We continue to receive devastating news coming from Israel. We grieve with Am Yisrael and Medinat Yisrael for the victims of the horrific attacks and the repercussions from it. This page is dedicated to offering ways to support Israel and each other.
Our elected officials need to hear from us how important their support for and standing with Israel in this time of need is.
Please reach out here to thank them for their words and presence at our gatherings.
Please reach out here to thank them for their words and presence at our gatherings.
*NEW*
Shabbat Shalom Cards, A meaningful gift to commemorate any occasion.
The purchase of these cards represents a Shabbat meal, provided by Lema’an Achai, for bereaved families of solders and those who lost their lives on October 7, families of active soldiers, and evacuees and their families. Please click here to purchase and learn more.
The Bayit was honored to hear from Yakir Wachstock on Shabbat afternoon (February 24), who shared the story of how Boots for Israel was born. It is an extraordinary volunteer undertaking that has made a huge difference. Your support means a lot to get 3,000 more boots onto the feet of our chayalim.
Rallies, Gatherings, & Action
A local group meets in Riverdale every Sunday @ 10:00am. The goal is simple: to raise awareness for the release of individuals taken hostage by Hamas in Gaza. By joining together once a week, we will strengthen our community and foster togetherness and a sense of shared responsibility. Every week we will meet as a group for a short walk (runners are welcome to start walking with us and then continue on their own run).
We will walk with the flags of the countries of the kidnapped. Wear red and/or shirts available at Run4lives.org. Please visit Run4lives.org for more details and join our Riverdale group or visit the WhatsApp group here.
We will walk with the flags of the countries of the kidnapped. Wear red and/or shirts available at Run4lives.org. Please visit Run4lives.org for more details and join our Riverdale group or visit the WhatsApp group here.
Time: Every Sunday, 9:55am (depart at 10:00am sharp)
Place: Seton Park, 232nd Independence
Place: Seton Park, 232nd Independence
Route: to the Riverdale Bell Tower
Let's give 18 minutes of our lives to help save theirs.
Watch Rav Avi from Sunday, March 3, 2024 here.
New!
*Small Initiatives
These initiatives help embrace meaningful connections to the people and the land of Israel. Please click here to to find opportunities to commemorate the fallen, elevate morale, and help rebuild.
These initiatives help embrace meaningful connections to the people and the land of Israel. Please click here to to find opportunities to commemorate the fallen, elevate morale, and help rebuild.
*Purchase Goods from Israel
Another way to support Israel is by helping its economy. Please click here to find a variety of places to shop and support.
Another way to support Israel is by helping its economy. Please click here to find a variety of places to shop and support.
Bring Them Home Now!
Make Daily Calls to Our Elected Officials to Support Israel and Bring Hostages Home
Approximately 136 hostages, including infants and children, women, and the elderly are still trapped in Gaza. Our hearts ache for their families, but it’s not enough to feel. We must act.
Make Daily Calls to Our Elected Officials to Support Israel and Bring Hostages Home
Approximately 136 hostages, including infants and children, women, and the elderly are still trapped in Gaza. Our hearts ache for their families, but it’s not enough to feel. We must act.
Here are four things you can do right now:
1. Call your senators to make sure the hostages remain top of mind
2. Call your congressional representative (Phone calls are more effective than email. Need their numbers? Find them here.)
3. Share this hashtag on social media and tell the world: #BringThemHomeNow
4. Click here to join a WhatsApp group to support each other making daily calls to our elected officials to record our support for Israel's right to defend herself and call for the immediate return of our hostages. We will update each other with our progress and invite others to join this critical cause. Every call matters. Our elected officials receive many calls advocating for other positions; they need to hear from us.
1. Call your senators to make sure the hostages remain top of mind
2. Call your congressional representative (Phone calls are more effective than email. Need their numbers? Find them here.)
3. Share this hashtag on social media and tell the world: #BringThemHomeNow
4. Click here to join a WhatsApp group to support each other making daily calls to our elected officials to record our support for Israel's right to defend herself and call for the immediate return of our hostages. We will update each other with our progress and invite others to join this critical cause. Every call matters. Our elected officials receive many calls advocating for other positions; they need to hear from us.
