A Letter to our Chayalim
Aderet rosner

Dear Chayalim,
      Thank you so much for working hard to defend our country, Israel. Your unwavering dedication to protecting our country and our people is truly inspiring. Your selflessness and commitment to serving our nation is deeply respected and admired. You put your lives on the line to protect Israel and our people, and that takes immense courage. We cannot imagine what it felt like when you were called up on Simchat Torah this year. The atrocities that took place are beyond comprehension. Despite what the media puts out there, we know you are doing Hashem's work. Your ability to see the beauty in Hashem's world even though you have seen unfathomable horrors is a Kiddush Hashem. Please know that we are here, davening for you, standing by your side, and sending our support and gratitude. Stay strong, stay safe and always remember that your effort is making a significant impact. Am Yisroel Chai!​

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The Impact of Letters
tamar ciment​

          Eretz Yisroel was given to us by Hashem. It is sacred. It symbolizes (among other things) the relationship we have with Hashem and His love for us. It is a constant reminder that we are Hashem’s nation. But now Eretz Yisroel is under attack. The IDF soldiers are fighting to protect lives, land, and notably to uphold our bond with Hashem.
          This is an exceedingly difficult time for our soldiers. They have left their homes and said goodbye to their families, not knowing if they will ever make it back. 
          There is not much that we can do for them, but they need strength from us. Therefore, we are doing the most we can to help. We are donating, saying tehillim, and have been writing letters. Our letters give them the strength that they need, and an immense amount of motivation to keep going. 
          Thousands of letters have been sent to Israeli soldiers already. According to chabad.org, the soldiers carry these letters- sent to them by strangers- when they go into battle. In a letter written by an American student, it read, “Dear soldier, The war you are fighting in the Holy Land has grabbed my full attention. I am standing behind you, and believe in what you are fighting for. You are my hero.”
          Translators who read these letters back to the chayalim in Hebrew, have reported the awestruck looks on the soldiers’ faces when they hear how much strangers appreciate and love them. 
          Something as small as writing a letter here, can make somebody’s day over there. These letters change lives and touch hearts. Just by writing, we are each making a huge impact.​

                                                                                              

The Acts of Chessed Worldwide
Esther Mizrahi

       Chessed is a word that is known throughout the  Jewish community. We, as Jewish people, see the impact of chesed. It is an act that holds immense significance in Jewish culture.  It does not only send off positivity to others but also has a positive effect on the person doing the chessed. One of the most special mitzvot to do is chessed, to give ourselves not only with our time but with our hearts. It takes experience to fully understand the values of chessed and how it affects society. In times of war, tragedy and hardships, the opportunities to help others grow immensely.       
       The Jewish nation is enduring a very tragic and difficult period amid the war that  started on October seventh. During these times, people around the world are showing incredible acts of chessed to support the people in Israel. Many families are left homeless, lost loved ones or have been pulled  away from their own homes to go serve in the IDF. Going to fight for your country brings pride and a huge zechut to the Jewish people. Thousands of extra soldiers are needed as they are being drafted daily. More supplies and equipment is needed and with acts of chesed, this can be accomplished.  
      The eyes of the Jewish people from all over the world have opened up and are doing everything to help our country. It is amazing to see the unity and accomplishments of the Jewish nation when everyone is willing to lend a hand during this hard time. Chessed is being done at every given moment not only in Israel, but all around the world. Firstly, individuals and organizations are providing essential supplies and aid to those affected by the conflict. They are donating food, water, medical supplies, and other necessities to help the suffering and provide relief to those in need. These acts of chessed demonstrate solidarity and empathy towards the people of Israel. Additionally, people are coming together to raise funds for organizations working on the ground in Israel. These donations enable these organizations to provide crucial services such as emergency medical care, shelter, and psychological support. Something as small as writing an encouraging letter to a soldier is so uplifting, encouraging and inspiring to those risking their lives for the Jewish nation. Donations spanning from a few dollars to thousands of dollars are being sent through various organizations. Lastly, acts of chessed extend far beyond physical and emotional support. People are organizing tehillim gatherings, an extra spark of daily learning, and inspirational shiurs to promote peace and unity. The gathered efforts of individuals worldwide reflect the power of unity and the impact of chesed in times of crisis. 
      Ultimately, chessed plays a crucial role in the Jewish community, bringing people together to support and uplift one another. Acts of chesed demonstrate the strength and compassion of individuals worldwide. Through these acts, we stand together, showing more unity than ever, providing our support for Israel in whatever way we can.  
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Unity and connectioN
Ruth Ginsburg

