Resources
Report an Incident
There are three ways to report an incident to the Milwaukee Jewish Federation. Click below for more information on how you can call, email, or submit an online form to report threats, incidents, or suspicious activity related to Jewish organizations, facilities, or community members.
A Place to Talk Kits
The Milwaukee Jewish Federation and the Harry & Rose Samson Family JCC have teamed up to create kits for families and friends to gather and discuss what is happening in Israel. Numerous pick-up locations are available.
Kits Include:
- “I Stand with Israel” stickers
- Blue ribbons
- An Israeli flag
- A Tzedakah box
- Israeli chocolate
- A deck of cards with directions to Yaniv
- A ring of discussion questions
- 3 tea lights (2 for Shabbat; 1 for Israel)
Mental Health Resources
Supportive Counseling – Jewish Family Services is offering supportive counseling by a licensed counselor to community members impacted by the hostility against Israel: In-person at 1300 N. Jackson St., Milwaukee, by phone or virtually. The clinicians are skilled, knowledgeable, caring and compassionate, and stand ready to help process and make sense of the events unfolding in Israel. Call 414-390-5800 or fill out this form. JFS will also accommodate drop-in requests for services, although there may be a wait.
‘Warm line’ available – JCFS Chicago is offering a “warm line” for anyone, anywhere looking for support. Call 855.275.5237 to talk with someone, including Hebrew-speaking emotional support professionals.
Safety and Travel Resources
Safety Protocols – Please contact MJF Security Director, Ari Friedman, with any questions or concerns about safety protocols in the Milwaukee community. Please dial 911 in an emergency.
Israel Home Front Command App – The official app of the Home Front Command provides alerts, guidelines and life-saving information in real time according to your location and areas of interest of your choice. In the app, you can get important updates during an emergency and contact the Home Front Command. The app is available in Hebrew, Arabic, Russian and English. You can download it for free from your device’s app store.
Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) – STEP is a free service to allow U.S. citizens/nationals traveling abroad to enroll with the local U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
Learn more.
Help with a Missing Person – If you are trying to reach an American in Israel who is not responding/may be missing, please contact the US Embassy.
Contact Your Elected Officials
Fifty years since the Yom Kippur War, Israel again finds itself confronting a severe danger. Our work together is essential to ensuring the Jewish state has what it needs to protect itself, by itself, and that the United States stands shoulder-to-shoulder with our ally.
Backed by Iran, Palestinian terrorists have launched an unprovoked invasion and large-scale attack on Israel.
Israel has a right and responsibility to respond to the devastating assault and protect its citizens from terrorism.
Please urge your elected officials at the federal, state, and local level to speak out and make a clear and unequivocal statement in support for our ally Israel and its right to defend itself.
Jewish Federations Response
Jewish Federations stand in total and complete solidarity with Israel, which has every right to defend itself and protect its citizens. Israel has the right to defend its sovereignty and its citizens from terrorism, rocket fire, and incursions. Jewish Federations stand behind our Israeli brothers and sisters.
Jewish Federations are responding, working with our core partners to support victims of terror, help rebuild damaged infrastructure, and address the immense levels of trauma caused by this horrific attack.
- Jewish Federations’ abiding support through our annual campaigns make it possible for our primary partners The Jewish Agency for Israel, the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC), and World ORT to respond immediately when emergencies like this take place.
- The Jewish Agency’s Fund for Victims of Terror (FVOT) is often the first non-medical responder for families and individuals who have been impacted by acts of terror and violence, providing immediate grants to rebuild homes damaged by rocket fire, and providing for long-term rehabilitation and post-trauma care. They are already estimating the need for significant additional funding given the scope of the crisis.
- The Jewish Agency is part of the government’s emergency roundtable and is ensuring the safety of thousands of Olim in dozens of absorption centers, caring for the thousands of residents in Amigour senior housing, and is in touch with the thousands of Masa participants, and participants in the Agency’s pre-army academies and youth villages.
- The Israel Trauma Coalition (ITC) is working closely with the IDF’s Home Front Command and local authorities to help address immediate needs and will be sharing a situational assessment shortly.
Milwaukee Jewish Federation’s Statement
MEDIA RELEASE – Israel
Oct. 7, 2023
For further information and interview opportunities: JeffJ@MilwaukeeJewish.org
The Milwaukee Jewish Federation is shocked, outraged and horrified by the surprise, ongoing terrorist onslaught launched by Hamas against Israel today, on Shabbat and Simchat Torah/Shemini Atzeret.
At this moment, at least 100 Israelis have been reported killed and at least 800 reported wounded in an unprecedented infiltration of dozens of terrorist gunmen into communities near the Gaza border and a barrage of indiscriminate rocket fire against Israeli cities. On the 50th anniversary of the Yom Kippur War, Hamas — the terrorist government ruling Gaza — has launched more than 2,500 rockets from Gaza on cities across central and southern Israel, reaching as far as Jerusalem, while terrorists infiltrated communities in the country’s south by land, sea and air.
Terrifyingly, dozens of Israelis have reportedly been kidnapped and taken hostage. Many are still trapped in their homes waiting desperately to be saved, as live combat in many border communities is ongoing. Israel is in a state of war and national emergency.
We stand with the people of Israel as they face yet another war seeking the demise of Israel. Since its inception, Hamas has pledged to destroy Israel, but they will not succeed.
We will do everything we can to ensure the complete and total success of Israel’s efforts and we will act immediately and comprehensively to support our brothers and sisters as they defend Israel.
The prayer for the State of Israel we recite in synagogue every week — including this morning — says ליושביה עולם ושמחת בארץ שלום ונתת -” Grant peace in the land and happiness to all its residents.” On this day, which is the holiday of Simchat Torah in Israel — we literally sing and dance with simcha — with happiness. Today is not a day of simcha in Israel, but it is a day of solidarity, determination and utmost seriousness.
We know this is a deeply distressing moment for all of us – especially for the many members of our community who have family and loved ones in Israel, and for our staff and partners in the region. Israel will prevail and the Jewish people will stand together as we always do.
Am Yisrael chai.
