We Stand With Israel…

Come and Stand With Us!

We pray for the peace of Jerusalem, all Israel, and all inhabitants of this earth.
“Oseh shalom bimromav, hu yaaseh shalom aleinu v’al kol Yisrael, v’al kol yoshvei teyvel, v’imru Amen.”

Temple Israel of New Rochelle Position Statement
As a Reform Jewish synagogue, Temple Israel of New Rochelle is an inclusive Zionist community that accommodates a diversity of views related to Israel. Our prayers call out to Zion, and our movement’s platforms support the modern state.

We uphold the following core values:

Support for Pluralistic Israel
We support Israel as a pluralistic Jewish country that upholds democratic values and minority rights.

Condemnation of Terrorism
Terrorism and the targeting of civilians are never acceptable. All hostages should be returned immediately, and innocent people should never be used as collateral.

Universal Human Rights All people deserve peace, dignity, and safety. We believe that Palestinian civilians have the right to shelter, food, clean water, hospitals, infrastructure, and other basic human rights.

Two-State Solution Advocacy
We believe that Israel’s long-term security and safety are best ensured through a Two-State Solution, with Israelis and Palestinians living side by side in cooperation and respect.  We uphold this document as core to our Temple’s identity and the way we teach, preach, and advocate in support of and love for Israel.

We acknowledge a diversity of views and opinions, and we make room for those who may respectfully disagree with us.

In response to recent events, Temple Israel of New Rochelle (TINR) would like to clarify our identity, values, and the principles we uphold.

Denunciation of Campus Protest Actions
We denounce the actions of protesters on college campuses that create an unsafe and threatening environment, while firmly supporting the right to free speech.

Support for Jewish College Students
TINR supports Hillels of Westchester in their vital work of supporting local Jewish college students who have felt unsafe on their campuses.

Distinguishing Solidarity from Hate Speech
We recognize that expressing pro-Palestinian solidarity should be distinct from affirming proHamas hate speech. It is possible to support Israel while being pained by the suffering of innocent Palestinians in Gaza and wishing for an end to their plight. 


TRIP TO ISRAEL
We are still moving forward with planning the Trip to Israel for 2025, for Thursday, February 13th – Sunday, February 23d. Will you join us? On September 12th we had a meeting with resounding interest. If you are interested and want to start planning, please let Jeremy Arcus-Goldberg know, the Clergy Assistant, to be put on the interest list.

EVENTS

  • In cooperation with the Israel Action Committee, on Tuesday, October 17, 2023, Rabbi Jesse shared the details and background of the Israeli struggle. Click here to view the presentation.
  • The Bourbon & Bible event (with Brotherhood), facilitated by Rabbi Jesse on Tuesday, November 7, 2023, explored using the Bible to better understand the complexities of Jerusalem. If you were not able to attend, please click here to share with the presentation given.
  • Adult Educational Seminars were given in January and February 2024. 
  • Sisterhood is supporting Israel! On Monday, November 27th, Sisterhood sponsored Pilates & Salad. The suggested donation of $18 supported Magen David Adom’s 33,000 paramedics, EMTS, first responders, and first-aid providers – volunteers and staff – have the training, equipment, and medical supplies they need to treat all injured and ill people in Israel. 
  • Understanding Reform Judaism, and understanding ourselves … looking back/looking forward. 150-year Evolution of Reform Judaism in America: Historical, Sociological, and Philosophical Perspectives. 
  • Monday, March 4th, 7:00 pm was “The Obstacles to a Two-State Solution Between Israel and Palestinians” 

EBLASTS

  • Cantor Glassman shared her thoughts about supporting Israel, in a October 12, 2023 Weekly Eblast to the Temple Israel Congregation. Click here to read Cantor’s cover.

