How to Learn More About Israel and Support Israelis

As we mark more than 634 days in the Hamas-Israel war, with no end in sight, 50 hostages still remain held by Hamas in Gaza. As I write this, it appears that the Israel-Iran war – Operation Rising Lion, which sought to remove the existential nuclear threat from Iran against Israel and the free world – is over after 12 days of fighting. It is hard to process so much as volatility and uncertainty pervade our world: Israelis continue to live under on-going missile attacks, our hostages are still not home, the meteoric rise in antisemitism increases worldwide, and innocent Palestinian and Iranian people are also suffering. Every day brings new challenges to our worldview and many of us are experiencing a myriad of emotions.

What I do hear consistently from people is “what can I do”? and “where can I find reputable sources of information”?

Here is a curated list of resources:

Resources to learn more about Israel and support Israelis at this time:

Support the IMPJ’s Campaign –Rising Lion: IMPJ Immediate Needs
This campaign is focused on meeting urgent, immediate needs. Across dozens of cities, this effort is providing lifelines for Israelis facing disruption, danger, and displacement. The IMPJ needs support to financially sustain their response in these pivotal days!
Donate now

Support IRAC, the Israel Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, your voice for equality, democracy, civil rights, Jewish identity & social action in Israel: IRAC is dedicated to the ongoing pursuit of a just Israeli society and a pluralistic and egalitarian Israel: Ensuring state recognition and equal status for Reform and Conservative rabbis, synagogues, and institutions. Advancing gender equality, LGBTQ equality, providing direct support to immigrants and victims of racism, Protecting the rights of converts and immigrants to become Israeli citizens and enjoy equal rights.
Donate Now

Learn more about the Reform Movement’s commitment to Israel
We are committed to the safety and vitality of the Jewish people and to a secure and just state of Israel as a home – for all Jews and for all its inhabitants. Our love of Israel is deeply rooted and reflected in our commitment to ensuring its secure, peaceful, pluralistic, and democratic future.
The URJ and Israel

Help Find Temporary housing for Israelis abroad
Many Israelis find themselves unexpectedly grounded in Canada and in other countries, without clear plans for the days ahead. Bayit Beyachad is a community-led hospitality initiative connecting Israelis currently in the U.S. and in other countries, with warm and welcoming Israeli-American, Jewish and other families who can offer temporary hosting until travel back to Israel safely resumes. Sign up to find temporary housing or offer to host Note: when registering to help, please adjust your response using the drop-down menu to indicate that you are in Canada.

Help Israel From Home:
Volunteer as an online English language mentor through English B’Yachad. Create new possibilities for young Israeli adults from underserved Israeli communities. Support their economic empowerment to contribute to Israel’s success. Watch an informational video.
Learn more and sign up to Help Israel from Home or contact Marla Gamoran.

ESEK- Support Israeli Small Businesses
The war in Israel has led to a reality where 1 in 4 small businesses are on the brink of closing. ESEK is a new platform that tells the story of entrepreneurs, artists, and small business owners across the country while allowing people around the world to shop their products and support their business. Everything on ESEK is entirely made in Israel and ships for free anywhere in the world. Use discount code ARZA for 10% off your first order.

Hostages and Missing Families Forum- Freedom Tags
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum created “Freedom Tags” to symbolize solidarity, and serve as a fundraiser for the Forum’s ongoing efforts through diplomatic, medical, legal, and public awareness channels. We invite you to show your support and help them continue fighting for this cause by purchasing “Freedom Tags.” Use code “JNOW” for 10% off your purchase.

Podcasts About Israel to Listen to and Learn From:

• The Pluralist Podcast with Orly Erez-Likhovski – The Podcast That Explains Religion and State in Israel – Hosted by IRAC’s Executive Director Attorney Orly Erez-Likhovski
• For Heaven’s Sake is a weekly podcast presented by Ark Media and the Shalom Hartman Institute, hosted by Donniel Hartman and Yossi Klein Halevi. The podcast draws its name from the Jewish concept of machloket l’shem shemayim, “disagreeing for the sake of heaven,” which is exactly what takes place each week as Donniel and Yossi discuss the moral aspects of topics affecting Israel, world Jewry, and the future of Zionism.
• Identity/Crisis A weekly podcast from the Shalom Hartman Institute hosted by Yehuda Kurtzer, president of the Shalom Hartman Institute, in conversation with leading thinkers to unpack current events affecting Jewish communities in North America, Israel, and around the world, revealing the core Jewish values underlying the issues that matter most to you.
• Times of Israel Podcasts The Daily Briefing: A 20-minute daily update on what’s happening in Israel and the Jewish world; What Matters Now: A weekly exploration of one key issue shaping Israel and the Jewish World right now
• Israel Story Modeled after This American Life, Israel Story brilliantly shares everyday stories, told by and about regular Israelis.
• Streetwise Hebrew. A bite-size podcast that discusses Modern Hebrew language gems. From slang to etymology, textual graffiti, Biblical idioms that are still around, influences from other languages, and other linguistic phenomena – host Guy Sharett shows us what we can learn about the Israeli psyche, society, and culture through its language.
• Unholy: Two Jews on the News From Keshet: Yonit Levi of Channel 12 Israel and Jonathan Freedland of The Guardian are two Jews on the news. Each week, as they dissect and debate current events shaping Israel, Jewish life – and the wider world.
• The Promised Podcast An inside view of how Israel can warm your heart and make your blood boil. It’s a show by a journalist, a professor and an NGO professional who live in and love Israel even though it drives them crazy, and who each week discuss the latest in Israeli politics, culture, and society.

L’shalom,

Rabbi Audrey S. Pollack

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