stand with israel

CSAIR STANDS WITH ISRAEL
 

We will be in regular touch by email over the next period with ways to respond to the tragic situation in Israel including action, donating, and supporting each other. We will update this page as necessary. For more information on our Israel Committee click here. 

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SUPPORT/GIVING/ADVOCATE

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SUPPORT FROM STAFF
Our clergy team is here to support you during this difficult time. Please email or call Rabbi Katz at 718-543-8400 x3 or email Rabbi Greenberg or call at 718-543-8400 x1 to set up a time to meet. We encourage you to check in with each other as we navigate this difficult time.
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DONATE/GIVE

Magen David Adom Ambulance
Due to an outpouring of generosity and support from our shul, CSAIR surpassed our original goal (in less than two weeks!) to contribute towards the Riverdale Jewish Community’s collaborative campaign to fund half an ambulance to Magen David Adom. Thank you to all who contributed and to the volunteers who made calls.

Newsflash! Thanks to a contribution of $18,000, bringing the total to nearly $80,000, the Riverdale community was able to reach $120,000 to fund the entire cost of a full ambulance to Magen David Adom. Both doors of the ambulance will be inscribed with a dedication from the Riverdale Jewish community and will provide critical care.  The dedication ceremony happened during Hannukah at the Riverdale Y.

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UJA Federation has started a fund to help partners on the ground in Israel provide urgent support. You can contribute HERE. You can also contribute to the Israel Trauma Coalition. Of course, there are many other worthy organizations that you may choose to support. 

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Several of our young people in Israel have reached out to tell us about initiatives they or their friends have started to help residents of the south and soldiers who are being called up. Rabbi Katz has already sent them funds. If you want to support initiatives like these, send donations to the Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund HERE. In Payment Notes write: “Israel Emergency Needs.”  

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Kaila Zimnavoda | CSAIR college student is in Israel this semester and helping to lead an effort to raise funds to supply Israelis with needed support - www.soldierssavelives.org.  See this LETTER from Kaila to the CSAIR community about the initiative and how to donate.

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Gila Rockman | working at the Jerusalem Civilian Command Center. See this video from the "Times of Israel" and this one on Facebook.   Donations to the project may be made here.

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Dr. Itamar Glazer | Helping to create ReGrow Israel Emergency Fund which is working to protect Israel's food security. Donations to the project can be made here.

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SUPPORT ISRAELI BUSINESSES

Shop Israeli products, and support Israel's future.  Start Shopping.

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ADVOCATE FOR THE IMMEDIATE RELEASE OF THE HOSTAGES AND EXPRESS SUPPORT FOR OUR ELECTED LEADERS

Call the offices of our political representatives to advocate for the immediate release of the hostages and to express your appreciation for their ongoing support of Israel. These emails and calls get logged and tallied to demonstrate support for issues. They are seen and analyzed by staff.

https://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/

https://www.schumer.senate.gov/contact/message-chuck

https://www.gillibrand.senate.gov/contact/email-me/

https://ritchietorres.house.gov/contact

See this advocacy toolkit created by SAR for more information.

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EXPRESS SOLIDARITY AND SUPPORT
Ongoing Vigil at the Monument
The Riverdale Jewish community joins to raise our voices in response to the October 7th massacre of Israeli civilians and the taking of hostages by Hamas terrorists. To express this public solidarity with Israel, we will individually/in small groups gather at the Riverdale Monument (239th and Riverdale Ave.). 9 AM - 5:20 PM DAILY.

Individuals/Households/Small Groups can sign up HERE for 20-minute slots at the monument.  

Songs and chants of peace and Jewish unity are encouraged. Signs focusing on “We Stand with Israel,” “Bring Our Hostages Home," “We Reject Hamas and Terror,” and “We Fight for Peace,” are all appropriate.  Please spread the word - thank you for participating!

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EMUNAT YISRAEL GROUPS
We are feeling and thinking about many things during these difficult days for Israel and the Jewish people. Maybe you have children or other relatives in Israel. Or have friends and colleagues there. Maybe you don't personally know anyone there but care deeply about Israel and the Jewish people. Or you are Israeli. Whatever your connection, join a small group (5-7 people) who commit to checking in with each other each week until Hanukkah to see how the people in your group, all members of CSAIR, are doing. For more information and to sign up click HERE.
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ACT TO HELP RELEASE HOSTAGES
The CSAIR community has been asked to join a campaign for a bi-partisan push to raise awareness for the 11 US hostages currently being held by Hamas in Gaza, including Omer Neutra (Madrich at Ramah Nyack-NYACK FB POST) and Hersh Goldberg-Polin (whose family is connected to many in the congregation.) See HERE to learn more about this campaign and how you can participate.  

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TALK TO YOUR CHILDREN
Here is a helpful article by Dr. Sivan Zakai about how to talk to your kids about this situation.

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ENGAGE

As Israeli soldiers and reservists are being called to defend Israel, write a personal message on a card, letter, or email to express your support and solidarity HERE.  

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CARDS FOR CAPTIVES

Include an empty chair with the name/s of a person currently held captive at your Shabbat table. These CARDS are meant to be printed with the profiles of the captives on the front and the prayer for redeeming captives on the back.   

Assembled by:
Ann Goldhirsch and Deborah Kerzhner and with thanks to Rabbi Yoni Zolty, Mindy Schwartz Zolty, Jennifer Ann Horowitz, and Meredith Wolf Schizer of Ramath Orah on the Upper West Side.

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#BRINGTHEMHOME

Listen to Rachel Goldberg, Hersh Goldberg-Polin’s mother, message to the U.N. on behalf of her son, Hersh, who Hamas terrorists kidnaped on October 7th.

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ISRAEL FLAG PINS AVAILABLE AT CSAIR GIFT SHOP 
Purchase your Israeli flag pins for $2 each at the CSAIR Gift Shop. The Gift Shop will be open this Sunday from 9 AM to noon.

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