$1 million in funding
for security initiatives each year
JewishColumbus and its Jewish Community Relations Council is committed to keeping you up to date on the latest developments in Israel. Please check back here for the latest updates. For links to more resources regarding Israel please click here.
October 7, 2023 1:25pm EST – Update from JewishColumbus President of the Board of Trustees & the President and Interim CEO:
Dear Columbus Community,
This morning we awoke to horrific news that Hamas terrorists launched an unprovoked and pre-meditated attack on Israel from Gaza.
We usually don’t communicate on Shabbat and a holiday; however, this is different and unprecedented.
It has been 50 years since the State of Israel has experienced a crisis of this magnitude. JewishColumbus unequivocally stands with Israel during this war. Israel has the right to defend its sovereignty and its citizens from terrorism, rocket fire and incursions. This is a war of self defense – as innocent civilians are being kidnapped, maimed and murdered.
Our Jewish Community Relations Council is taking the lead on providing our community with educational resources. We are in constant communication with our partners at Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA), the Agency for Israel (JAFI) and the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC). We will share updates here on our website.
Our Community-Wide Security Director shared that there is no known threat to our community and is closely monitoring the situation and communicating with Jewish agencies and synagogues across our community.
In the next few days, we are working on ways we can support Israel from Columbus. We will update you as soon as possible.
JFNA has released the following statement, showing our full solidarity and support for Israel:
Once again, on a holy day of the Jewish calendar, the people of Israel have come under attack. Once again, the brave military forces of the State of Israel are responding and will defend our beloved Jewish state. And once again, the Jewish communities of North America stand in total and complete solidarity with our Israeli brethren. We pray for their safety and will do everything we can to ensure the complete and total success of their efforts. And once again, the Jewish Federations across North America will act immediately and comprehensively to support our brothers and sisters as they defend Israel.
The prayer for the State of Israel we recite in synagogue every week – including this morning – says ונתת שלום בארץ ושמחת עולם ליושביה – “Grant peace in the land and happiness to all its residents.” On this day, which is the holiday of Simchat Torah in Israel – we literally sing and dance with simcha – with happiness. Today is not a day of simcha in Israel, but it is a day of solidarity, determination, and utmost seriousness.
We at JewishColumbus have reached out to the many people from our community who are currently in Israel. Please reach out to Lauren Nemerovski, Manager of Israel & Community Relations if you know anyone.
We are praying for Israel’s safety and for those wounded and being held hostage.
Am Yisrael Chai.
Liz Shafran, President of the Board of Trustees
Julie Tilson Stanley, President and Interim CEO
October 7, 2023 10:00am EST – Update from Jewish Federations of North America:
Once again, on a holy day of the Jewish calendar, the people of Israel have come under attack. Once again, the brave military forces of the State of Israel are responding and will defend our beloved Jewish state. And once again the Jewish communities of North America stand in total and complete solidarity with our Israeli brethren.
We pray for their safety and will do everything we can to ensure the complete and total success of their efforts. And once again the Jewish Federations across North America will act immediately and comprehensively to support our brothers and sisters as they defend Israel.
The prayer for the State of Israel we recite in synagogue every week – including this morning – says ונתת שלום בארץ ושמחת עולם ליושביה – “Grant peace in the land and happiness to all its residents.” On this day, which is the holiday of Simchat Torah in Israel – we literally sing and dance with simcha – with happiness. Today is not a day of simcha in Israel, but it is a day of solidarity, determination and utmost seriousness.
Israel will prevail and the Jewish people will stand together as we always so. Am yisrael chai.