NEVER AGAIN IS NOW
ISRAEL NEEDS YOUR HELP. WILL YOU ANSWER THE CALL?
ISRAEL UNDER ATTACK
Tragically, Saturday, October 7, 2023, will forever be etched in our hearts and minds. That is the day that the Southern border towns in Israel were attacked and 100's of men, women and children were slaughtered by the insidious evil named Hamas; 100's more were tied up and taken into Gaza as hostages. These communities were tragically caught off guard and the devastating results are beyond words. We have all heard of the strength of the Israeli army, the heroism of their soldiers and the reilience and determination of her people. There is no doubt that the men and women of these communities would have all stood up to fight if only they had the weapons they needed. Shockingly, there are border towns and other communities in Israel that do not have the weapons or the intel (such as drones and security cameras on the perimeter fences) to proactively protect themselves and their families. There are army units who are short of essential military supplies. NEVER AGAIN will Israel be caught off guard.
HOW CAN YOU HELP?
NEVER AGAIN will innocents be butchered in their homes.NEVER AGAIN will innocent civilians be hunted down and slaughtered while they are running for their lives.NEVER AGAIN will parents watch helplessly while their children are beheaded before their eyes.Globally, Israel is the first line of defense to this particular kind of evil. Whether you have family and friends in Israel or not, when we help protect Israel, we also protect our families and ourselves. Please join us to help the communities in Israel protect themselves.
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Pray for the Soldiers
Our enemies call out their gods name as they butcher innocents; we pray to our G-d to shine His light on the world; end the bloodshed and restore peace. Please recite a chapter of Psalms whenever possible; pray for all of the residents of Israel, the brave soldiers of the IDF, and for moral clarity throughout the world.
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Keep Positive
Wars are fought with guns, but they may first be won or lost in the mind. Please don’t allow yourself to be sucked into a vortex of gory videos or doom-and-gloom reporting. No matter how much adversity they face, Israelis are known for their resiliency, their strength, and love of life. Let’s honor those now living and fighting in Israel by sharing hope, faith, and encouragement.
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Add Spiritual Light to the World
There have been many articles and photos about the non-religious Israeli soldiers putting on Tzizits for the first time as a form of spiritual protection. Jewish men and boys world-over, in support of the soldiers, if you don’t already wear Tzitzits please consider wearing them in honor of the soldiers (they are available on Amazon). Additionally, even the religiously observant soldiers in Israel don’t have time to stop to say their daily prayers, wrap tefillin, or honor the Shabbos as they would during peacetime. So please, if you don’t pray daily, please consider opening up a prayer book and saying a few heartfelt prayers; if you don’t regularly put on tefillin, please consider doing so now (Chabad rabbis keep on hand extra pairs to share); if you don’t keep the Sabbath, please consider dedicating some time between sunset on Friday night and after dark on Saturday to honor the Sabbath.
Traditionally, Jewish women and girls light Shabbos candles on Friday night before sunset to usher in the Shabbos. If you don’t usually light candles, please consider doing so now, your Shabbat candles bring light and tranquility to the world. This Friday night (and every Friday night) before sunset, light Shabbos candles and help restore some of the much-needed light in our presently dark world.
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Support College Student
Check in with Jewish students in your classroom and ask how they are feeling. Be mindful not to do this is a public way as it may make them feel singled out, embarrassed or further marginalized. Jewish students may feel isolated and disconnected from their peers who are not sharing in this experience, and as the educator, you can ensure that they feel seen and safe in the classroom. Jewish students may be feeling a range of complicated emotions, including fear, grief, anger and confusion.