We Stand With the People of Israel
Donate
The Jewish Federation of Louisville is working directly with our partners on the ground in Israel to provide emergency assistance. Your donations will go to help rebuild damaged infrastructure and to assist those in need to address the unprecedented levels of trauma caused by this horrific attack.
100% of the funds go directly to support humanitarian needs in Israel.
If you prefer to make a donation by check, please make it out to the Jewish Federation of Louisville with “Israel Emergency Fund” on the memo line. Checks can be mailed or dropped off at the Trager Family JCC, 3600 Dutchmans Lane, Louisville, KY 40205.
Statements
Statement released Oct. 7, 2023 from the Jewish Federation of Louisville:
Chaverim [Friends],
As many of us know, this morning, Israel was viciously and brutally attacked in a coordinated act of war on Israeli soil. Hamas, an Iranian-backed terrorist organization which controls Gaza, has claimed responsibility. The fact that Hamas chose to launch this attack on the holy days of Shabbat, Shemini Atzeret/Simchat Torah should be lost on no one; it echoes the brutal attacks in the Yom Kippur War, 50 years and 1 day ago, and similar instances where the Jewish state is targeted on days of Jewish religious observance.
More than 3000 rockets have been fired indiscriminately as terrorists came by land, sea and air. More than 300 Israelis have been killed, over 1600 are wounded and many are unaccounted for. These numbers are expected to grow. Horrifically, Israeli citizens have been kidnapped—including women and children—and taken into Gaza as hostages. It is absolutely clear that civilians were targeted. We have seen images of their dead bodies strewn in the streets and their vehicles. In one report from the JTA, terrorists surrounded and attacked a gathering of more than 1000 children at Kibbutz Re’im, throwing grenades into tents and shooting indiscriminately. Many of the missing right now are these children.
We stand with Israel on this dark day. Unequivocally. And we condemn this brutality. Unequivocally.
Israel has the right to defend herself against this brutal and vicious attack. There should be accountability for those who perpetrated it and freedom for the captives they have kidnapped. Unquestionably. World leaders have come forward to declare their condemnation for this act of terrorism and pledge solidarity with Israel. Our Louisville Jewish community, likewise, stands firm in our resolve against this heinous brutality.
Many of us have family and friends in Israel and we hold them in our hearts. We mourn those whose lives are lost. The entire nation has been called up to protect Israel from this incursion and we stand in solidarity with the people of Israel in the burgeoning hours of this war.
Many of us prayed for Israel this morning, “Grant peace in the land and happiness to all its residents.” For many, these words were said through tears.
We will be announcing a community gathering shortly to come together in this time of need.
Am Yisrael Chai.
Sara Wagner
JEWISH FEDERATION OF LOUISVILLE
Matt Golden
JEWISH COMMUNITY RELATIONS COUNCIL
Cantor David Lipp, Rabbi Emeritus Robert Slosberg
CONGREGATION ADATH JESHURUN
Rabbi Ben Freed
KENESETH ISRAEL CONGREGATION
Rabbi David Ariel-Joel
THE TEMPLE ADATH ISRAEL BRITH SHOLOM
Rabbi Beth Jacowitz Chottiner
TEMPLE SHALOM
Melanie Pell, Chief Field Operations Officer
AMERICAN JEWISH COMMITTEE
David Finke
JEWISH FAMILY AND CAREER SERVICES
Watch #MarchforIsrael Live from Washington, D.C.
Community Resources
JFCS Counseling Services
Jewish Family and Career Services is available to counsel individuals with family members and friends impacted by the terrorist attack in Israel. In addition, they will have counselors on hand and available at community gatherings in the coming days.
Here is how to contact them:
Phone: 502-452-6341
Online Contact Form: Click here.
Website: jfcslouisville.org
Background
On the morning of Sunday, October 7, 2023, after the 50th anniversary of the Yom Kippur war, we awoke to the horrific news that Hamas terrorists have launched an unprecedented attack on Israeli citizens from land, sea and sky. Tragically, on what should normally be a festive occasion for our community – the Jewish High Holidays of Shmini Atzeret and Simchat Torah – we are mourning as at least 100 Israelis have been killed – fallen victim to terror – and nearly one thousand more injured. More than 2,200 rockets have been launched at population centers, causing millions of Israelis to gather in bomb shelters for cover. Also distressing are reports of terrorists still at large after infiltrating communities in southern Israel to murder, kidnap, and hold hostage civilians.