Resources and Programs for Israel at War

Here are resources and programs to support educators, parents, and families in the diaspora at this moment. We express deep gratitude to everyone doing their part to support Israel and our community, at home and abroad.

Supporting Educators and Families

• Jewish Federations of North America is hosting #ShabbatofLove on January 19, 2024, an opportunity for “Jews of all ages, backgrounds, and identities to come together with your family, friends, and neighbors, to experience the sacred joy of Shabbat.”
• Moving Traditions’ recent webinar with a college counseling expert and students covered how to guide teens through the college process in today’s stressful political climate.
• Taglit-Birthright Israel’s Onward Volunteer programs run through January, providing a “unique opportunity to stand with the people of Israel during these difficult times.”
• To stay in the know about new research on how the American Jewish community is responding to the October 7th attacks, sign up for CASJE’s new research digest.
• The Institute for Curriculum Services provides resources for educators to support “classroom discussion on the Hamas-Israel War.”
• Boundless Israel provides resources to help you “stay informed, engage in conversations, and take action.”
• The Institute for Curriculum Services provides resources for educators to support “classroom discussion on the Hamas-Israel War.”
• The American Jewish Committee’s Translate Hate glossary “empowers you to identify, expose, and report antisemitism. Click on the terms to learn more about how antisemitic tropes, words, and symbols hide in plain sight – from the internet to pop culture.”
• The Jewish Education Project and M² are working collaboratively to create and share resources. Check out “Israel in Crisis: Educator Community Hub” and “From This Moment. For This Moment” where you can find educational resources, prior webinars on how to engage children and teens, and a sign-up for “office hours.”
• Join The Jewish Education Project’s Rabba Yaffa Epstein on Fridays at 12pm ET for 30 minutes of Jewish wisdom to fill your souls and to connect with your fellow educators. This weekly, drop-in virtual learning space will be a chance for educators to gather, learn some great text together, and care for their own souls.
• Prizmah provides “Resources for Schools on Violence and Terrorist Attacks in Israel,” including student mental health services, webinars, and virtual meetups for faculty and educators, best practices for safeguarding schools, and more.
• The iCenter is creating resources and learning opportunities, as well as providing one-on-one support to think strategically about engaging in meaningful conversations with your community.
• Unpacked for Educators provides video, audio, and written resources covering history and current events to help educators “frame the situation and engage students in meaningful conversations.”
• Hebrew at the Center is curating, creating, and translating resources for Hebrew teachers in Jewish day schools that can also be used by others searching for good materials for North American students and youth but want them in their first language.
• The Center for Israel Education provides a package of videos, webinars, timelines, analyses, suggested readings, maps, and educator guides related to the war.

Supporting Professionals in the Workplace

• Leading Edge’s resources are designed specifically to help support people who work at Jewish nonprofit organizations.
• Maharat shares pragmatic tips on how to lead in these trying times.
• JPro offers curated “Caring and Connection” resources for professionals in a range of positions at Jewish organizations.

Window into Israeli Society

• The Shalom Hartman Institute’s podcast, “Identity/Crisis,” offers insights on how Israeli society is responding to the attack by Hamas. Its new blog, Notes for the Field, offers guidance, inspiration, and support for navigating the challenges facing the Jewish people today.
• The Helen Diller Institute of Jewish Law and Israel Studies is holding briefings with leading journalists and scholars in Israel for their analysis of the evolving situation.

Meaningful Prayers and Self-Care

• YCT provides resources to reflect, learn Torah, and support yourself and your loved ones through these difficult times.
• Sefaria curated the full text of some common prayers for Israel and other resources that may be helpful during this difficult time.
• Join Hadar daily virtually this week at 1:15-1:30 PM ET to recite Tehilim.
• The Institute for Jewish Spirituality, which teaches Jewish mindfulness practices, offers “rich, accessible, and time-tested resources to cope with moments like these.”
• R&R The Rest of Our Lives provides “walkshops” that create space for reflection and introspection for professional teams and colleagues.
• Or HaLev is providing daily meditation virtually with a different teacher each day.