On-the-Ground Update on War with the Islamic Republic of Iran  from the Jewish Federation's Israel Team

- Tali Lidar, Director of Israel and Global Operations at the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia

Purim came and went in Israel without celebration, once again marking another holiday that we could not fully observe as we await and pray for quieter days. To many watching from the outside, this may appear to be the fourth day of a new war. But for us, it does not feel like the start of another escalation. It is the continuation of an ongoing and deeply challenging reality we have been living with for far too long.

And this reality is weighing on us – emotionally and physically – not only because we have been going in and out of bomb shelters countless times since Saturday morning, but also because it feels like we have been living an abnormally hard life since Oct. 7, 2023. Yet, Saturday also marked the end of this waiting game with the Iranian regime that has heated up for the last month, but really spans over 40 years.

We have tragically seen the loss of innocent lives, many injuries and significant damage to homes. Fortunately, we know what to do when the sirens sound. We follow the instructions. We take the necessary precautions to protect one another and save lives.

Israeli psychologist and professor Mooli Lahad says, "it's important to remember: resilience doesn't look like endless strength. Resilience looks like tired people — who keep showing up, who keep caring, and who still find a way to be there for one another.”

And that is what we see, every day, every moment, resiliency.

Because of you, we have seen and continue to see agencies, funded year-round by the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia, show up and offer assistance:

• Social Delivery is supplying individuals who lost their homes with clothes and essentials.
• Latet and Leket are sending food packages to people being evacuated from their homes and are largely ending up in hotels.
• United Hatzalah, which lost one of their volunteers in the rocket attack in Beit Shemesh, are providing critical medical services to the injured after each rocket attack.
• Dror Israel is deploying their teams to bomb shelters to work with the children and deliver mental health services.
  
  

Above all, we see the municipalities assuming responsibilities for their residents, sending basic supplies, like food, hygiene products and mattresses to the shelters, as well as sending volunteers to assist the elderly and Holocaust Survivors.

And for all of this, we say to you – toda raba, thank you. None of this would have been possible without your generosity. You can continue to support the work of the Jewish Federation by making an Annual Campaign gift by clicking here.

Our hearts are with the families of those who have been killed or injured, and our prayers are for the safe return of our American and IDF soldiers.