Theater charity Broadway Cares donates to Israeli groups after criticism over Gaza aid

• Published date: 12 April 2024
• Author: LUKE TRESS/JTA
• Publication title: Jerusalem Post, The: Web Edition Articles (Israel)

The donations follow a pledge Broadway Cares made in February to fund aid in Israel. The philanthropic organization - known for its appeals at the end of Broadway shows - was criticized by pro-Israel voices over its donations to humanitarian aid groups working in Gaza

The critics - the conservative Zionist Organization of America and a New York rabbi, Erica Gerson - said the donations were outside the scope of Broadway Cares' central mission of fighting AIDS and funding health care, that the group did not properly disclose the contributions, and that donations to Gaza were compromised by Hamas' control of the territory.

In response, in addition to pledging aid to Israelis, Broadway Cares acknowledged that it had "created confusion among our valued supporters" and said it would update its communications with theater audiences.

Aid for Israeli civilians

The group said in an announcement last month that it was donating $100,000 each to NATAL, a trauma care group; the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, the leading organization, formed by relatives of Israeli hostages held in Gaza, advocating for their release; the Association of Rape Crisis Centers in Israel, an umbrella group; and ERAN, a mental health hotline.

The groups are all apolitical and based in Israel.

"These organizations are doing critical work...