The ‘War Room’ Arose Overnight to Handle Crisis in Jerusalem

An impromptu organization attracted 7,000 volunteers after Oct. 7, 2023, attacks to handle housing, food, and clothing shortages, and even to arrange funerals.

Volunteers at the Jerusalem Civil Command Center work to identify and solve problems created by the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas terrorist attacks. Courtesy of the Jerusalem Civil Command Center

As soon as he woke up on Oct. 7, 2023, Adir Schwarz knew that he had to do something. By noon, the Jerusalem city councilman had helped to create an organization called the Jerusalem Civilian Command Center. By nightfall, it had 100 volunteers and some office space.

It would soon grow to 7,000 volunteers and take over the entire building—a new and half-empty building with safe rooms loaned to it by Jerusalem’s Nissan Nativ Acting School.