The events of October 7th have left a permanent scar on our collective soul. We are still trying to wrap our heads around the extent of the tragedy and the implications for our Jewish brothers and sisters in Israel as well as the larger Jewish world. We send a collective prayer to the brave soldiers of the Israel Defense Forces as they defend our homeland against the genocidal terrorists of Hamas.
In this tragic and devastating time, our hearts go out to all who are mourning the loss of a loved one and all who are praying for the recovery of injured family members and friends. Of course, we especially hope and pray for the safe return of the hostages held captive in Gaza, women, children, the elderly and the disabled, among many others.
Accompanying our own sense of disbelief is the understandable desire to know what we can do to help, any support we can offer our brothers and sisters in Israel as they confront this tragedy and the massive war effort accompanying it. Below you will find resources to show your support through a variety of different ways.
Am Yisrael Chai!
Campaign for Israel
As a community, we are committed to supporting Israel in this unprecedented time of need. We are all searching for ways to directly contribute in meaningful ways, and we had initiated a special THZ campaign to raise funds for emergency medical equipment in Israel.
Through the generosity of members and friends, we have exceeded our goal but donations can continue to be made.
| More info | Donate Now |
The events of October 7 have left a permanent scar on our collective soul. In this tragic and devastating time, our hearts go out to all who are mourning the loss of a loved one and all who are praying for the recovery of injured family members and friends. Of course, we especially hope and pray for the safe return of the hostages held captive in Gaza, women, children, the elderly and the disabled, among many others.
We stand in disbelief at the astonishing increase in antisemitism and antisemitic hate crimes around the globe. The resurgence of the world’s oldest hatred and most poisonous disease leaves us feeling frustrated and helpless. And yet, we are not alone. Please report any antisemitic act immediately. Together we will expel the darkness and proclaim this truth to the entire world: Israel has and always will be a light unto the nations, and we will continue to advocate for the Jewish homeland no matter where we find ourselves.
Accompanying our own sense of disbelief is the understandable desire to know what we can do to help, any support we can offer our brothers and sisters in Israel as they confront this tragedy and the massive war effort accompanying it. Below you will find resources to show your support through a variety of different ways.
Am Yisrael Chai!
Resources
Remain Informed
During these days of misinformation and manipulation, it is essential that we be well-informed advocates for Israel.
Israel/Palestinian Co-operation Organizations
- Israel Policy Forum: israelpolicyforum.org
- Givat Haviva: givathaviva.org
- Yad B’Yad Schools: handinhandk12.org
- Neve Shalom/Wahat al-Salam: wasns.org
- Parents’ Circle: theparentscircle.org/en/pcff-home-page-en
Brief Videos Explaining the Conflict
- The Son of one of the Hamas founders explains the organization’s genocidal intent.
- A note to Pro-Palestinian supporters from Adam Albilya.
- Mayim Bialik powerfully speaking out against antisemitism.
- Rabbi Jonathan Sacks on how anti-zionism is the new antisemitism.
- The Last Line of Defense by Bari Weiss.
News Outlets
Social Media Accounts
As we all know by now, another front has opened up in this war and it is playing out on our smartphones, tablets, and computers. We all have a role to play to fight the lies, the disinformation, and the insidious antisemitism. In this moment of crisis, we can demonstrate our support as proud ambassadors for our Jewish homeland and to use our networks to influence and to educate.
Please consider following and sharing some of the valuable information and updates from the following accounts:
@IDF: Official Account of the Israel Defense Forces
@standwithus: Non-Profit Israel Education Organization
@adl_national: Official Account of the Anti-Defamation League
@ajc.global: Official Account of the American Jewish Committee
@israelpolicyforum: Non-Partisan Education, Advocacy and Policy Research Organization
@telavivinstitute: Non-Profit Social Media Lab Combating Antisemitism
@jewishunpacked: Non-Profit Educational Organization
@hillelintl: Official Account of Hillel International - The Foundation for Jewish Life on Campus
@henmazzig: (Hen Mazzig) Senior Fellow, TLV Institute
@friends_of_the_idf: Official Account of Friends of the IDF (Non-Profit Supporting Lone Soldiers)
@israelcc: Official Account of the Israel on Campus Coalition
@jfederations: Official Account of the Jewish Federations of North America
@birthrightisrael_foundation: Official Account of Taglit Birthright Israel Foundation
X(Twitter)
@NeriZilber: (Neri Zilber) Journalist, Analyst on Middle East Politics, Fellow at Israel Policy Forum
@IsraelPolicy4m:Non-Partisan Education, Advocacy and Policy Research Organization
@israelwarroom: Israel War News & 24-Hour Live Updates
@hillelneuer: (Hillel Neuer) Executive Director of UN Watch
@avimayer: (Avi Mayer) Editor-in-Chief, Jerusalem Post
@StandWithUs: Non-Profit Israel Education Organization
@TimesofIsrael: Official Account of The Times of Israel
@Jerusalem_Post: Official Account of The Jerusalem Post
@HenMazzig: (Hen Mazzig) Senior Fellow, TLV Institute
@ShiraEfron: (Shira Efron) Director of Research, Israel Policy Forum
@YKleinHalevi: (Yossi Klein Halevi) NYT Bestselling Author and Senior Fellow, Shalom Hartman Institute in Jerusalem
TikTok
@adielofisrael: (Adiel Cohen) IDF Reservist & Social Media Influencer
@israel: Official Account of the State of Israel
@hen.mazzig: (Hen Mazzig) Senior Fellow, TLV Institute
@camera_on_campus: Non-Partisan Organization Monitoring Bias in Media & Reporting
@stand_with_us: Non-Profit Israel Education Organization
@hillelintl: Official Account of Hillel International - The Foundation for Jewish Life on Campus
@idf: Official Account of the Israel Defense Forces
Political Outreach
We also encourage you to contact your elected officials and ask them to publicly support Israel and, when appropriate, to vote for aid for Israel. In situations where they have already done so, it is important to contact them to express your appreciation.
Other Resources
UJA - Federation - Home page
Honouring and publicizing the hostages
- https://urj.org/honor-a-hostage
- https://www.blueribbonsforisrael.org/
- https://www.bringthemhome-diy.com/
- https://www.kidnappedfromisrael.com/
Advice for responding to Anti-Israel or Antisemitic posts online,
How to Talk to Your Children about Israel and Terrorism: A Toolbox
Interview with URJ President Rabbi Rick Jacobs
Insights on Hamas and Hezbollah
Here’s a recent episode of the Israel Dialogues. The analysis of Professor Asher Susser (starts at 20 mins) is particularly clear and insightful.
The Shalom Hartman Institute is creating an ongoing series of podcasts covering key topics related to the war. It’s called For Heaven’s Sake – Israel at War.
Donate to the Israeli Reform movement to directly help Israelis from the communities near Gaza
- For info: https://reform.org.il/en/resilience-2023/
- To donate: https://arzacanada.org/
A prayer for peace, by Israeli Reform Rabbi Mira Regev