Israel Emergency Fund I Community Resources

On day 13 of Israel’s War with Hamas, US President Joe Biden has concluded his visit and his strong show of solidarity. This morning, the UK’s Prime Minister Rishi Sunak landed in Israel on his own mission of support.
For those in Israel looking for help, critical information about the situation on the ground, or other assistance, see this resource page put together by Jewish Federations.
Jewish Federations of North America placed a full-page ad in the Jerusalem Post to welcome President Joe Biden to Israel on his mission of solidarity, thanking him profoundly for “his deep and sincere support of Israel during this dark hour.”

Funerals continue for many of the 1400 Israelis killed by Hamas:

Yesterday, a bittersweet wedding took place for Yonatan Perez, the son of the head of the World Mizrachi Movement, Rabbi Doron Perez. Yonatan’s brother Daniel, a tank commander, has been missing since taking part in the battles of October 7. The groom, Yonatan, was also involved in the fighting. Heeding the call of his commander, he hurried to the south where he is being hailed as a hero for taking part in the rescue of some 20 women soldiers. During the four-hour battle when he was shot in the leg, Yonatan also killed numerous terrorists. See more here.
Read here and watch an interview with the parents of a 19-year-old woman missing since the fighting began, when she served as a soldier on a base in the south.
JK Rowling, the famed author of the Harry Potter series, has posted on social media, paying respects to a 12-year-old girl on the autism spectrum (and Harry Potter fan) who was murdered alongside her grandmother, by Hamas terrorists on October 7. See here.
See here for a list of the names of those murdered that have been released so far, and here for a site in Hebrew with the names and photos of fallen soldiers.

For infographics with the latest numbers from the conflict, see here.

There has been a gradual return to in-person schooling, with additional schools resuming in safer areas in Israel Thursday. Areas around the Gaza Strip and also near the Lebanese border remain closed military zones, to which entry by civilians is prohibited.

Israeli Response

The IDF says it destroyed hundreds of Hamas sites in the last 24 hours, including anti-tank missile launch sites, tunnel shafts, intelligence infrastructure, terror leaders, and various command centers. See video images of the strikes here.
In separate strikes, the IDF also killed the head of the military wing of Gaza’s Popular Resistance Committees terror group, Rafat Abu Hilal, as well as more than ten members of Hamas’s “Nukhba Commando Forces,” who led the October 7 massacres.
See here for a video message, in English, by the IDF Chief of Staff Hertzi Halevi.

JTA has produced the following updates about how the war is affecting Jewish communities outside of North America:

How many European countries are increasing security at Jewish institutions, fearful that the conflict could lead to a spike in antisemitism.
U.S. and Israeli embassies in Argentina received bomb threats.
France banned pro-Palestinian rallies as antisemitic incidents have spiked there.
Police are investigating Molotov cocktail bombs thrown at a German synagogue.
Colombia’s president, who has continuously posted pro-Palestinian content online, is threatening to cut ties with Israel.
The community of Porto, Portugal, is rattled after their synagogue was vandalized with anti-Israel graffiti.
In one heartening story, hundreds of Germans surrounded a synagogue in solidarity with Jews.
In China, an Israeli embassy employee attacked in Beijing and an Israeli woman with a Chinese mother went viral on China’s internet after being captured by Hamas.

On October 17, the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations convened in Washington, D.C. with Federation leadership from around the country, including Greater Hartford, and senior Congressional and Administration representatives. The message was clear – the commitment of our elected officials and the Administration to Israel and her security is ironclad and resolute. We urged their continued support for Israel at this perilous time. The meeting was livestreamed on C-Span, and we encourage you to view it here.

Jewish Federations have raised $390M of our $500M goal and millions have already been distributed in Israel. We have already allocated over $50M in aid to provide emergency relief and support.

Here is a full description of first-round funding.

ISRAEL EMERGENCY FUND: SWORDS OF IRON

Local Volunteer Opportunities

If you would like to visit with a survivor or help arrange a gathering of second- and third-generation survivors, email Shelley HRC@shalomct.org.

