Saturday, October 7th was supposed to be a day of Shabbat and Festival joy, but those intentions were shattered when we heard the devastating news of the horrific attacks on Israel. The words and images coming from our homeland continue to fill us with shock, rage, anger, and deep sadness.
To our brothers and sisters in Israel: our hearts are in the East. We stand with you in unwavering solidarity and support as we pray for your safety. We grieve for those who were killed. We send Refuah Shleimah to those who are wounded. We send prayers of safety to those who were abducted. And we send our deepest love to Israeli families who are living through this war. You are not alone.
To our American leaders: we are deeply grateful for your total support for Israel at this pivotal time.
And to our own community: We are strongest when we partner together with other organizations doing amazing work; many of these are highlighted on our website’s homepage by clicking the link under
NSS Beth El Supports Israel. We encourage you to consider them as well.
Please scroll down to learn how you can help Israel.
Ramah: There is enormous volunteer work to be done in the fields, rebuilding homes, and working with displaced families. We hope you will consider joining your fellow Ramahniks on one of our upcoming solidarity and service missions. This is your opportunity to be counted and to let our family in Israel know that we stand alongside them. Some missions are geared for bringing children.
LINKS:
https://ramah.org.il/rii/solidarity-service-trips-to-israel/
Four-Day Missions
Five-Day Mission with Shabbat
JNF: Israel needs us now more than ever! Join one of our Volunteer for Israel Missions as an opportunity to provide immediate relief to the land and the people of Israel.
LINK: https://www.jnf.org/travel/tours/index/volunteer-in-israel-missions
Taglit Birthright for 40 and under: Taglit-Birthright Israel’s unique opportunity to stand with the people of Israel during these difficult times. Join our Onward Volunteer Program today!
LINK: https://www.birthrightisrael.com/volunteer-in-israel
Volunteers for Israel: ISRAEL IS AT WAR! VOLUNTEERS URGENTLY NEEDED ON IDF BASES Programs are available now, subject to change.
LINKS:
Volunteers For Israel | Volunteering Abroad Programs (vfi-usa.org)
Apply Now https://vfi-usa.org/apply-now-to-volunteer/
Masa Israel Journey: is offering a new six-week volunteer program, designed in response to the ongoing conflict.
LINK: https://www.masaisrael.org/program_cat/volunteer-en/
Israel Food Rescue is actively recruiting volunteers ages 30-80 who are willing to roll up their sleeves and perform physical labor for a minimum of 5 volunteer days. You may be picking crops, sorting produce, planting and pruning, or packaging food for transport. Find out more.
Leket Israel in addition to its usual volunteer opportunities at its Logistics Center in Gan Haim (near Kfar Saba) and fields in Rishon Lezion, has begun matching volunteers with farmers in need of assistance in harvesting their produce.
Emergency Volunteers Project EVP offers an unforgettable experience to meet Israeli soldiers face to face and bring a smile to their faces and at the same time give our volunteers an unforgettable experience where they get to travel across Israel to different IDF units to set up a “pop-up” kitchen in the field to prepare and serve meals such as fresh falafel, burgers, schnitzels, shawarma’s and BBQ’s in one of our mobile kitchens/grills and BBQ’s. This is a unique opportunity to build bonds of friendship between you the IDF and Israel.
LINK: (EVP) Make a Soldier Smile https://www.evp.org.il/Idf_Experience.html
Pantry Packers of Jerusalem provides Meals on Wheels to 37,000 families every month, and also runs soup kitchens. Now, with thousands of refugee families from the south sheltering in Jerusalem, the city asked Pantry Packers to commit to providing 6,000 meals, three times a day. Lots of extra hands are needed.
LINK: Come and Pack https://pantrypackers.org/schedule-a-visit/
Here is what we can do to help our homeland in its time of need:
JUF opened an Israel Emergency Fund to funnel vital support from our community to the Israeli people. Donate here.
Magen David Adom is supporting paramedics and first responders.
Friends of the IDF – https://www.fidf.org/
Purchase Israel Bonds here.
