SUBSCRIBE

BOARD LOGIN

Israel Emergency Campaign Resources

Overview
Campaign
Our Impact
How You Can Help
Events
Info & Resources
What You Can Say
Donate to the Israel Emergency Campaign now

Overview

  • On October 7, 2023, during the holiday of Simchat Torah, Hamas terrorists launched an unprecedented attack on Israel from Gaza, firing thousands of rockets, breaching the country’s borders, infiltrating Israeli communities and kidnapping civilians.  
  • Known to date, 1,229 Israelis have been killed, and thousands more wounded. 498 soldiers have been confirmed killed since October 7.
  • It is believed that 128 hostages remain in Gaza, following the earlier truce deal that freed 105. Four hostages were released before that, and one was rescued by troops. The bodies of 8 hostages have also been recovered and 3 hostages were mistakenly killed by the IDF. The military has also confirmed the deaths of 21 of those still held by Hamas, citing new intelligence and findings obtained by troops operating in Gaza. This likely leaves just over 100 living hostages, among them, 8 US citizens.    
  • Jewish Federations of North America have raised over $762 million to support Israel, surpassing the $500 million emergency campaign goal. Already, Jewish Federations have allocated over $265 million through 116 partner organizations and NGOs including the Jewish Agency for Israel, JDC, World ORT, Israel Trauma Coalition, United Hatzalah, Magen David Adom and Dror Israel.
  • These funds are being put to several immediate and urgent needs, such as medical care, emergency services, evacuation, transport, housing, supporting victims of terror, trauma relief and psychological support, as well as preparing for medium- and long-term needs. In addition, with 200,000 Israelis displaced, the danger of a multi-front war and the array of human and economic challenges growing by the day, Jewish Federations are expanding their support in line with the ever-developing needs. See the latest JFNA Israel Emergency Fund Allocations Updates here.  
Back to Top

Campaign

Our Response To Date 
  • As of today, the Detroit Federation’s Israel Emergency Campaign has raised $28.5 million from 3,320 donors, with major contributions from leading Jewish Foundations including the Max M. & Marjorie S. Fisher Foundation.
  • 80% of the money raised is sent directly to JFNA to support Israel’s massive, unprecedented emergency needs (see the latest updates here). The other 20% is allocated by the Jewish Federation of Detroit to cover needs in our Partnership region and elsewhere. We have appointed an Allocation Committee to ensure that needs are being assessed and funds are used for the most urgent demands in the most effective ways. The Committee will be meeting again soon to allocate more of the Israel Emergency Campaign dollar across 12 submitted proposals.  
  • $286,000 was allocated to the three municipalities in our Partnership 2Gether region to be used primarily for the renovation and reinforcement of public safe houses.   
  • $100K was allocated to the Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI) Victims of Terror Fund for families and individuals who have been impacted by acts of terror and violence, providing immediate grants to rebuild homes damaged by rocket fire, and for long-term rehabilitation and post-trauma care. 
  • The Detroit Federation hosted 80 families from the South in hotels in safer areas. 100 backpacks were delivered to troops. 400 sets of thermal pants and shirts were delivered to troops in the North. 
  • $50K was given to Dror Israel, one of Federation’s supported programs, to help evacuees, provide youth counselors and programming in bomb shelters plus daycare for children of hospital staff and essential personnel. 
  • Locally, community security remains a core priority. Jewish Community Security Inc. (JCSI) continues to work closely with local and national law enforcement to safeguard the welfare of our community. We are grateful to local police departments for their ongoing vigilance.  
Donate to the Israel Emergency Campaign Today
Back to Top

Our Impact

How The Campaign Funding Will Be / Has Been Used 

The Jewish Federations of North America Israel Office, having activated emergency protocols, is working closely with our partners and is in close contact with the Government of Israel and the IDF. 

Your support makes it possible for our primary partners the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC), the Jewish Agency for Israel, World ORT, the Israel Trauma Coalition and Dror Israel to respond immediately to urgent needs on the ground in Israel. 

