victims of terror 4000 NIS almost immediately (within 3 days) and can give up to 25,000 NIS. הקרן לנפגעי טרור | הסוכנות היהודית לארץ ישראל (jewishagency.org) This is the number to call *6847. Or whatsapp 0523551684. 

Government

The government will give as a first aid sum 1000 NIS to each person and up to 5000 NIS per family who the Home Front command evacuated from their homes and lives 0-7 Km from Gaza.  Details and application are here הגשת בקשה למענק סיוע לתושבי העוטף | רשות המסים בישראל (www.gov.il)

Business Forum

The business forum of the largest companies in Israel are giving 1000 NIS per person worth of vouchers to anyone from “Otef Aza” who was evacuated from their home. If you did not get this yet you can reach out with all your details to: forumasakim23@gmail.com.

פורום העסקים יעניק תלוש של 1,000 שקל לכל אדם מעוטף עזה – גלובס (globes.co.il)

Employee Rights During a War

I did a rough translation of the government website explaining what compensation one might get when not working or when watching kids during a war, who has to go into work and who does not.

You can find it here Employee Rights during a war – Rifka Lebowitz

Union of Home Economy advisers

For anyone with financial concerns and questions about how to deal financially during this time, the Union of Home Economy advisers has opened a hot line. 073-367-9056

Possessions

If any of your possessions were harmed directly during this war, here is the government claims web site תביעה מקוונת – נזק ישיר | רשות המסים בישראל (www.gov.il), it seems like a fairly straightforward process. 

Paybox

Paybox – Due to the huge numbers of people raising money to help, they have temporarily raised the free annual transaction limit from 100,000 NIS to 200,000 NIS.

Food Stamps

This is unrelated to the war, here is useful information in English about food stamps. Food Stamps for People who are In Need | Ministry of Aliyah and Integration (www.gov.il)

Legal Aid

The Ministry of Justice has established a legal guidance center in response to the state of emergency. This center serves all residents of Israel and offers legal guidance on various legal matters arising from the war and the state of emergency. 

The center operates from Sunday to Thursday, between 08:00 and 20:00, and can be contacted by phone at 073-392-8666 or via email at mokedmishpati@justice.gov.il

Bituach Leumi 

Bituach Leumi has hired many new worker to help those families who have kidnapped family members. If no one was in touch with a family then call the hotline. 02-6269999. Anyone else, please take a look at the English page about rights from Bituach Leumi, including unemployment, there are helpful calculators on the site.  Updates and information in relation to the war | ביטוח לאומי (btl.gov.il) The “Chalat” unpaid work holiday that we had during Covid, is not valid during a war. Not everyone put on unpaid leave will be paid. , as