      This is an extremely challenging time for Klal Yisroel, but in spite of our pain, we have come together to perform acts of chessed and  connect with one another. Personally, I am fortunate to have been given the opportunity to get to know two girls who live in Israel. My newfound friends, Choshen and Nofar, and I have been FaceTiming around once a day, and we have developed an extremely close connection. Although the language barrier is certainly not easy, through persistence and the desire for a strong connection, we have pushed through that barrier and created something extremely special.          Choshen and Nofar have many family members who have been drafted to fight.  Clearly my life is very different from theirs, however we are able to be united over the fact that we are all members of Klal Yisroel. This challenging time has offered the Jewish people an opportunity to look beyond our differences and become Am Echad B' lev Echad. It is so easy to feel overwhelmed and discouraged that we cannot be doing more to help- since we live so far away from the action- but just showing our support for Israel and for all of our brothers and sisters can make a huge difference. The only way we will be able to overcome this vicious attack on our existence is by continuing to unite as a nation and strive to bring the ultimate Geulah.

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Team Israel of Team Palestine
Rivka Weissman 

     Pick a side. That is the challenge plaguing our community, our country, and our entire world right now. It seems as though everyone must be either pro-Palestine or pro-Israel, so now our question has become how to choose. Media or community leanings form the sole basis for many people's decision-making, but the only correct way to choose a “team” is to learn the facts. The story of Israel is a long and complicated one, so let’s start at the beginning.
      The presence of the Jewish people in the land of Israel dates back to 1738 BCE, or 2023 according to the Hebrew calendar. This was when ה׳ said to Avram ״לך לך״, sending him away from his home to a strange land in order to spread the name of ה׳. Avram arrived in the land of Israel- Caanan at the time- and since then, there has been a constant connection between the Jewish people and the land of Israel. The end. We were there first! 
​    Obviously, it is not that simple. Any proof of the Jewish right to the land of Israel found solely in the Torah text will not hold up against Hamas as they do not believe in our Torah. We must therefore look to the present day- or at least more recent than almost 4000 years ago. Modern Zionism was born in the late 19th century; during a period of such severe antisemitism, that in order to avoid total despair, European Jews began to search for a new hope. They found hope in Zionism- the recognition of the Jewish people's need for a homeland where they are sovereign in order to never be treated as inferior or discriminated against. Theodore Herzl, through publishing his pamphlet Der Judenstaat, officially founded the Zionist movement. This pamphlet was the first to call for a politically recognized Jewish state.
      Predating modern Zionism, there were not many Arabs who felt so strongly that the land of Israel was solely their homeland. It was when Jews started to emigrate from Europe that the age-old hatred Arabs have for Jews resurfaced, and the possessive and exclusive nature of the Palestinians emerged. With the Arabs feeling threatened by the growing Jewish presence, Arab attacks on the Jewish settlers escalated. This brought growing pressure on world governments to address the conflict. Because of this, after World War II, the United Nations sought to split the land and bring an end to this conflict. They passed the partition plan on November 29, 1947. 
      The Israelis excitedly accepted this plan, but in May of 1948, Israel’s Arab Neighbors attacked. In the original plan, Gaza was part of the Arab state, but during the war, it was occupied by Egypt. In the Six-Day War in 1967, which was instigated by Egypt, Israel reclaimed Gaza after its victory.
      Just over 25 years later, the Oslo Accords were signed, giving Gaza and the West Bank permission to have their own administrations. In 2005, Israel withdrew all troops and all Israeli civilians from Gaza. Israeli soldiers had to drag kibbutzniks away from their beautiful homes and gardens and farms, and since then there has been no Israeli presence in Gaza.
​    Blame is constantly assigned to Israel for the terrible conditions for civilians in Gaza, conveniently failing to shed light on the fact that the elected government officials are corrupt terrorists who withhold money, aid, and supplies from their citizens and use them as human shields. However, no matter what the media says, the claim that Israel started this conflict or brought this upon themselves by “occupying” Gaza is false.
​ Israel is not an occupier. It can not be blamed for the humanitarian crises in Gaza- that is the fault of Hamas alone. The misleading headlines and narratives that can be found all over the media are why it is so important to know the facts and not be fooled by a clever headline that manipulates the story. Hopefully, soon the entire world will see what we see and Israel will prevail over terror. Am Yisrael Chai!!​

