A STATEMENT IN SUPPORT OF ISRAEL

Today, many of us woke up to the devastating news of thousands of rockets being fired from Gaza into Israel and dozens of Hamas terrorists infiltrating communities near the border, resulting in mass casualties and injuries of Israeli civilians. Since then, dozens of Israelis have been taken hostage, including women and children, some even within their own homes. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a televised address, "We are at war."

These attacks come nearly 50 years to the day after the Yom Kippur War, another set of surprise attacks against Israel, and they occur on Shemini Atzeret and the eve of Simchat Torah, holidays that are typically celebrated with singing and dancing to mark the end of the annual reading of the Torah. Shemini Atzeret is highlighted for its emphasis on community, and in the coming days and weeks, our communal efforts to remain strong and steadfast will be more important than ever.

We support Israel and stand by its right to defend itself. We are sickened and outraged by this, and we pray for the safety of the State of Israel and stand shoulder-to-shoulder with its people. We especially recognize the efforts of teens our age being called upon to fight, and to our brothers, sisters, and siblings of Maccabi Tzair: we stand beside you. We call on members of the global community to contact their local governments and help enact meaningful change.  

עם ישראל חי – el pueblo de Israel vive – Das Volk Israel lebt – the people of Israel live.

With our deepest love and unwavering support,

The 99th and 79th Grand and International Boards

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TO OUR BROTHERS, SISTERS, AND SIBLINGS OF MACCABI TZAIR

We care about you. We are thinking about you. We are praying for you.

As the war advances on Israel and the situation worsens, our hearts and thoughts go out to you. BBYO as a community cares for you and we are praying for you and the entire State of Israel.

As teens, being called on to serve for your country is difficult, and we admire you for your unswerving loyalty and devotion to the cause. You are no different than the tens of thousands of other teens around the globe in BBYO, yet you’re now being called upon in ways none of us could imagine.

In the coming days, weeks, and for the rest of time, this global Movement is just a text or phone call away. We’re here to provide love and support through these unprecedented times of conflict, thrust upon us in the time of our Simchat Torah celebration.

Blessed are You, Adonai, who guards his People Israel forever. And spread over us the shelter of your peace. Blessed are You, Adonai, who spreads a shelter of peace over us, over all of His People of Israel, and over Jerusalem.

ברוך אתה ה׳ השומר על עם ישראל לנצח. פרוש עלינו סוכת שלומך. ברוך אתה צור ישראל הפורש סוכת שלום עלינו, על כל עמו ישראל ועל ירושלים. כן יהי רצון.

With our deepest love and unwavering support,

The 99th and 79th Grand and International Boards