With Joy and Compassion: Standing With Israel’s Freed Hostages

This week, we joined with the people of Israel and Jews everywhere in profound joy and relief at the return of 20 living hostages to their families. The sight of loved ones reunited with their families filled our hearts with gratitude. I can’t imagine a better way to start the new year. 

And yet, even in this moment of celebration, we recognize that the journey ahead for the released hostages and their families will be long and difficult. Healing from unimaginable violence and trauma takes time, care, resources, and the support of every corner of world Jewry.

I want to challenge each member of the congregation and the greater community to participate in this effort to the former hostages. 

Violence  the Yizkor observance on Shimini Atzeret, Passover, and Shavuot, our congregation turns memory into action by supporting vital causes in Israel and throughout the Jewish world. You have always responded generously.  This Yizkor, we have dedicated the Yizkor Appeal conducted this past Tuesday to assist organizations directly caring for the released hostages and their families as they begin the long road back to health and wellness.

Our contributions this Yizkor will support:

  • The Hostages and Missing Families Forum – providing advocacy, care, and support for families of those held captive and those who have returned. 
  • NATAL: Israel Trauma and Resilience Center – offering trauma counseling and long-term rehabilitation for victims and their families.
  • AFMDA (American Friends of Magen David Adom) – Israel’s national emergency medical, blood, and ambulance service.
  • Tribe of Nova Foundation– assisting survivors and families of those affected by the Nova music festival tragedy.
  • United Hatzalah – providing rapid emergency medical response and psychological first aid across Israel.
  • Israel Relief Fund – sponsored by our Jewish Federation of Northern NJ, to provide critical care for Israel's men, women, and children  battling the lasting effects of trauma

I want to invite our entire congregation and greater community to participate in this sacred effort. To participate in this effort, please consider sending a donation to the synagogue, and write Yizkor in the left margin, or donate directly via our website at this link. Under the list of options, please choose other and write in Yizkor so we can allocate it properly.   

I thank you in advance for your support of this important project.  Together, we will stand with Israel and the freed hostages, help ease their transition home, remind them they are not alone, and affirm through our generosity  that Am Yisrael Chai: the people of Israel live, care, and stand for one another.

 


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