Tom brady and floyd mayweather: making a difference 
Daphna steinmetz 

     Whenever Israel is involved in a conflict, influencers feel inclined to comment. The most popular of those comments often support Israel’s enemies. But following Hamas’s October seventh invasion of Israel, many people have recognized that there can be no rational support for Israel's enemy now. Hamas's brutality towards Israelis- ripping them from their beds, burning them alive, and taking adults and children alike as prisoners- has thawed the stubbornness of many minds- influencers included. Two such influencers- Tom Brady and Floyd Mayweather- are using their social media platforms to advocate for and show support to the Jewish people.  
      As a three-time NFL MVP, winner of seven NFL championships, and founder of a non-profit training company, Tom Brady is extremely well-known, liked, and widely looked up to. Bleacher Report has stated that, “According to a recent ranking done by Forbes, New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady is the second most influential athlete in the country.” Brady recently posted: “There should be no gray area about condemning Hamas terrorist attacks on Israeli citizens. No human deserves this.” Through posts like these, where Brady is showcasing his support for the Israeli/Jewish community, he is impacting the views of millions of followers. Positive posts like these are invaluable in today's society which values influencers over educators. Little boys and teenagers (and even adults) who idolize Tom Brady and don’t know about or don’t have strong opinions about the Hamas-Israel war may be more likely now to side with the State of Israel.
      Approximately 30% of people globally identify as boxing fans. Therefore we can assume that at least 30% of the world knows who Floyd Mayweather is. In the record books for having never lost a match, Mayweather is not only incredibly famous but he has also been incredibly supportive of Israel in the wake of Hamas’s attack. Los Angeles Magazine has reported that “The boxing champion and his team accomplished a charitable air operation… to deliver supplies to the Israeli Defense Forces and civilians to aid the Jewish state as war with Hamas terrorists escalates in the Middle East.” Floyd Mayweather has gone beyond just declaring his support for Israel, he has been active in his support. Having recently spent 50 million dollars to send his private jet filled with supplies to Israel, Mayweather is the ultimate role model when it comes to "putting your money where your mouth is." His social media advocacy is making a tremendous impact in the social media war, but also through his contributions of aid and supplies to the IDF, he is making a difference in the physical war.  
​       The media can influence the reality of the war. So the more support we can garner from social media influencers, actors, singers, and professional athletes, the sooner we’ll see concrete successes for the IDF and the Jewish people. Tom Brady and Floyd Mayweather are just two influential people making a difference right now through their platforms, but all efforts to raise awareness and spread the truth will have an impact! Thank you to all of our allies and Am Yisrael Chai!

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discovering positivity amidst the chaos: the bright side of the war - united we stand divided we fall 
chayala adler

פרשת יתרו
 יט pasuk א perek:
"ויסעו מרפידים ויבאו מדבר סיני ויחנו במדבר ויחן־שם ישראל נגד ההר"
   Rashi asks a question on this pasuk: Why is the word ויחן singular? Shouldn't it be plural? He answers with the following: " כאיש אחד בלב אחד".  When בנ"י were camped at הר סיני, they had complete אחדות, like one man with one heart. Therefore, “They camped” is written as the singular “He camped.” Just four months ago, the Jewish people were unbelievably divided. Israelis and Jews all over the world quarreled amongst themselves regarding the prospect of government reforms and protests sprang up all over the state of Israel. Hamas saw this division as an opportunity and used it to wage an unprecedented large-scale attack on Israel. But we, the Jewish people, have now borne witness to our fatal flaw- self-division.  Although it is incredibly sad that Hamas' attack on Israel had to act as our wake-up call, we will unite, and we will come back stronger than before. And already after a few short weeks, those seemingly insurmountable divisions among Jews have crumbled.
    More and more we are seeing and hearing stories of Jews who had been actively protesting on opposing sides a few months ago, and who are now helping to provide for and protect one another, regardless of political views. We are seeing people who have never before supported the Israeli army coming together and saying תהלים for the חיילים nonstop! We are seeing Jews ביחד making ציצית for the חיילים. We are seeing non-kosher restaurants in Tel Aviv kashering their kitchens to be able to make kosher food for חיילים. We are seeing so many weddings made possible by Jews working together. We have seen 6,000 Jewish families from the south of Israel relocated to safer homes within 45 minutes.
    We are seeing so many different types of Jews – of all ages, all over the world – coming together to pack duffel bags full of supplies for Israel and for the חיילים. We are seeing Jews come together in airports to dance and sing the חיילים off. We are seeing thousands of Jewish children from across the world send handwritten letters to חיילים. We are seeing donations being made every minute to חיילים so they will not be fighting for us unprepared. We are seeing Jewish women all over the world lighting candles and making challahs for the first time, for the זכות of the חיילים. We keep seeing Jews come together with אחדות because that is what עם ישראל does best. We may not all be on the battlefield, but every single Jew is fighting alongside our חיילים. We are fighting with our tfillot, our donations to the IDF, our תורה learning, working on our אהבת ישראל, and so much more. And, in this moment, we truly are כאיש אחד בלב אחד.
​   Furthermore, we are seeing what the world is doing to fight alongside Israel. Landmarks across the world – including the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, Germany, Flinders Street Station in Melbourne, Australia, the Bulgarian Parliament building in Sofia, Bulgaria, the Empire State Building in New York City, the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France, and the Berlaymont in Brussels – have been lit up or have projected Israeli flags in support. War is tragic and results in so many losses. However, we know that Hashem always has the right reasons behind His actions. It is therefore up to us to determine how we are going to best deal with the situations Hashem places us in. The response of עם ישראל to this war has been so strong and united thus far. This serves as a constant reminder that no matter where we live or how we choose to live, in truth we are כאיש אחד בלב אחד.​

