Letters from Israel

Dear TBS Family, 

Our TBS Israel Mission has returned from an incredibly powerful week in Israel.  I have been blessed to travel to Israel many times, but I have never had as many meaningful experiences as I had on this trip.  I hope that you were able to come with us by following our updates on Facebook and on the TBS website.  This Shabbat morning members of our Mission and I will share stories and reflections from our trip.  I also invite you to check out this short video that Rachel Pollack put together that shows many of the trip highlights. It is a preview of a longer version to come soon!

Thank you to everyone who has given tzedakah to the Am Yisrael Hai Fund to support us and our work in Israel.  I continue to be overwhelmed by our community’s incredibly generous response!  What an amazing community we have that understands our responsibility to help us support our family in Israel during this challenging time.   

Rabbi Wexler will be heading to Israel with our Jewish Federation’s Mission on February 25, and will also be bringing tzedakah to help those in need.  If you would like to continue to help us support our family in Israel directly, and to educate and empower learners of all ages in our TBS family to be proud Jews who stand with Israel and the Jewish people, then I invite you to give tzedakah to the Am Yisrael Hai Fund in support of our Israel Mission and all our efforts to build a stronger and safer Jewish future. 

Thank you so much to everyone who donated.  Here is a list of organizations we visited and were able to support on our TBS Mission because of your generosity.   

• Rebuild Kfar Aza – We visited this kibbutz that is on the border with Gaza and saw the desecration and destruction that was perpetrated by Hamas there on October 7.  
• Thank Israeli Soldiers – We brought and packed donations for Israeli soldiers at this wonderful organization based in Jerusalem that takes requests from soldiers currently serving and delivers the items directly to their bases. 
• Tachlit – We packed fresh produce at their Jerusalem warehouse that will be distributed to families in need.  Over 1800 food baskets are given to families weekly.   
• Reuth Rehabilitation Hospital – This is a public hospital in Tel Aviv that is owned and operated by the non-profit Reuth Foundation.  It provides a wide range of rehab and geriatric services for all Israelis. 
• Project 24 – Project 24 seeks to support people from the 24 communities in the south that were attacked by Hamas on October 7 by creating self-empowerment for those in need.  They are not seeking tzedakah, but rather members.  You can join for $24 to support their work, and you can also find other evolving opportunities to help. We are working on bringing the leadership of Project 24 to TBS to learn more about how we can help.   
• Bring Them Home Now – This organization is dedicated to advocating for the release of the 134 Israeli hostages being held by Hamas, as well as providing resources for their families, including mental health counseling, legal help, diplomatic resources, and food.   
• Kehilat Ma’ayanot –This is our Sister Synagogue in Jerusalem who welcomed us warmly for Shabbat services and also hosted us in their homes for Shabbat lunch.   

We hope to offer another TBS Israel Mission in the coming months.  Stay tuned for more information to come.   

As we will soon say at the Passover Seder, each generation must confront the challenges that rise up against the Jewish people.  This is our time to fight back against the ignorance and hatred of Jews and Israel that is all too prevalent today.  I believe that we are up to the challenge.  Together, as a community, we will not be silent.  We will continue to stand up for Israel and the Jewish people in our time of need.  Thank you for your support and your commitment to Israel and our Jewish community.   

B’Yahad N’natzei’ah – Together we will prevail, 

Rabbi Micah J. Peltz