If you would like to assist with youth programs that help our tots, teens, and college-age kids, email Lisa@shalomct.org.

If you would like to volunteer at the Federation office (and we need you!), email Elise@shalomct.org.

If you want to help organize Tie a Blue Ribbon for Israel, email Sophie@shalomct.org.

If you want to share your thoughts, stories, photos or vetted information, email Cindy@shalomct.org .

If you would like to help organize community gatherings and events, or need assistance with supporting Israel financially, you can email me at Carin@shalomct.org.

MESSAGES OF HOPE AND SOLIDARITY FROM OUR CLERGY

Rabbi Rick Eisenberg

Congregation Rodeph Sholom

Recorded 10-13-23

Rabbi Jason Greenberg & Rabbi-Cantor Shirah Sklar

Temple Shalom

Recorded 10-13-23

Cantor Harriet Dunkerley

Temple B'nai Chaim

Recorded 10-19-23

SCENES FROM THE WEEK

Navigating antisemitism at school

Federation and Merkaz brought a panel of experts to Or Hadash in Fairfield to address tough questions from high-school and college students and their parents about the current climate on campus. (Oct. 16)

Raising the Israeli Flag

Thank you to Mayor Harry Rilling of Norwalk and Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff of Norwalk for wonderful efforts in solidarity by raising the flag of Israel at Norwalk City Hall. (Oct. 16)

Surviving Maus: Visualizing the Unimaginable

The Jewish Federation and Fairfield University's Quick Center welcomed Art Spiegelman, famed (and banned) author, part of the Fairfield University Art Museum's current exhibition, In Real Times - Arthur Szyk:

Artist and Soldier for Human Rights. (Oct. 17)

Show Your Support

Free lawn signs and stickers are available - while they last - to show your solidarity with Israel proudly.

Make safe decisions when using these materials.

They are available for pickup at our Federation offices at 4200 Park Avenue, Suite 300 in Bridgeport. Stop by Monday-Thursday from 10 AM-5 PM or Friday from 10 AM-2 PM.

Tie a Blue Ribbon for Israel

As a public act of solidarity with the 199 hostages abducted by Hamas during its barbaric raid into Israel on Oct. 7, the Jewish Federations of North America and 50 partner organizations are launching a global "Blue Ribbons for Israel" campaign, asking people across the world to wear their support for these innocent victims on their shirts and display them on their social media platforms.

Here in Fairfield County, we are gearing up for our community-wide effort, where children, teens, families, and synagogues will Tie Blue Ribbons for Israel around trees in the community.

Contact sophie@shalomct.org to volunteer with this effort. #BlueRibbonsforIsrael

WE ARE STRONGEST WHEN WE STAND TOGETHER

COMMUNITY EVENTS

Sunday, Oct. 22

Israelis-in-CT Mifgash for Israelis and their families

Details: israelisinct@hotmail.com

Tuesday, Oct. 24, 5-5:45 PM

Weston-Westport Hebrew School "Mitzvahs for Israel"

Letters to our IDF soldiers, Star of David cookies, Kotel crafts

Weston Senior Center, 9 School Road, Weston

RSVP: Westonhebrewschool@gmail.com

Friday, Oct. 27, 7-7:30 PM

Congregation for Humanistic Judaism Zoom candle-lighting

For Zoom link: 203-293-8867

Marketing and Communications Director

Manage marketing activities from concept to implementation; monitor and report performance. Create and manage content, campaigns, promotions, and communications to inform/educate the community and generate engagement.

Must be a self-starter, very creative, and an excellent writer and communicator.

Must be well-versed in WordPress, social media, and graphic design. A deep, personal understanding and knowledge of Jewish community, holidays, and Jewish organizations is strongly preferred -- someone who can keep a finger on the pulse of Jewish life in Fairfield County and abroad, and inspire action around the Federation's message and mission.

Salary commensurate with experience.

F/T, M-Th Contact elise@shalomct.org for more information.

Connect with Our Clergy

Click on the links below to reach out to your congregation. If you are not affiliated with a congregation but would like to connect with a Jewish clergyperson, please email info@shalomct.org.