Israel Resources
The situation in Israel is devastating and difficult to process. We want you to know that the Congregation Beth El community is here for you, along with Rabbi Cantor, Kedma Cantor (Education Director), and Staff. Contact us at 215-493-1707.
Please use this page as a resource on how to speak with children, where to make contributions, places where Jews can gather together, prayers and more.
This page will be updated as needed.
Lone Soldier Center Hanukkah Donations
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Thank you for the donations.
Congregation Beth El
Links to Resources
Teaching About Israel in a Time of Crisis | The Jewish Educator Portal (jewishedproject.org)
Diverse Narratives Archives - The iCenter
Videos to Help Parents and Kids Talk About Scary Situations | PJ Library
Ritualwell - Tradition & Innovation
How to talk to Kids About what is Happening in Israel
Our Hearts are in the East (links to songs) -Cantors Assembly
Special Song Swap (10/11/23): Israel - Cantors Assembly
A Prayer for Israel in this Time of War
by Rabbi Naomi Levy
God, our Strength and Protection, we pray for the State of Israel in this devastating time of war, shock and grief. Our hearts are breaking, God. We pray for the lives of the innocent civilians who have been heartlessly kidnapped by Hamas, bring them home, watch over them, God. We pray for the lives of the soldiers who have been taken captive, we pray for their safe return, shelter them, God. We pray for the souls of the innocent victims who were brutally slaughtered. Send comfort and strength, God, to the grieving. Send healing to the injured, and strength and wisdom to their doctors and nurses. We pray for all our brothers and sisters in Israel in this time of tragedy and crisis.
Watch over Israel, God, spread Your shelter of peace over the land and over all our brothers and sisters who live there. Shine Your light upon Israel’s leaders, officers and advisers, help them to overcome all divisiveness and to act with clarity and determination. Protect the men and women who defend Israel, let them be safe and may they be victorious over the Hamas terrorists who attacked our people. Watch over them, God. Hear their prayers. Bring peace, God. Let it rain down from the heavens like a mighty storm. Let it wash away all hatred and bloodshed. Peace, God, please, God.
God of the brokenhearted, God of the living, God of the dead, gather the souls of the victims into Your eternal shelter. Let them find peace in Your presence, God. Their lives have ended, but their lights can never be extinguished. May they shine on us always and illuminate our way.
Amen.
Prayer for Israel's Defense Forces and Those Being Held in Captivity
PRAYER FOR ISRAEL’S DEFENSE FORCES
May the one who blessed our ancestors, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel, and Leah, bless the members of Israel's Defense Forces and its security services who stand guard over our land and the cities of our God from the Lebanese border to the Egyptian desert, from the Mediterranean sea to the approach of the Aravah, and wherever else they are, on land, in air and at sea. May the LORD make the enemies who rise against us be struck down before them. May the Holy One protect and deliver them from all trouble and distress, affliction and illness, and send blessing and success to all the work of their hands. May God subdue our enemies under them and crown them with deliverance and victory. And may there be fulfilled in them the verse, “It is Adonai your God who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to deliver you.” And let us say: Amen.
PRAYER FOR THOSE BEING HELD IN CAPTIVITY
May the one who blessed our ancestors, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel, and Leah, bless, protect and guard the members of Israel's Defense Forces missing in action or held captive, and other captives among our brethren, the whole house of Israel, who are in distress or captivity, as we, the members of this holy congregation, pray on their behalf. May the Holy One have compassion on them and bring them out from darkness and the shadow of death; may God break their bonds, deliver them from their distress, and bring them swiftly back to their families' embrace. Give thanks to the Adonai for the loving-kindness and for the wonders God does for those who are formed in God’s image; and may there be fulfilled in them the verse: “Those redeemed by Adonai will return; they will enter Zion with singing, and everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.” And let us say: Amen.
