Facing the Tragedy in Israel

אחינו כל בית ישראל הנתונים בצרה ובשביה
המקום ירחם עליהם ויוציאם מצרה לרוחה ומאפילה לאורה

Our family, all of Israel, mired in sorrow and captivity
May the Omnipresent have mercy on them and bring them
from confinement and darkness into open spaces and light

Rabbinic Pastoral Care & Office Hours

As always, we, the rabbis of Shaare Torah are here to offer you a safe and confidential space to process and to listen during times of need. Please reach out to us to make an appointment or come sit with us during office hours.

OFFICE HOURS
Tuesday 10/10 – 8:30-10:00 am, at Shaare Torah
Wednesday 10/11 – 12:00-1:15 pm, on Zoom
Wednesday 5:00-6:00 pm, at Shaare Torah

SUPPORT THE RELIEF EFFORTS

Below are two emergency funds that are supporting Israelis in crisis in multiple ways. We have also created a spreadsheet for crowdsourcing other organizations and initiatives that are doing important work.

Federation’s Israel Crisis Relief Fund

Provides essential support for those in need, with aid distributed swiftly through our partners on the ground. Donate online here.

Financial aid to address the immediate needs of terror victims.
Access to temporary housing for those displaced due to the conflict.
Long-term support and services to help terror victims access psychological counseling, job retraining, and more.
Access to remote trauma services, including therapist hotlines for those who cannot leave their homes due to the current security situation.
Trauma training for first responders, teachers, emergency volunteer teams, and others operating on the front lines of this crisis.

Support the New Israel Fund’s Emergency Relief Efforts

Providing basic care for the most vulnerable groups
Combating violent speech and incitement online
Preventing inter-communal violence in mixed cities
Mental health and trauma counseling

Donate online here.

ADDITIONAL RELIEF FUNDS

The needs right now are many and great. We have created a spreadsheet to gather information about other opportunities to provide financial support of all kinds, from supporting hospitals to buying protective gears for soldiers.

Here is a crowdsourced spreadsheet of additional funds to support.
Click here to add a new entry to the list.

EMOTIONAL, MENTAL HEALTH & SPIRITUAL SUPPORT

The horrific events unfolding in Israel are understandably triggering fear, anxiety, anger, past traumas and more, especially among people with close personal ties to Israelis or with children or other relatives serving in the Israeli Defense Forces. Those in need of emotional support and/or mental health services should contact the Federation and JSSA’s J-CARING hotline at 703-J-CARING.

Talking with Children about the Tragic Events

Here are resources for speaking with children about tragic events, from Growing Minds Therapy.
Here are resources for discussing current events in Israel with children, from Sivan Zakai, a professor of Jewish Education.

Reciting Psalms

Our people have turned to Tehillim, the Book of Psalms, in times of sorrow and uncertainty. Here is a selection of psalms for times of distress and other prayers to recite.

לְמַעַן אַחַי וְרֵעָי אֲדַבְּרָה נָּא שָׁלוֹם בָּךְ
For the sake of my siblings and friends we pray for peace for all.

Rabbi Annie Lewis

Rabbi Yosef Goldman

Executive Director, Matt Oziel

President, Brian Abraham