the world's response
​gila yastrab ​

     On October 7, 2023, Hamas orchestrated a surprise terror attack on Israel that split the world in half. There exists a sharp divide, especially among young people as social media - today's dominant means for publicity- creates a hypertense atmosphere and circulates information such as controversial political statements remarkably fast.  
   United States President, Joe Biden, showed his support towards the State of Israel. He has made multiple statements regarding this conflict, condemning all terror and abuse from Hamas. He said,
“Seventy-five years ago, just 11 minutes after its founding, President Harry S. Truman and the United States of America became the first nation to recognize Israel. We have stood by your side ever since, and we’re going to stand by your side now. My administration has been in close touch with your leadership from the first moments of this attack, and we are going to make sure we have — you have what you need to protect your people, to defend your nation.”
Following his statement, two United States aircraft groups were sent into the Mediterranean Sea. The carriers' crews have intercepted several missiles already. And amid the fighting and the constant rocket fire,  President Biden still personally visited Israel and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. 
   In addition, eight days after the attack, the European Union put out a statement highlighting their unanimous position on the current conflict in the Middle East. Signed by 27 European country representatives, the EU strongly condemned the terror of Hamas and justified the right of Israel to defend itself. They urged Hamas to release all Israeli hostages. The leaders of England, France, Germany, and Italy put out a joint statement chastising the acts of Hamas,  and recognizing the hope for equal rights between Israelis and Palestinians.
   Places all around the world such as the White House, the Eiffel Tower, the Sydney Opera House, the Brandenburg Gate, The Palace of Westminster, the Arch of Titus, the Empire State Building, and even above the Hollywood sign have displayed blue and white colors, showing support for Israel. The leaders of the West seem to be declaring unanimous support for Israel, but there is a large discrepancy between our political leaders and social leaders. Do our political leaders really speak for the people? 
   Unfortunately, not always. A notable incident with suspected relation to the Israel-Gaza war occurred on October 13, when a tragic terror attack took place in Lycee Gambetta High School in Arras, France. The suspected attacker, Mohammed Mogouchkov, was a former student and was placed under investigation after the attack. He was said to have chased people and asked if they were history teachers, clearly presenting a vendetta needing to be settled. A teacher and security guard from the school were injured, and a French language teacher was violently murdered. France is home to some of the largest Jewish and Muslim communities in the world. This attack occurred less than one week after Hamas’ sudden attack on Israel and was an evident example of Muslims receiving calls to attack the Jewish community. France has also been receiving many security alerts, and eight French airports have been evacuated as a result of bomb threats. In response to this, France has banned all pro-Palestine protests. Interior Minister, Gerald Darmanin, stated, “Nobody will touch the hair of a French Jew without facing a lightning-fast response from the state.” 
   Sydney, the biggest city in Australia, hosted a pro-Palestinian demonstration, with 15,000 people in attendance. Organized by the Palestine Action Group, protestors waved Palestinian flags and chanted that “Palestine will never die.” The march was supposedly peaceful and no one was detained. Many other pro-Palestinian rallies were held on Saturday causing many Australian citizens to be concerned that these rallies will disturb the peaceful communities in the area.
   In Berlin, Germany, a synagogue was attacked. A few hours later, German police officers arrested a man who had approached the synagogue yelling anti-Semetic slurs. Meanwhile, many homes of worshippers were defaced with the Star of David on their front doors, and their windows were broken. This event is horrifyingly similar to the desecration of Kristallnacht in 1938. Moreover, protesters in Berlin pelted police officers with firebombs, stones, and broken bottles, while shouting more antisemitic slogans. Officers stated that this caused a lot of damage in Berlin, and this was clearly in response to the Middle East conflict. Thankfully, this is not the 1930s, and the government did not condone any of this behavior. Regardless, anti-Semitism is on the rise, and Jewish communities around the world need to be alert so we can make sure history does not repeat itself. The world has responded. Now it is our turn. Hamas’ actions are unquestionably deplorable, and now is the time for us to stand up for Israel. 

