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Sign up for weekly updates from UJFT's Jewish Community Relations Council
The immense volume of information coming from every direction can be a bit overwhelming, confusing, and contradictory at times. The Jewish Community Relations Council’s goal is to provide you with relevant updates and reliable, practical information. Each week we will share what we are reading, listening to, watching, and more.
Since October 7, 2023, Israel has been engaged in a complex and multifaceted conflict, battling on multiple fronts in a concerted effort to secure the safe return of the hostages held in Gaza, while simultaneously defending the continued safety, sovereignty, and security of the land of Israel and its people against external threats and internal challenges.
The United Jewish Federation of Tidewater and Jewish Federations of North America stand in total and complete solidarity with Israel, which has every right to defend itself and protect its citizens.
UJFT and other Jewish Federations are responding, working with our core partners to support victims of terror, help rebuild damaged infrastructure, and address the immense levels of trauma caused by this horrific attack.
- Support for terror victims: Jewish Federations’ partners, including the Jewish Agency for Israel, JDC, and the Israel Trauma Coalition, are addressing needs on the ground. The Jewish Agency’s Fund for Victims of Terror is providing immediate financial support to families whose homes were directly hit by rocket fire and is helping them with urgent needs. As of Monday, October 9, the Israel Trauma Coalition (ITC) reports that close to 60% of residents living near the Gaza border have temporarily left their homes and are staying in areas further away from the conflict.
- Support for Israel’s defense capabilities: Jewish Federations of North America are proud to continuously support Israel’s right to defend herself through U.S. military aid to uphold Israel’s Qualitative Military Edge and missile defense funding – including necessary supplemental aid for Iron Dome.
- Keeping communities informed: Jewish Federations are continuing to monitor the situation. You can find JFNA's statements on the rocket attacks on Twitter and Facebook.
- United Jewish Federation of Tidewater Incident Report form
- Report any potential threat or attempt of intimidation by calling 9-1-1.
- Report an Antisemitic, Bias or Discriminatory Incident (ADL)
- FOR STUDENTS: Report Campus Hate-a portal to report antisemitic and/or bias incidents targeting Jewish community members on North American college campuses.
- Donate to the UJFT's Annual Campaign
- Sign up to receive weekly Israel updates
- Attend the UJFT's Israel Today events, highlighting Israel's history, people, and culture through dynamic conversations. (Israel Today)
- Masa Volunteer Program- 6-week volunteer opportunity in Israel for anyone ages 18-40
- Jewish National Fund- Teen Volunteer in Israel Mission.
- Hevruta Gap-Year Program- A Wellspring program for young adults
- Volunteer as a medical professional in Israel
- Volunteers for Israel offers many programs that suit all ages.
- Israel's Multi-front Threats (AIPAC)
- 5 Things to Know About the Houthis, Their Attacks on Israel and the U.S., and Their Treatment of Yemen’s Jews ( AJC)
- Review the common myths about Israel and factual information to debunk them.
- Israel Facts, Not Fiction (Jewish United Fund)
- Responding to False Claims About Israel (AJC)
- What do these pro-Palestinian slogans mean and why are they so controversial? ( Unpacked)
- The Misconceptions Behind the U.S.-Israel Spat ( Israel Policy Forum)
- AIPAC- American Israel Public Affairs Committee
- AJC- American Jewish Commitee
- ADL- Anti- Defamation League
- Stand With Us
- IDF- Israel Defense Forces
- JDC- Joint Distribution Committee
- State of Israel
- Noa Tishby, Israeli actress and activist
- Emily Austin, Journalist and activist
- Yoseph Haddad, Israeli Arab activist
- Einat Wilf, Zionist Activist, former Israel MK
- Hussain Abdul-Hussain, FDD Research Fellow
- Talking to Children About War (The National Child Traumatic Stress Network - NCTSN)
- High School Affairs Parent Resource Guide (AJC)
- How to talk to children about antisemitism (PJ Library)
- Your kids’ questions on Israel, Hamas and Gaza, answered (The Forward)
- Crisis, Controversy and Activism: Tips and Guidance for K-12 Schools (ADL)
- The Jewish Education Project also has a collection of resources for teaching about Israel in crisis.
- Words Can Make a Difference! is a collection of educator resources from the National Library of Israel
- Unpacked Education Resources
- The BRING THEM HOME NOW educational toolkit- This value-based tool for educators and individuals enables you to learn and act: at home, in your school and your community. The five gateways below lead you to many inspiring options for impactful learning and action.
- Visit the UJFT's Back to School Antisemitism Toolkit for High School and College students (UJFT)
- The Hillel College Guide- here to help high school students explore all (and we mean all!) of the options, narrow down their choices, and find the perfect match. (Hillel International)
Since October 7-23, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) has reported a 388% increase in antisemitic incidents across the county. The Tidewater Jewish community is understandably anxious about rising antisemitism and the security of our local institutions. The United Jewish Federation of Tidewater is in constant contact with the Secure Community Network (the organized security arm of the Jewish Federations of North America) and our local law enforcement agencies. The Jewish Community Relations Council of the UJFT has created a Combatting Antisemitism toolkit as a resource.
Stay up to date:
Israel Government Websites:
- Jewish Agency for Israel: JewishAgency.org
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Ministry of Foreign Affairs (www.gov.il)
- Israel Knesset (Israel’s Parliament): main.knesset.gov.il
Podcasts to listen to:
- The Times of Israel’s The Daily Briefing
- The Times of Israel’s What Matters Now
- The Times of Israel’s Israel Story
- Haaretz’s Weekly Podcast
- AJC’s People of Pod
- Masa Israel Journey’s The Israel Conversation Podcast
- Israel Policy Forum’s Israel Policy Forum Podcast
- TLV1 Studios’s The Promised Podcast
- Dan Senor’s Call Me Back Podcast
- Shalom Hartman Institute’s For Heaven’s Sake
- Unpacked’s Israel Education
Reputable Jewish and Israeli News Outlets:
- Fuel for Truth- Israel Education & Advocacy Training
- HAARETZ
- Israel21C- STORIES THAT IMPACT OUR WORLD
- Israeli American Council- IAC360
- Jewish Telegraphic Agency (JTA)
- The Jerusalem Post- Middle East and Israel News
- Times of Israel- News from Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish World
- Ynet
Combating the hatred confronting the Jewish people has long been a top priority of ours. Throughout the years, Federation has been a driving force in the ongoing fight against antisemitism. As anti-Jewish and anti-Israel rhetoric continues to rise, we need your help!