Israel Emergency Resources

Here, provided by JFNA, you can find the most recent and detailed weekly updates about the Israel-Hamas war: 

December

• December 19
• December 12
• December 5

November

• November 27
• November 21

Here you can find useful information about various issues related to the war in Israel:

Hamas:

• ‘What is Hamas’ by Council of Foreign Relations
• ‘How Hamas Is Fighting in Gaza: Tunnels Traps and Ambushes’ by The New York Times
• Why is it taking so long to destroy Hamas by The Jerusalem Institute for Strategy and Security

Hezbollah:

• Who Is Hezbollah and What Do They Want: The Unpacked podcast by Noam Weissman.
• What to Know About Hezbollah’s Escalation Against Israel-on going updates, by AJC

Iran:

• Everything You Need To Know About Threats Posed By Iran by AJC
• The Hamas Iran Relationship by The Jerusalem Strategic Tribune

General websites to get current information:

• The essential guide to october 7^th and its aftermath
• IDF resources
• The hostages and missing families forum
• Swords of Iron: An Overview by Inss
• AJC- Israel Hamas war: what you need to know

Numbers:

• See here the list of civilian casualties since 10/7
• See here the list of IDF casualties since 10/7
• See here the list of Israel Police, Security Forces (Shabak) and first responders casualties
• See here this site which shows a map of the October 7 massacre with a red dot for every person killed and a black dot for every person abducted by Hamas.

Podcasts

‘Israel: State of a Nation with Eylon Levy’ invites listeners into conversations that take you between the lines and beyond the headlines.

‘Unpacking Israeli History’ by Noam Weissman offers a fresh perspective on some of the most controversial and interesting events in the country’s history.

‘Call me Back Podcast – with Dan Senor’ offers political and geopolitical analysis from the world’s top experts.

‘Here I Am with Shai Davidai’ explores the rising tide of anti-semitism through discussions with top Jewish voices in this ongoing battle.

‘For Heaven’s Sake’ Podcast by Hartman Institute revives the Jewish art of constructive discussion on topics related to political and social trends in Israel, Israel-Diaspora relations, and the collective consciousness of being Jewish.

‘We Should All Be Zionists’ Podcast by Einat Wilf explores conversations on politics, conflict, peace, religion, revolution, past, present, and future.

‘Israel Story’ Podcast tells extraordinary tales about ordinary Israelis.

Webinars

‘Voices From Within’ with Orna Weinberg from Kibbutz Manara’, A Program of Boulder JCC with our Shlicha Nelly Ben Tal.

‘Voices From Within’ with Michal Uziel Peleg: a former Shlicha to JEWISHcolorado, and the next Mayor of the Eshkol Region, A Program of Boulder JCC with our Shlicha Nelly Ben Tal.

‘Voices From Within – Yuval Eylon, a senior researcher at The INSS, A Program of Boulder JCC with our Shlicha Nelly Ben Tal.

‘Voices From Within – Dr. Ronit Levin-Schnor’, A Program of Boulder JCC with our Shlicha Nelly Ben-Tal.

‘Commemorating October 7: Creating Space During the Chaggim’ By Blue Dove Foundation and BeWell.

A Nation on War, In Israel & On Campus with Barak Ravid, by The Jewish Agency.

‘Antisemitism and Anti-Zionism’ By One Table as Dr. Rachel Fish explores anti-Zionism and its ties to Antisemitism.

‘Nightmare in The North- The Attack on Magdel Shams’ by The Jewish Agency, with Gadeer Kamal-Mreeh, The Jewish Agency’s Senior Emissary to Washington DC.

March for Israel

Watch the full program

Watch program highlights

Hear from Colorado teens who attended

IST: Registration for The Joyce Zeff Israel Study Tour (IST) has opened! REGISTER HERE. IST is open to all current juniors in high school in the Colorado Jewish community.

Serve Israel: Grants for Israel Volunteer Trips: Jewish Federations of North America is offering two distinct funding opportunities to Federations and partner organizations to recruit participants for either 7-10 day trips or 4-week service trips to Israel. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until funding is exhausted. To learn more visit serveisraelgrants.org.

