Weekly Round-Up October 9-13
Dear Colleagues,
This week was one of the most horrible and painful in Jewish history. The heinous, barbaric terrorist attack and pogrom by Hamas last Saturday morning, during Shabbat and Shemini Atzeret/Simchat Torah, killed more than 1,300 people (men, women, and children--even infants), including at least 27 American citizens. Thousands of Israelis were injured and 150 were taken hostage into Gaza. The Israeli government has launched Operation Swords of Iron in response and has begun bombing Gaza.
To aid the thousands of families affected by this catastrophe and to fund the extensive rebuilding and rehabilitation that will be required, Jewish Federations have announced a $500 million emergency campaign. Here is the link to donate. We also just announced our first $10 million allocation. Click here for details.
Click here for the toolkit that includes regularly updated talking points, sample social posts, a guide to how to fight disinformation online, and fundraising information, as well as our statement of solidarity with Israel. Also, our Instagramfeed is live and growing; our first reel has garnered over 150,000 views. We encourage you to follow us, like and share our recent posts, reels, and stories. We also love sharing your content in our stories. Feel free to reach out if there's a post you'd like amplified.
To read the latest update from our Israel office, click here. The Israel office also put together these FAQs addressing misinformation around IDF shortages and on the Israeli government’s call for overseas volunteers.
President Biden has expressed unequivocal support for the Israelis and has warned other bad actors in the region from joining the conflict. President Isaac Herzog expressed his deep gratitude to the Federation leaders for the support of the North American Jewish community. Click here to read his message.
Yesterday, we cosponsored an event with SCN, along with a plethora of other major Jewish organizations. FBI Director Christopher Wray gave an update on the domestic security implications of the war and offered recommendations for how to enhance our preparedness for potential attacks. To view the recording, click here.
In light of an expected uptick in antisemitism resulting from the conflict, we are urging that Congress increase funding for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program to $500 million, from its current level of $305 for Fiscal Year 2023. Click here for the Action Alert. Here is our blog post. For more information, email Karen Barall.
We are also now asking all our elected officials to express their full support for Israel. To urge your representatives to stand with Israel, click on this Action Alert, which has already been used to send over 350,000 advocacy messages.
In what we expect to become one of the largest Jewish community mobilizations in American history, more than 120 Federations have already organized solidarity rallies for their communities. Here is our blog post on the rallies. For more information on these rallies, email Alisa Bodner. We are also collecting photos and videos from the community events. Please send these to Alexandra Coffey.
The Jewish People Policy Institute (JPPI) is hosting daily webinars sponsored by Jewish Federations and the Jewish Agency. A rotating team of top analysts of Israeli military affairs, of the US-Israel relationship, of Israel’s political system, and of the country’s diverse society will speak every Sunday to Thursday from 11-11:30 am ET. Join here.
We are all reeling from this terrible series of events and we want all Federation employees to know that we will support you in every way that we can.
We are asking everyone to wear a blue ribbon—and to get as many other people as possible to do the same--in support of the hostages and their families. Learn more here and use the hashtag #BlueRibbonsforIsrael.
National Young Leadership Cabinet held an event with pediatric psychologist Jenna Shapiro on how to talk to children about the war. To watch the recording, click here. For a handout with the basic concepts that she discussed, click here.
Please also join us for these virtual programs:
A Space to Just Be: A Gathering for Israeli Federation Colleagues Based in North America Gathering
Wednesday October 18 from 2 to 2:30 pm ET
This gathering provides a safe space specifically for Israeli and Israeli-North American identified Federation professionals based in North America to be in community during these most difficult times. Register here. Please contact Rebecca Ruberg for more information.
Caring and Connection: A Gathering for Jewish Community Professionals
Thursday, October 19 from 1 to 2 pm ET
JPro, Leading Edge and the Jewish Federations of North America invite you to connect with colleagues from across North America to find strength in community and to practice self-care. Rabbi Mike Uram and Aliza Kline will provide framing and community connection, followed by specialized interactive breakout sessions. Register here,
Praying for peace as we enter Shabbat,
Shira Hutt
Executive Vice President
Jewish Federations of North America
To be added to this list, click here.