Following the horrific terrorist attack on Israel, here are some resources, links and strategies that may be helpful in the days, weeks and months to come.
The events in Israel on 7 October were truly shocking and terrible. In my worst nightmares I could not have imagined the atrocities that occurred. My heart aches with sorrow and my prayers are with the families of the bereaved and those who are still missing. I’m sure many of you will feel the same.
Those of us who don’t live in Israel can feel powerless. Below, I would like to suggest practical ideas for actions that might be helpful.
Charities working in Israel
Magen David Adom provides the national blood service in Israel, which is under critical pressure. MDA urgently needs blood bags, tourniquets, and blood testing kits. They also need supplies of bandages, resuscitators, and other life-saving equipment.
To donate, click here: www.mdauk.org
If you are in Israel and would like to donate blood, click here: https://www.mdais.org/blood-donation
British Emunah has launched an emergency appeal to provide immediate relief and support to those who are most affected by the developing war.
The Emunah Sarah Ronson Crisis and Intervention Centre, located in Sderot near the border of Gaza, offers hope and healing for a traumatised community and is now called to provide vital care for those grieving the loss of loved ones or dealing with the heart-wrenching pain of missing family members.
The centre is scaling up to provide therapy sessions, crisis interventions, and a safe haven for children, women, and families who have been displaced and traumatised by the attacks.
To donate to British Emunah, click here: https://www.emunah.org.uk/Appeal/emergency-appeal
WIZO are providing a host of emergency supplies and support, including food vouchers for vulnerable communities, supplies for bomb shelters, psychological support, food and clothes for displaced families, tablets for students for remote learning whilst schools are closed, and support and childcare for women whose family members have been called up for reserve duty with the IDF.
To donate to WIZO, click here: https://portal.wizouk.org/public/donate/donate.aspx
You may also like to support:
UJIA – click here: https://ujia.org/#donate
United Hatzalah of Israel – click here: https://israelrescue.org/en_GB/donate/
ZAKA – click here: https://zaka.org.uk/
A useful website of verified Israeli fundraising efforts has been set up here if you prefer to support smaller, more local initiatives.
Sending supplies and equipment to Israel
In my community, Israelis who are heading home have asked for donations of specific items that are in short supply for soldiers in the IDF. These have included socks, underwear, water bottles, nappy rash cream, phone chargers, and other items.
Around the world, shul communities, Jewish schools, and individuals, are working to collect and transport these much needed items. If you aren’t aware of a collection in your area, but would like to help, please reach out to a local Rabbi or community leader. If nobody is collecting near you, it may also be possible to have items shipped from Amazon or other online stores to a collection point.
Looking after yourself
We are worried, afraid, and deeply upset by the current situation. Many of us have friends and family in Israel, and relatives serving in the IDF. But we need to remember to be kind to ourselves too. Taking practical actions like those above can make us feel less powerless, but it’s essential to acknowledge our distress and not allow it to consume us.
Check in with your friends and family, voice your feelings, and support one another. We can and will get through this together.
Limit news media and social media
While it’s tempting to keep ‘doom scrolling’ the latest headlines, it might not be good for your mental health. Limit yourself to checking the news once or twice a day to keep up to date – and only if you feel up to it. If there’s something your need to know, people will make sure you know it!
It may also be a good idea to step away from social media. It can be overwhelming to get constant updates. If you find yourself feeling anxious, depressed or angry, log off, and do something else instead.
Cook for Israel!
I know I’m not the only one who’s turned to cooking and baking as a way to distract from anxious thoughts and keep busy. If you’re looking for Israeli or Israel-inspired recipes, then click here.
As well as cooking Israeli recipes, you might also like to support Israel by buying Israeli products when you do your food shopping. If you feel like sharing on social media (see caveat above) then use the hashtag #cookforIsrael
Made more freshly baked items than you can comfortably consume? Why not share the love?! If you think it’s helpful, tell your colleagues, kids’ teachers, or any other beneficiary, why you baked them. Let people know that we are all hurting, even those of us who are not Israeli ourselves.
Keep in touch
I’ll be sharing more ideas and updated over on the family-friends-food Facebook page. Most of the ideas on this page were included in my free weekly email newsletter. To subscribe for future emails, please click here.