Letters to The Nation: Write to the Families of Those Who Have Been Killed in Israel, Both Civilians and Soldiers
The creators of Letters to The Nation recognize that we grieve together and despite the physical distance that separates us, we can offer support to families by writing letters. Your letters will be printed out and personally delivered to grieving families.
Tips for writing are here. To join the WhatsApp group to receive the basic bios of those killed and to choose a family, please click here. To send a letter please click here.
The creators of Letters to The Nation recognize that we grieve together and despite the physical distance that separates us, we can offer support to families by writing letters. Your letters will be printed out and personally delivered to grieving families.
Tips for writing are here. To join the WhatsApp group to receive the basic bios of those killed and to choose a family, please click here. To send a letter please click here.
Write to Israeli Soldiers
Come to the Bayit lobby where we have a station for you to write a letter to a soldier.
We will then get these special messages to Israel for you.
Come to the Bayit lobby where we have a station for you to write a letter to a soldier.
We will then get these special messages to Israel for you.
Jewish National Fund: Donate, Volunteer, Educate
Please click here to see the many options provided by JNF.
Short Term/Daily Volunteer Opportunities in Israel
Congregation Rinat Yisrael in Teaneck, NJ has provided a central point of reference for volunteer opportunities. They have verified each listing to the best of their ability, but since this is a very fluid situation, please alert them to any errors/additions/deletions.
Please click here to learn more.
Congregation Rinat Yisrael in Teaneck, NJ has provided a central point of reference for volunteer opportunities. They have verified each listing to the best of their ability, but since this is a very fluid situation, please alert them to any errors/additions/deletions.
Please click here to learn more.
Support Israel with Donations
- Magen David Adom
- United Hatzalah in Israel
- UJA Israel Emergency Fund
- Michael Levin Lone Soldier Center
- The Lone Soldier Center
- Friends of the Israel Defense Forces Emergency campaign for funds to buy critical supplies for the soldiers.
- Friends of Israel's Disabled Veterans (FIDV) United We Stand - Israel Emergency Campaign. This is the only organization legally responsible for the wellbeing of Israel’s wounded veterans, as well as innocent victims of terror who are members of Beit Halochem.
- Leket Stands with Southern Israel They deliver meals for homebound individuals and seniors, provide essential supplies for families, and offer financial assistance.
- OneFamily | Overcoming Terror Together They offer emergency grief and trauma counseling to all victims and survivors, soldiers and civilians, including long term PTSD care, as well as cash for immediate needs resulting from the tragedy.
- Supporting Vulnerable Children in Israel Yatom: The Jewish Foster & Adoption Network has launched a fundraiser to help vulnerable children in their time of need.
- Ten Gav | Give a Little | Get a Lot This organization is helping the displaced Israelis who are direct victims of rocket fire. There are at least 200,000 Israelis, young to old, who are suffering tremendously from post-trauma and anxiety.
- Parshat Derachim a group of musicians with educational/therapeutic
background performing concerts and musical workshops for the displaced communities directly impacted on October 7th, combining musical performance with therapeutic trauma work. For more information about their work, please click here. To donate, please click here, under “Type” please select “Rabbinic Discretionary Fund”, and in “Payment Notes” write “Parshat Derachim”. - The Bayit Rabbinic Discretionary Fund Under “Type” please select “Rabbinic Discretionary Fund”, and in “Payment Notes” write “Israel”.
Emotional Support
- The violent and harrowing attack on Israel has affected all of us. You are welcome to reach out to our Clergy for support:
Rav Steven 917-494-3380 | Rabbanit Bracha 443-983-5083 - How to cope with traumatic events from HelpGuide.org. Please click here.
- There is a Jewish Board support hotline: 9:00am-5:00pm. Available for all New Yorkers 1.844.ONE.CALL (1.844.663.2255)
Children
For resources on how to speak with our children, please visit thebayit.org/israel-children.
A Dvar Torah from Rav Avi, given in Carmei Gat, where his grandchildren made aliya.
Please click here to read.
Please click here to read.
Rabbanit Bracha - Reflections from Israel, November 2023.
Please click here to read.
Please click here to read reflections from Israel after SAR visit.
Rabba Sara - Reflections on the Maharat and Jofa Mission to Israel , January 2024.
Please click here to read.
For previous recordings and writings please click here.
Sat, April 27 2024 19 Nisan 5784