How you can help Israel in its time of need

In this time of deep sadness and anger over the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel and the ensuing war, greater Riverdale has done what is has always done: help seach other heal.

The number of dead and injured in the three-week war grow by the day — at least 1,400 Israelis, including 310 soldiers, 7,700 Palestinians in the Gaza strip and 229 hostages being held in Gaza, according to the Associated Press.

Many of the synagogues and temples in greater Riverdale working with the Riverdale Y have tapped into an international network to provide support for those Jewish families at home and abroad. That support includes ways to raise money for those families who lost loved ones and the survivors trying to pick up their lives.

One such effort is the Riverdale Y’s campaign to raise money to pay for 300 new Magen David Adom ambulances in Israel as the country faces the threat of a multi-front war. You can donate by visiting the RiverdaleY.org site. Meanwhile, the Van Cortlandt Jewish Center has a link on its website that directs people to the UJA Federation and the Israel Emergency Fund.

Other sites that are collecting donations for Israel’s families include:

• Jewish Federations of North America

• United Hatzalah

• World Mizrachi in Partnership with Sulamot and R’ Rimon

• SAR Supports Israel Fund (the SAR Academy and high school goal is $100,000)

• TRM Chesed Fund

For families closer to home, emotional support and self-care are very important for families and children.

The Riverdale Y has scheduled a self-care workshop designed to help people affected by the war address stress and anxiety. The Nov. 8 workshop at 7 p.m. will be led by Rachel Miller Williams, MSPT, and the staff of Midtown Physical Therapy. She will teach people techniques to relieve pain and stress. To register, go to RiverdaleY.org/selfcare.

The Hebrew Institute of Riverdale-The Bayit has set up a hotline for people who need help dealing with their emotions in this terrible time. Rav Steven and Rabbanit Bracha are available to talk. There is also a Jewish Board support hotline for all New York residents from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. It is 1-844-663-2255.

For more information about how you can help Israel cope with this tragedy, go to the UJA web page, UJAfedny.org/israel-emergency-fund.

There are many ways in which we can support Israel in this hour of need, as it recovers from the brutal attack and tries to remove Hamas as a player on the world stage.

Now is the time to help Israel and your family cope with the madness and tragedy of the Oct. 7 terrorist attack as it turns into war.