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וְאֵין לְךָ מִצְוָה גְּדוֹלָה כְּפִדְיוֹן שְׁבוּיִים
There is no greater mitzvah
than the redemption of captives.
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In this edition:
- Message from Jofa
- Women's Spoken and Written Reflections
- Ways to Raise Our Voices Now
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Divrei Torah by Women on Parshat Vayera
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Message from Jofa
Friends,
Maimonides' emphatic assertion of the primacy of the mitzvah to redeem captives (Mishneh Torah, Matnot Aniyim, 8:10) remains painfully at the forefront of our hearts and minds, as another week of war in our homeland draws to a close, and another Shabbat approaches. We ache to do anything possible to raise our voices and heighten awareness; to share our people's grief, and to relieve the hostages' suffering.
This week, we focus on ways we can raise and magnify the impact of our individual and collective voices, through our words and actions; our persistent efforts to bring attention to the plight of the hostages, their loved ones, and our nation; our outreach to those in our orbits, both to offer and to seek support in its myriad forms.
As of this writing, nearly four weeks have passed since the hostages were taken. Just as Isaac is said to cry out to Abraham at the akedah in this week's parsha, may the will to live be strong within the hostages, and within all of us.
שֶׁהַנֶּפֶשׁ חֲצוּפָה הִיא
For the will to live is strong within me.
(Midrash Tanhuma, Vayera 23:4)
| Women's Spoken and Written Reflections | |
Pictured above, a public installation featuring a long Shabbat table,
with a place set for each of the hostages taken by Hamas.
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Here we share spoken and written words by women raising their voices and offering their perspectives on the current crisis:
Spoken Words:
Written Words:
| Ways to Raise Our Voices Now | |
Elevating Our Written Words: Jofa (North America) and JOFA Australia are partnering to offer Writing in a Time of Crisis: a writers workshop to elevate women's voices.
In times of turmoil and uncertainty, it’s vital to express our perspectives and concerns. We’re offering a small cohort of passionate women the opportunity to embark on a powerful journey of opinion-editorial writing, led by JOFA Australia founder and seasoned journalist, Rabbanit Nomi Kaltmann.
Your voice matters — and together, we can make a difference, at a time when many Jewish women have much to say, and want guidance to help get their word out. Click for full details, and last chance to apply now. Workshop begins this coming Tuesday, November 7.
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Learning Torah and Participating in a Siyyum: Jofa is partnering with Shalshelet Shivyoni - a new intercollegiate community dedicated to a diverse, vibrant, authentic, and inclusive Jewish future - for a Siyyum Mishnayot, a completion of learning all six tractates of the Mishna, in memory of the fallen of the brutal October 7 terrorist attacks, and in commemoration of the shloshim of this terrible day.
To participate, go to Jofa's Siyyum page, to select a tractate to learn individually or with others, and/or register for the online siyyum, taking place on Thursday, November 9, at 7:30 PM EST.
We hope that you will join us in this meaningful effort to honor and remember the fallen. Please register in advance for the link to join the online siyyum.
|  | Speaking Out: Jofa, National Council of Jewish Women, Israel Women’s Network, and 140+ women’s organizations signed a Joint Call for Urgent Action in response to UN Women’s October 13 statement, which "completely ignores the horrific situation of more than 220 innocent hostages, women, men and children, from the age of 9 months to 85 years old, as well as the brutal attack and atrocities led by Hamas against Israeli citizens, including the murdering, raping and slaughtering of hundreds of women, mothers with their babies, children, elder women, and people with disabilities." Read and share our full response here. |  | |
Keeping Attention on the Hostages and Their Families: Jofa is a partner in the global #BlueRibbonsforIsrael solidarity campaign. Wearing and posting the blue ribbon demonstrates support and solidarity for the safe return of the hostages taken by Hamas terrorists in Israel, nearly four weeks ago. It symbolizes solidarity with the hostages, their families, and all who care about their safety.
Anyone whose heart aches for the hostages and their families can wear a blue ribbon. Many communities are holding candlelight vigils; posting and sharing pictures of the hostages, and creating public displays representing the men, women, and children so viciously taken. Visit the Blue Ribbons for Israel Bring Them Home page to see pictures identifying the names and ages of all of the hostages, and a clock counting how long they have been held.
Wearing a blue ribbon publicly unites you with people of all religions, races, nationalities, ethnicities, ages, and generations, and demonstrates for the people of Israel that they are not alone and that good people around the globe are with them and their families during this dark time. Send a powerful message of solidarity by wearing your ribbon, sharing on social media with #BlueRibbonsforIsrael, and encouraging caring people in your orbit to wear and share too.
