Sinai Stands with Israel

Are you interested in going to Israel to volunteer and contribute in a meaningful way? Check out How to Volunteer in Israel During the War, a comprehensive resource on how to get involved to help the home front during these difficult days. We've had many congregants get involved and would be happy to provide more information. Please contact Rabbi Natan Trief if you have questions or would like to be connected to someone. 

As Israel and the Jewish People struggle through unprecedented times, we pray for the safe return of the hostages held captive in Gaza. We send a collective prayer to the brave soldiers of the Israel Defense Forces as they defend the Jewish homeland against the numerous threats that surround her. We stand in disbelief at the astonishing increase in antisemitism and antisemitic hate crimes around the globe. The resurgence of the world’s oldest hatred and most poisonous disease leaves us feeling frustrated and vulnerable.

And yet, we are not alone. Together with others in the Jewish world and those who stand in solidarity with us, we will expel the darkness and proclaim this truth to the entire world: Israel has and always will be a light unto the nations, and we will continue to advocate for the Jewish homeland no matter where we find ourselves.

Accompanying our own sense of disbelief is the understandable desire to empower ourselves with knowledge and to assist our Jewish brothers and sisters. Below, you will find resources to show your support in various ways. We hope that at least one of these avenues – if not more – will speak to you.

Am Yisrael Chai!

QUICK LINKS TO FIND RESOURCES BELOW
Remain Informed
Social Media
Financial Support
Students on Campus

DEMONSTRATE SOLIDARITY
At this moment, the most powerful and important thing we can do is to stand in solidarity with the people of Israel and the right for Israel to defend itself. Outward indicators of support not only provide opportunities to engage in conversation and correct misnomers, but they also demonstrate to other Jews that they are not alone. There are many options to consider, including:

• Purchasing and wearing Solidarity Tags, available online.  Purchase Here
• Purchasing and wearing a pro-Israel baseball hat, made by a member of our congregation. 100% of the proceeds goes to support the IDF. Purchase Here

REMAIN INFORMED
During these days of misinformation and manipulation, it is essential that we be well-informed advocates for Israel. 

Brief Videos Explaining the Conflict

• 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

Organizations
Sign up for emails from the numerous national and international Jewish agencies that offer webinars to help raise awareness and education. 

• American Jewish Committee 
• ADL 
• AIPAC  
• Israel Policy Forum     
• J Street

News Outlets

• Times of Israel
• i24 News

Books (all available in Sinai’s PNK Learning Center or online for purchase)

• Israel: A Simple Guide to the Most Misunderstood Country on Earth (Noa Tishby)
• The War of Return (Einat Wilf)
• Israel: A Concise History (Daniel Gordis)
• Letters to my Palestinian Neighbor (Yossi Klein Halevi)

Social Media Accounts
As we all know by now, 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 following accounts:

Instagram

@IDF: Official Account of the Israel Defense Forces
@standwithus: Non-Profit Israel Education Organization
@adl_national: Official Account of the Anti-Defamation League
@ajc.global: Official Account of the American Jewish Committee
@israelpolicyforum: Non-Partisan Education, Advocacy and Policy Research Organization
@telavivinstitute: Non-Profit Social Media Lab Combating Antisemitism 
@jewishunpacked: Non-Profit Educational Organization 
@hillelintl: Official Account of Hillel International - The Foundation for Jewish Life on Campus
@henmazzig: (Hen Mazzig) Senior Fellow, TLV Institute 
@friends_of_the_idf: Official Account of Friends of the IDF (Non-Profit Supporting Lone Soldiers)
@israelcc: Official Account of the Israel on Campus Coalition
@jfederations: Official Account of the Jewish Federations of North America
@birthrightisrael_foundation: Official Account of Taglit Birthright Israel Foundation

X(Twitter)

@YosephHaddad: Israeli-Arab Journalist, Activist
@israelwarroom: Israel War News & 24-Hour Live Updates
@hillelneuer: (Hillel Neuer) Executive Director of UN Watch
@avimayer: (Avi Mayer) Editor-in-Chief, Jerusalem Post
@StanwdWithUs: Non-Profit Israel Education Organization
@TimesofIsrael: Official Account of The Times of Israel
@Jerusalem_Post: Official Account of The Jerusalem Post
@HenMazzig: (Hen Mazzig) Senior Fellow, TLV Institute
@CotlerWush: Israeli Envoy to Combat Antisemitism
@ZionessMovement: Official Account of Zioness, a Progressive Zionist Social Justice Movement

TikTok

@adielofisrael: (Adiel Cohen) IDF Reservist & Social Media Influencer
@israel: Official Account of the State of Israel
@hen.mazzig: (Hen Mazzig) Senior Fellow, TLV Institute
@camera_on_campus: Non-Partisan Organization Monitoring Bias in Media & Reporting
@stand_with_us: Non-Profit Israel Education Organization
@hillelintl: Official Account of Hillel International - The Foundation for Jewish Life on Campus
@idf: Official Account of the Israel Defense Forces  

Podcast
Temple Sinai’s podcast, Seeking Sinai, hosted by Rabbi Natan is focused on issues relating to Israel, Zionism, and Jewish Peoplehood. There is one specifically intended for college students and others as a beginner lesson on Israeli history and terminology. Tune in on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. Listen here. 

FINANCIAL SUPPORT


There are numerous agencies worthy of financial support, including: 

• 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, well-being, 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  
• Bring Them Home Now (https://stories.bringthemhomenow.net) is an organization that supports the families of hostages and advocates to bring the hostages home.
• Achim Laneshek (https://www.ahimlaneshek.org/donate-2023) is a civil coordination center that has become the busiest and most impactful relief and social welfare organization for civilians and soldiers.
• Hamal HaYerushalmi (https://www.onelevjlm.org/) is the Jerusalem Civil Coordination Center, providing direct relief to those impacted by October 7.

In addition to organizations dedicated to providing direct and much-needed assistance to those struggling, there are organizations dedicated to building bridges of understanding between populations in Israel.

• The Givat Haviva Center for Shared Society (https://www.givathaviva.org) is an organization that builds relationships between Israel’s Jewish citizens and those who are Israeli Arabs.
• Roots-Judour-Shorashim (https://b8ofhope.org/roots/) was started by an Israeli settler and a Palestinian farmer in order to bring the two populations together in the West Bank.

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.

Rep. Nikema Williams is the member of Congress for GA-05, where Temple Sinai is located. Please call her to thank and encourage her to continue standing with Israel, especially as she receives many calls from Israel’s detractors. 
Phone Number for Rep. Nikema Williams: (202) 683-4062


STUDENTS ON CAMPUS
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.