Jewish National Fund – https://my.jnf.org/gaza-emergency/Donate
Barzilai Medical Center in Ashkelon – https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid0WxYsxTWWWybHmc453SqhCGRRZPTXHbdAvvokWijcAQwDjWuYwdymsnhtaMZAUTqQl&id=1320793574&mibextid=qC1gEa
Jewish National Fund – https://www.jnf.org/ways-to-help/support-israel
Hadassah Hospital – https://hadassah.gospringboard.com/secure/israelatwar
ORT – https://ort.org/en/israel-emergency-campaign/
The Mayanot Israeli Egalitarian congregation is supporting the survivors and evacuees of the Gaza border communities – https://secure.cardcom.solutions/e/xpS3
Project Aid and Rescue is donating medical equipment and supplies to Israeli hospitals – https://givebutter.com/MedicalForIsrael
Na’amat is Israel’s largest women’s organization and provides counseling services – https://naamat.org/blog/2023-naamat-israel-fund/
(We recognize that there are many other worthy charities and encourage supporting them as well; there are simply too many to be listed here)
With Ramah: https://ramah.org.il/rii/solidarity-service-trips-to-israel/
With Jewish National Fund: https://www.jnf.org/travel/tours/index/volunteer-in-israel-missions
Contact elected officials – https://actnow.ajc.org/nR7iINR?ms=EL_EML_20231011_IsraelAction2023-10.11.2023&p2asource=Israel2023-10.11.23
Tell US House members to cosponsor a new resolution standing with Israel – https://p2a.co/hBki0TW
Fight Antisemitism and Anti-Zionism on college campuses – https://www.adl.org/fight-antisemitism-and-anti-zionism-college-campuses
Sign ADL petition to call for responsible media coverage of the war in Israel – https://adl.salsalabs.org/media-israel/index.html
Post pro-Israel messages online – https://socialpresskit.com/aipac
Send a message of love and support to Israelis:
Send an email through the American Jewish Committee – https://actnow.ajc.org/2YGHt8K?ms=EL_EML_20231010_SupportIsrael2023-10.10.2023&p2asource=Israel2023-10.10.23
American Israel Public Affairs Committee (frequently asked questions) – https://www.aipac.org/gaza-war-faqs
Anti-Defamation League – https://adl.salsalabs.org/campus-congress/index.html
Rabbi Vernon and Bryna Kurtz had a Zoom call with Beth El on 10/11. Click here for recording.
“Why The Words ‘Never Again’ Have Far More Meaning To Me Now!” by Pastor Chris Harris
Israel Reading List for Adults compiled by Rachel Kamin, Director of Lifelong Learning. All titles are available from the Maxwell Abbell Library
“Note to Cohen Religious School Parents”
From MERCAZ USA (Conservative Movement in Israel) – https://www.mercazusa.org/category/israel-at-war/
From the Jewish National Fund: Faces and Facets of Zionism – 11 am CT every Wednesday – https://jnf.zoom.us/j/92168860129
From the IDF English website – https://www.idf.il/en/
From the American Jewish Committee (AJC), a global advocacy organization for Jews. – https://www.ajc.org/attackonisrael?ms=WB_DTT_20231007_attackonisrael-Image1
From the Anti-Defamation League – https://www.adl.org/stand-with-israel
From the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism – https://uscj.org/israel-resources
Daily Israel Briefings from the Jewish National Fund (11 am daily) – https://jnf.zoom.us/j/92168860129
“Israel Story,” a popular Jewish podcast, has a series called “Wartime Diaries” to share important stories from Israel these days – https://linktr.ee/iswartimevoices
Full Prayer for Israel (Koren) – https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=708480461325392&set=pcb.708491994657572
Prayer for the Israel Defense Forces – https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=708480427992062&set=pcb.708491994657572
Prayer for Missing/Captured Individuals – https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=708480421325396&set=pcb.708491994657572
Consider reciting any number of Psalms: 23, 55, 121, 130. – https://www.sefaria.org/Psalms?tab=contents