10/07/2023
Join Us: Gathering in Support of Israel on October 9
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Dear Friends,
We break our Shabbat silence because we awoke this morning to a living nightmare – the people of Israel being viciously attacked by the terrorist organization Hamas at an unprecedented size and scale. The loss of innocent life already tops 200 at the time we write this note and climbing. Thousands more are injured or missing.
The fact that this war was launched on the 50th anniversary of the Yom Kippur War – and, again on a holy day of the Jewish calendar – is no coincidence, but another example of the depths this terrorist organization will go to create maximum trauma to the Israeli people.
We invite you to join us for a special community gathering in support of Israel on Monday, October 9 at 5 pm at the Jewish Federation of Cleveland offices in the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Building (25701 Science Park Drive). This event will feature comments from local clergy, community leaders, and others as we come together to demonstrate our unshakeable stand with Israel at this time of crisis.
As you know, our community has stood proudly with the modern state of Israel since its founding in 1948. Over the years, we have worked closely with our international partners at the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (“JDC”) and the Jewish Agency for Israel (“JAFI”) to provide a wide range of humanitarian support for the people of Israel in times of peace and war. This enduring commitment allows us to respond immediately when lives are at stake as is the case now.
That said, we know that there will be rapidly increasing needs in the days, weeks, and months to come. In order to address those needs, we have opened a special “Cleveland Stands With Israel” Fund, which you can access here.
We pray for the safety of the people of Israel and hope you will be able to join us on Monday as we lift each other and Jews everywhere up in the face of war.
May G-d “grant peace in the land and happiness to all its residents.” Am yisrael chai.
Daniel N. Zelman
Board Chair
Erika B. Rudin-Luria
President
