Julie Platt, Jewish Federations of North America’s Chair of the Board of Trustees, was awarded the Presidential Medal of Honor, Israel’s highest civilian award, by President Isaac Herzog last n...
Federation Updates
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Israel marked a national day of recognition for wounded soldiers yesterday, acknowledging the 13,500 who were injured in the current war. See details below.
Rocket Fire
- Overall rocket fire ...
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- Earlier today, a 12-year-old Israeli boy, Yehoshua Aharon Tuvia z"l, who was sitting next to his sister, was shot and killed by a terrorist near the Gush Etzion Tunnels Road. The terrorist opened...
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Heartbreak: Two American Lone Soldiers
- On Monday, the IDF announced that Captain Omer Neutra, aged 22, was killed on October 7, 2023. Neutra, an Israeli-American lone soldier from Syosset, Long ...
Federation's Solidarity Missions to Israel
Read reflections from local community members on their experiences participating in Federation's Solidarity Missions to Israel: March-April 2024 and November 2023.
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I’m trying to process the unfathomable horrors we heard about today. This time was different though, seeing some of it with our own eyes. Nothing could prepare me for this day. But along the way,...
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Today was a very emotional day, one I knew from the moment I saw the itinerary would be hard. We were meeting with Lishay Miran, wife of Omri Miran who is still, 180 days later, held in captivity i...
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I approached Hostage Square in Tel Aviv slowly. After months of seeing it in pictures, on Tuesday it was my turn to stand in front of the board counting 178 days, 07 hours, 45 minutes, and 37 secon...
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Those of you who know me well know that I have a complicated relationship with the notion of God. One might say that my identity as a Jew is rooted more in Jewish peoplehood than religion. Today, I...
Upcoming Events
Blue Ribbons For Israel
#BlueRibbonsForIsrael are a symbol of support for the people who were kidnapped by Hamas. We wear them in the hope of their safe return. We wear them so their families know we haven’t forgotten their loved ones. People from across the globe – from different nationalities, ethnicities, ages, and generations – are coming together to wear #BlueRibbonsForIsrael. Now you can, too. Visit www.blueribbonsforisrael.org or join us at upcoming Federation events to pick one up.
Our SD Loves Israel Swag Store is live, supporting Israel and Sha'ar HaNegev! Explore our diverse range of products and designs, each crafted with love and dedication to showcase your solidarity with Israel. From stylish apparel to unique accessories, we have something for everyone! Show your solidarity and make a difference! Proceeds benefit relief and recovery efforts in the Sha'ar HaNegev region.
San Diego Vigil for Israel - October 10, 2023
Jewish Federations Update on Israel Crisis - October 8, 2023
Resources for Talking to Your Children About Israel
Our hearts ache for the people of Israel.
PJ Library and the Harold Grinspoon Foundation have a deep, unshakable connection to the State of Israel. We are proud to share stories with families around the globe that celebrate Israel and promote a sense of responsibility to the country and its people. And we are proud to reach hundreds of thousands of Israeli children and their families each month through PJ Library’s Hebrew-language counterpart, Sifriyat Pijama, and Arabic-language companion program, Maktabat al-Fanoos.
Processing the horrific attack on Israel is difficult. Explaining it to a child can feel borderline impossible. It’s helpful to:
1. Take the cues from your child
2. Model calm
3. Be reassuring
4. Help children express their feelings
5. Be developmentally appropriate
If you are struggling, as many of us are, to navigate conversations about events in Israel with your children or grandchildren, links and resources are available on the PJ Library website, including:
- General information about Israel
- Understanding the map of Israel
- How to talk to kids about scary situations
- How to talk to children about antisemitism
Other Resources