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Baking Challah and Lighting Shabbat Candles: Many women are seeking, organizing, and participating in communal rituals that connect both doing an action and saying a prayer or blessing - such as lighting Shabbat candles and baking challah - as ways to connect with each other, raise money for Israel, support IDF families, and share comfort. For example, some communities are organizing challah bakes, where the mothers of chayalim separate challah together, and the proceeds benefit their lone soldiers.
In The Power of Baking Challah Together in Hard Times, Joanna Nissim explores the origins of communal challah baking and why it speaks to us in times of crisis.
You can print these special candle lighting prayers and use them to unite with Jewish women around the world in finding redoubled purpose and meaning in lighting Shabbat candles, and reciting special prayers for the captives, the injured, the IDF, our families, and the entire Jewish people, to help usher some hopeful light into this dark, difficult time.
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Staying Informed: Although it can feel overwhelming, being well informed and staying up to date on the latest news, developments, and analyses is vital to being able to continue raising our voices, speaking out, and reinforcing our message effectively. Here are just a few of the trusted sources that include coverage, analysis, and first-hand accounts:
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Voting on Election Day and Contacting Your Elected Officials: Election Day in the United States is this Tuesday, November 7, and we must make our voices heard, by educating ourselves on where our candidates and elected officials stand, and by urging them to support U.S. aid to Israel, as well as nonprofit security funding for our synagogues, schools, JCCs, and communal organizations.
There is power in numbers. Our government leaders must hear from each and all of us that it is as imperative as ever to stand unequivocally with Israel - and how much we appreciate it when they do. Contact your legislators in the United States Senate and House of Representatives, to thank them for any statements that they have already made, and ask them to stand steadfast by Israel and its people.
It is most effective to write personal letters in your own words. Find the contact information for your members of the House and the Senate, or send a quick email to your elected officials, via the American Jewish Committee.
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Giving: Israelis and Jews around the world continue to show up with profound generosity - from volunteering in a wide range of jobs usually held by people who have been called up to serve in the IDF; to gathering and sending much-needed supplies; to cooking kosher meals and serving coffee; to entertaining children, stocking shelves in the local makolet, or funding vital mental health services for Israelis living in incomprehensible trauma.
We can all support these efforts by giving to any of the numerous grassroots, local, national, and international organizations and fundraising efforts that are supporting a vast array of direct and specific needs on the ground - including your community's Jewish Federation, as well as the following - to name just a few:
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Connecting: If you have family and/or friends in Israel, or you know anyone with loved ones who are serving, reach out to them. Even though there are no adequate words, it’s still important and appreciated. Everyone is touched in some personal way by what is happening right now, and it is never far from our minds. Lending an ear or a shoulder can go a long way.
Keeping in mind that each person is experiencing this in their own way, their own personal situation, with their own emotional bandwidth on any given day, reaching out is meaningful and appreciated, regardless of whether or how they respond. Tell them simply that you’re thinking about them and praying for their 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.
For mental health and wellness resources that can help you or those you care about, see: Kveller's article, Being on Social Media Feels Awful Right Now. Here's What You Can Do Instead; The Blue Dove Foundation's Wellness Resources for the Situation in Israel, and Dr. Michelle Friedman's 5 Points for Self Care During Times of Crisis.
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Talking with the Kids in Your Life: Discussing with children of all ages what is happening right now is both highly sensitive and very important, for families, caregivers, educators, spiritual leaders, youth leaders, and more. We continue adding to our list of resources to help navigate this:
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Gathering in Prayer, Learning, or Song: Coming together as a community can take on many forms:
Create or join a Solidarity Shabbat in your community or congregation, with tehillim and prayers for Israel. Recite the Prayer for the State of Israel, Prayer for Tzahal, 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 and those who safeguard our homeland. Now more than ever, tefillah is a place to turn, to pour out our hearts, to seek comfort.
Many people find it comforting to recite and/or study Tehillim, whether as part of a community gathering, on your own, or in one of the many Tehillim circles, groups, and chats that have formed worldwide as sources of spiritual chizuk.
Organizing a kumsitz or melaveh malkah can be a meaningful and uplifting way to channel our feelings through the emotional outlet of hearing, singing, or playing fitting music.
| Divrei Torah by Women on Parshat Vayera | |
Jews around the world are reading and studying Parshat Vayera this week. Here are a few divrei Torah by women on this week's parsha:
| Shabbat Shalom ~ Besorot Tovot | |
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