SUPPORT CHARITIES AND ORGANIZATIONS
Listed below are charities and organizations that will be supporting Israel and displaced Gazans. Hamas’ terrorist acts have hurt so many. Our thoughts and prayers are with Israel. We pray for peace and safety, and the return of those kidnapped. We also mourn for the many losses of life. Our hearts are broken and we want all Israelis to know that we love and support them.
UJA Federation of NY Israel Emergency Fund
American Friends of Magen David Adom
Doctors Without Borders
FIDF – Friends of the Israeli Defense Forces
International Committee of the Red Cross
Jewish Agency for Israel
Sheba Medical Center Tel Aviv
Soroka Hospital – Be’er Sheva
UNICEF – United Nations Children’s Fund
United Hatzalah – Emergency Medical Response

WELCOME ARTIST, MICHAEL ALBERT

Michael Albert, American Pop Artist, who has visited Kehillah and Religious School already a few time sharing his artistic talents, will be coming back to Temple Israel to share in a project showing our support and strength towards Israel. Working in collaboration with Religious School students, their original masterpiece will hang in the lobby of the Temple. We are looking forward to their creativity and talents to shine for us all!

Click here, to visit Michael Albert’s website. (above is the work Michael Albert did with the “Better Together” team)

DONATE CHALLAH TO THE IDF

IDF – Israel Defense Forces

Sponsored by Brotherhood, Sisterhood, Israel Action Committee, and Social Action Committee Our committees have joined together to collect funds to provide challah to IDF members and their families. Your suggested donation of $9.95 pays for small local bakeries in Israel to make and deliver challah to both IDF soldiers at army bases as well as their families. This program benefits both local businesses in Israel as well as the soldiers and their loved ones during this very difficult time. Please click here to donate!

THE LIGHT WILL SHINE – OR HADASH NEEDS YOU

As we approach the end of the year, we invite you to consider making a special year-end contribution to Or Hadash. Every contribution, no matter the size, plays a vital role in sustaining our shared mission. Click here.

ISRAEL ACTION COMMITTEE – “UNDERSTANDING ISRAEL” Series

On Tuesday, February 27th, Rabbi Jesse Gallop from Temple Israel of New Rochelle, along with co-sponsors (Temple Israel, Kol Ami, Beth El, Larchmont Temple, Congregation KTI, Westchester Jewish Center, Westchester Jewish Council, Shaarei Tikvah, Scarsdale Synagogue, and Westchester Reform Temple) invited Dr. Yehuda Kurtzer from the Shalom Hartman Institute, to join in discussing Where Do We Go From Here? Israel’s Next Chapter. Rabbi Jesse quotes, “Dr. Yehuda Kurtzer, President at the Shalom Hartman Institute, joined us for an insightful conversation exploring the challenges that Israeli society faces during the war with Hamas, and when the war ends.”

Temple Israel in cooperation with…

 

WE MET EILAT TIBI, WHO SURVIVED THE MASSACRE AT NOVA MUSIC FESTIVAL ON OCTOBER 7TH

Wednesday, May 22nd, 7:30 – 9:00 pm Eilat Tibi, who survived the massacre at the Nova Music Festival in Israel on October 7th, shared her story of that tragic event. Eilat believes that her words and presentation are appropriate for anyone age 16 or older — though they will be intense for adults, as well. Eilat is in New York in conjunction with the new exhibition about the Nova Music Festival,

ISRAEL ACTION COMMITTEE EVENT“FREE SPEECH TO HATE SPEECH – WHAT IS TINR’S POSITION ON THE COLLEGE CAMPUS PROTESTS, FOCUSED ON ISRAEL?

Thursday, May 30th, 7:30 – 9:00 pm Temple Israel’s Israel Action Committee chairperson, Paul Warhit, led an interactive conversation with attendees focused on what is transpiring on college campuses today. 

Israel Matters is an interactive program designed to improve the quality of Israel conversation at TINR. A safe place where people can express themselves and ask questions without being judged

1st Session was Thursday, September 26th, 7pm
This will be a monthly session series, and future dates will be announced.

There is no cost associated with participating. However, space is limited and pre-registration is required to attend. Please register with Israel Action Committee chairperson, Paul Warhit

Other dates are: December 19th, January 23rd, February 27th, March 27th, April 24th, May 8th.

A Brotherhood & Israel Action event: Bourbon & Briefings: Israel Edition, with Ilanit Gerblich Kalir, was an event that included discussion about the state of Israel, and our reactions to the issues.

On Thursday, November 7th, Temple Israel welcomed Ilanit Gerblich Kalir, the Vice President of External Affairs and Managing Director of the Department of International Operations at the Jewish Federation of Cleveland. Ilanit manages the Federation’s extensive programming in Israel and Russia. 

You can learn more about this fascinating guest by clicking here.

This congregation continues its support of Israel.