These past six days have been profoundly painful and challenging, as the shocking and terrible news from Israel continues to unfold and we learn that, at the latest count, more than 1,200 Israelis have been brutally murdered by Hamas terrorists. We are all affected by this and, for many of us, it directly affects our family and friends in Israel.
We mourn those who have died, we pray for the healing of the thousands wounded, and for the immediate release of the hostages in Gaza. Our hearts go out to the bereaved families, and to all those who are living with this awful new reality, not knowing what the future will hold.
If you or your family have been directly affected by the attacks, please let us know so we can offer you support.
If you need to talk to someone about how this is affecting you personally, please contact us directly in confidence.
Here at Mosaic Jewish Community, we need to be more aware of security than normal. If you have been asked to do security, please turn up for your shift and many thanks to those who have done so recently. If you experience or witness antisemitism, please ring the police first on 999 and then the CST on 0800 032 3263.
We remind you of opportunities to donate to funds set up specifically to respond to Operation Iron Swords, such as MyIsrael https://myisraelcharity.org/project/emergency-appeal-war-israel, UJIA https://ujia.org/#donate, and Magen David Adom UK https://donate.mdauk.org/Donate/Landing.aspx?content=Ironswords&_gl=1*ls6k3g*_ga*MTQxOTAzNzMwMS4xNjk2Nzk1NTc1*_ga_SMMMTJ9LYV*MTY5NzAxODk5OC4yLjAuMTY5NzAxODk5OC42MC4wLjA.&_ga=2.236522117.524881185.1697018999-1419037301.1696795575#.
We pray with all our hearts for an end to the violence, for all hostages to be returned to their families, and we pray fervently for stability and peace to come to both Israelis and Palestinians.
“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem; may those who love you be at peace. May there be well-being within your ramparts, peace in your citadels. For the sake of my family and friends, I pray for your well-being…” (Psalm 122:6-7)
Rabbis Anna, Anthony, Kathleen and Rachel
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Rabbi Charley Baginsky, CEO of Liberal Judaism, spoke at the vigil that took place outside Downing Street on Monday afternoon – the full video of the event can be seen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_IS-m9lLTk
The world-wide Reform and Progressive Jewish Movement held a Webinar on Monday evening. This is the video, which was both moving and informative: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_HwBkLmhFQ
