top of page
Crisis in Israel

Our Temple Beth Shalom community continues to strongly support Israel and one another during this time of crisis. In addition to the special Israel-focused programming taking place in our community, we have also gathered many helpful resources below. These include opportunities to financially and materially support Israel; learning resources for adults, college students, teens and children; ways to reach out to Israelis in Israel; recommended books and media outlets; spiritual resources; and more.

 

If we may be supportive of you and your family, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our clergy and staff.​

​

Community Email Outreach to Date:
October 7, 2023: Email to Community from Clergy & Senior Team

October 8, 2023: Email to Community from Clergy & Senior Team with resources

October 16, 2023: Email to Community from Clergy & Senior Team with resources

November 6, 2023: Email to Community from Clergy & Senior Team with resources

November 20, 2023: Email to Community from Clergy & Senior Team with resources

December 18, 2023: Email to Community from Clergy & Senior Team with resources

January 17, 2024: Email to Community from Clergy & Senior Team with resources

February 6, 2024: Email to Community from Clergy & Senior Team with resources

February 27, 2024: Email to Community from Clergy & Senior Team with resources

April 18, 2024: Email to Community from Clergy & Senior Team with resources

September 1, 2024: Statement on Slain Hostages

September 3, 2024: Email to Community from Clergy & Senior Team with resources

245df2_481da1039e794a27b4e2b57c2fffd2e7~
Ways You Can Help
VOLUNTEER IN ISRAEL:​

 

While nearly half of the Israeli population is helping in some capacity, the reality is that they still need more volunteers, especially in fields such as emergency medical care, agriculture and mass feeding programs. If you are interested in going to Israel to volunteer and contribute in a meaningful way, please click here.

​
CONDEMNING HAMAS PERPETRATED RAPE AND SEXUAL VIOLENCE​

​

In the weeks since the October 7th assault, despite verified evidence and testimony from survivors of the NOVA festival, the attacks on kibbutzim, and hostages that have been freed, denial of Hamas-perpetrated rape and sexual violence has been wide-spread.  These atrocities constitute gross violations of international law. Rape and sexual violence in conflict are war crimes.  Join American Jewish Committee (AJC), in urging Congress to condemn Hamas for using sexual and gender based violence as a weapon of war.  To raise your voice to our congressional leadership, please click here.

​​

​

ACT TO SUPPORT THE SAFE RELEASE OF THE HOSTAGES

 

Calling Congress: The American Jewish Committee is a leading voice in an effort to invite calls to congressional leaders to work in support of Israel and the return of the hostages.  For more information, please click here.

​

MORE ACTION STEPS TO ADVOCATE FOR THE SAFE RELEASE OF THE HOSTAGES

RootOne Education Center has recommended the following actions that may be taken to support the 136 hostages - elderly, fathers, mothers, young women, children, chronically ill and wounded - and advocate for their release.  It only takes a few minutes to call your representative or share a post on social media on behalf of the hostages, but it is a tremendous way to do your part.  Click on any of the following ways help the hostages now:

​

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum is on the front lines in Israel and internationally working for the release of the hostages.  To learn more and to help, please click here.

​

THE 10/7 PROJECT

 

The 10/7 Project is led by the American Jewish Committee (AJC), the Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA), the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), and the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations.  It was created to be a centralized communications operation to promote continued U.S. bipartisan support for Israel; push for accurate, complete coverage of Israel-Hamas War; and promote stronger focus on October 7th victims and hostages.  To learn more, please click here.

​

FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR ISRAEL
​
Israel Movement for Progressive Judaism (IMPJ) - Over the coming months, TBS will be advocating support for the IMPJ and the critical work that it is doing “on the ground” in Israel to support the fostering of a democratic, pluralistic, and Jewish state - a state that supports all of its citizens.  Some of the specific work of the IMPJ include:

·  Actively supporting the families of the hostages through personal outreach, advocacy, and consistent participation in demonstrations, including leading Havdallah each week at Hostage Square in Tel Aviv.
·  Providing pastoral and material care for those displaced from their homes in the north and south. Of special note are the efforts of our regional rabbis who serve our congregations in the conflict zones, and the more than 300 volunteers who are providing various forms of relief for these internal refugees through our Keren B’Kavod humanitarian aid programs.
·  Offering meaningful spiritual support and community to Israelis throughout Israel, many of whom have never thought to turn to Judaism, rabbis, or synagogues for strength and solace in the face of trauma, and are now finding it in our 54 congregations throughout the country.
·  Continuing the fight for democracy, religious pluralism, shared society and equality for all of Israel’s citizens, led by IRAC (Israel Religious Action Center) - the legal and advocacy arm of our movement.

To learn more and to support the IMPJ, please click 
here.

