In the aftermath of October 7, now is the time to strengthen our connection with Israel
THE SCALE of the destruction left behind by the barbaric Hamas attack of October 7 was such that the rebuilding process will take years. UJIA is determined to galvanise the UK Jewish community to boost that rebuilding effort. Entire communities have been destroyed and displaced and the trauma of Israelis who survived the attacks needs to be urgently and continuously addressed. The task of rebuilding in this instance is not just a physical task but an emotional and psychological one. The physical rebuild will take time and UJIA will, as ever, find ways to harness the passion and commitment of British Jews for the benefit of Israelis who need our support.
The emotional rebuild is extremely urgent. UJIA was the first Jewish organisation to lead delegations from our community to bear witness to the devastation. Those we have taken to visit the communities of the Western Negev, such as Kibbutz Kfar Aza, will never forget what they saw nor the testimonies they heard from survivors. Their homes lie in ruins. As well as those from the south displaced by Hamas attacks, tens of thousands of Israelis from the northern border have also had to be evacuated from their homes due to attacks from Hezbollah. As a result more than 100,000 Israelis are displaced, many staying in temporary
Their homes will need to be rebuilt but so will their lives
accommodation in kibbutzim and hotels in the centre of the country.
Their homes will need to be rebuilt but so will their lives. To enable that to happen it is vital to support survivors of the attacks through the trauma of what they have experienced. Within days of October 7, UJIA rec
ognised that trauma support would be a vital part of the rebuilding process. This is not the first time UJIA has worked with Israeli partners to deliver trauma support to Israelis, but the scale of the need at this time is unprecedented. Trauma victims need immediate treatment to prevent their shock and grief becoming long-term, unmanageable PTSD.
Working with local organisations, UJIA has provided urgent counselling sessions with trained emergency therapists to thousands of families who have suffered bereavement and injury, and witnessed atrocities including the abduction of their loved ones.
UJIA has also worked to establish and support day camps in 44 hotels, guest houses and hostels across the country for evacuees from communities close to the Gaza and Lebanese borders. UJIA provided them with immediate basics needed, such as food, water, shelter, hygiene kits, shelter supplies and hot meals, all distributed by amazing networks of volunteers. UJIA also helped evacuate new immigrants from absorption centres under rocket fire, providing their basic needs while in temporary accommodation.
But rebuilding work must also go further. After October 7 the entire Jewish world has been in shock, and people have been looking for constructive ways to make a difference to the lives of Israelis who have suffered life-changing trauma and destruction. UJIA is determined to offer meaningful ways for the UK Jewish community to engage with Israelis. Israel needs us, but we should also never forget that we need Israel.
The future of our community will be enriched by its connection to our homeland and now is the time to strengthen those connections. We are proud that we have, together with our partner organisation Taglit-Birthright Israel, launched volunteering programmes in Israel so that young British Jews can help address Israel’s shortage of agricultural labour as many who would usually carry out the work have been called up for military service or have left the country.
Giving young people the opportunities to connect with Israel during this time of unprecedented crisis is a responsibility that we take seriously.
Young British Jews continue to participate in long-term Masa programmes in Israel. And UJIA is doing everything we can to ensure this summer’s Israel Tours and Birthright trips will go ahead.
Our young people will remember these tragic times for the rest of their lives.
UJIA is committed to giving them the opportunities they need to make sense of the horrors of this war and safeguard the future of our Jewish community and its deep and profound connection to Israel.
Israel needs us but we should also never forget that we need Israel