The Jofa Weekly, 11/9/23: Standing Proudly for Israel

וַתְּאַזְּרֵ֣נִי חַ֖יִל לַמִּלְחָמָ֑ה

For You have girded me with strength for the battle.

(Tehillim 18:40)

In this edition:

Message from Jofa
Events & Updates
Devorah Scholars Applications Due December 1
Women's Voices on Israel
More Ways to Stand Up for Israel Now
Divrei Torah by Women on Parshat Chayei Sarah

Message from Jofa

Friends,

Our minds this week are on showing up strongly and proudly in full force this coming Tuesday, November 14, on the National Mall in Washington, DC, for the March for Israel. See details below -- please make every effort to attend, and please contact your local Jewish Federation today to register and be counted.

We maintain our persistent focus on ways to strengthen ourselves and stand for our principles, through our words and deeds; stories shared, gatherings organized, events attended, funds raised, challahs baked, candles lit, learning dedicated, tehillim recited. The list of course goes on, with several suggestions below.

We think about the families: grieving; praying for the return of hostages; displaced; injured; in physical and emotional pain and trauma. For all those serving in the IDF, and for all those keeping life afloat at home. We must each do what we can to reach out to those both in and beyond our circles, both to offer and to seek support in its many ways, shapes, and forms.

As we approach another Shabbat, may we draw renewed strength from dedicating the special mitzvot of Shabbat, and throughout the week ahead, to the safe return of the hostages and soldiers, and the comfort of all those struggling through this painful time.

חֲ֭זַק וְיַאֲמֵ֣ץ לִבֶּ֑ךָ

Be strong and courageous in your hearts.

(Tehillim, 27:14 )

Events and Updates

March for Israel this Tuesday, November 14: Join Jofa and thousands of Jews from across the country to march for Israel, to free the hostages, and to speak out against antisemitism, on the National Mall in Washington, DC. Visit the March website or contact your local Jewish community Federation for details and information on travel plans and logistics. Most important of all is to show up in numbers and make our collective unified voice and presence heard and felt.

As terrorists in Israel and their supporters abroad seek to intimidate us, we need to stand up and remind the world that we will not be cowed into silence. While our courageous IDF soldiers are at war against Hamas in Gaza, America’s Jewish community is doing battle against the forces of antisemitism that threaten religious liberties and Jewish lives here in the United States.

Join a Night of Unity, Wednesday, November 15: Ohr Torah Stone is hosting a night of unity for our global Jewish family via Zoom, as an opportunity to stand together with and hear from bereaved families; university campus shlichim; IDF soldiers, and Israeli evacuees. Join here to learn about their experiences and demonstrate your support.

Siyyum Mishnah for Israel, Tuesday, November 28: Save the new date of Tuesday, November 28, for our rescheduled siyyum mishnah, an opportunity to dedicate communal Torah learning for Israel. Sign up to study mishnah however you prefer, partnering with others or on your own. Then join us for a hybrid siyyum: in person, beginning at 6PM with pizza dinner at Barnard/Columbia Hillel, followed by a siyyum wrap-up and hadran (both in-person and online) from 630-7PM. Watch for updates soon via email and social, to sign up to learn a tractate(s) and to attend the siyuum in person or online.

Gathering in the Five Towns Community, Wednesday, November 29: In times of crisis like we are experiencing right now, coming together helps remind us that we are not alone. We invite you to find strength and inspiration in the community of women, through events like our next Food for Thought: Learning and Tasting Event Exploring Talmudic Heroines, scheduled for the Five Towns, Long Island, on Wednesday, November 29. Sign up here to attend. As the nourishing food warms our bodies, we will dedicate our learning to the safe return of all of the hostages, the soldiers of the IDF, and all Israelis, to their homes.

Reproductive Rights Film Screening and Discussion, Thursday, November 30: Major Election Day victories by abortion rights advocates in Ohio, Kentucky, and Virginia underscore the continued urgency of reproductive rights as an issue of national discourse, with specific relevance to the Jewish community, and the approaching 2024 national election.

On Thursday, November 30, JCC MetroWest, in partnership with Jofa, NCJW/Essex, and the Jewish Women's Foundation of New Jersey, are hosting a screening and panel discussion of the documentary short film, “Under G-d,” by award-winning filmmaker Paula Eiselt. See event flyer above for details and register here. We hope you can join us for this important ongoing discussion.

Rabbanit Atara Lindenbaum,

Devorah Scholar at the Hebrew Institute of White Plains, New York

Consider Applying to the Devorah Scholars Program, by December 1: Are you a member or leader of a North American Orthodox synagogue, interested in increasing women's spiritual leadership? Find out more about our Devorah Scholars Program, a matching grant opportunity for Orthodox synagogues seeking to hire their first paid female spiritual leaders, made possible through the generosity of Micah Philanthropies, Ann and Jeremy Pava, Trustees.

Applications for the next cohort of Devorah Scholars are open through December 1, 2023. Visit our website to find out more, ask questions, and apply.

25th Anniversary Jofa Journal and Archives Now Online: Jofa's 25th Anniversary/Fall 2023 Journal, featuring thoughtful reflections and perspectives on Jofa's past, present, and future, is now available on our website -- along with 25 years of topical, substantive Journal archives. May we all continue onward and upward together.

Women's Voices on Israel

Here we share the voices of women who have offered their perspectives during the past week, as the shloshim passed, marking 30 days since the October 7 attacks:

More Ways to Stand Up for Israel Now

Daphna and Ella Elyakim, who were taken hostage from Kibbutz Nahal Oz

Keeping Attention on the Hostages and Their Families: Jofa is a partner in the global #BlueRibbonsforIsrael solidarity campaign. Wearing and posting the blue ribbon demonstrates support and solidarity for the safe return of the hostages taken by Hamas terrorists in Israel, more than four weeks ago. It symbolizes solidarity with the hostages, their families, and all who care about their safety.

