Send Support For Israel In These Difficult Times
Howdy and shalom. I was taking a break from my TOI Blog, but of course my heart is with my friends in Israel during these difficult times and resumed rocket attacks, and my thoughts and prayers are with all of you. I want to do a reprise of some of my favorite ways to support Israel. Right now!
Some of my dear Christian neighbors work for Leket Israel, Israel’s national network of food banks and food reclamation and meal programs helping those affected by war, and those evacuated from communities affected by war. Please join me in supporting them. They are one of my favorite go-to charities in support of Israel. Donations are tax deductible in Canada and the US.
https://www.leket.org/en/
I am delighted that Toronto’s Jewish Federation Walk With Israel went off safely and successfully yesterday with record crowds under considerable police protection. Please contact your local Jewish Federation for details on supporting Israel right now.
https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/were-not-facing-it-alone-record-crowd-joins-toronto-walk-with-israel-as-antisemitism-surges
Donations to the Association for Israel’s Soldiers are NOT tax deductible in Canada but I am a proud supporter and hope you will be too. They offer supports to IDF soldiers and their families, such as grocery food vouchers.
https://asi-canada.org/index.html
I am also proud to support Beit Halochem Canada, Israel’s national network of rehab centers for Israeli soldiers and citizens affected by terrorist attacks. Please join me in supporting them. They offer state of the art rehab and support services in multiple Israeli cities, including new treatments for PTSD. Donations are tax deductible.
https://www.beithalochem.ca/
Magen David Adom is Israel’s national network of first responders to victims of rocket bombings and terrorist attacks, and I am proud to support them too. Please join me. Again, donations are tax deductible.
United Hatzalah is another first responder agency working in Israel and around the world in Jewish communities to assist victims of hate crimes and terrorist attacks. They have a Canadian affiliate. Please support them here. Donations are tax deductible.
https://israelrescue.org/en_CA/
If you would like to assist Israel's economy, please be sure to purchase Israeli goods and groceries and even Israel Bonds! They are a proud feature of my modest but growing investment portfolio, and thanks to our Canada Israel Free Trade Agreement, they are eligible for inclusion in tax protected Canadian investments. Their rates of return are often greater than those of Canadian banks. Contact your local Israel Bonds office or look them up online.
Please contact your local synagogue or Jewish Federation or Jewish charitable service groups for details on supporting Israeli hospitals and other charitable initiatives.
Another wonderful way to support Israel is through prayer. I sincerely recommend this great book by Rabbi Yonah Bookstein for special prayers for Israel in English, making use of the Psalms and insights from Hasidic sages:
If you don't have that book available, grab a copy of the Bible and read the Psalms. God will understand.
Here are the prayers for Israel and the IDF from the Jewish Virtual Library. Many of these are also available in Jewish prayer books.
https://jewishvirtuallibrary.org/prayer-for-the-state-of-israel
https://jewishvirtuallibrary.org/prayer-for-the-well-being-of-the-israel-defense-forces
As we are taught in the Talmud, Jews pray for the welfare of our governments and the lands in which we live, because otherwise people would swallow each other alive. Here's an example of a prayer for our leaders in Canada. (They need our help and input, more than ever.)
https://opensiddur.org/prayers/collective-welfare/nations/canada/prayer-for-canada-by-victor-reinstein-1993/
Many of my Christian friends are great supporters of Israel and they also identify as Zionists. It amazes me that there are so many Christians wearing Jewish style prayer shawls today, even at the Western Wall in Jerusalem. Check out this lovely and soothing prayer for Jerusalem, by a Christian band, based on Psalms.
I especially love this new arrangement of the traditional prayer for Israel and hope you will like it too. That's Cantor Meir Finkelstein, whom I had the pleasure to know and hear at my old synagogue in Toronto.
And in conclusion, please check out this lovely rendition of Hatikvah, Israel's National Anthem by Marty and Misha Goetz and Company, a Christian band. Music speaks all languages, and so do God and Israel.
As they say, Kol Yisrael Arevim Zeh Bazeh, all of Israel is connected, and we are connected to you deeply even here in Canada.
Stay well and strong. Let's stand together proudly in all our diversity. Am Yisrael Chai. We send our love from Canada.
