What’s Going On in Israel? Education, Resources, Support and More
Disclaimer: Sensitive information and graphic images are included in this article.
There’s no easy way to say this: Israel is at war. Over the past few days, over 4,000 rockets have been fired from Gaza into Israel, murdering hundreds and injuring thousands of innocent civilians. As the days go on, the numbers just keep increasing.
The Jewish Elon community is incredibly disheartened by the events that have occurred. Students gathered at Pi Kappa Phi Commons on Monday night to demonstrate their support for Israel and the Jewish people. As co-president of Hillel Mandi Lichtenstein explained, “Today, we gather not to delve into the complexities of politics or religion, but to show our unwavering support for Israel and its people.” Both Hillel and Chabad members were present, holding Israeli flags. The organizations called on students to donate Tzedakah (charitable giving) to help aid the soldiers on the front lines with supplies, food and more.
Lichtenstein also stated, "Our gathering tonight is an opportunity to foster understanding, empathy and dialogue. We must remember that promoting peace and understanding does not mean taking sides or ignoring the suffering of any group. It means recognizing the value of every human life and striving for a future where all can live in peace and security."
Background
Arab countries have had longstanding hostile relations with Israel; the issue goes back to the beginning of time when the Jews were enslaved in Egypt. It was seen again during the Holocaust when over six million Jews were murdered by Hitler and the Nazi Regime. History seems to be repeating itself. This has been the highest number of Jews murdered in a single day since the Holocaust. It is a moral responsibility to condemn the violence and hatred being spread throughout numerous communities.
Most importantly, this is a human rights issue. Hamas is an Islamic Resistance Movement and one of the two Palestinian territories’ major political parties at the root of this conflict. Their charter “rejects Israel’s right to exist” and is dedicated to creating a Palestinian country through the extermination of the Jewish people (ABC News). The group is concentrated in the Gaza Strip and areas of the West Bank, and it also receives support and weapons from Iran. They have connections to the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) and the Islamic Jihad, which have each conducted their own attacks on Israel (ABC News).
Hamas is driven by genocidal racism against the Jewish people. It seeks to destroy Israel and replace it with a regime of supremacy. Members of Hamas are entering Israel and are kidnapping, raping, torturing and parading the bodies of dead Israeli civilians through the streets of Gaza. There is no way to justify these actions, religiously or politically. It is important to condemn the actions of Hamas and stand together for peace.
How You Can Help
There are several resources available to learn more about the acts of violence occurring, what Hamas is and its ideology and what you can do to help. Here is a list of social media accounts, websites, donation links and much more to have at your disposal.
Social Media Accounts to Follow:
@standwithus: Fighting antisemitism and supporting Israel around the world
@stateofisrael: The official government account for the State of Israel
@idf: Israeli Defense Forces
@stop_antisemitism: Leading U.S. based organization fighting antisemitism
@adl_national: To stop the defamation of the Jewish people and secure justice and fair treatment to all
Where to Donate:
American Friends of Magen David Adom - Supporting Israel’s paramedic and Red Cross service
United Hatzalah: Israel's community-based EMS organization, providing medical care free of charge
JDC: The leading global Jewish humanitarian organization
NATAL: Specializes in the field of war-and-terror-related trauma, PTSD and resiliency-building among civil society
Sderot Foundation: Provides resources for a host of specially-designed initiatives that affect the lives of the people in the southern Israeli town of Sderot, which is near the Gaza Strip
More Resources:
The Anti-Defamation League (ADL)
The ADL has resources where you can donate, report instances of antisemitism and track antisemitism in the U.S. and abroad. The ADL also has the Center on Extremism, which tracks extremist trends and ideologies in order to disrupt and expose extremist threats.
Center for Israel Education (CIE)
“CIE is the premier source destination for trustworthy content about modern Israel. It provides original sources, online courses, webinars, workshops and more to impart knowledge to students as they embrace the history of the Jewish people's commitment to one another.”
The Jewish Future Pledge is a worldwide movement inspiring Jews of all backgrounds to support the Jewish people and/or the State of Israel. The Pledge is not a fundraiser for a specific Jewish organization; it is a moral commitment to the Jewish people.
This link allows you to send a letter to Congress to act on antisemitism in the United States.
On-Campus Resources:
Hillel, Chabad and the Truitt Center are also available to utilize as spaces to process your emotions and gather as a community. They also offer prayer resources and safe spaces for students to foster an open dialogue about the current situation.
Photo by Avery Paulen
The list of resources and ways to help goes on, but each little action you take to help is appreciated. An additional list of resources made by Mandi Lichtenstein, the co-president of Hillel, can be found here.
If you have thoughts, questions or simply want to engage in an open dialogue, feel free to DM @averypaulen on Instagram.