Even as the unspeakable horrors of October 7th are still sinking in, we are mobilizing the entire North American Jewish community to demonstrate the depth of our love for the Jewish State and our total and unequivocal commitment to the Israeli people.

Thank you to everyone who flew in from around the country to Washington, D.C. for our extraordinary solidarity gathering, “Unity in Crisis,” which featured top Congressional leaders from both parties and Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. 

Speakers wore #BlueRibbonsforIsrael to symbolize solidarity with the hostages, their families, and all who care about their safety. We heard from the top leaders of our government that Israel has the full support and backing of the United States as it defends itself against Hamas terrorism.

You can watch the video of the event, which was broadcast on C-Span, by clicking here.


For an example of the level of solidarity shown at the rally, listen to House Minority Leader Rep. Hakeem Jeffries’ remarks declaring that “Hamas must be decisively defeated for the good of Israel, for the good of the Palestinian people, for the good of the region, and for the good of this world.”

At a luncheon after the event, National Campaign Chair David Heller reported that, since our emergency $500 million campaign was announced last week, more than 75% of the goal—a record-breaking $388 million—has already been raised. We owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to all of you for the extraordinary job of fundraising that you and your teams have done and are continuing to do on behalf of this effort.

Please click here for coverage of this fundraising milestone in eJP.

Many of you are facing a renewed surge of antisemitism and anti-Zionism in your communities. The work that you are doing now to forge relationships with elected officials, civic and business leaders, school board members, law enforcement, and so many other people of influence, is crucially important. More than 120 solidarity gatherings have already taken place in Federation communities, and we ask that you continue every day to build those relationships.

Through our Stand with Israel Action Alert, our communities have already sent over 600,000 messages to elected leaders. The more phone calls—not just emails, texts, or social media posts—that you make, the more meetings that you have, the stronger will be our ability to fight hate.

To see our inspiring video round-up of the gatherings, click here.

President Biden made history by being the first American president to visit Israel in wartime. The president also spoke last week to Jewish community leaders at a White House Roundtable that was convened by Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff. To read his remarks on that occasion, click here.

We were proud to place a full page ad in Wednesday’s edition of the Jerusalem Post to welcome President Biden to Israel. We believe that many in our communities will welcome seeing this show of gratitude to President Biden. Make copies and distribute them at schools, JCCs and synagogues, and to your public officials who care about the president and want to support him.

To view and share this ad, click here.

The parashah this week, Noah, reminds us that even in the depths of destruction and hopelessness, signs of hope always emerge. The dove that Noah sends out returns with an olive branch in her mouth. Rabbi Simcha Bunim of Peshischa teaches that “even in the darkest floods, we must send forth the dove of hope, for it is our faith that will bring back the olive leaf of peace."

Again, thank you for all that you are doing, around the clock, to help an Israel that is now flooded with sadness to be flooded with help and with hope.

Am Yisrael Chai