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
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
