The Marin JCC community is heartbroken by the tragedy in Israel.
Making sense of it all can be difficult, so we invite you to consider our recommendations for giving and getting support during these difficult times. We offer you ways to support Israel, to gain greater understanding, to gather, and to heal.
L’Shalom.
To Peace.
View previous Zoom discussions:
Inside Israel with Avi Melamed – Part 1
Inside Israel with Avi Melamed – Part 2
Inside Israel with Avi Melamed – Part 3
Inside Israel with Avi Melamed – Part 4
Inside Israel with Avi Melamed – Part 5
Inside Israel with Avi Melamed – Part 6
Inside Israel with Avi Melamed – Part 7
Inside Israel with Avi Melamed – Part 8
Click here to read more about the results.
Download the Mothers’ Prayer for Peace, composed by Jewish and Muslim mothers and spiritual leaders, to offer a moment of quiet prayer for peace.
Download: Mothers’ Prayer for Peace – in English, Hebrew, and Arabic.
BetterHelp is providing 6 months of therapy at no cost for individuals who have been impacted by the war in Israel. The support is provided by a licensed therapist over video, phone, or text.
For those in our community who are struggling emotionally during these painful times, we are here to offer expert counseling and support. If you or someone you care about needs assistance, please call JFCS’ Bay Area Critical Helpline at 415-449-3700.
We encourage you to connect with community over Shabbat and the weekend. Please contact whichever synagogue you have a relationship with, have been wanting to visit, or want to share your solidarity with.
Inside The Middle East | Intelligence Perspectives [ITME], founded by Avi Melamed – reaches millions around the world – counteracting the tide of oversimplified narratives and misinformation with articles, videos, media interviews, and briefings for organizations across the globe.
The S.F.-based Federation has opened an emergency fund and is working with the Israel Trauma Coalition, the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee and Jewish Agency for Israel to support victims of terror, help rebuild damaged infrastructure and address trauma.
American Friends of Magen David Adom, the primary organization on the front lines of emergency response, with 33,000 volunteer and staff paramedics, EMTs, first responders, and first-aid providers. MFDA provides immediate medical assistance to victims of the initial assault and the subsequent, ongoing rocket attacks across Israel.
American Friends of The Israel Association of Community Centers, known in Hebrew by their acronym Matnasim, supports a network of local community centers—our sister organizations across Israel. They are coordinating efforts to collect and distribute supplies for thousands of Israelis who have been displaced from Southern Israel, including basic hygiene supplies, clothing, and other necessities, as well as to provide entertainment and emotional support for children who are out of school and have faced great loss.
The IsraAID Emergency Fund will provide psychosocial support, stress relief activities, and relief supplies for victims of the attacks in the south of Israel. Donate here.
Friends of the IDF is the organization officially tasked with accepting donations on behalf of the IDF, the Israeli police and other security services. Critical needs include temporary field hospitals, intensive care ambulances, hygiene kits, plasma kits, as well as equipment for soldiers and units on the front lines. Friends of IDF ensures that the equipment being purchased is military-grade and is distributed to military units that need it most.
The “Sulha Peace Project” aims to facilitate encounters between Palestinians and Israelis to help heal the wounds of conflict.
Help bring home the hundreds of Israeli women, men, and children who remain hostages in Gaza. To raise awareness in your community, you are invited to print and post these signs.
SFBay4Israel has over 50 SF Bay Jewish Organizations, schools and congregations partnered to create a website about the conflict where you can find these topics: community support, events, advocacy and giving opportunities.
On November 14, over 290,000 people marched peacefully and empathically in-person for Israel and over 250,000 tuned in online. https://www.marchforiseael.org/watch-the-march/
Resources for navigating the events with children, provided by PJ Library:
JFCS’ Center for Children and Youth offers guidance on how to talk to children of all ages about antisemitism, violence, and other difficult topics.
Kveller provides simple conversation starters for kids of different ages.
Unpacked for Educators: Videos to help grow your confidence as the adult speaking about Israel.
In this political climate, and with fast moving updates, it is critical to be sensitive to the credibility of news sources. Follow reputable news sources and check your sources before reposting information.
Here is a list of social media accounts of credible, English-speaking journalists:
The Foundation to Combat Antisemitism (FCAS) has launched a national campaign to mobilize all Americans to #StandUpToJewishHate by using the blue square emoji as a unifying symbol of support. For resources, and to learn more, visit FCAS’ website.
The Jewish Studies program at UC Berkeley offers Antisemitism in Our Midst: Past and Present, a video that charts the history of antisemitism from its origins until today.
10 Ways to Have Conscientious Conversations on the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
Antisemitism Uncovered/Anti-Zionism
Hillel International provides a three-part video series on antisemitism, with segments on “What is Judaism? Who are Jews?,” “History of Antisemitism,” and “Antisemitism Today.”
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