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Ways To Support Israel

Ways To Support Israel

 
In the days surrounding Purim we are obligated to participate in the mitzvah of matanot l'evyonim.  This mitzvah derives from Mordecai and Esther's efforts to save their people's lives.  We extend that mitzvah beyond caring solely for our own people to offering support for any in need of our support.  For months now our congregation's website has provided resources through which we can support the Israeli victims of the October 7 attack.  It was - and it remains vital - for us to offer our support to all those impacted by this terrible tragedy.  But we must extend our hearts and resources beyond the border, offering more than just our prayers for the innocent victims of Gaza.
 
In that regard we will be adding two additional charities to the website dedicated to supporting the victims of October 7th:  Chef Jose Andres' World Central Kitchen and The Palestinian Children's Relief Fund.  Both agencies receive high ratings from Charity Navigator, an independent evaluator of charities' fiscal management.  In particular, the Palestinian Children's Relief Fund has, for over a decade, held a 4 star charity rating on Charity Navigator.
 
We hope you will, as you are able, support the innocent victims on both sides of this terrible war.
 
World Central Kitchen  wck.org
Founded in 2010 by Chef José Andrés, World Central Kitchen (WCK) is a nonprofit organization that is first to the frontlines providing fresh meals in response to crises. Applying our model of quick action, leveraging local resources, and adapting in real time, WCK has served more than 350 million nourishing meals around the world.
 
When disaster strikes, WCK’s Relief Team mobilizes with the urgency of now to start cooking and serving meals to people in need. By partnering with organizations on the ground and activating a network of local restaurants, food trucks, or emergency kitchens, WCK serves comforting meals to survivors of disasters quickly and effectively. To support regional economies, WCK prioritizes purchasing local ingredients to cook with or distribute directly to families in need. 
We know that good food provides not only nourishment, but also comfort and hope, especially in times of crisis. 
 
Palestine Children's Relief Fund  pcrf.net
Palestine Children's Relief Fund (PCRF), founded in 1991 by concerned humanitarians in the USA, provides free medical care to thousands of injured and ill children yearly who lack local access to care within the local health care system.  Over the years, we've sent over 2,000 affected children abroad for free medical care, sent thousands of international doctors and nurses to provide tens of thousands of children free medical care in local hospitals, and provided tens of thousands of children humanitarian aid and support they otherwise would not get.  

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Many have asked for ways that we can offer support to Israel at this very difficult time.  There are many organizations on the ground doing vital work to support our Israeli brothers and sisters.  The list below is, by no means, exhaustive, but I feel it covers a wide array of immediate needs.  I encourage you to offer your support in whatever way you can.
 
The Agudah: Israeli LGBTQ Association
Click here to support
There are LGBTQ soldiers who lack familial support, those in the closet, and those who have been evacuated from the war zone and need appropriate mental health services. The Aguda has mobilized psychologists, social workers and has expanded its help line to enable individuals cope with the emotional toll of this crisis. They are offering guidance and support to LGBTQ parents as they try to create a stable environment for their children, as well as housing hospitality and food for those in need.
 
Jewish Federation's Solidarity Campaign
Click for more info
The Jewish Federation of Los Angeles is creating an emergency Israel fund through which your contributions will be directed where they are needed most in Israel.
 
Operation Swords of Iron
Click to help
Following Hamas’s unprecedented attack over the weekend, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has declared that Israel is at war to defend itself and has given the order for the IDF to commence “Operation Swords of Iron.”
Jewish Federations are responding, working with our core partners to support victims of terror, help rebuild damaged infrastructure, and address the trauma caused by this horrific attack.
 
United Hatzalah of Israel's Emergency Campaign
The money will be used for desperately needed supplies to provide UH volunteers with the equipment they need to save lives and the protective equipment to keep themselves safe. The goal of the campaign is to raise $20 million to equip an additional 1,000 United Hatzalah volunteers with protective vests and helmets, oxygen tanks, defibrillators, trauma bandages, and tourniquets.
 
Operation Lifeshield 
Operation Lifeshield is an emergency campaign to save innocent lives by providing Israel's threatened communities with the protected air raid shelters they so desperately need.
Every donation of every amount goes to placing strong, steel-reinforced, pre-cast concrete fortified shelters and all-steel shelters in public areas, such as schools, kindergartens, parks and senior citizen centers. The shelters are above-ground, fully-accessible structures, and meet the strictest standards of the IDF Home Front Command. Lifeshield shelters are transported by truck, and can be re-located to meet changing security needs.
 
Magen David Adom
Magen David Adom is Israel’s national emergency medical services organization. They are on the front lines of saving lives in Israel. With emergency ambulances, boats, helicopters, and motorcycles, MDA is guaranteed to provide the best of care in critical situations.
 
IsraAID's Emergency: Israel Campaign
Click to contribute
IsraAID’s mission is to support people affected by humanitarian crisis. They partner with local communities around the world to provide urgent aid, assist in recovery, and reduce the risk of future disasters. IsraAID is partnering with local and civil society organizations to coordinate humanitarian efforts, providing psychosocial support & urgent aid to vulnerable communities, evacuees and their families.
 
Support Wounded Israeli Veterans
Click for more information
Israeli Wounded Veterans’ mission is to support the rehabilitation, rebuilding, and enhancement of the lives of disabled Israeli veterans and victims of terror. At our state-of-the-art Beit Halochem (House of the Warriors) rehabilitation centers in Tel Aviv, Haifa, Jerusalem, and Beer Sheva, we serve more than 51,000 disabled veterans, terror attack survivors, and family members.Our commitment is to raising awareness and funds for a broad range of social, cultural, and sports training programs, offering scholarships, developing new initiatives, and providing specialized adapted equipment for our centers. Through these programs, we aim to empower these heroic men and women to rebuild their lives with a renewed sense of purpose and dignity.
 
A Wider Bridge: Add Your Name
"We ask you to join us now in our grief for all the innocent lives lost, and for the hostages still being held. We ask you to join us in our conviction that the State of Israel has a right to exist and reaffirm that the Jewish people deserve a homeland where they can live freely; and that the Palestinian people must no longer be exploited and deserve legitimate self-government in their own nation." Learn more 
 
Links to many additional organizations doing vital work in Israel during this emergency can be found in this Jewish Telegraphic Agency article.
 

Information

Important and truthful information about what is actually happening Israel: this link is a project allowing Gazan civilians to speak about the reality of living under Hamas.
 
Wed, April 30 2025 2 Iyar 5785