Outpouring of community solidarity for Israel following Hamas terror
Unprecedented social media engagement, volunteer soup kitchens, fundraising, care packages and campus briefings, Jewish News reports on how the Jewish community is standing proudly with Israel
Mobilising swiftly following the terror attacks in Israel on 7 October, communal charities and organisations have been overwhelmed by community support.
From vigils to collections of essential goods and fundraising, to sending care packages for soldiers on the front lines in the war against Hamas, Jewish News has spoken to a variety of organisations working both in the UK and on the ground in Israel.
Manna Meir Panim says their centres across Israel are working overtime to provide for those whose lives have been turned upside down by the war, including people who were evacuated from the Gaza border.
Gabriel Blauer, executive director for the Manna UK branch of Meir Panim says: “Supported by an army of volunteers, they are daily preparing thousands of hot meals and care packages for soldiers in Southern Israel. Our campaign at www.mannauk.org has raised over £60,000 so far.”
Daniel Burger, chief executive at Magen David Adom UK says its international arm needs £250,000 in additional funds each day to run at full operational capacity. These are for items such as tourniquets, blood bags and blood screening kits.
He says: “MDA UK is able to send funds raised to MDA Israel within just a few days to ensure our donors’ funds truly are saving lives immediately. Due to some of its ambulances being destroyed and others being beyond economic repair, MDA is also replacing 300 of its ambulances and is currently flying those in the US to Israel rather than send by sea. This comes at a huge cost to MDA. I remain bowled over at the support of our donors including a Muslim medical aid organisation.” Donate to MDAUK here.
Marc Levy, chief executive of the Jewish Representative Council of Greater Manchester & Region says the community has been sharing the same national campaigns from all the main bodies.
“Jewish communities across Greater Manchester have been strong and united in their support of Israel and condemnation of the atrocities committed by Hamas terrorists. It was humbling to see so many people at the vigil held a few days after the terrorist attacks, which demonstrated the level of support we have received by those elected to represent us. We commend the charities and individuals who have raised funds and goods for so many important organisations at this difficult time”.
Shalva UK tells Jewish News: “We need your help now to ensure we can get all of the necessary supplies, from food to beds, clothes, toiletries and very importantly enough therapy hours to help those who are sheltering at Shalva get the help they so desperately need.”
Gaby Hirsch, CEO Shalva UK says: “I have spoken with some of the families who were evacuated earlier this week and they are truly remarkable and so appreciative of the safe haven they have been given at Shalva.” Donate to Shalva UK here.
The UJIA Israel at War Community Appeal is raising funds to provide an immediate response to Israel’s needs.
A spokesperson tells Jewish News: “In 1948, 1967, 1973, through waves of terror and crises, UJIA has been there for the people of Israel. And we are there for them today. Right now, we are supporting thousands of victims of terror and war through: The Jewish Agency Victims of Terror Fund, treating victims of trauma, emergency preparedness in the north and Shabbat meals for those evacuated away from home.
“The Jewish community is united in its generosity for the Israeli people, but there is still so much to do. Waiting lists for trauma appointments are lengthening, the numbers of those being evacuated is growing, we need your help to be there for them in their time of need.” Please visit ujia.org
A spokesperson from Progressive Judaism says it is “encouraging people to donate via UJIA, MDA, NIF (New Israel Fund) and IMPJ (Israel Movement for Reform and Progressive Judaism).
Myisrael says: “Our emergency appeal has raised over £300,000 through UK and worldwide donations. We have had 766 donors who have given to this appeal since Sunday 8th October.” Donate here.
StandWithUs UK tells Jewish News the organisation is here to “support the community and our students to counter the exponential rise in antisemitism and Israel misinformation, especially in light of the current crisis in Israel.”
It has set up the ‘Israel Support Centre’ to help provide the necessary support and mentorship to individuals and groups across the UK.
A spokesperson said: “In just seven days, we have reached over 2,500 people in person, our social media engagement has tripled, and those seeking us for information and the tools to support Israel is truly unprecedented. Every day we are visiting schools, university campuses, synagogues and other communal organisations to deliver expert briefings and workshops. Weekly webinars with top experts in the field of intelligence and security have been used to ensure people are informed with accurate and up-to-date information.”
Lana Saffrin Betesh, Chair of StandWithUs UK tells Jewish News: “We would like to thank all our supporters for their incredible and continuous support. It has been a testament to the strength of the community, and what we can achieve. Now more than ever, our educational efforts are vital to winning this battle over dangerous ideological narratives which have seeped into mainstream discourse.”
Those wishing to support campaign efforts for the Israel Support Centre should click here.
The New Israel Fund says its crisis appeal for emergency work to provide safety for all communities in Israel is “raising hundreds of thousands of pounds from hundreds of donors, including dozens of new donors moved to support Israel at this devastating time.”
David Davidi-Brown, chief executive of the New Israel Fund, said: “Throughout this harrowing time it has been heartening to see huge generosity to enable the work of my Jewish and Arab colleagues in Israel who moved rapidly to shelter and provide for those fleeing the kibbutzim, towns and Bedouin villages attacked by Hamas; prevent violence in mixed cities; and expand trauma support services.”
Donate here.
Michelle Barnett, director of social action charity GIFT, told Jewish News:
“In response to the tragic events that took place in Israel on 7 October, GIFT put out a call for help; and in less than 24 hours over 1,200 people across London and Manchester dropped off over two tonnes of essential items for Israel, worth over £28,000, which are being flown out this week.
Barnett says that 1,000 thank you cards have been written and decorated by primary and high school students to accompany the essential items. This week over 400 people made up almost 1,000 pairs of tzitzit to be sent out to Israel for those on the front line. 500 people have joined a GIFT4Israel London WhatsApp group focused on volunteering opportunities, packing essential items and helping with logistics, getting much needed items to Israel.
GIFT’s Operation Hug sent toys, welcome packs and welcome signs for displaced families that were flown to the UK from Israel last week. GIFT’s next imminent collection will be going out via DHL shipping and they will be collecting specific requested items for civilian families. Details of this collection will be posted on GIFT’s website – jgift.org
Over £70k has been raised for Israel through GIFT’s GIFT4 Israel link. Donations are going directly to its Israel branch to purchase medical equipment and essential items for displaced families and those who need it most.
Leket is continuing to provide support and assistance to residents of the south, evacuees, soldiers and nonprofit partners.
The charity is delivering 10,000 hot meals daily and 1,000 parcels of dry goods are packed by volunteers and sent to evacuees of the south and the residents of the Western Negev region. Restaurants and event halls are receiving produce to make meals for the residents of the south and soldiers. Leket is collaborating with The Association for Holocaust Survivors to deliver packages, including food and other essentials, to 500 Holocaust survivors.
In cooperation with Cal, an Israeli credit card company, Leket Israel will distribute reloadable credit cards with NIS 250 ($65) to 2,000 families once a week for four months. Leket’s nonprofit partners through the country, who are currently operational, are continuing to receive fresh agricultural produce and cooked food from Leket Israel. Over 200 volunteers come daily to the Leket Israel Logistics Center or the fields in Rishon Lezion to help harvest, sort, and pack, and to ensure that these critical provisions are going to those who need it.
Donate here.
To update Jewish News on the incredible work your communal organisation is doing, email community@jewishnews.co.uk
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