Israel Active

The Department of Translation and Interpreting Studies at Bar-Ilan University has recruited dozens of volunteers to help non-Hebrew speakers contact emergency responders and aid organizations. It aims to help callers with immediate medical, emotional and logistical needs.

400 volunteer fashion designers, design students, lecturers, and graduates, at Tel Aviv’s Shenkar College of Engineering and Design, work in shifts to help complete IDF gear for reservist soldiers. They stitch pockets and straps that attach to the ceramic bulletproof vests worn by combat soldiers.

Magen David Adom National Human Milk Bank announces that since the start of the Israel-Hamas war on Oct 7, hundreds of liters of Israeli breast milk has been donated to feed premature babies and babies whose mothers have been killed, abducted, or injured, or who have been called up to military duty.

The Israeli startups joining Israel’s Redefine Meat (see ) to provide plant-based meats and dairy alternatives to the IDF include , , and . JO-MO Chocolate also provided sweet treats.

NGO One People consists of 100 volunteers, primarily immigrants from the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, and South Africa. It has raised $3.7 million to purchase and deliver ceramic inserts for the standard combat vest that IDF frontline soldiers use.

Even in war-time new immigrants are still arriving at Israel’s Ben Gurion airport. "Seeing olim arrive in Israel during the most challenging days we've ever known fills our hearts and gives us strength to carry on," said Chairman of the Jewish Agency, Maj. Gen. (res.) Doron Almog.

Tzitzit, the fringes on a 4-cornered garment, are often worn by the non-religious in times of trouble.  Today thousands of secular soldiers are wearing tzitzit and US Jews have launched project “Spiritual Armor” to send tzitzit to Israeli soldiers.

Here are some sites where newsletter readers can donate to Israeli organizations that provide vital help to Israelis at this difficult time.  Many thanks to those who have already contributed and to those who are helping by donating their own valuable time and resources.   Friends of the IDF (US donors): or IDF Soldiers Fund in Israel:  (select the English speakers’ option)   American Friends of Magen David Adom (US donors): or Magen David Adom (Israel):   Zaka (US donors):  or (Israeli donors):   United Hatzalah: Leket Food Israel: JNF USA - Orthodox Union -   Hadassah Hospital Israel: Laniado Hospital (Netanya) And many more charities here:

Moshav Tekuma, just 7km from Gaza, was bypassed by Hamas terrorists because they were unable to enter it. The religious community was completely locked down on Shabbat Oct 7, after having been subject to repeated burglaries on Shabbat previously.

12-year-old Ariel Zohar survived the massacre that took his parents and sisters on Oct 7. During the shiva, Ariel asked Zaka volunteers to try to find his father’s tefillin that had been handed down by his grandfather – a Shoah survivor.  The two men found a melted plastic bag. Inside was the tefillin – intact!