Volunteer opportunities in Israel:

1. Birthright Israel, in collaboration with Shalom Corps Platform at Mosaic United, is running a two week volunteering program where people from outside of Israel can come to Tel Aviv and take part in food rescue operations to prevent shortages in the Israeli market, including work to sort, pack, and distribute goods for civil and military personnel. Dates are available through April 2025.
2. Masa Israel Journey has launched Masa Volunteers, a six-week program offering various opportunities to volunteer in Israel.
3. Citrus & Salt in Tel Aviv launched Citizen’s Kitchen to provide 500 daily fresh meals for Israeli soldiers and displaced families with the help of volunteers.
4. Hashomer HaChadash is recruiting volunteers to help in farms and warehouses facing labor shortages.
5. Israel Food Rescue is a joint effort of HaShomer HaChadash, Kol Israel, and Brothers in Arms, to address the war-related manpower crisis on Israeli farms. They assist group tours, philanthropy trips, special-interest missions, and other groups participate in supporting food security and agriculture. Individual volunteers may sign up for five days of agricultural work.
6. Jewish National Fund-USA is running five-day volunteer missions in Israel. Participants are housed in Jerusalem or Tel Aviv and spend four to six hours per day rebuilding Israel’s southern kibbutzim affected by October 7, working in agriculture, or packing food or gift baskets for displaced families, patients, or soldiers.
7. Leket Israel, The National Food Bank, has opportunities for volunteers to harvest fruits and vegetables and prepare produce for distribution. Volunteers may choose to serve for any length of time, including a day.
8. Livnot U’Lehibanot runs weekly volunteering programs to rebuild, impacted communities in the south, support agriculture, and provide meals for soldiers. The program also includes evening classes on geopolitics and Jewish values.
9. Ramah Israel is organizing family volunteering trips to work in fields, rebuild homes, and assist displaced families. The Mishpacha Solidarity & Service Trip is four or five days long, and they have dates through October.

For Educators and Youth Professionals

• One Year On: Helping Jewish Educators Prepare for the Upcoming Holiday Season and October 7 Anniversary, By Pardes Institute
• ‘Words Of Acrion: Empowering Students to Address Anti-Semitism’  ADL
• Adapting Podcast: Jewish Educators on the Frontlines in the War of Ideas
• Israel’s War with Hamas: Resources for Students, Teachers, Parents and Families by ADL
• Questions, Complexities and Context: Insights into Israel and the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict by ADL
• Israel at War Community Resources by Boundless Israel
• Resources for Teaching about Israel in Crisis by The Jewish Education Project
• “How to Talk to Children About Israel Today’, A recorded webinar hosted by The Jewish Education Project in partnership with Prizmah

For Teens

• A guide to understanding the war between Israel and Hamas by Unpacked
• ‘Stop and Think: Anti-Israel Chants and What They Mean’ by ADL
• The Arab-Israeli Conflict Explanations by Institute for Curriculum Services
• The War In Israel: Resources, Information, and Support by BBYO

For Parents

• The Blue Dove Foundation Wellness Resources for Situation in Israel
• ‘Championing Change: How Parents and Families Can Address Antisemitism in Schools’ by ADL
• Israel in the Curriculum: Parent & Caregiver Advocacy Toolkit by ADL
• Helping Children Cope After a Traumatic Event by Child Mind Institute
• How to Talk to Kids About Violence, Crime, and War by Common Sence Media
• eJP: Guidance for talking to our kids
• PJ Library Resorces About Israel
• How to Talk to Children About the Conflict in Israel by Reform Judaism
• How to talk to your children about conflict and war by Unicef

On College Campuses

• Hillel: Campus Antisemitism Legal Line (CALL) – All legal services will be provided at no cost to students, faculty, families, and community members impacted by antisemitism. Requests for legal assistance can be submitted through our website at legal-protection.org, or by texting “CALLhelp” to 51555 to receive free, 24/7 support.
• Understanding Antisemitism: A Three-Part Video Series by Hillel International
• Middle East Conflict Resources by Hillel International
• College Students Guide to Antisemitism by IAC
• ADL: 6 Tips for Supporting Jewish Students in the Classroom
• Students who feel that their college or university has discriminated against them on the basis of their Jewish ethnicity, ancestry, or national origin, can file an electronic complaint form with the Office for Civil Rights within the U.S. Department of Education.
• Hillel has created a resource guide for Jewish students and a portal to report antisemitic incidents. Hillel staff will inform the appropriate authorities and ensure that the student receives the necessary support.
• Hillel Colorado: Supporting our Students Through Difficult Times

