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How Jewish Federations of North America are Responding

  • Support for terror victims: Jewish Federations’ partners, including the Jewish Agency for Israel, JDC, and the Israel Trauma Coalition, are addressing needs on the ground. The Jewish Agency’s Fund for Victims of Terror is providing immediate financial support to families whose homes were directly hit by rocket fire and is helping them with urgent needs. The Israel Trauma Coalition (ITC) reports that close to 60% of residents living near the Gaza border have temporarily left their homes and are staying in areas further away from the conflict. 
  • Support for Israel’s defense capabilities: Jewish Federations of North America are proud to continuously support Israel’s right to defend herself through U.S. military aid to uphold Israel’s Qualitative Military Edge and missile defense funding – including necessary supplemental aid for Iron Dome. 
  • Urging elected officials to make public statements of support for Israel: Jewish Federations have launched a wide-ranging action alert to engage elected officials at every level of government to stand in solidarity with Israel and her right to defend herself. Communities can take action by clicking here and sharing the link widely. 
  • Keeping Communities Informed: Jewish Federations are continuing to monitor the situation. You can find our statements on the rocket attacks onTwitter andFacebook.

Please  urge your elected officials at the federal, state, and local level to speak out and make a clear and unequivocal statement in support for our ally Israel, and its right to defend itself.

Here is the link to drive your community to advocate: jfeds.org/OperationSwordsofIronActionAlert 
The blue ribbon symbolizes support and solidarity for the safe return of the hostages taken by Hamas terrorists in Israel. It symbolizes solidarity with the hostages, their families, and all who care about their safety.
Wearing a ribbon publicly unites you with people of all religions, races, nationalities, ethnicities, ages, and generations and demonstrates for the people of Israel that they are not alone and that good people across the globe are with them and their families during this dark time.
Send a powerful message of solidarity by wearing your ribbon.
Reach out to the Jewish Federation of Grand Rapids if you'd like a ribbon.

Dear Members of the Jewish Community:

Over the weekend we witnessed one of the darkest days in the history of the State of Israel. On Shabbat, and during the sacred Jewish holiday of Simchat Torah, Hamas terrorists launched an unprovoked and unprecedented massacre against Israel. More than 900 men, women, and children were massacred. Around 100, including children, mothers and Holocaust survivors were kidnapped and are held hostage by Hamas in Gaza.

Like so many of us in Israel, many of you know someone who has spent nights in a bomb shelter or has shared news about a missing loved one.

We all are appalled and horrified by the stories, pictures and videos coming out of Israel.

As we grieve together, we must remain resolved in our shared mission to defend our home against those who seek to dismantle our Jewish Homeland.

I must be clear. Now is only the beginning of our war to eradicate the threat posed by Hamas and Islamic Jihad to our civil population.

It will not be easy. Your support and solidarity for Israel will be critical in the coming days and weeks. I know you will stand up against those who do not believe in Israel’s right to exist.

I want to thank the many of you who have already reached out to us at the Consulate and in Israel to offer your support. Israel’s unwavering bond and commitment to the Jewish diaspora helps to maintain a spiritual connection that is woven into the fabric of our nation.

I know that together we will overcome this devastating time for Israel. I know this because good will always prevail over evil. And Israel will do whatever she needs to prevail.

Am Israel Chai.

The Consulate is the official representative of Israel to the Midwest. We serve as liaison between the residents of the region and the state of Israel.
Our jurisdiction is over the states: Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin.

On October 7, 2023, during the holiday of Shmini Atzeret, Hamas terrorists launched an unprecedented attack on Israel from Gaza, firing thousands of rockets, breaching the country’s borders, killing dozens of Israelis, and wounding hundreds more. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened the cabinet to declare that Israel was at war to defend itself.

 

Jewish Federations stand in total and complete solidarity with Israel, which has every right to defend itself and protect its citizens. 

  • Israel has the right to defend its sovereignty and its citizens from terrorism, rocket fire, and incursions. Jewish Federations stand behind our Israeli brothers and sisters. 
  • Hamas, an Iran-backed terrorist organization that seeks Israel’s destruction, launched this unprecedented and unprovoked attack on Israel during the holiday of Shmini Atzeret. This is the most significant attack on Israel since the Yom Kippur War, which was launched 50 years ago. 
  • The terror group has fired over 2,500 rockets toward Israel’s major population centers, breached Israel’s borders, infiltrated Israeli communities, and kidnapped over 100 civilians and soldiers. The attacks have killed hundreds of  Israelis, injured thousands, and inflicted significant damage on border communities.  
  • In response, Israel launched Operation Swords of Iron to defend its sovereignty and its citizens. According to the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs: “Israel does and will do everything possible to prevent harm to non-involved people, but the terrorist organizations knowingly operate from within the civilian population, committing double war crimes - indiscriminately shooting at civilians, while using the residents of the Gaza Strip as human shields.” 

 

Jewish Federations are responding, working with our core partners to support victims of terror, help rebuild damaged infrastructure, and address the immense levels of trauma caused by this horrific attack. 

  • Jewish Federations’ abiding support through our annual campaigns make it possible for our primary partners The Jewish Agency for Israel, the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC), and World ORT to respond immediately when emergencies like this take place. 
  • The Jewish Agency’s Fund for Victims of Terror (FVOT) is often the first non-medical responder for families and individuals who have been impacted by acts of terror and violence, providing immediate grants to rebuild homes damaged by rocket fire, and providing for long-term rehabilitation and post-trauma care.  They are already estimating the need for significant additional funding given the scope of the crisis. 
  • The Jewish Agency is part of the government's emergency roundtable and is ensuring the safety of thousands of Olim in dozens of absorption centers, caring for the thousands of residents in Amigour senior housing, and is in touch with the thousands of Masa participants, and participants in the Agency’s pre-army academies and youth villages. 
  • The Israel Trauma Coalition (ITC) is working closely with the IDF’s Home Front Command and local authorities to help address immediate needs and will be sharing a situational assessment shortly.