Israel Committee Update
KMS Israel Committee Update
The Kemp Mill Synagogue and its members are saddened, horrified and shocked by the horrific terrorist attack Tuesday morning, November 18 at the Kehillat Yaakov shul in the Har Nof neighborhood of Jerusalem that resulted in the tragic death of four and wounding of others. It is with great sadness that we mourn our brethren who perished in the brutal attack. We pray that HaShem will give their families strength to persevere through this unimaginable tragedy. We urge you to pray for the complete and speedy recovery of all those who were injured in the attack. Standing with Israel at this time requires each of us to stay informed, support Israel though political action, give tzedakah to provide relief to the victims and their families, and continue our prayers with kavanah.
OPPORTUNITIES TO GIVE TZEDAKAH TO HELP THOSE IMPACTED BY OPERATION PROECTIVE EDGE AND ACTS OF TERROR IN ISRAEL
These are a few of the many organizations that are respond to the needs of Israelis impacted by acts of terror or war. Please visit the organization’s website to learn more about their mission and work.
Inclusion on this list is not an endorsement by the Kemp Mill Synagogue.
Magen David Adom
MDA is Israel’s ambulance, blood-services, and disaster-relief organization, serving as emergency medical first responders for the state’s 8 million people. MDA is the only organization mandated by the Israeli government to serve in this role, but it’s not a government agency. It relies on donations to save thousands of lives. As for 7/27, Magen David Adom treated more than 700 civilians who were injured and continues to maintain its readiness, to provide emergency medical care and is on full alert throughout the country. Magen David Adom has increased its presence everywhere in Israel.
Jewish Agency for Israel: Fund for Victims of Terror and Israel Crisis Response Programs
The fund provides immediate financial to families impacted by acts of war or terror, coordinated to augment and not duplicate benefits provided by the Government of Israel. In addition, the Jewish Agency provides a range of assistance for new immigrants, small business owners, and vulnerable populations in areas affected by crisis in Israel.
http://www.jewishagency.org/content/donate
Operation Embrace
Operation Embrace offers assistance to injured survivors of terror in Israel. With the guidance from social workers throughout Israel and Bituach Leumi (Israel’s National Insurance Agency), Operation Embrace helps all people who have been violated by random acts of terror and does not discriminate by race or religion.
OneFamily Fund
OneFamily empowers victims of terror to rebuild their lives, rehabilitate and reintegrate through emotional, legal, and financial assistance programs geared toward each of the following: Orphans, Bereaved Parents, Parents of Injured Children, Widows and Widowers, Young Adults, and Youth Injured and Bereaved.
http://www.onefamilytogether.org/
Jewish Federation of Greater Washington’s Israel Emergency Campaign
The funds will be directed to such needs as delivery of food and medicine to the elderly and disabled, trauma counseling and transporting children out of harm’s way to camps and other places to give them respite from the shelters. Our Federation has also funded the deployment of U.S. firefighters to augment Israel’s own firefighting ability during this emergency.
Friends of the Israel Defense Forces
The FIDF initiates and helps support social, educational, cultural and recreational programs and facilities for the young men and women soldiers of Israel who defend the Jewish homeland. The FIDF also provides support for widows and orphans of fallen soldiers.
Stand With Us
StandWithUs is dedicated to informing the public about Israel and to combating the extremism and anti-Semitism that often distort the issues. They are delivering care packages to IDF troops during Operation Protective Edge.
Israel Trauma Coalition
The ITC create a continuum of care in the trauma field, response and preparedness, by leveraging diverse resources to initiate, prioritize, and optimize services. The ITC provides a comprehensive view of the trauma field, whilst working towards strengthening community resilience and ensuring national emergency preparedness. The ITC harnesses the collective knowledge, expertise and experience of Israel’s leading NGO's and government organizations- as no organization can do this work alone.
http://www.israeltraumacoalition.org/
AMIT
20,000 AMIT students live in areas impacted on a constant basis by rocket attacks. AMIT sends psychologists to help the students and their families deal with the immediate impact of the continual alerts and the long-term effects from post-traumatic stress disorder. AMIT recently provided fun-filled days of activities for students living in Kiryat Malachi.
http://www.amitchildren.org/product/israel-campaign
Yad Sarah
Yad Sarah, the largest voluntary organization in Israel, provides a spectrum of free or nominal cost services designed to make life easier for sick, disabled and elderly people and their families.
Yashar LaChayal
Yashar LaChayal brings soldiers in the Israel Defense Forces what they need when they need it--currently raising funds to provide IDF troops in Gaza with protective equipment such as combat facemasks, kneepads, and camouflage combat vests.
Pizza IDF
Pizza and sodas are delivered to patrols, platoon, and entire companies of IDF soldiers as a special treat and thanks for the service.
Maryland Israel Development Center
MIDC is a non-profit organization promoting trade and investment between Maryland and Israeli businesses and research institutions. The organization provides local individuals with a unique way to connect with and support Israel.
https://www.marylandisrael.org/
Orthodox Union: Israel Emergency Fund
Donations are targeted to the citizens of Sderot, Kiryat Gat, Kiryat Malachi, Beit Shemesh and Ofakim. Workshops identify individuals suffering from trauma and make sure they receive the emotional assistance they need.
http://www.ou.org/news/post-trauma-intervention-war-doesnt-end/
(To add additional organizations to this list, please contact Ina Lerman, VP for Klal Yisrael, ilerman@verizon.net )
Updated November 18, 2014
Update this content.