Israel At War

Torah for this Hour | January 4, 2024

Posted on January 4, 2024

“Take My people, the Children of Israel, out from Egypt.” That is the order that Moses receives from God at the burning bush. To be the sole leader, the liberator. Who would pass up such an honor? And yet Moses refuses. He says to God: “Who am I that I should go?” And what happens […]

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Honoring Bravery in the Face of Terrorism

Posted on January 3, 2024

BACKGROUND – TALKING POINTS – ACTIONS – VOICES – STORIES MAKING NEWS ================================================ Israelis and Americans – Jews and non-Jews – become a formidable force when they unite against threats. In the face of challenges, this unity becomes powerful proof of strength derived from diversity – transcending religious and cultural boundaries. Israel’s cultural mosaic promotes […]

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Torah for this Hour | December 29, 2023

Posted on December 29, 2023

Jacob’s blessings, instructions and prophecies to his children and King David’s instructions to Solomon before he dies (this week’s Haftarah) feels extra poignant to me this year in which both my parents passed. It has led me to think … If I were to create my own Pirke Avot, with advice that I inherited from […]

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Rejecting Misconceptions: Hamas-Israel War

Posted on December 26, 2023

This content is developed by The Focus Project in partnership with Mercaz USA. The Focus Project distributes weekly news and talking points on timely issues concerning Israel and the Jewish people, including antisemitism, anti-Zionism and the delegitimization of Israel. It represents a consensus view across a spectrum of major American Jewish organizations. Mercaz USA recognizes […]

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Torah for this Hour | December 21, 2023

Posted on December 21, 2023

At the beginning of this week’s parashah (Vayyigash), Joseph and his brothers recall the arguments and tensions between them, and express remorse for the suffering they’d caused their aged father, now 130 years old. In their moments of reconciliation, we witness their profound emotions and the responsibility that they come to own. Joseph implores his […]

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Conflicting Narratives and Consequences of Hamas War Target Israel

Posted on December 19, 2023

This content is developed by The Focus Project in partnership with Mercaz USA. The Focus Project distributes weekly news and talking points on timely issues concerning Israel and the Jewish people, including antisemitism, anti-Zionism and the delegitimization of Israel. It represents a consensus view across a spectrum of major American Jewish organizations. Mercaz USA recognizes […]

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Hatred of Israel is Endangering American Jews

Posted on December 17, 2023

On Sunday, December 17, 2023, the Conference of Presidents of Major Jewish Organizations placed the following ad in The New York Times. We encourage you to share this message with your friends and communities to make them aware of this campaign. We also suggest you encourage others to share this ad to their social and […]

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Torah for this Hour | December 14, 2023

Posted on December 14, 2023

The hour is late, very late. A time of bloodshed, and existential angst. A solution to the conflict appears to be further away than ever. Individuals and peoples all have their own interests at heart. We inhabit our trauma, and they theirs. How is one to find any hope in such a reality? The evil […]

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Congressional Action Alert for Israel – Keep Calling!

Posted on December 14, 2023

Last week, MERCAZ USA joined with The Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations and Jewish Federations in leading the American Jewish community’s National Mobilization Week. The effort was hugely successful with tens of thousands of calls made into Congress, and we cannot stop now. With Congress deliberating over an unprecedented aid package, we […]

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Anti-Jewish Hatred Surges Amid University Backlash

Posted on December 12, 2023

This content is developed by The Focus Project in partnership with Mercaz USA. The Focus Project distributes weekly news and talking points on timely issues concerning Israel and the Jewish people, including antisemitism, anti-Zionism and the delegitimization of Israel. It represents a consensus view across a spectrum of major American Jewish organizations. Mercaz USA recognizes […]

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