The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) 

Within hours of the initial ambush in Israel’s South, JDC activated its emergency response team and action plans. JDC’s main focus has been on vulnerable seniors, people with disabilities, children and young adults at risk, families in financial distress and the unemployed. Activities have included:  

  • Providing emergency support for people with disabilities, including access to a hotline with social workers and psychologists.  
  • Strengthening the capacity of nursing institutions for elderly Israelis who have fled from the current conflict zone.  
  • Expanding mental health interventions for children and youth at risk.  
  • Training front-line professionals to meet the unprecedented needs among the most vulnerable children and families, the elderly, and people with disabilities.  
  • JDC and its partners in the Eshkol Regional Council in the Gaza periphery are mapping and contacting all local elderly citizens to understand their needs and address them. Some 2,500 elderly have been contacted thus far.  
  • The Ultra-Orthodox volunteer hub in Bnei Brak, led by JDC in collaboration with the Ministry of Labor, has 800 volunteers working in collaboration with 20 government offices and organizations. Among other activities, Haredi volunteers are taking part in digging graves for soldiers at Mt. Herzl and identifying the bodies of victims.  
  • As a result of collaboration among fellows in JDC’s Professional Leadership Program, which comprises 800 professionals from the Israeli government and leading NGOs, a mechanism was put in place for Israelis who lost their identification documents during the attacks to fast-track the renewal of their personal documentation.  
  • 20 Bedouins with disabilities are benefitting from an online support group opened by JDC and partners. Through weekly meetings, participants gather in a safe space for socialization and support, where they can share their unique challenges and receive professional guidance. Also, 500 kits with toys and craft materials are being distributed to Bedouin families with small children and toddlers. These families live in unrecognized villages with no sheltered spaces, face the ongoing threat of rocket fire, and need help keeping their young children who are still not in school engaged.
  • The Myers-JDC-Brookdale Institute is developing a comprehensive dashboard to monitor the status of Arab society in Israel during the war. The dashboard was commissioned by the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office and the Ministry for Social Equality and will measure progress in key areas including employment, education, welfare, and social resilience. Dashboard indications will help decision-makers address the needs of Arab Society and mitigate disparities during this time of crisis.
  • JDC procured first aid supplies including 6,288 burn treatment kits, 3,000 IV kits, 300 first aid kits, and 200 basic life support kits for Jewish and Israeli-Arab local municipalities in areas under threat, and which lack basic medical equipment. JDC continues to source critically needed supplies for local emergency response units in towns close to Israel’s borders.
  • 400 youth counselors doing National Service are receiving JDC training to provide educational activities for evacuated children residing in hotels. Some 20 training courses are currently taking place across Israel, empowering the trainees with tools for informed trauma intervention and to help build resilience.
  • JDC released 7 informational videos and leaflets containing guidelines and tips for effective communication with people with disabilities during emergencies. These resources are being circulated by government ministries and are available to all volunteers and professionals who work with people with disabilities. Watch a sample video (in Hebrew) here.
The Jewish Agency for Israel  

The Jewish Agency is focusing on the following areas:  

Fund for Victims of Terror  (FVOT)

  • A total of 7,173 grants have been distributed so far, and we are currently processing 7,210 more including for families of hostages. The Fund provides immediate financial aid to Israelis impacted by terror as well as long-term rehabilitative and trauma support.     
  • The FVOT Hotline has received close to 5,626 calls.  

Aliyah 

  • 90,566 nights in evacuation stays (accumulated) for olim who live in Absorption Centers. 
  • 1,100 tablets were provided for evacuated olim children to enable online learning.
  • 320,000 ILS in grants distributed to 254 olim. 
  • Aliyah continues with 30 new young immigrants from France on the “Gur Aryeh” program.
  • 300 new young adult Olims from around the world have arrived in the last few weeks and started the Ulpan Hebrew learning program at Beit Brodetsky.

Lone Soldiers 

  • The Jewish Agency through its program called WINGS is providing support and counseling for lone soldier olim. This is a network of 2,200 lone soldiers currently in the IDF.

