Dear Friends:
For the past five days we have been listening and praying and worrying. The time to come together and begin to channel our feelings as a community has arrived.
Tomorrow evening (Thursday), we will co-host a community gathering with Shomrei Torah at 7 pm in our building. Many of us have been longing to stand together to provide support to one another. If you are not able to join us in person, please register below. We will acknowledge the number of people online to make sure the breadth of our communal participation is noted.
Immediately following the gathering there will two additional opportunities to come together: Rabbi Mark and Cantor Kittner will lead a Maariv Weekday Service for those who wish to pray. Our virtual link will stream this service. At the same time, Rabbi Beal will convene a gathering for those who wish to Give Voice. Participants will be invited to begin to process their thoughts and feelings in the presence of others who are struggling and grieving. This session will not be streamed to protect privacy.
Alissa Okrent sent resources to school families to help parents talk with their children. If you did not receive her email and want to obtain the information, please reach out to Alissa at principal@templebethtikvahnj.org. Also, please know that Rabbi Beal and Alissa will lead both a school-wide gathering and age-appropriate conversations during school tomorrow.
As always, please contact Rabbi Beal at RabbiBeal@templebethtikvahnj.org or by calling the Temple if you are in need of pastoral or other support.
A few people asked us to again share the list of organizations you may want to consider when donating to support Israelis in need. The information is listed below (feel free to repost on your own social media).
Please know we will share additional vetted information about how we can do things to help in the days and weeks to come. In the interim, using the words we recite each time we finish a book of the Torah: Be strong! Be strong! And let us give strength to one another.
L’shalom,
Rabbi Brian K. Beal
Lisa George and Steve Pressler, Co-Presidents
P.S. Wayne Police Department and our private security company will be with us on Thursday and for all Shabbat gatherings. We continue to monitor local and regional security concerns and respond accordingly.
How to help/donate:
JFNA/URJ CAMPAIGN
Jewish Federations are responding, working with our core partners to support victims of terror, help rebuild damaged infrastructure, and address the unprecedent levels of trauma caused by this horrific attack.
The URJ is participating in the campaign.
Donate Now
HADASSAH [TBT’s Naomi Adler serves as their CEO]
Your gift puts the expression Tikkun Olam (Repair the World) into action as we work to heal and repair our own beloved Israel in these devastating and uncertain times. Every dollar counts twice, as a generous donor will match your gift, dollar-for dollar, up to a cumulative $1 Million.
Donate Here
AMERICAN JEWISH COMMITTEE (AJC)[TBT’s Rick Hyne serves as their CFO]
To make a donation to AJC’s Israel Emergency Campaign, please click HERE. One hundred percent of donations received will be distributed to frontline Israeli NGO’s, including hospitals and trauma centers.