As the horrific events in Israel continue to unfold, the importance of community — here in Birmingham and with other Jewish Community Centers around the world — has become more important than ever. This page compiles a number of resources that might be helpful to you in the coming days.
Basic Needs
Food and financial assistance for impacted families, the elderly, and the homebound.
Evacuation, Housing, Respite, and Support for Frontline Communities
Support for communities under fire and for new olim living in absorption centers through evacuations, temporary housing, respite trips, children’s activities, and increased security.
Funds for Victims of Terror
Provides immediate cash grants to families and individuals who have been impacted by acts of terror and violence, for post-trauma care, etc.
Trauma Relief and Psychosocial Care
Support widescale trauma relief and psychosocial support with expanded capabilities through telephone hotlines; providing direct care to first responders, Lone Soldiers, the injured, and families whose relatives were murdered, injured, or abducted; training and support for caregivers and responders including hospital emergency teams and municipal teams.
Emergency Medical Services and Healthcare
Medical supplies and equipment for first responders and hospitals in close proximity to the front line.
Special Populations
Targeted assistance to vulnerable populations and their caregivers, including the elderly, young children and people living with disabilities.
Support for Evacuees
Enhance capacity and provide operational support to evacuees, special populations, frontline communities, and those responding to the crisis.
In Birmingham
Leaders of Birmingham’s Jewish organizations will be meeting together regularly in the days and weeks ahead. We will update this list with pertinent information as it becomes available.
Events
- Check out the new “Taking Action Together” series from the Alabama Holocaust Education Center.
- Visit our Community Partner Events page to see what’s being planned.
- Watch the full video, below, of the “We Stand with Israel” solidarity gathering at The J on October 10 that was attended by some 600 community members while another 1,000 tuned in online. View the program here.
Other support
- Here at The J, we’ve turned our lobby into a “living room” of sorts where you’ll be welcome to grab some refreshments and talk with and support other community members.
- Also in our lobby you’ll find a “How do you really feel?” bulletin board where you can leave your thoughts, and a writing area where you can compose letters to Israel.
- Reach out to Collat Jewish Family Services to inquire about counseling.
- Also from CJFS — in conjunction with the N.E. Miles Jewish Day School: guidelines on talking to your children about war.
- Also available: “Helping children cope after a traumatic event” from the Child Mind Institute
National and international
- Read the Jewish Council for Public Affairs’ statement on “The Jewish community rejects bigotry and hate“
- The Levite JCC is part of a global network. Visit JCC Association of North America to read “A View From Jerusalem” — a series of first-hand accounts of the events in Israel written by Leah Garber, senior vice president of JCCNA and director of its Center for Israel Engagement in Jerusalem.
- Medical volunteers: Israel is not currently experiencing a shortage of medical professionals due to the conflict. In the event of further strains on the health system, however, Nefesh B’Nefesh, in partnership with the Israeli Ministry of Health, will activate to bring people to Israel. They are actively collecting names of doctors who would be willing to volunteer should the need arise. Nurses and paramedics looking to volunteer can visit the Ministry of Health website and submit their information there.