In Our Community

Israel: on our minds and in our hearts

As a community, we have a strong bond with Northern Israel–specifically with the city of Kiryat Shmona and the kibbutzim, moshavim, and some small towns in this region. It is often said that the Upper Galil community is the Federation’s family in Israel. Indeed, for more than 25 years, the Federation has been involved both in supporting projects in the region and in developing relationships between people and organizations in our two communities.

This community needs us now more than ever. We teach our children: “Kol Israel Arevim Zeh La’zeh” – All Israel are responsible for one another (pirke avot). By doing, we teach the importance of being lifelong partners with the people of Israel.

How can schools show their support?

As the school year and the new year commences, your school or congregational community will no doubt want to show their solidarity or support for the people of Israel with an emergency campaign or a tzedakkah program. Together with our Federation’s coordinator in the north, Orna Rayn, we have identified seven compelling and diverse causes representing tzedakkah as well as educational opportunities and people to people connections.

Click here for campaign guidelines

"What we need more than anything else is not textbooks but text people." - Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel

Creating "text people" with a group of teachers, find out how one innovative educator at a San Francisco synagogue school used a golden opportunity to open up her community's vision of Israel, through study and dialogue.

1. Professional Development and Israel Education

2. Teacher's report

Abra Greenspan of Congregation Emanu-El