Anyone whose heart aches for the hostages and their families can wear a blue ribbon. Many communities are holding candlelight vigils; posting and sharing pictures of the hostages, and creating public displays representing the men, women, and children so viciously taken. Visit the Blue Ribbons for Israel Bring Them Home page to see pictures identifying the names and ages of all of the hostages, and a clock counting how long they have been held.

Wearing a blue ribbon publicly unites you with people of all religions, races, nationalities, ethnicities, ages, and generations, and demonstrates for the people of Israel that they are not alone and that good people around the globe are with them and their families during this dark time. Send a powerful message of solidarity by wearing your ribbon, sharing on social media with #BlueRibbonsforIsrael, and encouraging caring people in your orbit to wear and share too.

Baking Challah and Lighting Shabbat Candles: Many women are seeking, organizing, and participating in communal rituals that connect both doing an action and saying a prayer or blessing -- such as lighting Shabbat candles and baking challah -- as ways to connect with each other, raise money for Israel, support IDF families, and share comfort.

For example, some communities are organizing challah bakes, where the mothers of chayalim separate challah together, and the proceeds benefit their lone soldiers.

In The Power of Baking Challah Together in Hard Times, Joanna Nissim explores the origins of communal challah baking and why it speaks to us in times of crisis.

You can print these special candle lighting prayers and use them to unite with Jewish women around the world in finding redoubled purpose and meaning in lighting Shabbat candles, and reciting special prayers for the captives, the injured, the IDF, our families, and the entire Jewish people, to help usher some hopeful light into this dark, difficult time.

Staying Informed: Although it can feel overwhelming, being well informed and staying up to date on the latest news, developments, and analyses is vital to being able to continue raising our voices, speaking out, and reinforcing our message effectively. Here are just a few of the trusted sources that include coverage, analysis, and first-hand accounts:

Following Up with Elected Officials After Tuesday's March: With Election Day now behind us, and a national election ahead, we must keep making our voices heard, by educating ourselves on where our elected officials stand, and by urging them to support U.S. aid to Israel, as well as nonprofit security funding for our synagogues, schools, JCCs, and communal organizations.

Just as there is power in numbers when we all show up in Washington, we must maintain that power by continuing to remind our government leaders that it is as imperative as ever to stand unequivocally with Israel -- and express our appreciation when they do. Contact your legislators in the United States Senate and House of Representatives, to thank them for any statements that they have already made, and urge them to stand steadfast by Israel and its people.

It is most effective to write personal letters in your own words. Find the contact information for your members of the House and the Senate, or send a quick email to your elected officials, via the American Jewish Committee.

Giving: Jews around the world continue to give in profound and generous ways -- from volunteering in a numerous jobs usually done by people now serving in the IDF; to garnering much-needed funds and supplies; to cooking Shabbat meals; to caregiving, donating food, distributing gift cards, funding mental health services, and much more.

We can each support these efforts by contributing to any of the numerous grassroots, local, national, and international organizations and fundraising efforts that are delivering a vast array of direct and specific needs on the ground -- including your community's Jewish Federation, as well as the following -- to name just a few examples:

Connecting: If you have family and/or friends in Israel, or you know anyone with loved ones who are serving, reach out to them. Even when there are no adequate words, it is still important and appreciated to express that you care and they are not alone. Everyone is touched in some personal way by what is happening right now, and it is never far from our minds. Lending an ear or a shoulder can go a long way.

Keeping in mind that every individual experiences this in their own way on any given day, reaching out is meaningful, regardless of whether or how they respond. Tell them that you’re thinking about them and praying for their safety and strength. It can make such a difference to show someone that they have support, in a situation that can feel so helpless.

For mental health and wellness resources that can help you or those you care about, see:

Talking with the Kids in Your Life: Discussing with children of all ages what is happening right now is both highly sensitive and very important, for families, caregivers, educators, spiritual leaders, youth leaders, and more. We continue adding to our list of resources to help navigate this:

Gathering in Unity, Prayer, Learning, or Song: Coming together as a community can take on many forms:

Communities continue to think of new ways to gather -- over Shabbat or during the week; at synagogues, schools, and community centers; to knit kippot or assemble tzitzit; or simply to add extra kavanah into our davening.

Solidarity Shabbat can be any and every Shabbat in your community or congregation, with tehillim and prayers and melodies for Israel: the Prayer for the State of Israel, Prayer for Tzahal , Prayer for the Safe Return of Hostages. Include in your tefillot the names of soldiers and hostages. Say your own personal prayers; insert your own prayers during tefillah. Invite an informative, inspiring speaker. Take a moment to thank G-d for protecting and watching over us, and those who safeguard our homeland, and who are in harm's way. Now more than ever, tefillah is a place to turn, to pour out our hearts, to seek chizuk.

Many people find it spiritually uplifting to recite and/or study Tehillim, whether as part of a shul or community gathering, on your own, or in one of the many Tehillim circles, groups, and chats worldwide. Organizing a kumsitz or melaveh malkah can also be a meaningful way to channel our feelings through the emotional outlet of fitting music.

Divrei Torah by Women on Parshat Chayei Sarah

Jews around the world are reading and studying Parshat Chayei Sarah this week. Here are a few divrei Torah by women on this week's parsha:

Shabbat Shalom U'Mevorach

Besorot Tovot

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