light their way back home
12/8/23 shabbat with hostage families
We were honored to welcome Yair Moses and Ella Ben Ami to Temple Israel as we listened to their powerful message of resilience and hope. If you missed it, you can watch it HERE.
Be sure to check out the links below for the ways you can support the hostage families as mentioned in our Shabbat service.
Resources for our community to stand with Israel
Song for Israel by Aaron Markovitz
Words & Music by Aaron Markovitz, Burton A. Zipser and Sandra D. Zipser Foundation Artist in Residence.
Lyrics
OUR HEARTS ARE IN THE EAST
(Message from Temple Israel Clergy, Saturday, October 7, 2023)
This morning we woke to the news that Israel was under attack. In disbelief we witnessed cities in flames, reports of suffering, casualties, and a declaration of war. On the 50th anniversary of the Yom Kippur War, on the cusp of Simchat Torah, we once again find ourselves in between the extremes of joy and despair, celebration, and mourning.
Just as the Jewish people have responded to crises and horrors throughout history, we will rise once again in strength and unity. We pray for our brothers and sisters in Israel who defend our precious homeland. We pray for strength for the civilians who have been taken hostage, and families paralyzed with fear. We pray for the government of Israel in its defense of our land, our people, and our future. Our hearts are in the East. We, in the diaspora, stand firmly and eternally in support of Israel.
אדוני עז לעמו יתן. אדוני יברך את עמו בשלום
Adonai Oz L'Amo yiten, Adonai y'varech at Amo b'shalom
God will give strength to the people of Israel, and will bless us with peace.
Contribute
If you would like to make a charitable gift to support Israel and its' right to exist, here are some of our recommendations.
Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit's Israel Emergency Campaign
https://jewishdetroit.org/swords-of-iron-2023/
Temple Israel's Help from Afar -- Israel Campaign
https://www.temple-israel.org/helpfromafarisrael
Donations to this fund during the coming weeks will go towards an effort by our previous Shlichah Nina to help house 50+ Israeli refugee families and furnishing their apartments in Tzur Yitzhak (near Tel Aviv). We will also be purchasing portable ultra-sound machines through Bar Ilan University to be used in the field by IDF soldiers.
Magen David Adom (Israel's national emergency medical, disaster, ambulance and blood bank service)
https://afmda.org/donate/
The Chesed Fund : Supports Israels Warriors
Provides lifesaving equipment to Israel's reserves (organized by Rochel Steinberg)
https://thechesedfund.com/supportisraelswarriors/provide-lifesaving-equiptment-to-israels-reserves
Additional Temple Israel Funds supporting Israel Education and anti-Semitism programming
https://www.temple-israel.org/tributes
- Miriam & Dr. Isaac Barr Israel Education Fund - To preserve the legacy of Miriam (Miri) Barr (Mania Lieder), a Holocaust survivor and, by inference, the Holocaust Jewish experience. She believed: 1. Israel is the core of Jewish existence, 2. anti-Semitism must be challenged, 3. We must be proud of our Jewish heritage and teach to respect our history and core values.
- Fran Victor Israel Education Fund - To support Israel-related education & activities.
- Temple Israel anti-Semitism Education Fund - Provides support for anti-Semitism education and programming.
TAKE ACTION
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 age member of your household can participate in this small but significant gesture of support.
https://www.dropbox.com/request/N2amHaiszf8UD4Cazuuz
RESOURCES
Here’s How to Talk to Your Kids About the Violence in Israel and Gaza
https://www.kveller.com/heres-how-to-talk-to-your-kids-about-the-violence-in-israel-and-gaza/?mibextid=Zxz2cZ
How to Talk to Children About the Conflict in Israel
https://reformjudaism.org/how-talk-children-about-conflict-israel?mibextid=Zxz2cZ
Know the Facts and the Issues
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLn9spWvsCBvcpNxp3u0eu_S3uwO47u2iN
Note: Jewish Family Service of Detroit is offering one-time mental health consultations to anyone who can benefit. Please call 248-592-2313 for more information.
MEDIA CLIPS & WEBINARS
Talking to Your Children About Israel (webinar hosted by Jewish Family Service of Detroit, JFamily Detroit & The J Detroit, Wednesday, October 11)
https://youtu.be/achXettAfiI
After attack on Israel, Detroit area Jewish community asks for support (Rabbi Jen Lader on FOX 2 Detroit, Monday, October 9)
https://www.fox2detroit.com/news/after-attack-on-israel-detroit-area-jewish-community-asks-for-support
Reform Movement Emergency Update: Standing in Solidarity with Israel (Monday, October 9th)
https://vimeo.com/872724410
Rabbi Jennifer Kaluzny on WJR Radio (Oct. 9, 2023)
The Great Voice - Marie Osborne ~ JR Afternoon with Chris Renwick
Detroit Stands with Israel October 2023 from Jewish Federation of Detroit on Vimeo.
Challenge & Our Collective Strength with Rabbi Dr. Laibl Wolf (Monday, November 6th)
WATCH FULL LECTURE HERE
Supported by the Miriam z"l and Dr. Isaac Barr Israel Education Fund
PREVIOUS PROGRAMS
BAGELS, COFFEE, AND CONVERSATION: A DISCUSSION ABOUT ISRAEL WITH BENI LEVI
Monday, November 12th • 9:30am
AM YISRAEL CHAI SHABBAT SERVICE
Friday, October 13th • 7pm
WATCH STREAM
CHALLENGE AND OUR COLLECTIVE STRENGTH WITH RABBI DR. LAIBL WOLF
Monday, November 6th • 7pm
WATCH STREAM
GLOBAL REFORM MOVEMENT: T'FILAH MAKING 30 DAYS SINCE OCTOBER 7
Tuesday, November 7th • 2pm
JEWISH FEDERATION VIGIL FOR THE HOSTAGES
Tuesday, November 7th • 7pm • Adat Shalom Synagogue
UNDERSTANDING THE CONFLICT IN THE MIDDLE EAST WITH DR. VIC LIEBERMAN
Wednesday, November 8th • 7pm
ISRAEL AT WAR - UPDATES WITH WAR NEWS CORRESPONDENT EFRAT LACHTER
Monday, November 13th • 6pm
ISRAEL AT 75: GOODMAN MUSEUM POP-UP EXHIBIT
Tuesday, December 5th • 7pm
