The following resources have been compiled to help our community stay informed and engage with Israel during this period of crisis. Optional calls to action are also provided.

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Birthright Israel trips are currently in Israel having safe, meaningful, and enjoyable experiences, and we're excited to share that UJA has multiple trip opportunities for ages 22-40 to join for FREE. If you’re looking to deepen your connection to the land, give back, and experience the classic elements of a Birthright Israel trip, we’ve got a trip for you and put all of your options in one spot.  Apply Now!

Sunday, June 16 - Sunday, June 23, 2024
Ages 27-32

Monday, June 24 - Monday, July 1, 2024
Flight departs from New York Sunday, June 23
Ages 23-40

Monday, July 1 - Thursday, July 11, 2024
Ages 22-26

For questions, contact Emily Kopelman. Central Synagogue is not planning these trips, but participation is open to our community.

#BringThemHome

134 hostages are still being held in captivity by Hamas since Oct. 7.

At Shabbat services this week, we honored:

Join our congregation in doing whatever we can to bring them home. We can do this by encouraging our friends and family to join us in calling and writing daily to our US Senators and Representatives and the United Nations General Secretary with the message that we need them to prioritize the release of the hostages as soon as possible.

Resources for composing a message to these leaders can be found at Bring Them Home Now (hostages and missing families forum) and One Minute a Day.

Information on how to find out who are your representatives can be found here.

Sample Script: My name is [your name] from [city]. As a constituent of [representative's name], I implore you to use your voice and influence to ensure America does everything it can to secure the safe return of [hostage name], one of 134 Israelis still being held hostage by Hamas on October 7. Can I count on [the representative] to do so?

Donate

Donations to Israel are critically important right now. There are many worthy organizations raising funds. If you're unsure where to send a donation, consider giving to Central Synagogue’s Israel Relief Fund. We distribute these funds to a variety of organizations depending on shifting priorities and urgency. To learn more, contact [email protected].

Meet Shlicha Michal Abramoff

Michal serves as Central's Upper East Side shlicha (Israel emissary). In May 2023, Michal shared her thoughts on the beauty and complexity of the Jewish State, the many ways American Jews can form authentic and personal connections to Israel. Read more.

Stay informed

In addition to the media outlets you follow, we recommend these resources:

• Unholy: Two Jews on the News podcast
• Israel Story podcast
• "For Heaven's Sake" podcast (Shalom Hartman Institute)
• Israel Policy Forum
• The Times of Israel
• Haaretz

Our YouTube playlist: Israel

View Central’s Israel playlist on YouTube, including Rabbi Buchdahl’s message to Jewish college students and Congressman Ritchie Torres’ remarks on MLK Shabbat.