Donate Menu

We are filled with sadness and anger over the craven and evil incursion by Hamas into Israel.  There was no provocation for this attack that murdered and took as hostages civilian men, women and children.  The actions by Hamas, with the help and support of Iran, must be condemned with a message and response that makes clear that these actions will not be left unanswered.  We also need to pray for those injured, those killed, the hostages and for family and friends who are defending the State of Israel from those who seek its destruction.

 

Jewish Federation and Foundation of Greater Toledo has opened an Israel Relief Fund and we will have a coordinated community effort.  In Israel, schools are closed and just about every family has some connection to the war.  They have had children called to service, have been unable to reach loved ones or have learned that family or friends have been killed or taken hostage. We will, of course, answer “Hineni,” Here I am, and will support the people of Israel in these dark hours.

 

 

We will continue to stand together.

Am Yisrael Chai! 

The People of Israel Lives.

Israel Relief Fund


Jewish Toledo is responding, working with Jewish Federations of North America and our core partners to support victims of terror, help rebuild damaged infrastructure, and address the unprecedent levels of trauma caused by this horrific attack.

Donate now with debit or credit card or PayPal by clicking here.

Give to the Relief Fund Here

Resources on the current situation in Israel

General Resources

 

Stay informed and current. Below is a list of Israeli news sources and other resources.

Parents & families when talking about Israel

 

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 below. You cannot avert children’s eyes from the situation, and you cannot let them see. While we cannot pretend there is not a tragedy occurring, we need to shield and protect our children from what they are seeing and hearing and have age-appropriate conversations with them. 

It can be difficult to put the current situation into words.
Click here for a list of key points.

 

11.16.23 Israel Update

11.21.23 Israel Update

11.22.23 Israel Update

11.27.23 Israel Update

12.4.23 Israel Update

12.6.23 Israel Update

12.11.23 Israel Update

12.14.23 Israel Update

12.18.23 Israel Update

12.19.23 Israel Update

12.21.23 Israel Update

1.04.24 Israel Update

1.05.24 Israel Update

1.08.24 Israel Update

1.09.24 Israel Update

1.22.24 Israel Update

 

Additional Resources:

 

  • Video: Hamas' Control Over Gaza
  • Video: Hamas-Israel War Has Changed Everything
  • Israel in Crisis: Educator Community Hub
  • What Happened and How Do We Respond?

  • Self-care tips when the news gets overwhelming

    A full month has passed since the horrors of October 7th, and our community continues to grapple with the news coming out of Israel and around the world. Amid the sharp increase in antisemitism globally, you are probably feeling increased stress.
     

    Now more than ever before, it’s important to take time for yourself and disengage with the heavy flow of media to preserve your mental health.
     

    Click here for 16 tried and tested ways to destress and reduce media-related anxiety.
     

  • Read: “Inside a Gaza Bedroom, Soldiers Searching for Tunnels Find How Low Hamas Can Go” from the Times of Israel

  • Read: “In the Aftermath of the Hamas Attack: Portraits of Survivors” from the New York Times

  • Read: “Everything You Need to Know about the Attack on Israel” from AJC

  • This site shows a map of the October 7 massacre with a red dot for every person killed and a black dot for every person abducted by Hamas. Clicking on any dot will show the name and picture (if available) of the victim with age and last known location.
     
  • For information on the latest overall numbers from the conflict, see here.

Checklist before sharing information on social media:

 

  • Is this from a verified news source or someone that you know has the background that qualifies them to speak on this topic?
  • Is the purpose of posting this to help support members of our community?
  • Is the purpose of posting this to help us process what is happening? 

Social media misinformation and tips:

The 10/7 Project

 

The 10/7 Project is a communications hub advocating for accurate, unbiased coverage of the Israel-Hamas conflict, led by the American Jewish Committee (AJC), the Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA), the Anti-Defamation League, AIPAC, and the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations. Click here to read their daily updates which feature timely and relevant information.

Statement on Toledo City Council Resolution - 02.16.24


On February 14, Toledo City Council passed a ceasefire resolution that is both pro-Israel and supportive of Palestinian citizens. The resolution calls for a “lasting negotiated bilateral ceasefire” that by definition would only take effect if Israel agrees to it, which Israel has said it will not do, so as long as Hamas keeps Israeli hostages and remains a threat to Israeli civilians. The resolution attempts to take a balanced approach to the conflict. We believe it falls short of the mark and was an ill-advised effort by Council to involve itself in a complex foreign policy matter despite how the conflict weighs on the hearts and minds of some Toledoans. The resolution did not limit itself to addressing the issues between and among neighbors locally but was instead intended as, and is already being used as, a political tool.


Throughout this entire process, Jewish Federation of Greater Toledo has been respectful of Council, its members and its processes as it tries to govern the City. We repeatedly urged Council not to involve itself in this dispute. We are disappointed that certain Council members did not keep their word to involve the local Palestinian, Jewish and other interested citizens in an effort to reach a mutually agreeable resolution. In fact, we were never directly consulted by the resolution’s co-sponsors regarding its language. We maintain that the resolution was put forward because of intense and inappropriate pressure, bullying and interference in Council business from anti-Israel activists.


The resolution will have no impact on the conflict. Regardless of Wednesday’s vote, Hamas will not agree to a lasting ceasefire. The terror group has a history of breaking ceasefires in 2008, 2009, 2012, 2014, 2021, and 2023, and it has repeated assertions since the war began that they will continue to attack Israel again and again until it is destroyed. There was a ceasefire in place the morning of October 7, and it was broken by Hamas. Since then, for over four months, Hamas has had the ability to end this war by releasing all hostages taken from Israel and laying down its weapons. The idea that Israel must negotiate for the return of hostages, whose captivity is, itself, a war crime, is morally repugnant.


A better use of Council’s time and resources would have been a resolution that simply calls out increased forms of hate and expresses support for local Jews and Palestinians, as local elected officials should model exemplary behavior and compassion rather than taking a one-sided stance on an international issue that further alienates a minority group already facing increased hate. Many Toledoans expressed this same sentiment. We presented this idea to Council, but it was unfortunately rejected.


Instead of a ceasefire, we advocate and pray for lasting peace in the region and here in Toledo. Peace in the Middle East is impossible when Hamas, and its Iranian backers, remain a threat to Israel and the region. There can be no peace until the terrorists who committed the October 7 atrocities are brought to justice and the Palestinian people support leaders who want the same.


We thank those members of Council who listened to our concerns and who spoke to us regarding the issues presented by the resolution.  We love our city and our region and intend to continue to be a part of this community despite rising hate and efforts to intimidate us.


The full text of the resolution as adopted can be found here.