Hotlines for Families of Victims or Missing Persons

1. Hotline for receiving information regarding hostages: 1229
2. Hotline for missing persons (Home Front Command and Israel Police) 105
3. Hotline for missing soldiers: 1111 (extension 5 and then 4)
4. ATAL Equipment Center (Technology and Logistics Division) to report shortages in equipment and food: 052-6156256 (WhatsApp only)

National Emergency Services in Israel

1. Israel Police: 100
2. Israel Police (non-emergency, Information about blocked roads and other information related to the Israel Police without human interaction): 110
3. National Fire and Rescue Authority: 102
4. Ambulance – Magen David Adom: 101
5. United Hatzalah – 1221
6. Israel Electric Company: 103
7. Home Front Command (Pikud Ha’Oref): 104
8. Home Front Command app and website
9. Local authority (municipal or regional council): 106

Mental Health Assistance

1. Natal trauma hotline: 1-800-363-363
2. Eran emotional first aid: *1201 Hebrew, Arabic (extension 2), English (extension 10), Russian (extension 3), Soldiers and their families (extension 5), Holocaust survivors (extension 4)
3. Israel Ministry of Education’s emotional helpline: *6552 (ext. 5)

Useful Resources

1. English-speaking hotline for parents of Lone Soldiers: 1-201-605-7440
2. Hotline for senior citizens: *8840
3. Yad Sarah medical lending services: *6444
4. Yedidim for emergency roadside assistance connected with the current war: 077-6001240 (1230 for non-war-related issues)
5. Haverim L’erfuah – essential medicines and Medical equipment
6. Betipulnet (Hebrew only) portal for psychological services with information and links to professionals
7. BetterHelp mental health platform provides online mental health services directly to clients, up to 6 months of therapy at no cost for individuals who have been impacted by the war in Israel.

At this time, the Duty Desk is not aware of any threats to the Jewish community in North America but is actively monitoring for any potential Hamas sympathizers that may consider taking action against Jewish facilities domestically. Past events in the Middle East have served as a catalyst for protests, targeted action, and acts of violence against Jewish institutions and community members. SCN recommends that Jewish facilities ensure their security protocols are in place, and both state and local law enforcement are cognizant of the potential for an international event to have domestic implications. SCN will continue to work with its security partners in the Jewish community and established law enforcement partners to monitor this rapidly developing threat landscape.

Security Resources:

• Civil Unrest – Facility Preparedness
• Suspicious Activity Reporting: Indicators and Examples – DHS
• Recognize the Signs of Terrorism-Related Suspicious Activity – DHS
• Low-Cost/No-Cost Security Measures for Jewish Facilities
• Communicated Threats Checklist
• Personal Cyber Security Recommendations – SCN
• Social Media Awareness – SCN
• How to Spot a Phishing Scam – SCN
• Social Media Account Protection – CISA
• Learn more about JEWISHcolorado’s Regional Safety & Security Initiative
• Click here to report a suspicious incident or safety concerns
• Resources from the Secure Community Network (SCN) on Safeguarding Schools
• SCN Webinar Resources

Jewish Federations of North America’s Israel Emergency Fund has surpassed $854 million, close to $598 million of which has already been allocated to the most pressing needs on the ground through 116 partner organizations and NGOs. Read more and click here for the latest allocations report.

These funds are being put to a slew of immediate and urgent needs, such as:

• Basic Needs
• Evacuation, Transport, Housing, Activities
• Fund for Victims of Terror
• Respite
• Frontline Communities
• Special Populations
• Trauma Relief / Psychosocial Support
• Emergency Medicine & Healthcare Volunteers
• Mid-to-long term needs

See these resources by Jewish Federations that give insight into some areas of Federations’ emergency allocations:

• LGBQT Community
• Young Children
• Volunteers
• Women
• Pastoral Guidance
• Bedouin Communities
• Food Security
• People with Disabilities