Israel Resources

Here you will find a collection of resources to support you, to help you offer support, and to learn about the evolving situation in Israel. This page  will be updated as new opportunities and resources become available. If you would like to suggest additional resources, please send an email to RabbiStevens@TempleEmanu-El.org

JUMP TO:
Prayers
Music
Poetry
Psalms
Suggested Charities and Collections
Recommended Reading, Watching, and Listening
Support for Families with Children
Upcoming Gatherings

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Prayers

• Mi Shebeirach for Captives
• Prayer for Israel Defense Forces
• Prayer for Israel
• Prayer of Mothers for Peace and Life
• A Prayer for Wholeness
• Peace, Please
• A Prayer from a Traumatized Heart​​

 

​Poetry

• War on Simchat Torah (Solovy)
• Israel: A Meditation (Solovy)
• Layers (Ayalon)
• How are You This Morning, Sister? (Shemer)
• For Weeks I Have Been Bleeding Poems (Cohen)

 

Psalms
Psalms express the full array of emotions. The psalms are traditionally attributed to King David who experienced wartime many times in his life. Often psalms are recited in times of distress. The following psalms are suggested for times when Israel is at war or under attack.

• Psalm 6
• Psalm 13
• Psalm 20
• Psalm 30
• Psalm 77
• Psalm 79
• Psalm 80
• Psalm 83
• Psalm 91
• Psalm 121
• Psalm 122
• Psalm 130
• Psalm 142

 

​Music

• Yerushalayim Shel Zahav (Naomi Shemer)
• Acheinu (Aryeh Naar)
• Ani v’Atah (Arik Einstein)
• Shir LaShalom (Daliah Lavi)
• Al Kol Eileh (Naomi Shemer)
• HaTikvah (Israel Philharmonic, Leonard Bernstein)
• Avinu SheBaShamayim (Zamir, Rav Hazzan Scott Sokol)
• Eili, Eili (Melita and Isaac)
• One Day (Matisyahu)​ ​

 

Suggested Charities and Collections

• CJP Fund for Israel at War: "100% of your donation will go toward supporting victims of terror and addressing the unprecedented levels of trauma caused by these horrific attacks."​
• Friends of the Israel Defense Forces: “Every day, the young men and women of the IDF put their lives on the line to protect the Jewish homeland. FIDF is whole-heartedly committed to providing these courageous young men and women with a better everyday life and brighter future.”
• Israeli American Council: "To demonstrate our unwavering support for Israel during this crucial time in the country’s history,
• IAC has launched the Support Israel Fund." In addition to this fund, the IAC has an Amazon Wish List to send specific urgently needed items to Israel. 
• JDC (Joint Distribution Committee): "In the country’s south, our programs providing support to those now under attack — including the elderly, people with disabilities, children and families at risk — are the backbone of our response to this war."
• Jewish Federations of North America: The Merrimack Valley Jewish Federation directs people to donate to JFNA; “Jewish Federations are responding, working with our core partners to support victims of terror, help rebuild damaged infrastructure, and address the unprecedented levels of trauma caused by this horrific attack.”
• Magen David Adom ("Israel's Red Cross"): "In the U.S., disaster, ambulance, and blood services are handled by an array of hospitals and organizations. In Israel, there’s one organization that does it all — Magen David Adom."
• Jerusalem Post’s Top 10 Ways to Donate to the Israel War Effort

 

Recommended Reading, Watching, and Listening

• Six Days of War: June 1967 and the Making of the Modern Middle East, Michael B. Oren
• The Lemon Tree, Sandy Tolan
• “The Best Books, Films, Magazine Stories, and Audio for Understanding the Palestinian-Israeli Conflict” (Slate.com)
• Shalom Hartman Institute Resources: “The Shalom Hartman Institute is a leading center of Jewish thought and education, serving Israel and North America. Our mission is to strengthen Jewish peoplehood, identity, and pluralism; to enhance the Jewish and democratic character of Israel; and to ensure that Judaism is a compelling force for good in the 21st century.”
• Brandeis Schusterman Center for Israel Studies: "the Schusterman Center is dedicated to advancing knowledge and understanding of Israeli history, politics, culture and society. But its mission goes far beyond scholarship itself. The center is committed to creating and disseminating knowledge about the modern state of Israel, not just at Brandeis, but to a global audience."

 

Support for Families with Children

• "Talking to Kids About Israel," Rabbi Rebecca Rosenthal
  
• "How to Talk to Children About Israel Today," Jewish Education Project
  
• “How to Talk to Children About the Conflict in Israel,” Union of Reform Judaism (URJ)

 

​Upcoming Gatherings (vigils, learning opportunities)

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