In the initial hours after the outbreak of war, IMPJ immediately deployed its rabbis, lay leaders, congregation members and volunteers to provide humanitarian aid, respite and spiritual response.

Now, the Iron Swords war extends into the second half of 2024, IMPJ remains committed to intensive and continuous efforts to aid those traumatized, victims of terror, evacuees and families of hostages on various levels; through spiritual solace, humanitarian aid and building shared society.

First-response Spiritual and Pastoral Work of Reform Rabbis

IMPJ’s rabbis throughout Israel are providing various forms of spiritual solace, pastoral counselling, and leading other efforts for aid, such as actively accompanying specific hostage families, providing emotional support, and offering a warm embrace to those navigating the uncertainty and pain caused by the recent events. In the wake of ongoing conflict and displacement, the need for spiritual and emotional support within our communities has never been greater. Rabbis in regional councils are providing crucial services to thousands of evacuees throughout the country. Their work includes offering individual and group spiritual solace, pastoral counseling, resilience workshops, and leading prayer circles. These initiatives have been instrumental in helping communities, individuals, and families cope with the trauma and uncertainty they face daily. Watch this video to learn more.

 

Keren B’Kavod

Keren B’Kavod, IMPJ’s humanitarian aid and social justice arm, has initiated numerous activities to support evacuees and vulnerable populations affected by the war. They provide practical and spiritual aid to evacuees in hotels, operate special workshops and activities for seniors, children and youth, hold women’s empowerment circles, educational trips, and holiday events. In southern cities like Ashkelon, Ashdod, and Sderot, Keren B’Kavod runs resilience workshops and therapeutic support for displaced families returning to an unrecognizable home. Keren B’Kavod also continues humanitarian aid efforts, providing individual assistance and supply packages, focusing on weaker segments of society such as new immigrants, the elderly, and low-income families. Additionally, Keren B’Kavod supports new arrivals from Ukraine and Russia, who escaped one war only to find themselves in another. A new initative is community respite retreats to allow spiritual rejuvenation for evacuees, in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.

 

Building Shared Society

Despite the ongoing war, IMPJ institutions and congregations are actively continuing shared society activities, fostering meaningful relationships between Arab and Jewish Israelis. These programs are crucial during a time of increased suspicion and racism against Arabs. IMPJ emphasizes the importance of tolerance and mutual respect, especially during emergencies. The core program, “Meeting Neighbors,” facilitates encounters between multi-generational Arab and Jewish families from neighboring communities, fostering bonds through cultural gatherings, tours, and home visits. The initiative by Keren B’Kavod continues to build personal relationships and promote mutual respect, highlighting the necessity of unity beyond the conflict.