Standing with Israel
Temple Adas Israel stands united in our outrage over the capture and subsequent prolonged captivity of the hostages. We seek their immediate and unconditional safe release and return to their families and loved ones.
Bring them home now!
This page contains resources on the October 2023 war against Hamas following their brutal invasion and attack on Israeli civilians. We will regularly update the page with information, resources and other useful information.
PRAYER
Keeping Israel in our Hearts
Prayer for Israel at War:
Eloheinu V’Elohei Avoteinu, Our God and God of our ancestors. You know that the Jewish people are one nation with one heart, and now that heart is broken.
“O healer of broken hearts, binder of their wounds” (Psalm 147:3) Be with our brothers and sisters who have been taken captive and with the families of the victims. Watch over the hostages, break their bonds, and bring them out from darkness to light.
“Proclaim release to the captives; liberation to the imprisoned” (Isaiah 61:1) Comfort the families bring them under the shelter of Your wings. Bring complete healing of body and spirit to all of the wounded, bind up our wounds and grant us healing.
Tsur Yisrael veGo’alo, Rock and Redeemer of the people Israel, bless the State of Israel, the initial manifestation of our redemption. Shield it with Your care; spread over it Your shelter of peace. Guide its leaders and advisors with Your light and Your truth; grace them with Your good counsel. Strengthen the hands of those who defend us; crown their efforts with victory. Bless the land with peace; its inhabitants with lasting joy.
Shomer Yisrael, Guardian of Israel, strengthen and bless the defenders of Israel who stand guard: On the land, in the air, and on the sea. May we see the promise of the Psalmist realized:
“You turned my mourning into dancing…
my sackcloth into robes of joy” (Psalm 30:12) God, protect, preserve, and restore peace and well-being to Israel — your people.
Together we say: Amen
– by R. Reuven Kimmelman, as adapted by R. Dan Geffen
HOSTAGES
#BringThemHome
101 hostages are still being held in captivity by Hamas since Oct. 7.
Don’t let the world forget about the nearly 132 hostages — ranging in age from 9 months to 85 years old — abducted from Israel into Gaza by Hamas terrorists. Thousands of people have been hanging photos of the hostages in dozens of cities around the world. Now you can download and print posters in your neighborhood. Visit: KidnappedFromIsrael.com
Join our congregation in doing whatever we can to bring them home. We can do this by encouraging our friends and family to join us in calling and writing daily to our US Senators and Representatives and the United Nations General Secretary with the message that we need them to prioritize the release of the hostages as soon as possible.
Resources for composing a message to these leaders can be found at Bring Them Home Now (hostages and missing families forum) and One Minute a Day.
Information on how to find out who are your representatives can be found here.
Sample Script: My name is [your name] from [city]. As a constituent of [representative's name], I implore you to use your voice and influence to ensure America does everything it can to secure the safe return of [hostage name], one of 134 Israelis still being held hostage by Hamas on October 7. Can I count on [the representative] to do so?
Each week Temple Adas Israel highlights the story of one of the remaining hostages:
#BringThemHome
SUPPORT RELIEF
UJA Israel Emergency Fund
The UJA Federation of New York has established a fund to provide emergency cash assistance for victims of the terror attack and those displaced from their homes, as well as trauma counseling, child care, burial expenses and relocation assistance. Give Now
Additional Resources:
Zaka (Hebrew acronym for disaster victim identification) – Israel's dominant non-government rescue and recovery organization
Natal, the Israel Trauma and Resiliency Center –an apolitical non-profit organization that provides psychological support to war- and terror-related trauma victims
Elem – Youth in Distress in Israel, providing critical mental health support in emergency situations
World Central Kitchen – providing meals to those who are displaced in Israel and Gaza
AID Israel – American-Israel Democracy Coalition's efforts supporting Israel's medical and first aid teams
RESOURCES
Stay Informed
In addition to the media outlets you follow, we recommend these resources:
Podcasts
For Heaven's Sake (Shalom Hartman Institute)