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ISRAEL - Information, Show of Support, How to Help
On October 7, 2023, Hamas terrorists attacked Israel, murdering and wounding thousands of citizens and kidnapping 240 individuals, including babies, children, and elderly. Over 100 of these hostages, mostly women, children, babies, elderly and foreign workers, have been released or rescued. We await the safe return of the other individuals. In addition, innocent citizens in Gaza are living in dire conditions.
Understanding that this war will endure for quite some time, here are some ways we can educate ourselves and respond to any number of needs.
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Rabbi Amy Memis-Foler
(Click on the underlined, red text below to reach the information pages.)
GATHERINGS & ARCHIVAL RECORDINGS
Upcoming Gatherings:
October 7 one-year anniversary memorial ceremony.
Join Progressive/Reform communities from around the world on Sunday, October 6th at 1 PM, for a multilingual ceremony to commemorate the anniversary of the tragic events of October 7th.
Register here: https://heyor.ca/I1sYt4
Archival Recordings:
Thursday, June 6, 7 pm:
Screams Before Silence - A Conversation with Sheryl Sandberg. To watch the replay on YouTube, click this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ic58YwapRC4
During the event, we played Matisyahu's latest song, Ascent. Parts of the music video were filmed in the Israeli communities affected by October 7. To play the music video, click this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jpQvARYDHg
To watch the original documentary, Screams Before the Silence, click this link. Screams Before Silence - YouTube
Wednesday, October 11, 6:30-7 pm:
Adath Emanu-El’s Service of Song and Prayer in Solidarity with Israel. To watch the replay on YouTube, click this link:
Service of Song and Prayer in Solidarity with Israel
ADVOCACY & G'MILUT CHASADIM
Action steps generated from the webinar "Screams Before Silence: A Conversation with Sheryl Sandberg":
CLICK HERE
To watch the replay of the Sandberg interview on YouTube, click this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ic58YwapRC4.
To watch the original documentary, Screams Before the Silence, click this link. Screams Before Silence - YouTube
Contact Secretary Blinken through the RAC Action Center:
www.RAC.org/ActForIsrael
Hostages and Missing Families Forum:
https://stories.bringthemhomenow.net/
Article on Antisemitism from the URJ:
On Tuesday November 14, the URJ joined with thousands of others on the National Mall in Washington, DC to support Israel, call for release of the hostages held in Gaza, and push back against antisemitism. Young people, seasoned veterans of pro-Israel gatherings, people from across the United States, individuals with varied views on Israel, and Jews who identify across the denominational spectrum and beyond gathered, side by side. This powerful coming together of such a broad cross section of the Jewish community, united by our shared commitment to Jewish peoplehood, reflected the strength found in community and the imperative to lift our voices together.
We have heard from many people asking for help and guidance in how to engage in constructive conversation about rising antisemitism across North America and the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. See the link below to an article created to help you and your community respond to the alarming rise in antisemitism all around us, particularly in schools across the country.
Is it Antisemitism? If It Is, Now What? Guidance for a Post-October 7th World
Urge the UN Secretary General to Help Secure Release of the Hostages.
As the war in Israel continues, 240 people held hostage remain in Gaza, including women, children, people with disabilities, and the elderly. The international community, including nation states and the United Nations, non-governmental organizations, faith leaders, and all people of goodwill, must universally and unequivocally call and work for the immediate release of all the hostages. Urge the UN Secretary General to lead the international community to demand the release of all hostages being held in Gaza.
Read more and submit your message to the UN Secretary General
TZEDAKAH
Jewish Federations of North America
Jewish Federations are responding, working with our core partners to support victims of terror, help rebuild damaged infrastructure, and address the unprecedent levels of trauma caused by this horrific attack.
Operation Swords of Iron - Israel Crisis 2023 (jotform.com)
Magen David Adom
As Israel’s official representative to the International Red Cross, Magen David Adom is the one organization in the country that handles disaster relief, ambulance, and blood services.
INFORMATION & EDUCATION