​

  • United Hatzalah is the largest independent, non-profit, fully volunteer emergency medical service (EMS) in Israel.  Over 7,000 volunteers and over 120 rescue vehicles remain fully mobilized in response to the current crisis.  They work hand-in-hand with the IDF to treat soldiers, adults, and children.  Currently, Hatzalah’s highest priority is to source millions of dollars’ worth of urgent medical supplies, protective gear, and communications equipment while increasing their dispatch and logistic capabilities.  To learn more and to make a contribution, please click here.

​​

  • The Maglan Unit is an elite unit of the IDF.  An Israeli member of our congregation has family and friends currently serving as reservists with Maglan on the Gaza border.  Contributions to the Maglan Unit enable us to make a direct difference in on-the-ground efforts to help Israel defend itself and to protect those directly engaged in the task of protecting Israel.  This fund is a 501c3 with 100% of tax-deductible donations going directly to support this essential unit.  To learn more and to make a contribution, please click here. When you receive the confirmation page, enter message: Direct funds to 6212.

​​

  • Combined Jewish Philanthropies (CJP) has established an Israel Emergency Fund.  100% of contributions go towards supporting victims of terror and addressing unprecedented levels of trauma through partner agencies in Israel.  To learn more and to make a contribution, please click here.

​

ADVOCACY:

The TBS community stands with the Union for Reform Judaism, the Central Conference of American Rabbis, the American Conference of Cantors, and the Women of Reform Judaism as they have issued the following statement after the murder of six hostages by Hamas in Gaza:

“A cry is heard in Ramah—wailing, bitter weeping—Rachel weeping for her children. She refuses to be comforted for her children, who are gone.” - Jeremiah 31:15

We join with millions around the world, including the tens of thousands of Israelis currently pouring into the streets, who are expressing their grief and anger over the murders of six hostages at the hands of Hamas—Hersh Goldberg-Polin, an Israeli-American citizen, and Carmel Gat, Eden Yerushalmi, Ori Danino, Almog Sarusi, and Alexander Lobanov.

Earlier this year, Hersh’s mother, Rachel, spoke to our Reform movement about her beloved son. No mother could have been a more passionate, articulate, and dedicated champion for her child. Rachel and her husband, Jon, have been unrelenting in their advocacy for Hersh and the other hostages taken on October 7. In their powerful speech at the Democratic National Convention last week, the Goldberg-Polins shared with millions of Americans their love for their son and their pain and anguish over the suffering of the hostages along with the civilians in Gaza. The murder of these six innocent people was an act of savage cowardice. The pure, unmitigated evil of Hamas, on display to the world in the killing of 1200 people, the abduction of 250 others, and the torture and sexual assault of hundreds more on October 7th, must be unequivocally condemned. This latest act of brutality and violence only serves to cause more suffering for both Israelis and the innocent Gazans living under Hamas’s violent control.

At this moment of terrible tragedy, we reiterate our strong call for Prime Minister Netanyahu to heed the voices of the hostages’ families and the millions of Israeli citizens calling on him to not leave the remaining hostages behind and, instead, negotiate for a new ceasefire and hostage deal. Every minute the hostages remain in captivity threatens their chances of survival. No more families should suffer the pain felt today by the Goldberg-Polins and the families of Carmel, Eden, Ori, Almog, and Alexander. The memories of those murdered by Hamas will be a blessing, always. We pray for comfort for the bereaved and strength for the hostages still held captive.

2025 World Zionist Congress Elections:  Jews around the world are wrestling with how best to support the creation of a pluralistic Israeli society.  One important way to do this is to participate in the 2025 World Zionist Congress (WZC) Elections.  The WZC is a democratically elected body - unaffiliated with the Israeli government - that represents Jews outside Israel.  It meets every five years and oversees a multi-billion dollar budget, giving diaspora Jews a voice in shaping the societal landscape in Israel.  Temple Beth Shalom is joining with Reform Jews across the country and around the world to elect Reform delegates to the Congress that will champion our values of democracy and pluralism.  Our participation is critical to counter religious extremism.  More information about the WZC may be found here.  We will share more information about how to participate in the election soon.

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum is on the front lines in Israel and internationally working for the release of the hostages.  To learn more and to help, please click here.

Blue Ribbons for Life:  Founded by Temple Aliyah Rabbi Leslie Gordon and her husband David Goodtree, Blue Ribbons for Life has officially launched its national campaign to put the Hostages First!  Visit their website by clicking here. There are still 136 men and women, children and elderly who are held hostage. Tie a blue ribbon around a tree or lamp post at your home to express your support for the hostages. Temple Beth Shalom is proud to have been amongst the very first congregations to participate in this important effort. TBS proudly displays these ribbons on our temple property.  We invite and encourage you to join us!  To view the recording of the official Blue Ribbons for Life launch event, please click here.

​​

bottom of page