We Will Not Be Silent!
Since October 7th, we have learned of the unspeakable horrors and violence the terrorist organization Hamas perpetrated against the Jewish people. It is difficult to comprehend the level of inhumanity. Still, we know that scores of Jews, some not even a year old, and others who are older adults, remain hostage in Gaza. It has been 75 years since the end of the Holocaust that the Jewish people have faced such barbarism.
At Temple Emanu-El, we have had time to mourn, comfort, and find strength in our Jewish community. In the aftermath of that black Shabbat, antisemitism has grown exponentially. Tragically, many of us have already witnessed our peers and colleagues, on college campuses and at work, celebrating the murder of innocent civilians. Even worse, we may have already noticed or heard threats against the Jewish community.
We will not be silent in the face of antisemitism.
We may find ourselves in the uncomfortable position of having to be the sole defender of Israel amongst friends or family, in a classroom, or on campus. This is not fair, but it is the reality many of us may face. We want to be prepared with as much information as possible. In that spirit, we’re including some trusted sources of information that we rely on to stay informed on Israel daily. We are grateful to Temple Sinai, who generously shared this list of resources with our community. We have also added several additions of our own. Please use these resources as a means of staying informed and supporting Israel and the Jewish people. Together we will win.
Am Yisrael Chai!
Rabbi Spike, Rabbi Rachael, and Rabbi Max
This page is being constantly updated.
AJT-For Israeli Cousins,
Time Stopped on Oct. 7
By Dave Schechter
This column was filed on Jan. 29 — or, as my Israeli cousins know it, day 115.
On day 112, one of them wrote on Facebook (translated from Hebrew): “Our lives stopped on the 7th of October. Time is frozen and we are not yet [at] the day after. And despite this I know that everything has its time and things will happen. There is time for everything except one thing, those whose lives hang by a thread.” Read more HERE
Rabbi Spike and Marita-Israel Volunteer Mission Trip
Rabbi Spike and Marita share experiences from their recent volunteer mission trip to Israel. Hear their encounters with Israeli resilience and their 'take' on the mood, hopes, and fears from the ground.
Thank You from the Salad Trail
Letter Writing Campaign for the Families of the Hostages in Gaza
On December 23rd, Rabbi Spike and Marita Anderson will be going to Israel to volunteer and meet with survivors, IDF soldiers, and the families of hostages still held captive in Gaza.
We invite you to help us bring a message of love and support from our community to the families of the hostages. Please write letters of support, bearing witness, and kinship, and we will deliver them to the people we meet.
You can write this letter, in person Friday night, Dec. 8 at Temple Emanu-El, immediately following services at the Oneg (about 7:15p); or, we are accepting hand-written notes to be dropped off at TE, or mailed to us, up until December 21st.
Please address your note to “our family in Israel” or “our friends in Israel” or any other greeting that feels encompassing enough to you.
The prompts below might help guide your writing:
Stay Informed
- The Son of one of the Hamas founders explains the organization’s genocidal intent. Here
- A note to Pro-Palestinian supporters from Adam Albilya. Here
- Mayim Bialik powerfully speaking out against antisemitism. Here
- Rabbi Jonathan Sacks on how anti Zionism is the new antisemitism. Here
- March for Israel Rally in Washington, DC. Here
- The Last Line of Defense by Bari Weiss. Here
Noa Tishby
Israel: A Simple Guide to the Most Misunderstood Country on Earth
Ben M. Freeman
Jewish Pride: Rebuilding a People
Jake Wallis Simons
Israelophobia: The Newest Version of the Oldest Hatred and What To Do About It
Yossi Klein HaLevi
Letters to My Palestinian Neighbor
Dara Horn
People Love Dead Jews
Bari Weiss
How to Fight Anti-Semitism
Deborah Lipstadt
Antisemitism: Here and Now
Social Media Accounts
Another front has opened up in this war and it is playing out on our smartphones, tablets, and computers. We all have a role to play to fight the lies, the disinformation, and the insidious antisemitism. In this moment of crisis, we can demonstrate our support as proud ambassadors for our Jewish homeland and use our networks to influence and educate. Please consider following and sharing some of the valuable information and updates from the accounts below.
Political Outreach
We also encourage you to contact your elected officials and ask them to publicly support Israel and, when appropriate, to vote for aid for Israel. In situations where they have already done so, it is important to contact them to express your appreciation.
Please call Representative Richard McCormick's office (GA-06), where Temple Emanu-El is located, to thank his staunch support of Israel and the Jewish people and his stand against antisemitism.
Rep. McCormick's District Office Number: (770) 232-3005
Additional Support
There are numerous agencies worthy of financial support. In addition to our local Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta, following are a few suggested organizations in Israel offering support:
• The ATLANTA JEWISH FEDERATION continues to run an emergency campaign to support the ever-growing needs on the ground. Give Here
• FIDF's mission is to transform the lives of soldiers of the Israel Defense Forces through empowering educational, financial, wellbeing, and cultural initiatives. Give Here
• NATAL - the Israel Trauma and Resiliency Center is an apolitical organization providing multidisciplinary treatment and support to direct and indirect victims of trauma due to terror and war in Israel. Give Here
• Magen Dovid Adom - Israel’s national emergency medical service, is on the frontlines of saving lives in Israel with emergency ambulances, boats, helicopters, and motorcycles. Give Here
To assist parents with strategies on how to answer questions in an age-appropriate manner as well as determine how best to offer support during this crisis, we hope this article will be helpful: Here’s How to Talk to Your Kids About the Violence in Israel and Gaza.
Students who have witnessed or experienced incidents of hate, antisemitism or anti-israel bias on campus should do the following:
• Call 911 if immediate help is required.
• Report the incident to your university. Visit your university’s website and type “bias report” or “bias incident” into the search bar. This will direct you to an online form where you can report the incident.
• Reach out to your Hillel who can ensure you have any support you may need on campus, as well as help you navigate conversations with the administration or alerting authorities if necessary.
• Report the incident to reportcampushate.org - this resource was established by Hillel International, the Anti-Defamation League and the Secure Community Network, and works to hold universities accountable for keeping students safe.
Campus Antisemitism Legal Line (CALL) is a free legal protection hotline for students who have experienced antisemitism. Any student, staff, faculty or family member can go to the CALL website or text “CALLhelp” to 51555 to report incidents of antisemitic discrimination, harassment, intimidation, vandalism or violence that may require legal action.
Social media can be a powerful advocacy tool, and while some students feel comfortable using their platforms, others may not feel confident in their ability to do so effectively. TalkIsrael is a non-profit that works with students to positively change the conversation around Israel using social media by providing resources, guidance and support for young content creators.
