Support Israel

We continue to grieve for the families who lost loved ones on October 7th and pray for the immediate return of all the remaining hostages being held in Gaza. As a community, we know that we are not whole; a rise in antisemitism locally and nationally, the threats of an expanded regional war, the constant anxiety and discomfort of going to school or work.  

As a Beth Am community, we continue to support Israel and find ways that our community can strengthen one another. We pray that this violence will end, that no more innocent lives are lost, and that Israel should know peace once again. We join our brothers and sisters in Israel in mourning the loss of life, and stand in solidarity with all those risking their lives to defend Israel. Am Yisrael Chai — the Jewish nation lives! Learn how you can #StandWithIsrael!

Read
Attend
Take Action
Donate
Stay Informed

READ/VIEW:

• Be Brave: A Thought Piece in Response to the May 2024 Yom HaZikaron Ceremony at the OFJCC
  This was written by Beth Am congregant Mila Karon during the 2023-24 school year per a 5th grade assignment to write a memoir. Mila is currently a 6th grader at Woodside Priory School. When she is not reading or writing, she is in the pool with her water polo teammates or babysitting her two younger sisters. Read the full memoir...
• Memorial Wall for the Murdered and Fallen
  Soon after October 7, 2023, the National Library of Israel made the decision to create a "Memorial Wall for the Murdered and Fallen" within its newly-opened building. See the digital wall.

ATTEND:

• Run for Their Lives Weekly Walk
  Sundays, 12:30 PM, Starting From Congregation Etz Chayim, Palo Alto
  Run for Their Lives is a global movement founded by Israelis in the Bay Area. Their mission is to raise awareness for the hostages held in Gaza. Each week, groups worldwide come together for family-friendly walks or runs lasting 18 minutes. Participants wear red shirts and carry flags representing the 28 nationalities of the hostages. So far there are 70+ groups across the globe, with new ones joining daily. Our Palo Alto group walks every Sunday at 12:30pm, meeting in front of Etz Chayim. Join the silent WhatsApp group for location updates and to participate.

TAKE ACTION:

• Support Israel and Combat Antisemitism in Our Schools and Cities

  Looking to support Israel in the Bay Area and not sure how? Want to speak at a city council meeting, but don’t know when the next one will be? Follow the Jewish Bay Area calendar and stay up to date with the most important Israel advocacy events in the Bay Area. Check out jewishbay.org for more information where you can find all events, activities and Israel topics by Jewish Bay Area organizations.

• Urge Congress to Help Release Hostages Held by Hamas
  Reach out to your lawmaker in Congress today to urge swift action to support the hostages, providing them medical care and negotiating their release. Congress must do everything in its power to ensure the immediate release of Americans as well as all of the hostages. Use the online form to send an email to your Senators and Representative. (The letter will autopopulate for your elected officials after you submit your contact information.)

• Save a Seat for a Hostage at Your Shabbat Table
  Jewish tradition teaches us that it is our duty to work towards the release of the hostages. The Talmud calls this work a mitzvah rabbah, a great mitzvah. As we enter Shabbat this week, and each week until the captives are safely and securely returned, National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) invites you to use their kit to save a seat at your Shabbat table for one of the 200+ hostages still being held by Hamas in Gaza. LEARN MORE
   
• Share your virtual messages with the Reform Movement in Israel.
  Outreach to family and friends in Israel is so needed and welcomed.  If you wish to leave a message of support or want to connect with one of the URJ's IMPJ congregations, please consider leaving a note on our virtual message board. Messages will be consolidated and sent.
   
• Become an Ambassador
  Be the voices of those whose lives have been torn apart through the murder of their loved ones, those who are now being held by terrorist kidnappers for the “crime” of being Jewish, those facing critical injury, and for every single Israeli. The truth must be heard.

DONATE:

• The New Israel Fund (NIF) Emergency Safety Net Campaign: NIF is providing aid to Israelis, both Jewish and Arab, who have been affected; advocating for the immediate release of the more than 200 hostages being held captive by Hamas in Gaza; safeguarding human and civil rights in Israel and the occupied West Bank; and working to advance a shared, peaceful future for everyone in Israel. DONATE
• Kibbutz Magen, visited by Beth Am congregation on the 2016 Beth Am Trip to Israel. Click through to see photos from the visit, to read a message of appeal from Issy (Head of the Local Emergency Team at Kibbutz Magen) and to make a donation.
• Bay Area Jewish Federation's Operation Iron Sword Emergency Fund to support victims of terror and help rebuild damaged infrastructure
• IsraAID Emergency Fund to provide psychosocial support, stress relief activities and relief supplies for victims of the attacks in the south of Israel

STAY INFORMED:

Stay informed of the situation as it continues to unfold. Arm yourself with real information directly from the ground. Get news from Israeli news sites. Reach out to loved ones, friends and colleagues who are in Israel to understand their experiences. Here are just a few credible news sources:

• Times of Israel
• Jerusalem Post
• Ynet News

So many of us feel troubled and uncertain during this difficult time. Please be in touch with any of the clergy if you would like support. We pray for the safety of our loved ones and all those who are in danger, the release of the hostages, the healing of the wounded, and the comfort of the mourners. May there be a swift end to this war.

FOR ONE WHO DIED BY VIOLENCE
from Mishkan HaNefesh (adapted)
Rabbis Janet and Sheldon Marder

Creator of life, Source of healing, 
  grant peace in Your great shelter of peace to our loved ones 
  whose lives ended abruptly through acts of senseless violence. 

With sadness we recall the joy that they brought into the world; 
  those voices and faces we will never forget. May these precious memories console us. 
Let there be light— to guide our way through the shadow of loss. 
We long with all our beings for an end to baseless hatred, war, and violence. 

May a time come soon when no one will suffer or die at the hands of another. 
May our loved ones’ souls be embraced by You—
  free of pain now, held in tenderness and love.
We will cherish forever these lives now lost: blessings in the bond of life everlasting. ♦