06/16/2025
Update on Israel: June 16, 2025
Dear Fellow Jewish Clevelanders,
We want to provide you with regular updates on what is happening on the ground in Israel.
Over the past 48 hours, there have been a lot of conversations about how to bring the high school students participating in the icnext’s trip and the young adults who are enrolled in Onward Israel’s summer internship program back from Israel. As you can appreciate, due to security concerns, we are not able to publicly share details of any plans that are being developed. Rest assured that we are exploring all options. The safety of these teenagers and young adults is our number one priority and we are in constant contact with both groups to ensure every possible step is taken to care for them.
At the same time, we continue to receive truly inspirational messages from both cohorts. For example, Onward participant Michael Keselman shared that, “while the last couple days have been long, the way that everyone has come together through laughter to persevere through this shared struggle has been really great to be a part of. While we all are really upset to be going home earlier than intended, I hope that we all remember the great times and take inspiration from the resilience that we’ve witnessed from the Israeli and Jewish people. Hopefully the conflict will come to a peaceful resolution soon and everyone stays safe.🙏”
Valeria Kislyansky, who is with the icnext group, wrote “Personally, I will cherish and remember the way people continued to show up for one another whether it was speakers coming in to talk to us about what is happening, or our friends comforting us when we were worried. I am now connected to Israel in a way that I was never before.”
Since the situation in Israel is still very fluid, we wanted to pass along some additional information and practical advice from our partners overseas. For Clevelanders currently in Israel, it is recommended that you:
- Follow Homeland Front Command guidelines and take shelter in an approved shelter when instructed.
- Register with the U.S. State Department through their Smart Travel Enrollment program. If you are traveling with children, register each child individually, but put your email and phone number.
- Do NOT post photos or information on social media that provides any information about damage caused by Iranian missiles or from debris created by Israel’s Iron Dome. Such content can inadvertently provide Iran with valuable missile targeting intelligence.
- Also do NOT post photos or information on social media that provides any specifics on where you are sheltering and how many others are with you. This too can inadvertently provide Iran with valuable intelligence.
For Israelis currently outside of Israel that wish to return, it is recommended that you go to El Al Airlines website and register for a “recovery flight.”
We will continue to keep you updated as details become available. You should expect to receive information from us on a virtual briefing with Former Israeli Ambassador Michael Herzog in the coming day.
Since the news broke Thursday evening, we have stayed close to our local community members as we all try to manage our emotions during this war with Iran. If you or someone you know is struggling, please do not hesitate to reach out. If your child is having trouble coping, Bellefaire Jewish Children's Bureau is available to help. Call the intake helpline at 216-320-8502. If you or another adult are having trouble coping, please call the Jewish Family Service Association at 216-292-3999. Access Jewish Cleveland is also available at 216-292-4636 or online at accessjewishcleveland.org.
In the meantime, we continue to pray for the safety of the innocent lives in harm’s way, as well as the brave members of the IDF who are risking their lives to protect the Israeli people.
Am Yisrael Chai.
Jeffrey J. Wild, board chair
Erika Rudin-Luria, president
p.s.: Federation continues to raise dollars for the Israel Emergency Campaign, which helps to provide immediate assistance to the people of Israel – including the lifesaving bomb shelters we have funded in our sister community of Beit Shean/Valley of Springs. If you would like to make a contribution, you can do so here.