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First steps to freedom
rachel hirt 

On October 7, 2023, Hamas terrorists launched a surprise attack on Israel. Not only did they torture, humiliate, and butcher the citizens of Israel upon their invasion, but they proceeded to capture approximately 240 hostages. After over 50 days of captivity, the Israeli government reached a settlement with Hamas to bring home some of the hostages in exchange for a temporary ceasefire as well as the release of Palestinian prisoners. During that pause 81 Israeli civilians were released- primarily women, children, and the elderly- while Israel released 240 Palestinians- all of whom have been convicted for terrorist activities. We’re living through a dark and scary time- our nation’s existence is under threat, the world chooses to turn a blind eye to our plight, and they paint us as the aggressors- but still, the Jewish people find the light. We have sacrificed a sense of security by giving up terrorist prisoners and by giving Hamas a chance to regroup, but we did it because of how deeply we care about each and every member of our community. Mi Ke’amcha Yisroel! Witnessing the reunions of families has given us the strength to keep on fighting and Be'ezrat Hashem secure our borders once and for all!

Freed:

Doron Katz Asher, 34, German citizen
Raz Asher, 4, German citizen
Aviv Asher, 2, German citizen
Daniel Aloni, 44
Emilia Aloni, 5
Ruth Munder, 78
Keren Munder, 54
Ohad Munder, 9
Adina Moshe, 72
Hanna Katzir, 77
Margalit Mozes, 78, German citizen
Channa Peri, 79
Yaffa Adar, 85
Noam Or, 17
Alma Or, 13
Shiri Weiss, 53
Noga Weiss, 18
Sharon Hertzman Avigdori, 52
Noam Avigdori, 12
Shoshan Haran, 67
Adi Shoham, 38
Naveh Shoham, 8
Yahel Shoham, 3
Hila Rotem Shoshani, 12
Emily Toni Kornberg Hand, 8
Maya Regev Jirbi, 21
Abigail Edan, 4, American citizen
Alma Avraham, 84
Aviva Adrienne Siegel, 62
Hagar Brodetz, 40
Ofri Brodetz, 10
Yuval Brodetz, 8
Oriya Brodetz, 4
Chen Goldstein-Almog, 48
Agam Goldstein-Almog, 17
Gal Goldstein-Almog, 11
Tal Goldstein-Almog, 8
Dafna Elyakim, 15
Ela Elyakim, 8
Ron Krivoi, 25, an Israeli-Russian citizen, was included on the list, although he was released separately from the exchange deal.
Eitan Yahalomi, 12, French citizen
Karina Engel-Bart, 51, Argentine citizen
Mika Engel, 18, Argentine citizen
Yuval Engel, 12, Argentine citizen
Sharon Aloni-Cunio, 34, Argentine citizen
Yuli Cunio, 3, Argentine citizen
Emma Cunio, 3, Argentine citizen
Sahar Calderon, 16, French citizen
Erez Calderon, 12, French citizen
Or Yaakov, 16, German citizen
Yagil Yaakov, 12, German citizen
Tamar Metzger, 78
Ditza Heiman, 84
Noralin Babadilla, 60, born in the Philippines 
Ada Sagi, 75
Ofelia Adit Roitman, 77, born in Argentina
Rimon Kirsht Buchshtav, 36
Meirav Tal, 53
Gabriela Leimberg, 59, Argentine citizen
Mia Leimberg, 17, Argentine citizen
Clara Marman, 63, Argentine citizen
Gal Tarshansky, 13
Amit Shani, 15
Liam Or, 18
Itay Regev Jerbi, 18
Ofir Engel, 17, Dutch citizen 
Yarden Roman-Gat, 35, German citizen
Moran Stela Yanai, 40
Liat Beinin Atzili, 49, American citizen
Ra’aya Rotem, 54
Raz Ben-Ami, 56, German citizen
Yelena Trupanov, 50, a Russian citizen, was included on the list but released separately from the exchange deal.
Irena Tati, 73, a Russian citizen, was included on the list but released separately from the exchange deal.
Amit Soussana, 40
Mia Shem, 21, French citizen
Aisha Ziyadne, 17
Bilal Ziyadne, 18
Ilana Gritzewsky Kimchi, 30
Nili Margalit, 41
Shani Goren, 29
Sapir Cohen, 29



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