When an act of terrorism – like what is happening in Israel – occurs, it is hard to know what to do, say, and feel. The pictures and stories emerging from the region are beyond all imagination and understanding.
As someone who works in the communications industry, my first impulse is to talk about it, but given the complexity of the issues involved, that can be daunting. We are living in a time when each word expressed publicly can be weighed, measured, and judged, regardless of our best intentions. Yet this should be a time to turn towards each other and not sit in our silos alone and silent.
I reached out to Deborah Coltin, Executive Director of Teak Media’s client Lappin Foundation for guidance. Since its founding in 1997, Lappin Foundation has been steadfast in enhancing Jewish identity, fostering connections with Israel and Jewish people worldwide, and educating people of all faiths about the Holocaust and antisemitism. Their Holocaust Symposium education programs have helped communities successfully navigate through difficult situations, such as the discovery of antisemitic graffiti in a school bathroom and educate their students with the goal of changing minds and behavior.
What are the best ways people should communicate with each other about what is happening in Israel, especially young people?
It starts with respect. People should be able to express their fears and concerns. They can ask questions to enhance their understanding without worrying about being judged. It is important to use age-appropriate language to engage young people so they can have difficult but necessary conversations about what they are seeing and hearing. Dr. Sivan Zakai, who is both a Professor of Jewish Education at Hebrew Union College and a parent, wrote an article for Kveller about this. For very young people, she recommends addressing the emotions they may be seeing on the faces of adults and stressing that they should come to them for information, rather than seeking answers online. Older children should be encouraged to look to credible sources for information, be warned of the images they will find and be reassured we, as adults, are available to talk about what they are learning and feeling.
How would you recommend people show their support?
This is a time we all need to be there for each other. Listen, hug, say I am here for you and ask what can I do for you? This is especially true for people who may have loved ones over in Israel they are worried about. People who want to show support for people in Israel can pray and put kindness into the world by doing acts of kindness in their own lives.
What sources of information would you recommend for people who want to learn about the historical context of the situation?
The American Jewish Committee has created this document that is being updated constantly. It outlines current events, articles, videos, and podcasts where people can find credible information. It has a list of trustworthy Israel English language news sources. It provides guidance on how people can take action, such as reaching out to politicians or posting a message of support on social media, if they choose to do so. Please share these resources widely in your networks.
I’m grateful to Deborah Coltin for her insights on how we can use information to process and cope with what is happening in Israel. If you are interested in making a donation, some organizations we recommend include Magen Adom Israel, Hadassah Hospital Israel, United Hatzalah Israel, Leket Israel, IDF Soldiers Fund in Israel, and Zaka Israel.
On Sunday night, a college friend I hadn’t heard from in awhile called me to see how I was doing. While I don’t have relatives in Israel, I am Jewish, so I am affected by what is happening. Her reaching out to check meant the world to me. Being kind to each other is incredibly powerful, especially at times like this.
