This evening will mark the start of yet another Shabbat that Israelis have spent under attack. Like so many of us, I have friends and family in Israel, and some have sons in Gaza. As painful as this is, I am reminded that through acts big and small, we are a people and a community that comes together when it matters most. Taking care of one another is what we do.

On Saturday evening, as I begin my fourth week as CEO, I will be leaving for Israel with 20 other UJA-Federation of New York leaders to express our commitment, just as our President Alisa Doctoroff did last week. At a time of increasing isolation for Israelis, our purpose is simple: we come to hear their stories, communicate that we share their heartache, and ensure they get all the help they need.

The same sentiment of solidarity was shared on a smaller scale earlier this week, when UJA-Federation staff in New York gathered for a conference call with our Israel office. To an overflowing room, our Israeli colleagues reflected on their experiences these last few weeks. One colleague spoke of his young son, who has sadly become accustomed to the sound of sirens, as if that was a permanent part of life. Another colleague, who recently made aliyah, recalled walking outside when a siren sounded. With nowhere to go, she sat on the side of the street until a stranger led her to a safer spot and stayed to make sure she was okay. Listening to these poignant stories brings us closer to what’s happening in Israel and is yet another powerful reminder of why our work is so important.

Responding to Concrete Needs

Thanks to your generosity to our annual campaign, we have been supporting agencies on the ground doing heroic work since day one of this crisis. Joining with federations from across North America, we immediately provided $10 million in emergency aid. With your help, we’ve already enabled our partners in Israel to:

  • equip bomb shelters and safe rooms to meet the needs of people with disabilities;
  • deliver meals, medicine, and other supplies to the homebound elderly and people with disabilities;
  • support resilience centers and provide round-the-clock counseling to people coping with all levels of psychological trauma;
  • provide respite activities for some 50,000 children by busing them away from the most intense areas of attack;
  • and care for the caregivers — educators who sit for days with children in bomb shelters, social workers who see traumatized clients all day long, municipal workers who mend the physical damage of the rockets — who need urgent care themselves to keep going.

To help us meet both today’s acute needs and what will be needed the “day after” to help Israel rebuild and heal, please give to our Israel Emergency Fund.

Standing Together 

This Monday, I invite you to join UJA-Federation in a community rally in New York City. This will be an opportunity to join hand in hand as we publicly affirm our commitment to Israel’s right to defend itself. It’s a message that needs to be heard by our elected officials, by the media, and, most importantly, by our family and friends in Israel.

Acts big and small make a difference. As we prepare for Shabbat, whether in New York or Jerusalem, or anywhere there are people who love Israel, we hope and pray that these dark and turbulent times will be followed by the dawn of more peaceful days.

This week’s Torah portion concludes the book of Numbers. As we do in synagogue at the conclusion of each book, we say together: “Chazak, chazak v’nitchazek.” “Be strong, be strong, and let us strengthen one another.” Those words resonate with particular meaning today.

Chazak, chazak v’nitchazek.

Shabbat shalom

P.S. I just learned that a giant of our community, Alan “Ace” Greenberg, passed away, and like all who had the honor of knowing him, I am deeply saddened. Ace was a magician, literally quite talented at sleight of hand, but even more so with his ability to inspire others to give as generously as possible. For years, Ace hosted our campaign launch event, which became known with some reverence and affection as the “Greenberg event.” A legend of Wall Street and a stalwart champion of the Jewish people both at home and in Israel  — his memory, spirit, and impact will remain an enduring legacy.