JDC’s founding telegram from Ambassador Henry Morgenthau was a call to action to help the Jews of the Yishuv. During those early years, JDC assisted with welfare payments for the poor, food programs for the elderly, and assistance to orphans. The organization supported kindergartens and homes for the elderly and blind, developed vocational workshops, supported the beginnings of Hadassah, and played a major role in eradicating malaria in Palestine.

After the establishment of the State of Israel, JDC partnered with the Israeli government in major programs and interventions to improve the lives of all Israelis. In the wake of World War II, JDC helped Jewish refugees settle in Israel, supporting the activities of the Bricha Movement and Aliyah Bet. JDC also supported the absorption of immigrants and took charge of major rescue efforts from Yemen and Iraq. JDC/Malben established institutions for the elderly, the sick, and the disadvantaged, while later, Eshel worked to plan and develop services for the elderly. In 1975, JDC-Brookdale was established as an institute for applied research on the elderly and other disadvantaged populations. JDC played major roles in the establishment of community centers in Israel, development of child development centers, and services for the blind, the hearing impaired, and the mentally ill. JDC became a catalyst for social change by encouraging and guiding Israeli government and private agencies to join forces in order to bring innovative new services to Israel for those at risk, developing services in the Arab sector, among the Haredi population, and for youth at risk.

Czechoslovakia/Poland: Bricha