Friends! Brothers and Sisters! Am Yisrael!
Here is what you can do immediately to help the Jewish People prevail over our enemies who seek our destruction, may G-d protect us!
- Join in prayer and solidarity at a Community Gathering TONIGHT:
Tuesday, October 10th, 6:00 p.m.
Temple Beth El, 350 Roxbury Road in Stamford
Coordinated by our local UJA*JCC Greenwich and UJF Stamford
In partnership with ADL CT, AJC Westchester/Fairfield, Bi-Cultural Hebrew Academy, Chabad of Greenwich, Chabad of Harbor Point, Chabad New Canaan, Chabad Stamford, Congregation Agudath Sholom, Congregation Shir Ami, FIDF, JFS Greenwich, Greenwich Reform Synagogue, Hebrew Wizards, Israel Cancer Research, JCC Stamford, Schoke JFS, Temple Beth El, Temple Sholom, Temple Sinai, Young Israel of Stamford. (list in formation)
- Please bring signs in support of Israel
- Absolutely no backpacks or large bags
- Please carpool
Donate to the UJA*JCC Israel Emergency Fund
- Sponsor a Drone:
We received a message from a frontline IDF soldier, via his wife (who grew up in the Greenwich Chabad community), requesting TWELVE drones. I am on the way to the electronic supply depot, and from there to the drop-off location near JFK for loading onto tonight's ELAL flight.
7 out of the 12 drones ($1500 each) are already sponsored.
Contribute whatever you can (and please note: "Drones") -
PayPal: [email protected] - Please use "Friends and Family"
Venmo: @Maruja
- Purchase and Drop-off Supplies and Equipment:
Separately, we've received a request from the frontlines for the following, which you can purchase on your own, and drop off at 75 Mason:
Equipment needed:
1000 Camelbaks (water bags)
600 Headlamps
500 Power Banks
2,000 AA & AAA Batteries
250 Sleeping Bag
15 G-shock watches
(https://www.casio.com/us/watches/gshock/product.GG-B100-1B)
100 Rudy-project sunglasses
50 bottles of SPF sunblock
*****
The updates from Israel are deeply distressing.
Currently, we are looking at over 900 people murdered, thousands injured, and over 100 individuals abducted by terrorists.
While some draw parallels to the Yom Kippur War, the more I think about it, the more the scenes remind me of the Holocaust. Entire families have been massacred, and young children paraded on the streets of Gaza. The news reports are heart-wrenching.
In the coming days, our heroic IDF soldiers might go into Gaza to save the abducted and combat the terrorists.
A question weighs heavily on my mind, as I'm sure it does on yours: in addition to the above items, what MORE can we do to help?
Here are a few suggestions I believe you'll find meaningful:
Firstly, always remember we are all connected! The Jewish people are often compared to a single body; when one part becomes healthier, the entire body benefits. By performing a Mitzvah, we uplift our brethren in Israel.
Defy and deter the enemy by standing up proudly as a Jew - wherever you are!
I urge you to adopt a regular Mitzvah in honor of the Israeli people. For men, if you haven't yet, perhaps start donning Tefillin regularly—even if it's just weekly. For women, consider lighting the Shabbat and holiday candles. For all, maybe dedicate 10 minutes daily for Torah study or put a coin in the Tzedakah box every day, except on Shabbat and holidays.
If you are not sure which Mitzvah to choose, please reach out via email, and I will be happy to help.
Know that every Mitzvah strengthens our spiritual connection, bringing protection to our brothers and sisters in Israel. So, please choose a Mitzvah soon!
Secondly, if you have contacts in Israel—and I believe most of us do—drop them a line. A call or an email expressing your care, mentioning the Mitzvah you're taking up for them, can be uplifting.
Lastly, consider making a financial contribution. Many commendable organizations deserve your support.
You can also contribute through www.chabad.org/helpisrael. Your donation will aid Chabad in Israel's operations room, which coordinates efforts across many existing Chabad organizations, including:
- Chabad for Terror Victims: Supporting the victims' families and those with loved ones in Gaza.
- "Lev Chabad" (Chabad in the Medical Centers): Being with the injured and their families across various Israeli hospitals.
- Chabad Houses in South Israel: Offering support in regions like Ashkelon, Sderot, and Ofakim, where many have suffered from these ruthless attacks.
- Chabad for the IDF: Extending both moral and tangible support as the IDF braces itself for the next phase.
Friends, let's pray to G-d from the bottom of our hearts:
Please, G-d, bring back all hostages to their families.
Please G-d, send healing to all those who are injured.
Please G-d, send comfort to the families who have lost their loved ones.
Please G-d, be with the brave IDF soldiers, and deliver success and total victory to their hands as they battle this evil.
Please G-d, be with Israel's leadership, so that they make the right decisions for the safety and security of Israel.
Please G-d, enough with this golus (exile), enough with a world that suffers from such atrocities, please bring Moshiach already and make our world whole again.
Yours,
Rabbi Yossi and Maryashie Deren