Dear Jewish day school leaders,

As each of us navigate the sense of personal sorrow we are feeling, we come together in order to support educators and students in Israel. The Jewish Agency for Israel, in cooperation with their partners at the Ministry of Education, have invited North American Jewish Day Schools to show our support and solidarity by sending messages of deep caring.

In partnership with Jewish Education Project and Foundation for Jewish Camp, your students and faculty are invited to participate in a letter writing campaign to support Israelis.

There are two sets of letters being requested.

1. Educator to educator
2. Student to student

• We suggest typing your letters so that they are easily read. If writing in Hebrew is possible, that would be wonderful. If writing the letter in English by hand, please write in block letters, rather than in cursive script.
• Suggestions of wording:
  • We admire your strength.
  • We see your pain and feel for you.
  • We stand with you.
  • We know that you may be scared.
• Although you will not receive the specific details of your letter’s recipient, please share some personal information including the grade you are in or what you teach, where you live, and something about yourself or your family. These details will help the reader connect with you. Tell them about anything you may have done to support Israel.
• As you can imagine, Israeli educators are under tremendous pressure at this time. The Jewish Agency requests that we please prioritize writing to them first.
• Your notes can be as short or long as you wish.

Please upload all the letters and drawings into these folders. They will be shared directly with educators and students in Israel.

• Educators
• Students

Dear Friends,

Words fall short to express the horrific events of the past few days here in Israel and the ways in which our lives, so many lives, have been turned around and torn apart. Our people are in pain. Hurting in ways that remind us of the darkest chapters of our history. Yet, even in these moments of sorrow, a powerful force emerges—a promise as enduring and age-old as our people: Am Israel Chai. עַם יִשְׂרָאֵל חַי

At the Jewish Agency we work with all segments of Israeli society and with schools across Israel in various programs and initiatives, building bridges of connections, commitment and understanding between Israelis and the global Jewish world.

In this challenging time, as school staff throughout Israel share their distress, they also express some comfort in knowing they're not alone. There is strength in knowing that our global family cares, stands by us, and keeps us in their thoughts and prayers. I want to personally thank you for your messages of solidarity and support. Your letters will be sent to schools across the country, reminding teachers and students alike of our collective bond - Am Israel Chai.

Israel is resilient; our spirit remains unbroken. Even in these painful times, the tenacity and unity of our society shine through, and there is no doubt in my mind we will prevail. The beauty of our collective community already shines through these dark days.

Sending my warmest wishes and love to each and every one of you, wherever you are, Osnat Fox, on behalf of the Jewish Agency For Israel

If you have any questions, please reach out to Amy Wasser.

Wishing you and your communities strength, and may our brethren in Israel know peace soon.

We appreciate all you are doing, today and everyday.

Warmly,
Amy and Debra

Amy Wasser
Senior Director, Prizmah School Services
Prizmah: Center for Jewish Day Schools
[email protected]

Debra Shaffer Seeman
Director, Network Weaving
Prizmah: Center for Jewish Day Schools
[email protected]

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