The Jofa Weekly, 11/17/23: Am Yisrael Chai

עם ישראל חי

Am Yisrael Chai

In this edition:

Message from Jofa
Upcoming Events: The Week After Thanksgiving
Devorah Scholars Applications Due December 1
Women's Voices on Israel
More Ways to Stand Up for Israel Now
Divrei Torah by Women on Parshat Toldot

Message from Jofa

Friends,

There are moments when we feel especially proud to stand up strongly and visibly as a Jewish nation. Tuesday's March for Israel was one of them. Mobilizing so quickly across the country to show our unwavering support for Israel, for freeing the hostages, and fighting back against antisemitism, was a powerful and unifying experience that we take forward with us. For one bright, sunny day during these dark times, we felt reinvigorated and empowered.

But of course the question is: What's next? How do we take that renewed energy forward with us? As we revisit the day through pictures, videos, posts, and reflections, trying to hold onto that palpable feeling of solidarity, we return to the reality of the suffering of the hostages and their families; the painful war in Gaza; the national trauma of October 7, and antisemitism rising around the world.

This is a moment to ask ourselves what comes next; how we are going to channel the energy and momentum of the March into our best efforts to advocate for our people and ease their pain.

Below you will find some suggestions for doing just that, along with our upcoming events, women's voices, and divrei Torah on this week's parsha, Toldot.

שבת שלום שקטה ורגועה

A Shabbat of peace, quiet, and calm

Mark Your Calendars & Sign Up Today!

Events Coming Up The Week Following Thanksgiving, November 28 - December 1

Siyyum Mishnayot for Israel, Tuesday, November 28: Sign up today for our siyuum mishnayot for Israel, an opportunity to dedicate communal Torah learning for the strength, safety, and security of Am Yisrael. Sign up to study mishnayot however you prefer, partnering with others or on your own. Then join us for a hybrid siyyum: in person, beginning at 6PM with pizza dinner at the Kraft Center - Columbia/Barnard Hillel, followed by a siyyum wrap-up and hadran (both in-person and online) from 630-730PM.

Gathering in the Five Towns Community, Wednesday, November 29: In times of crisis like we are experiencing right now, coming together helps remind us that we are not alone. We invite you to find strength and inspiration in the community of women, through events like our next Food for Thought: Learning and Tasting Event Exploring Talmudic Heroines, scheduled for the Five Towns, Long Island, on Wednesday, November 29. Sign up here to attend. As the nourishing food warms our bodies, we will dedicate our learning to the safe return of all of the hostages, the soldiers of the IDF, and all Israelis, to their homes.

Reproductive Rights Film Screening and Discussion, Thursday, November 30: Major Election Day victories by abortion rights advocates in Ohio, Kentucky, and Virginia underscore the continued urgency of reproductive rights as an issue of national discourse, with specific relevance to the Jewish community, and the 2024 national election.

On Thursday, November 30, JCC MetroWest, in partnership with Jofa, NCJW/Essex, and the Jewish Women's Foundation of New Jersey, are hosting a screening and panel discussion of the documentary short film, “Under G-d,” by award-winning filmmaker Paula Eiselt. See event flyer above, or this Jewish Link event listing for more information, and register here. We hope that you can join us for this important and timely discussion.

Consider Applying to the Devorah Scholars Program, by Friday, December 1: Our synagogues and communities need strong, capable, committed spiritual leaders now more than ever. If you are a member or leader of a North American Orthodox synagogue, interested in increasing women's spiritual leadership, find out more about our Devorah Scholars Program -- a matching grant opportunity for Orthodox synagogues seeking to hire their first paid female spiritual leaders -- made possible through the generosity of Micah Philanthropies, Ann and Jeremy Pava, Trustees.

Applications for the next cohort of Devorah Scholars are open through December 1. Visit our website to find out more, ask questions, and apply.

Women's Voices on Israel

Jofa was well-represented at Tuesday's historic March for Israel,

including board members Pam Greenwood and Rachel Berke, pictured here.

