Ways You Can Support Israel - Israel Donation Options 
Jewish Federations's "Israel Emergency Relief Fund"
UJA Federation of NY's "Israel Emergency Fund"
Zahal Shalom of Bergen County: "Help IDF Soldiers on the Front Line"
Buy Israel Bonds: "Invest in Israel" or call 888.519.4111
Zahal Shalom - Help IDF Soldiers on the Front Line
Magen David Adom - Israel's national medical emergency, disaster, ambulance and blood services
(like Israel's Red Cross) click image for supplies donation update
The Sderot Foundation - Aids the people of Sderot, a city still under siege near Gaza.
Jewish Distribution Committee - The leading global Jewish Humanitarian Organization
Israel Now
by Rabbi Debra Orenstein
By the time you read this, things will have changed. That’s a truism about the impermanence of all things and a
commentary on the pace of change in our times. But it’s especially true of and in Israel.
Israel is a very young country, and it changes rapidly. During my sabbatical there in 2017, signs were up everywhere
urging residents and visitors in the desert country to conserve water. By 2019, those billboards were gone. Israel became
a net exporter of water, due to the success of its desalination program. The Start-up Nation is also a Change-It-Up nation.
There are always new roads and new buildings. (What is Israel’s national bird? The crane. You see it on the Tel Aviv skyline constantly.)
In Israel, there is a steady stream of new proposals for peace; new political fights; new ways terrorists are foiled; and new
ways they try again. Even history is new. Among the archeological discoveries of the last two years: an ancient burial cave
discovered in Palmachim National Park from the 13th century BCE, filled with dozens of pottery pieces and bronze artifacts;
two 1,800-year-old sarcophagi at the Ramat Gan Safari Park and Zoo; the oldest known tool used for grinding or scraping, dating
back about 350,000 years at the Tabun Cave, Mount Carmel.
Politics in Israel are especially contentious and fraught these days. And the politics around Israel – including in Congress and on
college campuses – are also divisive. Too often, discussions and news coverage of Israel are tainted by anti-Semitism, anti-Zionism,
and double standards.
The love of Israel (land, people, and country) is a non-negotiable aspect of Jewish identity for me and, I daresay, for our congregation.
Yet, we as individuals have different ideas about what is happening and what should happen in Israeli society and politics. In Israel and
in the United States, one thing does not change: two Jews, three opinions.
Whatever your views about Zionism and Israel, my recommendation is to stay engaged. Visit. Read about Israel. Make a point of
exposing yourself to perspectives that differ from your own. Support the work of Israeli individuals and organizations you admire.
Learn about new ventures.
Recently, I reached out to some trusted friends and colleagues, and I asked them to tell me about an organization in Israel that
does good, underpublicized work. Below are three recommendations. I have quoted from the organizations’ mission statements
and am sharing their web addresses, so you can explore further if you wish.
1. AJEEC-NISPED - (Arab-Jewish Center for Empowerment, Equality, and Cooperation – Negev Institute for Strategies of Peace
and Economic Development) https://ajeec-nisped.org.il/?page_id=17021&lang=en
“AJEEC-NISPED is an Arab-Jewish organization for social change that was established in the Negev in 2000. The organization is
made up of a joint team of Arabs and Jews who work together to create an equal, shared society, which allows Arabs and Jews to
coexist while preserving their identity and culture. Currently, the organization operates in civil society all over Israel and in
cross-border programs.
The organization’s goal is to promote leadership and social involvement among teenagers and youth in Arab society, community
development in the Arab-Bedouin sector in the Negev, and development of a shared society for Arabs and Jews throughout Israel.
The Arabic word “ajeec” means “I am coming to you,” and this is the principle that motivates us – we approach each other. We do
everything possible to get to know, explain, understand, join forces, and move forward together for a better common future for all of us!”
This organization was recommended to me by Naomi Eisenberger, director of the Good People Fund. She is “good people,” and her
fund selected AJEEC-NISPED to receive a small grant.
2. Shutaf (meaning, partner) –https://shutafinclusionprograms.org/shutaf-about/
“Shutaf Inclusion Programs in Jerusalem offer year-round activities for children, teens, and young adults, with and without disabilities.
Shutaf is committed to quality services for all participants of all abilities, regardless of labels, financial limitations, cultural and religious
differences.”
Founded by two immigrants to Israel from the United States whose children had special needs, this program has earned the enthusiastic
loyalty of my discerning friend and colleague, Rabbi Debra Cantor, who sits on their board.
3. Israel Democracy Institute - https://en.idi.org.il/
“The Israel Democracy Institute (IDI) is an independent center of research and action dedicated to strengthening the foundations
of Israeli democracy.
IDI works to bolster the values and institutions of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state. A non-partisan think-and-do tank, the
institute harnesses rigorous applied research to educate decision makers and help shape policy, legislation and public opinion.
The institute partners with government, policy and decision makers, civil service and society, to improve the functioning of the
government and its institutions, confront security threats while preserving civil liberties, and foster solidarity within Israeli society.
Israel recognized the positive impact of IDI’s research and recommendations by conferring upon the institute its most prestigious
award, the Israel Prize for Lifetime Achievement.”
This program was recommended by the brilliant Yossi Malka, an Israeli educational and political consultant and former mayor in the
Galilee. His latest project is supervising the building and staffing of a new Rehabilitation Hospital in the Galilee. Yossi was an exchange
student at my parents’ home during his High School years and became a dear family friend.
Maybe these organizations sound wonderful to you - and maybe not. Whatever your reaction, orientation, or interest, there are Israelis
working to achieve your vision. Research them and reach out to them.
If each one of us follows our conscience and our passions, Israel will be better for it.
Want to talk about Israel – or anything else? Please contact office@bisrael.com and Marie will help us find a mutually convenient time.
