On Saturday, October 7th, the Jewish community was rocked with the news coming out of Southern Israel that the terrorist organization Hamas had launched a full-scale invasion into Israel, killing over 1,000 innocent civilians, and capturing at least 199 others – many being women and children.
Many congregants have asked how they can help in this critical moment and we are happy to share the opportunities listed below.
Kol Tikvah is proud to fully support the following initiatives:
- Donate to the Jewish Federation of Broward County’s Emergency Israel Appeal: https://jewishbroward.org/Israel-emergency-fund-2/
- Longtime Kol Tikvah Congregant Dr. Jerry Sussman works with The Israel Trauma Care Project, a part of the Southwest Center for the Study of Hospital and Health Care Systems. Donations to the Israel Trauma Care Project directly support the work of these centers and will be used to reinforce their efforts with staffing, logistics, training and equipment. Donate at https://www.gofundme.com/f/supporting-israel-through-trauma-care?utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet&utm_medium=copy_link_all&utm_source=customer . If you would like to read more about this project please click here.
In addition to the above, the following are very reputable organizations doing incredible work here in the United States and on the ground in Israel.
- Write to your Senator, requesting them to confirm an Ambassador to Israel immediately via the Anti-Defamation League – https://adl.salsalabs.org/jack-lew-israel/index.html?eType=ActivityDefinitionInstance&eId=e6a0f23e-8f7d-4c21-bb13-50cbed36d58f
- Make a gift to the Anti-Defamation League, as they work to fight anti-semitism and extremism: https://www.adl.org/take-action/ways-to-give?donate=1. Congregation Kol Tikvah was recently accepted to ADL’s Kulanu Program, a special program for synagogues to learn how to fight anti-semitism and bigotry.
- Communicate with your elected officials, requesting them to affirm their support for Israel through AIPAC: https://p2a.co/4LogDFe?utm_campaign=DIN2388&utm_source=AIPAC
- Make a gift to the Friends of the IDF, supporting Israel’s front-line soldiers: https://www.fidf.org/
- Help support Israeli artists by purchasing Judaica through The Israel Museum’s Gift Shop. Due to the conflict, both the Museum and the artists who create these pieces are impacted, and your purchase will help them. You may use the discount code JCC2023 for an additional 10% off.
https://imjshops.com/ - Donate to Magan David Adom, Israel’s emergency medical response organization. https://secure.afmda.org/site/Donation2?df_id=2000&2000.donation=form1&s_src=GNRLWEB&FURL=UR
- Support religious freedom and human rights in Israel by making a gift to the New Israel Fund, an organization working to create an Israel which reflects her citizen’s progressive values. https://secure.nif.org/a/we-need-your-help-as-we-respond-to-one-of-the-worst-events-in-israels-history?ms=homepg%20jumbotron%20hero
- Stay up to date with events on the ground in Israel through the Union for Reform Judaism: https://urj.org/blog/how-you-can-support-israel-during-time-great-tragedy-and-mourning
- Contribute to ZAKA, Israel’s non-governmental search and rescue organization. ZAKA is the organization that works to recover bodies during natural disasters and terror attacks. https://give.zakaworld.org/?utm_source=website&utm_medium=menu-button
As these days move forward, we can only hope for not only a return to peace on the borders of Israel, but also a return of those currently held captive.
Am Yisrael Chai!