Amigour 

  • 21,000 food baskets and 5,500 hot meals to ~1,000 elderly residents have been delivered, including to Holocaust survivors and other vulnerable seniors at our Amigour homes in areas most heavily impacted by air raids.

Masa Israel Journey 

  • Currently, there are about 3,600 Masa Fellows in Israel. 

Shlichut Platform 

  • 600 outreach activities, including rallies, among world Jewry.
  • 733,950 participants at rallies with Jewish Agency Shlichim and P2G community representatives​​
  • Shlichim recruitment for the upcoming year has been paused for the time being.
  • 3,462 educational activities organized by Jewish Agency Shlichim with 220,263 participants  

Israeli Society 

  • Youth Villages: Students are starting to return to Youth Villages and more than 300 mechinot participants have returned. 

Emergency Loans 

  • 10,543,000 ILS in emergency grants to 1,243 small businesses in Israel’s south.
  • 3,155,000 ILS in loans approved for 41 small businesses.

Jewish Agency Command Center

  • 1,290 volunteers have been recruited.  

Click here to watch their latest video.

World ORT   

Dollars raised through the emergency fund will be utilized by ORT as follows:   

  • Mental Health Support: Providing war-affected students and staff with one-on-one and group counseling and mental health services.  
  • Community Engagement: Offering stress relief educational activities online for students across Israel, Grades 1-8 .
  • Educational Outreach: Extending education to displaced populations and evacuees to ensure that all children have access to learning opportunities and essential technology.  
  • Staff and student support: Providing support for staff and students who have been directly affected and need financial support, food and other necessities.  
  • Transportation: Funding for school buses or transportation allowances if further relocation of staff and students from conflict-hit areas is needed . 
  • Teacher Training: Providing professional development for teachers so they can offer psychological assistance to children.  
  • Safety Measures: Installing security measures at Kfar Silver, including guards, safe rooms, fences, alarms and surveillance systems to help protect students and staff from potential dangers, as well as additional staff security training, guards and security measures at other World ORT Kadima Mada projects . 
  • Kfar Silver Youth Village: Detroit has been a major supporter of World ORT’s Kfar Silver Youth Village for many years. Kfar Silver is a rural boarding school near Israel’s border with Gaza that provides at-risk students, new immigrants and children from the region with high-level learning opportunities. At the time of attack, there were 66 Na’ale students, five Shinshinim, and staff who are required to care for the animals, in the village. Amos Gofer, Executive Director of Kfar Silver, was able to evacuate the remaining Na’ale students and Shinshinim to the North. They are all safe. Only a small group who care for the animals are still in the village. The Kfar Silver team has been calling our ORT students who live in the bordering cities in the South, and so far, everyone they have reached is ok. Their priority right now is to protect their students of Kfar Silver, as well as their other schools, from the impact of this conflict.   
The Israel Trauma Coalition (ITC):   
  • Working in coordination with the Home Front Command, ITC’s Southern Resilience Centers remain on high alert.  
  • ITC and the Bedouin Resilience Center are working to train therapists and teachers in psychosocial care and support working in schools and providing online and telephone support. Guidelines in Arabic, culturally adapted for the Bedouin community, have been distributed to all the communities. The Bedouin community, especially those living in unrecognized villages with no system of alert, are particularly vulnerable.   
  • Ukrainian therapists who made Aliyah within the last five years are being trained by ITC to provide psychosocial services to Ukrainian and Russian speakers in Israel.    
  • Worked with ZAKA, firefighters and the police, providing emotional first aid and self-care tools. 
  • Delivered succinct training to social workers throughout the country to deliver tragic news. 
  • Supported municipal teams. 
  • Supported the team that evacuated bodies, and in an even more difficult task, the team that evacuated the bodies of terrorists. 
  • Trained a group of 70 Bedouin physicians in psycho-social tools. 
  • Supported hospital teams. 
  • Accelerated a program with the Haredi community to create volunteer emergency teams. 
  • Created a national center that provides therapy for those who live in areas without Resilience Centers, so that they too can get help dealing with anxiety and trauma. 
  • Created training in trauma-focused therapy to expand the number of trained therapists 
  • Added 13 new organizations to our partnership expanding our ability to act, respond, and provide care and healing. 
Dror Israel:

