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Join Us: Register here to join Jofa, along with Yeshivat Chovevei Torah and a growing list of partners, this Sunday, October 15, at 11AM Eastern/6PM in Israel, for "Unity. Community. Action. Bringing Together Our Communities." This gathering will bring together: Torah and tefillah; updates from Israel; actions items, and tips for caring for ourselves and those around us.
Advocate: Our government leaders must hear from us that it is as imperative as ever to stand unequivocally with Israel. Contact your Congressional representatives in the United States Senate and House of Representatives. Thank them for any statements that they have already made, and ask them to stand by Israel and its people, including supporting Israeli needs for vital American aid. It is most effective to write personal letters in your own words. Click to find the contact information for your members of the House and the Senate.
Give: It is deeply meaningful and touching to see and hear about the entire population of Israel helping each other. Most people who are not fighting in the IDF have stepped up in incredible ways to help chayalim by providing much needed food, clothing, and supplies. You can support this effort by giving to any of the numerous local, national, and international organizations and fundraising efforts that are supporting direct needs on the ground -- including your local Jewish Federation, as well as the following, to name just a few:
Reach Out: If you have family or friends in Israel, or know anyone with loved ones who are serving, reach out to them; they will genuinely appreciate hearing from you. People often wonder what to say, but it’s really about reaching out. Tell them simply that you’re thinking about them and praying for everyone’s strength and safety. It can make such a difference to show someone that they have support, in a situation that can feel so intense and heartbreaking.
Care for the Children in Your Life: Discussing with children what is happening right now is both important and sensitive, for families, caregivers, educators, spiritual leaders, and more. Here are some resources to help navigate this:
Reflect: Here are some reflections by women who, like so many of us, are trying to wrap their heads around the unfathomable:
Pray: Create or join a Shabbat of Solidarity in your community or congregation, including tehillim and prayers for Israel. The situation calls upon us to come together in prayer, and offer each other comfort as a community. Recite the Prayer for the State of Israel, Prayer for the IDF, Prayer for the Safe Return of Hostages. Include in your tefillot the names of the soldiers who you know. Say your own personal prayers; insert your own prayers during tefillah. Take a moment to thank G-d for protecting and watching over us. Now more than ever, tefillah is a place to turn, to pour out our hearts, to seek comfort.
Say/Study Tehillim: Many people find it comforting to study and/or recite Tehillim, whether as part of a community gathering, or on your own, or in one of the many Tehillim circles, groups, and chats that have formed worldwide as sources of spiritual chizuk.
Learn Torah: Dedicate individual or group Torah learning to the safety of all Israelis, and the memory of those we have already lost. Start or join a group in your community, congregation, school, neighborhood, to learn something in the zchut of Israel's safety and security.
Sign a Shtar Bitachon: A “security document” is signed by a married man, stating that if, G-d forbid, he is missing or incapacitated, he assigns emissaries to give a get to his wife. See our post about this here.
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Finally, Jews around the world will read and study Parshat Bereishit this Shabbat, as we begin the Torah anew. Here are a few divrei Torah by women on this week's parsha:
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We will continue adding to these resources, and posting to our social media and website as we learn more. Stay strong and be safe.
Shabbat Shalom U'Mevorach.
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