Jul 21, 2014
We heard updates last week on the situation in Israel from our partners at The Jewish Agency for Israel and the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee. Today, Avi Ganon, CEO of World ORT Kadima Mada, shares his thoughts with us. Following his message are three reflections on life on the ground from Federation leaders on our missions.
Jul 18, 2014
Below, please find a summary of the latest news from Israel, as prepared by JFNA’s Israel office.
Jul 18, 2014
This morning, I looked at my neighborhood with completely new eyes. I live in Motza Illit, a quiet rural spot just outside of Jerusalem off the main highway to Tel Aviv. It’s a pretty sleepy place. But when I got in my car to pick up groceries and buy a chicken for Shabbat, I looked right past the gorgeous Judean Hills to identify potential spots to pull over and take shelter.
Jul 18, 2014
Spontaneous, loud and proud, the crowd of 1,050 opened our Israel Solidarity Gathering singing Am Yisrael Chai on Wednesday night, holding signs proclaiming “We Stand with Israel.” Looking out at a sea of blue and white, at the vibrant diversity of ages, backgrounds, observance and neighborhoods in our Jewish community today, I knew that this was one of those moments for which we’ve built our Federation. Once again, on a few days’ notice, we rose with one voice, standing together in anxiety, outrage, tears, strength and unwavering support for the State of Israel and our Jewish family there – and committed to helping however we can.
Jul 18, 2014
Like my colleagues who so eloquently shared their powerful and poignant thoughts and experiences - and probably like most of you - I feel like I’m living in two countries right now. Our families in Israel - both immediate members and millions bound to us inexorably by history, fate, faith and love – are under attack day and night throughout our homeland. Once again, it is both heartening and heartrending to look out at a group from throughout our remarkable Jewish community… once again gathered in solidarity as Israel contends with the forces of terror.
Jul 17, 2014
We wish we could be with you today as our community stands in solidarity with the people of Israel whose lives are being upended by Hamas' attacks on civilian populations centers throughout the country.
Jul 16, 2014
As I send this email, I am waiting to board a plane to the U.S. at Ben Gurion Airport. Our solidarity mission has ended and we’re about to return to our lives back home. While our phones will still ring from the IDF’s Red Alert rocket hit app, we won’t have to scramble for shelter.
Jul 15, 2014
When we went to sleep last night, reports swirled that there would be a ceasefire this morning. Unfortunately, our hopes and prayers for a respite for Israelis from the eighth straight day of rocket fire were dashed. We woke to the news that while Israel had agreed to the Egyptian-brokered ceasefire terms, Hamas had not. In fact, nearly 50 rockets had been launched overnight from Gaza as well as Lebanon, bringing the total number of rockets Israelis have endured to more than 1,150.
Jul 14, 2014
Yesterday, the Jewish Federations of North America Emergency Response Allocations Committee for Operation Protective Edge convened and allocated nearly $5 million to help our partner agencies defray the costs of the additional services they provided during the first week of hostilities.
Jul 13, 2014
This morning I traveled to Sderot with a small delegation of leaders from our Campaign Chairs and Directors Mission to meet with and hear from local residents and leadership. The city is tense and few people are out and about. Everyone is keeping close to their bomb shelters ever mindful of the 15 second rule – that’s how much time you have to get to safety. We’ve already had to make that unnerving dash to the shelters.
Jul 12, 2014
As Shabbat ends, we bring you this brief update of latest events in Israel. As many of you know, Shabbat in Israel is always a special experience. However, this Shabbat was spent alert to the possibility of rockets falling at any moment. The concern followed every citizen of Israel in every activity and wherever they went.
Jul 11, 2014
As rockets from Gaza continue to threaten the lives of civilians in Israel, both the House of Representatives and the Senate will be voting -- possibly as soon as Friday (tomorrow) -- on Resolutions reaffirming US support for Israel’s right to defend itself and demanding that Hamas and other terrorist groups immediately stop their attacks.
Jul 11, 2014
Our families in Israel - both immediate members and millions bound to us inexorably by history, fate, faith and love – are under attack day and night throughout our Homeland where nearly 400 rockets have fallen in the last few days. We fight our fears, seethe with outrage, and cry with compassion as Israelis lie awake afraid to sleep through an alert, comfort their children in bomb shelters and nightmares, and fear their age or infirmity might keep them from making it to a shelter in time. But we in South Palm Beach County can make a real difference to those under siege right now.
Jul 10, 2014
Rockets from Gaza continue to rain on Israel, now reaching farther into the country than ever before and into the most populated areas. An estimated five million members of our Jewish family in Israel are on alert. Our hearts and minds are with the innocent Israelis under siege as our outrage seethes at the lack of world condemnation for these wholly unprovoked and indiscriminate attacks launched without regard for civilians. We stand in full solidarity as Israel mounts Operation Protective Edge.
Jul 9, 2014
I have just arrived on the ground in Israel. The atmosphere here is what we have grown to expect. Israelis are resolute, focused and committed to both protecting those within the range of fire and keeping the activities of daily life going. But now that the vast majority of Israelis are within rocket range—just hours ago a rocket hit near Zichron Yaakov, 39 miles north of Tel Aviv, far from the cities of the South that have been plagued by attacks for more than a decade—the entire country is on edge.
Jul 9, 2014
Israel launched Operation Protective Edge last night after the security cabinet met for the fourth time over the past few days and decided to intensify defensive efforts against Hamas and restore stability to the country’s south.
At such times, JFNA Israel represents Federations at the Non-Profit Emergency Situation Roundtable under the auspices of the Ministry of Defense and collaborates with our primary partners – The Jewish Agency and the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee – as well as others to ensure that whatever may come, we are working in the most efficient and informed manner possible on your behalf. JFNA President and CEO Jerry Silverman is on his way to Israel tonight.
Jul 9, 2014
Rockets from Gaza continue to rain on Israel, now reaching farther into the country than ever before and into the most populated areas. An estimated five million members of our Jewish family in Israel are on alert. Our hearts and minds are with the innocent Israelis under siege as our outrage seethes at the lack of world condemnation for these wholly unprovoked and indiscriminate attacks launched without regard for civilians. We stand in full solidarity as Israel mounts Operation Protective Edge.
Jun 30, 2014
The Federation, our partner agencies and entire community join those in Israel and worldwide in horror, grief and outrage at the murders of the three innocent abducted teen boys. Our thoughts and prayers are with the boys’ families as we issue the strongest possible condemnation of these heinous murders. Our community stands in proud solidarity with the government and people of Israel at the frontline of Jewish security as they stand up to terror and we pray those responsible are swiftly brought to justice.
Jun 27, 2014
More than 900 strong packed Monday night’s Bring Back Our Boys rally for our three Israeli sons kidnapped on June 12. Leaders and members from throughout our vibrant, diverse Jewish community rose with one voice in anguish, concern and outrage for this act of terror, and with unwavering support for the State of Israel and our Jewish family there. Now, each of us must call upon government officials to exercise their full leverage and authority to return Eyal Yifrach, Gilad Sha’ar and Naftali Frenkel, and to reduce conditions through which Hamas, a proven organization of terror with a legitimate governing role, can abduct innocent, unarmed teenagers.
Jun 19, 2014
Reflecting the South Palm Beach County Jewish community’s deep and widespread concern for the kidnapping of three students by Hamas, the JCRC with other community leaders has organized a Community Solidarity Rally to be held on Monday, June 23 at 6:30 p.m, at Boca Raton Synagogue. Speakers will include Chaim Schacham, Consul General of Israel; local rabbis of varied denominations; the JCRC Chair and Federation Pres/CEO Matt Levin.
