On Monday evening, Oct. 9, the Northeast Florida community gathered for a vigil on the University of North Florida’s campus to pray for and mourn victims after a surprise terrorist attack on Israel was carried out by Hamas on Oct. 7, 2023 — during the celebration of the Jewish holiday Simchat Torah —causing carnage on both sides.
On Tuesday evening, Oct. 10, our community came together once again to stand united with our friends and family in Israel at the Solidarity with Israel Community-Wide Gathering hosted at the Jacksonville Jewish Center; 875 individuals attended in person and the over 200 viewers watched the livestream online.
On Friday, Oct. 13, the Martin J. Gottlieb Day School organized a fundraiser, asking for donations in return for baked goods, wristbands and blue ribbons in support of Israel. The students will also be making cards and sending notes of support to soldiers.
Throughout the week, as we have painstakingly watched devastating tragedies unfold overseas, we have witnessed people of all religions, races and ethnicities from across the city of Jacksonville come together to support Israel and to combat hate-fueled terrorism.
In the wake of the horrific events in Israel, many have expressed concerns about their security and safety here in our own community, especially that of our children. Since the terrorist attacks on Oct. 7, Jacksonville, St. Johns and Clay County sheriff's offices have added additional patrols to all Jewish facilities and schools. The Jewish Federation & Foundation of Northeast Florida and the Secure Community Network (SCN) are in constant communication with state, local and federal law enforcement officials regarding the tracking and evaluation of credible threats and all are being taken extremely seriously.
Community Security Director Alex Silverstein has been made aware of propaganda circulating on the internet and social media which calls for the targeting of the Jewish community with violence. All such threats have currently been determined to be unfounded but will continue to be closely followed — not only in relation to the terrorism occurring this past week, but in the overall rise in domestic antisemitism this past year.
This form of emotional terrorism is meant to deter us from our daily routines, activities, and adversely affect our emotional stability. This is hard to hear at a time like this, but if we allow them to intimidate us into not living our lives, they have won without firing a shot.
Let us show the power of our Northeast Florida Community by responding and leading with unity, with strength, with support and with love. This is not about sides; it’s about humanity. You don’t have to be Jewish. You don’t have to be Israeli. As mothers, fathers, daughters, sons, brothers and sisters, collectively, our hearts yearn for nonviolence.
Our community members, friends and family in Israel are in our hearts and minds as we send our thoughts and prayers for those who have been killed and injured, their grieving loved ones, and all who are still in harm’s way. Together, with a shared belief in peace and justice, Northeast Florida can work together to create a beacon of hope for Israel, for innocent Palestinians and the many others affected by these heinous acts of terror.
What you can do to help:
Our local Jewish Federation & Foundation of Northeast Florida’s 2023 Israel Emergency Fund is supporting many of the greatest needs in Israel right now, including:
Please visit www.jewishjacksonville.org/2023israelemergencyfund to donate.
Additionally, please mail in cards and/or drawings of support to their local office. They will be scanning in everything they receive and distributing them via care packages on the ground in Israel. The address is Jewish Federation & Foundation of Northeast Florida, 8505 San Jose Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32217.
Other vital and trusted organizations that are mobilizing on behalf of Israeli:
