06/18/2025
Update on Israel: June 18, 2025
As we enter week two of Israel’s war with Iran, we wanted to give you an update on the various ways our community is helping the people of Israel in this time of dire need.
Through our Israel Emergency Campaign, which we launched in the days following the attacks of October 7, 2023, we have been raising the money needed to help provide a wide range of trauma care and basic needs to support our extended Israeli family – as well as address crucial infrastructure needs such as the life-saving bomb shelters we renovated and built earlier this year in our sister community of Beit Shean/Valley of Springs in the north of Israel.
We have stayed close to the needs of the Israeli people and identified how Jewish Cleveland can support their recovery and rebuilding efforts, as well as assist in the trauma care of the Israeli people, victims of terror, and families of reservists – all of whom have had their lives turned upside down.
In response to the compounded destruction caused by Iran’s barrage of missile attacks over the past week – and the resulting additional waves of trauma that are sweeping across the country – we have asked long-time community leaders Dara Yanowitz and Neil Waxman to co-chair our Israel Emergency Campaign. It’s imperative that we tackle this escalating trauma and help the people of Israel address the wide range of critical needs that have only intensified since the war with Iran began. If you’d like to contribute to the Israel Emergency Campaign, you can do so here.
At the same time, our team has been working tirelessly to ensure the safe return of the young adults from Jewish Cleveland who are in Israel on various Federation-funded programs. We are exploring every option available and will spare no expense to get our community’s kids home as quickly and safely as possible.
We continue to be amazed at the maturity and resiliency shown by these young Jewish Clevelanders in the shadow of war.
Liza Goldberg, a high schooler who is part of the icnext cohort, shared “Experiencing the fear of sirens and the uncertainty of what would come … changed the way I view not only Israel but also the people who live here who face these challenges daily. I feel a deeper connection to the Jewish people and a growing sense of pride in being part of this community, one that supports, uplifts, and protects one another.”
Maggie Abrams, a college student who is part of the Onward Israel cohort, shared, “We have been staying at a hotel in the Dead Sea and are so grateful to have been moved so quickly. With this we also feel a bit of guilt for being out of harm’s way and are so grateful for having Onward and the Federation's support. All of our group has such a deep connection to Israel and really did hope to stay but are now grateful for all the help to get us to safety. We are grateful to have experienced Tel Aviv for a 'normal' week and get through these unsure times together.”
We will continue to update you as the situation in Israel unfolds. 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 at 216-320-8502. If you or another adult is finding the stress of the troubled times too hard to manage, please call the Jewish Family Service Association at 216-292-3999. Access Jewish Cleveland also is available at 216-292-4636 or online at accessjewishcleveland.org.
We continue to pray for the safety of the innocent lives in harm’s way and the brave members of the IDF as they risk their lives to protect the Israeli people.
Am Yisrael Chai.
Jeffrey J. Wild, board chair
Erika B. Rudin-Luria, president
