Early Saturday morning, October 7, Hamas terrorists invaded Israel from Gaza and perpetrated a horrific attack killing more than 1300 people, most of them civilians, injuring more than 3000, and taking hostages – women, children, babies, soldiers, the elderly, whole families – to Gaza. As of this writing, the fate of these captives is unknown, and Israel and the Jewish world is praying and advocating for their release.
The local response to this barbaric assault was rapid and heartfelt. Although it was both Shabbat and a holiday, community clergy and Federation leadership quickly assembled to communicate with community members and to provide a space to gather – to be in community in support of our family in Israel at this tragic time.
Standing together as a community
A “Community Gathering in Solidarity with Israel” was held Sunday, October 8 at Beth Israel Congregation with over 300 in attendance, and another 200 watching via livestream. The size of the crowd, especially in light of the short notice and that Sunday was the holiday of Simchat Torah, is indicative of the strong connections with Israel shared by members of the community.
After a Havdalah service, Congresswoman Debbie Dingell spoke emotionally about the weekend’s tragedy. “Tonight, we grieve the hundreds of Israeli lives that have been lost due to senseless and terrifying acts of terrorism and violence yesterday,” she started. “We must support Israel as it defends itself in the wake of these horrific attacks. Terrorism is never justified, and this violence must end.”
Congresswoman Dingell ended by stating her support for the community and decried the loss of innocent life. “So tonight, at this difficult time, I stand with this community. I join you alI in praying this violence comes to a swift end. I pray for all the innocent people in the region who are suffering, I pray hostages are immediately released and reunited with their families, and I pray for the safety and security of all in this region.”
The program included songs and poems, prayers for peace, healing, safe return of the hostages, and for peace in Israel during wartime. Ann Arbor Mayor Christopher Taylor led the prayer for the peace in the State of Israel in English, accompanied by Ann Arbor’s World Zionist Organization Shaliach, Amichay Findling in Hebrew.
Federation’s Major Gifts Event
An important start to the Jewish Federation’s Annual Community Campaign is its annual Major Gifts Event. This year, it was scheduled to take place Wednesday, October 11 with a program focused on our local community. However, just days before the event, Federation determined that the focus of the event must change to address the current situation.
In the words of Federation Board Decky Alexander at the start of the program, “one of the most powerful and potent characteristics of a Jewish Federation, any of the 146, that live in cities and towns across the US, is that they are dynamic. Built to respond to the times and more specifically what might happen, emerging in their backyard or front yards, and in backyards and front yards across the oceans in Ukraine, Minsk or Israel. This is one of those times.”
At the event, over 100 attendees heard moving remarks from Israeli journalist and Knight-Wallace Journalism Fellow Efrat Lachter who agreed to speak with one day’s notice. Efrat shared stories of bravery, in particular that of Inbar Lieberman, the 25 year-old security coordinator at Kibbutz Nir Am, who saved the kibbutz through her quick and daring mobilization of their security team.
Efrat is a seasoned war correspondent who has heard testimonies from other atrocities over the years. “Never in my life did I imagine something like this can happen again to the Israeli people,” she said. “Hamas is ISIS…. The last time that 1000 Jews were murdered in a day was the Holocaust. Israel was established so it will never happen again.”
Rabbi Danny Schiff, rabbi-in-residence at the Jewish Community of Greater Pittsburgh, lives half the year in Israel and has children serving in the Israel Defense Forces. He spoke passionately about the imperative of standing in together and of taking action. He spoke of the need to contact friends and family in Israel to express concern and solidarity, and to donate to address the overwhelming needs of the thousands of families impacted.
Taking Action
From so far away, it is easy to feel helpless here in the US. But there are things we can do. First, reach out and embrace our Israeli family and friends. They need our love and support. Federation has been in contact with our friends in our partnership region of Nahalal, as well as with our funding partners in Israel, and will continue to hug them from afar throughout this crisis.
You can also respond generously to the needs of the people, families and communities impacted. The Jewish Federation of Greater Ann Arbor together with communities and national Jewish organizations across North America – including the Conservative and Reform movements – is participating in a $500 million campaign to be divided as needed between urgent humanitarian needs and longer-term rebuilding and rehabilitation. Less than a week after Hamas’ attack, Jewish Federations of North America had already sent $10 million to 20 organizations providing emergency relief and support in Israel. Those organization include the Jewish Agency for Israel, JDC, World ORT, Israel Trauma Coalition, United Hatzalah, Magen David Adom, ZAKA, Barzilai Medical Center, and the Soroka Medical Center. To donate to the Israel Emergency Campaign, visit www.jewishannarbor.org or contact Eileen Freed (eileenfreed@jewishannarbor.org).
Finally, continue to support Israel in its efforts to eradicate the terrorist threat and return safety and security to its people. This will not be easy, and it will cause pain to innocent civilians in Gaza. Federation and other local organizations will provide resources for community members to remind their friends, neighbors, and colleagues how this started, and why Israel must take this action.
Community Response
By the time this article is read, there will have been many more opportunities provided by Jewish communal organizations to receive support, gather as a community, and take action to help our family in Israel. This community is blessed to have such caring and collaborative leadership.
To stay in touch, learn about upcoming programs, and get information about how to take action, visit JewishAnnArbor.org and subscribe to Federation’s e-newsletters, which contain information about activities across the community.