Our partners at Dror Israel are deeply grateful for the many people who have stepped up during this crisis to ensure they can provide emergency support for children and families across Israel. Their ongoing relationships with community leaders and the Home Front Command have enabled them to quickly identify critical needs and coordinate responses so they can help thousands of residents in the hardest-hit communities. 

As the situation on the ground changes, their emergency response efforts adapt to address evolving needs. Current response efforts include:

  • Education for evacuee children: Day care and improvised schools for the survivors of devastated communities, traumatized children and youth who have lost loved ones and experienced the violence first-hand, including 7 preschool classes for the children of Kibbutz Be’eri at hotels in the Dead Sea area and absorbing the high schoolers of Kibbutz Erez into the Dror high school in Mitzpe Ramon. 
  • Community leadership groups for Sderot residents at 7 hotels in the Dead Sea area, led by members of Dror Israel’s Educators’ Kibbutz in Sderot, with the goal of cultivating community and a sense of independence and control in a chaotic reality. 
  • Activities for senior citizen evacuees at hotels in the Dead Sea area and Tel Aviv. Our trained Community Caregivers for Seniors are running senior clubs at several hotels with hundreds of participants.  
  • Organizing and training thousands of teens to volunteer as youth counselors in evacuee centers, many of them evacuees themselves, encouraging them to become helpful in a helpless situation, and giving them a sense of meaning and responsibility. Others volunteer with farmers who need extra hands, pack donated goods to soldiers and evacuees and deliver them, and more.  
  • Safe community activities for children and families: Community programs in or near shelters to provide a safe and engaging place for families to get away from home, in Rehovot and Akko.  
  • Cautious return to routine in Israel’s center and north: Children throughout Israel, though they have not been directly affected by the fighting or been forced to leave home, have been out of school for weeks and are still experiencing the regular threat of rocket fire. trauma and fear. Our amazing educators have developed programs including discussions, art therapy, sports, volunteering and more throughout our network serving some 100,000 children and teens in the country.  
  • Currently, Dror Israel is working in 45+ different locations with evacuees from the western Negev and northern border. 

There is much uncertainty in what lies ahead, and the trauma experienced by Israelis of all ages will require their help for months and even years to come.

How You Can Help

Support the Israel Emergency Campaign 

Support the people of Israel during this devastating time through our Israel Emergency Campaign. 100% of your donation directly supports the victims of terror, helps rebuild damaged infrastructure and addresses the unprecedented levels of trauma throughout Israel.

Donate to the Israel Emergency Campaign Today
Donate to Federation’s 2024 Annual Campaign 

The war in Israel is affecting our entire global Jewish family, including our community here in Detroit. As we continue to support Israel during this critical time, we also have to ensure that the 2024 Annual Campaign remains strong. Our ability to respond to urgent needs in Israel—and those in our
backyard—depends on the success of our Campaign. Please donate here.  

Call on all elected officials in America to act and continue speaking out for Israel’s right to defend itself 

At this moment, Israel needs the unwavering support of the American people. Join the American Jewish Committee (AJC) in pushing for all federal, state, and local leaders to unequivocally condemn Hamas and stand with Israel against terror. Take action now. It only takes 30 seconds. 

Write a letter to a soldier 

Join others worldwide in writing letters or sharing drawings/pictures for Israeli soldiers on the front lines. This is an opportunity to show the IDF support for defending the Jewish people and the State of Israel. Any member of your household from young to old can participate in this small but significant gesture of support. Use this link to upload messages of hope and gratitude to the Federation drop box.