Here we share the voices of women who have offered their perspectives over the past week:

More Ways to Stand Up for Israel Now

Following Up On Tuesday's March for Israel: Email your members of Congress to let them know that you stood proudly on the National Mall to support Israel's right to defend itself, and against antisemitism here in the United States. Ask your legislators to support legislation that does the same.

It is most effective to write personal letters in your own words. Find the contact information for your members of the House and the Senate, or send a quick email to your elected officials, via the American Jewish Committee.

Keeping Attention on the Hostages and Their Families: Visit listentomoms.net, a US-based initiative that unites mothers from diverse backgrounds to share their stories and advocate for the release of hostages from more than 20 countries, including the United States, who are being held captive by Hamas in Gaza. Each of these hostages, including young children and infants, is dearly loved and cherished by their families. Innate human compassion drives us to care deeply about the safety and well-being of all children. Mothers from different faiths and communities are united by a shared humanity and a single plea: to bring their families home.

Baking Challah and Lighting Shabbat Candles: Rituals like lighting Shabbat candles and baking challah are ways to connect, raise money for Israel, and find comfort.

In The Power of Baking Challah Together in Hard Times, Joanna Nissim explores why communal challah baking speaks to us in times of crisis.

You can print these special candle lighting prayers and use them to join with Jewish women around the world in finding extra purpose and meaning in lighting Shabbat candles, and reciting special prayers for the captives, the injured, the IDF, our families, and the entire Jewish people.

These are two ways we can help nourish our families and souls, while adding symbolic light into this dark time.

Staying Informed: Although it can feel overwhelming, being well informed and staying up to date on the latest news, developments, and analyses is vital to being able to continue advocating and reinforcing our message effectively. Here are just a few trusted sources that include coverage, analysis, and first-hand accounts:

Giving: The needs can feel staggering, but we can each help in our own ways, and through many communal projects -- from volunteering and raising funds, to donating toward food distributions, mental health services, caregiving, displaced families, IDF supplies, home front needs, and so much more.

We can each support these needs by contributing to any of the numerous grassroots, local, national, and international organizations and fundraising efforts that are delivering a tremendous array of direct and specific needs on the ground -- including your community's Jewish Federation, as well as the following -- to name just a few examples:

Connecting: Anyone with family and/or friends in Israel, or who knows anyone with loved ones who are serving, will appreciate hearing from you, even when there are no adequate words. It is still meaningful to express that you care and that they are not alone. Everyone is touched in some personal way by what is happening, and it is always in our hearts and minds. A phone call, email, or message can go a long way. Simply tell them that you’re thinking about them and praying for their safety and strength. It can make such a difference.

For mental health and wellness resources that can help you or those you care about, see:

Talking with the Kids in Your Life: Discussing with children of all ages what is happening right now is very sensitive and very important, for families, caregivers, educators, spiritual leaders, youth leaders, and more. We continue adding to our list of resources to help navigate this:

Gathering in Unity, Prayer, Learning, or Song: Communities keep thinking of creative and meaningful ways to gather -- over Shabbat or during the week; at synagogues, schools, and community centers; to knit kippot or assemble tzitzit; join in multifaith gatherings; hear inspiring and informative speakers; or infuse extra kavanah into our davening.

Any and every Shabbat can be an Israel solidarity Shabbat in your community or congregation, with tehillim, prayers, and melodies for Israel, including: the Prayer for the State of Israel, Prayer for Tzahal , Prayer for the Safe Return of Hostages. Include in your tefillot the names of soldiers and hostages. Say your own personal prayers; insert your own prayers during tefillah. Invite a speaker. Take a moment to thank G-d for protecting and watching over us, and those who safeguard our homeland, and who are in harm's way. Now more than ever, tefillah is a place to turn, to seek strength and comfort.

Many people find it spiritually uplifting to recite and/or study Tehillim, whether as part of a shul or community gathering, on your own, or in one of many Tehillim circles, groups, and chats worldwide. A kumsitz or melaveh malkah can also be a meaningful way to channel our feelings through the emotional outlet of music.

Divrei Torah by Women on Parshat Toldot

Jews around the world are reading and studying Parshat Toldot this week. Here are a few divrei Torah by women on this week's parsha:

Shabbat Shalom ~ Besorot Tovot

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