Israel

Israel began to attack the nuclear programme and the heads of the regime of Iran in the early hours of Friday June 13th. Since then Iranian retaliation has been continuous throughout Israel, sirens have been sounding almost everywhere in the country and in the West Bank, and a number of Iranian missiles which have got through the Iron Dome defence system have destroyed buildings, from universities, to hospitals to apartment buildings, causing deaths, injuries and devastating property damage.

Here in London so many of us are deeply concerned for friends and family throughout Israel. We feel their pain and fear but also of course admire their resilience in this awful situation. On behalf of the EHRS community we sent messages to many of our congregation’s friends in Israel and know that these messages were appreciated. From the Leo Baeck Center, from where our two young volunteers were to have joined us from this week: Thank you for your thoughts. We are safe and waiting for hopefully good news. From Orly Erez-Likhovsky of the Israel Religious Action Center and Anna Kislanski of the Israel Movement for Progressive Judaism: Thank you so much for your kind words and prayers. Feeling the care and concern of friends like you truly means a great deal – especially during such a tense and uncertain time.  We’re doing our best to stay safe and grounded. These days have been intense – balancing safety with the responsibility of supporting our communities, holding space for fear, and still nurturing hope. Your message brought real comfort and strength in the midst of it all.  From Lee Siegel, brother of Keith Siegel who had been held hostage for over 500 days in Gaza: We are hanging in there and hoping this comes to an end soon, including stopping the war in Gaza.  Wishing you health and safety.

Here in London what can we do to be of support? Firstly, send that message of concern and support to anyone you know in Israel, it really makes a difference. Secondly, keep up with the news from multiple sources. This is a complex situation and the more we explore the more we understand and can form our own informed views. Thirdly, consider giving to any of the causes below which are being promoted by our friends in Israel for real needs right now, so that we can be partners with our brothers and sisters in Israel:

The Liberal Jewish Synagogue community has opened an urgent emergency campaign to collect money for humanitarian support of Israeli victims of Iranian attacks. All money received through this campaign will go to the Centre of Progressive Judaism, Beit Daniel in Tel Aviv, where EHRS members spent Shabbat in December.

At least five members of the Beit Daniel centre became victims of Iranian strikes – their houses were destroyed, and all their possessions were lost. Many others are suffering from anxiety attacks and need urgent psychological support. The community has an emergency fund that will distribute money directly to individuals according to their specific needs.

Please click here to donate.

UJIA are coordinating a broad response for the UK Jewish community.

Please click here to donate.

Leo Baeck Education Center have offered their space and resources to all residents of Haifa to sleep, and for children to play and feel safer. They are also offering to pick people up from around Haifa to get to Leo Baeck.

Please click here to donate.

Magen David Adom – Israel’s Emergency Service.

Please click here to donate.

Above all, we hope and pray for a peaceful end to the devastation that is caused by war and violence directed against Israel and a Middle East where there is true progress towards a peaceful future. May the Eternal One spread the shelter of God’s peace over us, all Israel and all humankind.

Our community joins in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Israel in shock and revulsion at the terrorist incursion into Israel by Hamas. We mourn those who were murdered and pray for the release of the hostages who were kidnapped into Gaza. We support the communities affected and share our heartfelt care with all the people of Israel. As Jews who pray and act for peace we hope that the people of Gaza will be able to throw off Hamas tyranny so that Israel and Gaza can speedily come to live in peace with each other.

Following our EHRS Community meeting on Tuesday 10 October, attended by over 400 people in person and online, our Council resolved that we will forward an appeal for the following four effective causes in Israel. Please contribute directly if you feel moved to do so, so that funds move speedily to them. If you have difficulties doing so then our Synagogue Office can help.

1) The Israel Movement for Reform and Progressive Judaism (IMPJ) emergency fund. This will be used to help the people of the Sha’ar HaNegev congregations which were attacked directly by the terrorists and to enable the IMPJ to offer humanitarian aid in all of their congregations which are hosting people from the region. Please click here to donate. Click here for an update on what they have been achieving with our donations.

2) Magen David Adom emergency fund. This is Israel’s emergency response organisation which urgently needs help to be able to provide the services that are needed by so many wounded people in Israel. Please click here to donate.

3) The Leo Baeck Education Center in Haifa. This is a pluralist school, community centre and Reform Synagogue which is transporting food donations to soldiers in all areas of Israel, caring for children displaced from the South of Israel to the relative safety of Haifa and for hundreds of children on school trips to the North of the country who have not been able to return home. Please click here to donate. Click here for an update on what they have been achieving with our donations.

4) The UJIA British Jewish Community Israel emergency appeal. This appeal pools contributions from British Jews to target them to the areas most at need in this crisis. Please click here to donate.

Thank you for your support at this time. Your Rabbis are here for you at any time you need us.

Please click here for a helpful guide to well-being from a number of Jewish organisations.