Participate in the #BlueRibbonsForIsrael Campaign 

The blue ribbon symbolizes support for the safe return of the hostages taken by Hamas terrorists in Israel, and solidarity with the hostages, their families and all who care about their safety. Wearing a ribbon or tying them to your trees and mailboxes publicly unites you with people of all religions, races, nationalities, ethnicities, ages and generations and demonstrates to the people of Israel that they are not alone and that good people across the globe are with them during this dark time. Pick up your ribbons at Federation. Learn more here. 

A Note on the Donation of solider supplies and volunteering in Israel

While we greatly understand and appreciate the intent, physical donations are not being collected at this time. The Jewish Federations of North America has put together a list of FAQ’s in response to inquiries about equipment donations for soldiers and opportunities for foreign volunteer opportunities.
You can find the Requests for Donations of Equipment for Soldiers FAQs here.
The Overseas Volunteers in Israel FAQs can be found here. 

A Mezuzah for Every Jewish Home in Michigan

Bring both spiritual connection and protection to yourself and our brethren in Israel during this difficult time. A project of Chabad Lubavitch of Michigan. Get your mezuzah here. 

Back to Top

Events

The Jewish People Policy Institute (JPPI) Daily Webinar 

Sunday through Thursday, 11 – 11:30 AM ET

JPPI is hosting daily webinars sponsored by Jewish Federations and the Jewish Agency. A rotating team of top analysts of Israeli military affairs, the US-Israel relationship, Israel’s political system and the country’s diverse society will speak.

Join the Events Here
Shabbat of Love

Friday, January 19, 2024, In Your Own Home

#ShabbatofLove was created to embrace the Jewish people, spreading love during one of the hardest times in our history. Join us as we set the table for the largest Shabbat dinner celebration in North American history. We welcome Jews of all ages, backgrounds, and identities to come together with your family, friends, and neighbors to experience the sacred joy of Shabbat.

Register Here
Back to Top

Info & Resources

Report Antisemitic Incidences 

Report antisemitic threats, incidents, or suspicious activity related to Jewish organizations, facilities, or community members in your area through the Secure Community Network Incident Report Form. 

For Heaven’s Sake Podcast 

In the wake of the brutal and devastating attack by Hamas on October 7 and the unfolding war in Israel, we are sharing a special series from the For Heaven’s Sake podcast with Donniel Hartman and Yossi Klein Halevi, For Heaven’s Sake: Israel at War. Listen to the first three episodes and stay tuned for more in the coming days and weeks. 

Unpacked: A Guide to Understanding the War Between Israel and Hamas

War is always complicated. Unpacked’s mission has always been to bring context, clarity and nuance to complex situations in ways that are easy to digest. Start with this selection of videos, podcasts and articles. 

The 10/7 Project

The 10/7 Project is an organized effort to counter the disinformation about the attacks of October 7th and Israel’s response. The 10/7 Project is making sure Americans know the truth by promoting accurate reporting and combating Hamas’ misinformation. Get updated and stay informed. Learn more.  

What You Can Say

The amount of information against Israel can feel overwhelming. As the situation progresses and our emotions run high, it can be tempting to immediately comment on and/or share what we see. But now, more than ever, it’s important for us to take the time to carefully assess what we’re reading and respond thoughtfully.

Share reliable, verified content on social media

Below is a compilation of social media sources, where you can discover reliable, verified content to share within your network, contributing significantly to increasing global awareness about the tragic events Israel has endured since the morning of October 7th. 

Stand With Us 

IDF 

State of Israel 

Noa Tishby, Israeli actress and activist 

Emily Austin, Journalist and activist 

Yoseph Haddad, Israeli Arab activist 

Einat Wilf, Zionist Activist, former Israel MK 

Hussain Abdul-Hussain, FDD Research Fellow 

Rudy Rochman, Jewish rights activist 

Report negative posts that violate Facebook, Instagram, or X (Twitter) rules so they can be removed. It is easy to do directly from each post. 

Speak up to defend Israel 

The Focus Project, a joint initiative of a broad coalition of US Jewish community organizations, has provided talking points to help you explain that the Hamas attacks were pure evil – NO ifs, ands, or buts. 

Talking Points 
You will hear, watch and read many lies, misrepresentations, what-ifs, what-about-isms and both-sidisms of reality over the coming days and weeks. Here is how you respond: 

  1. No ‘yeah-buts’, no ‘what-about’-isms and no excuses justify these horrendous crimes. 
    Whether you are a woman, man, or simply a human being, you must be outraged by the brutal rape and slaughter of innocent civilians. If not, then what values do we have as a society? The premeditated Hamas attacks intentionally targeted innocent Jews in their homes celebrating a Jewish holiday and the weekly sabbath. No matter where you are from, what tribe you belong to or what you believe in, these barbaric acts can never be tolerated, let alone supported. 
      
  1. Hamas terrorists are inhumane monsters who committed crimes against humanity. 
    Hamas is not a freedom fighting resistance movement. It is a radical, misogynistic terror organization, committing rape, torture and genocide with only one goal – the extermination of the Jewish state. In fact, Hamas causes just as much harm to the Palestinian people they govern. The horrific violations of international humanitarian law prove a blatant disregard for the sanctity of human life and the principles that underpin a civilized society. 
      
  1. There is no moral equivalence between Israelis and Palestinian terrorists. 
    Israel is a democratic nation committed to the protection of human rights. Iran’s radical Islamist leaders and its proxies are dedicated to the extermination of all Israelis – especially Jews. Democratic societies uphold the principles of due process, justice and proportionality in their efforts to safeguard citizens. In stark contrast, Hamas barbarians’ blatant disregard of these principles by deliberately targeting innocent civilians, launching rockets from densely populated areas and using human shields as part of their strategy. Such actions are fundamentally immoral and run counter to the most basic values of humanity. Intentionally harming civilians is morally indefensible. 
      
  1. Iran and Hamas are to blame for the savage attacks, not Israel. 
    Opponents of Israel are placing blame for the murders, kidnappings and rocket barrages on the Jewish state and its victims. There is NO justification for beheading babies, slaughtering 260 Israelis at a music festival, kidnapping Holocaust survivors and butchering families in their homes. Iran is the world’s largest state sponsor of terrorism, including its proxies, Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad and Hezbollah in Lebanon. Iran’s longstanding support – financially and militarily – has emboldened terrorists to carry out these brutal attacks, undermining regional stability and demonstrating an utter disregard for the sanctity of human life. Blaming Israel for defending its citizens against such savagery is a perverse denial of the truth. 
      
  1. Palestinian terrorists intentionally target civilians, the Israeli military does not. 
    Hamas terrorists do not wear military uniforms; they blend in with civilians. These evildoers build bases, store bombs and launch rockets from civilian neighborhoods. On the other hand, Israel is recognized by world military leaders for being exemplary in the care taken to avoid civilian casualties. The IDF notifies Palestinians before taking out Hamas sites in Gaza. Hamas did not provide any warning before butchering Israelis celebrating outside and sleeping inside. There is no defense for the crimes against humanity committed by Hamas and its allies. 
Dispelling Falsehoods, Stating Facts

 Here are a few additional facts and reminders to help you respond to criticisms of Israel: 

  • You might hear: Hamas is attacking and targeting “occupied settlements.” 
    Reality: The Israeli communities attacked by Hamas are legally established towns and cities of the independent state of Israel. Hamas sees ALL of Israel as one occupied territory that must be destroyed. 
      
  • You might hear: Israel is to blame 
    Reality: No matter your politics, there is NO justification for beheading infants, slaughtering 260 young people in cold blood at a music festival, murdering families in their homes and kidnapping Holocaust survivors. 
      
  • You might hear: This attack is because of the occupation. Gaza is occupied and under a blockade. 
    Reality: Gaza is an independent territory governed by Iran-backed Hamas. Israel uprooted all of its settlements from Gaza in 2006 and withdrew all of its civilians and soldiers. Israel left behind greenhouses and other infrastructure, which Palestinian extremists destroyed. Israel and Egypt, both share a border with Gaza, yet Israel was the only country attacked. 
      
  • You might hear: Gaza is an open-air prison, a concentration camp. 
    Reality: Hamas has been the independent government of Gaza since 2007 when it violently seized control from the Palestinian Authority. Hamas is free to build schools and improve the lives of Gazans yet it chooses to divert most of its funds to dig tunnels and build rockets. Any Palestinian suffering is caused by the terrorists that impose their will on their citizens. 
      
  • You might hear: Israel targets Palestinian civilians. 
    Reality: Hamas terrorists do not wear military uniforms; they blend in with civilians. They build bases, store bombs and launch rockets intentionally from civilian neighborhoods. Israel is recognized by the world’s best militaries for the care it takes to avoid civilian casualties. 
      
  • You might hear: Palestinians do not have bomb shelters. 
    Reality: Hamas is free to build shelters for its people but launches rockets at Israeli civilians, while establishing its own bases in densely populated areas, using its own people as human shields. 
      
  • You might hear: Free Palestine: From the River to the Sea, Palestine Will be free. 
    Reality: This statement is not in support of a two-state solution, or any form of co-existence. It calls for destruction and elimination of the entire Jewish state – from the Jordan river to the Mediterranean sea. 
How to explain this difficult situation to children 

From PJ Library and the Harold Grinspoon Foundation: 

Processing the horrific attack on Israel is difficult. Explaining it to a child can feel borderline impossible. It’s helpful to: 

1. Take the cues from your child 

2. Model calm 

3. Be reassuring 

4. Help children express their feelings 

5. Be developmentally appropriate 

If you are struggling to navigate conversations about events in Israel with your children or grandchildren, links and resources are available on the PJ Library website, including: 

General information about Israel: https://pjlibrary.org/israel 

Understanding the map of Israel: https://pjlibrary.org/…/march-2023/about-the-map-of-israel 

How to talk to kids about scary situations: https://pjlibrary.org/…/how-to-talk-to-your-kids-about… 

How to talk to children about antisemitism: https://pjlibrary.org/…/how-to-talk-to-children-about… 

Additional resources for talking with children about the war: 

Resources for Educators 

Unpacked for Educators can provide everything you need to teach about this moment—webinars, current event and historical videos, podcasts, lesson plans, and articles—all featured on their UED site. 

The Jewish Education Project also has a collection of resources for teaching about Israel in crisis. 

Words Can Make a Difference! is a collection of educator resources from the National Library of Israel 

3 ways to discuss the situation with your students (from Unpacked for Educators): 

1. Moral Clarity 
Let your students know that there is no moral equivalency between Hamas and Israel. Too many media commentators draw a disturbing parallel between Israel and Hamas, implying that they are morally equivalent and equally to blame for the violence. Let’s make no mistake about it. Hamas is a terrorist group (officially designated this way by the U.S., European Union, Israel, Canada, Japan and others) that is attacking and firing rockets indiscriminately at Israeli citizens. Israel is a sovereign country that is defending its citizens through targeted airstrikes aimed at terrorist leaders or military operations. 
  

2. Start with Areyvut (accountability or responsibility) 
A guiding principle in Jewish thought is the idea that all Jews are responsible for one another. How can we inspire young Jews who live outside of Israel to care deeply about their extended Jewish family in southern Israel and throughout the country? Many Jewish people in Israel are feeling scared right now. The images of grandmothers, children and young women being dragged into Gaza as hostages (and many other horrifying images) are extremely painful to see. As a people, we must first and foremost be there for our people. 
  

3. Encourage your students to use social media responsibly 
Give your students these key messages: Do not get into a fight on social media if you don’t know the person or if you don’t know the facts of the story. Take the conversation offline whenever possible and try not to respond in the heat of the moment. Ultimately, use your channel to educate those around you. Additionally, students should be conscious of the toll this can have on their mental health. A lot of footage being shared is graphic and should be avoided. Students (and adults) should take breaks when needed. 

Back to Top