Jewish Federation of Central MA

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2024


A Statement From the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Boston

Last night, at a small demonstration in support of the October 7 hostages in Newton, MA, there was a violent altercation and an individual was hospitalized. While the details of what happened are still being investigated, there should be no question that violence of any kind in our democratic society is abhorrent. People’s right to gather in civil, non-violent public demonstrations must be sacrosanct.
We welcome and thank Newton Mayor Ruthanne Fuller and Middlesex DA Marian Ryan’s outreach to us at JCRC, and to other community leaders, late last night and their briefing on the investigation — along with steps being taken to reassure the public and our community. While some charges have already been filed, we urge patience as a full investigation unfolds, and we encourage Mayor Fuller and DA Ryan to continue to continue to fully communicate with the public and the community regarding the investigation and the rationale for those charges filed and for any additional charges that may be filed.
We have been in communication with our partners at ADL New England and CJP’s communal security initiative and we are committed to continuing to work with them and all our community partners to ensure the continued full and responsive support of our law enforcement and public safety agencies at this fraught time.
We take this moment to note that over the last eleven months, across our region there have been hundreds, if not thousands, of standouts for the hostages taken on October 7th. These rallies, demonstrations, runs and walks for the victims, a ‘hostage tunnel’ exhibit at Boston City Hall Plaza, and other ways in which our community and allies have come together to demand the return of the hostages to their families have all been peaceful and without incident.
Regardless of motive or his role in the initiation of the violence, we pray for the full recovery of the individual who was injured last night.

# # #

Tragic news today.

Bodies of six hostages, murdered by Hamas just days ago, found in Rafah – IDF.
Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Eden Yerushalmi, Ori Danino, Alex Lubnov, Carmel G*t and Almog Sarusi.

IDF Spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said the six were “brutally murdered” by Hamas shortly before troops arrived — possibly only a day or two before they were found.

“According to an initial assessment… they were brutally murdered by Hamas terrorists a short while before we reached them. They were abducted alive on the morning of October 7 by the Hamas terror group,” Hagari said in a press conference.

“Their bodies were found during the fighting in Rafah, in a tunnel, about a kilometer away from the tunnel from which we rescued Farhan al-Qadi a few days ago,” he said.

Save the date of Sept 26 for Ladies’ Night Out for Pre-RH🎊

The weather didn’t dampen spirits at YAD’s Annual Picnic in the Park and Newcomer Event!

https://www.timesofisrael.com/prolonged-gaza-war-hits-israeli-economy-with-unexpected-slowdown/

Prolonged Gaza war hits Israeli economy with substantial slowdown Economy contracted 0.4% in April-June on a per capita basis when adjusted to population growth, and business production and exports dropped, according to statistics bureau data

Today marks 300 days since the October 7th attack. Let us continue to advocate for the safe return of our hostages and for the safety and well-being of our people, everywhere.

May the hostages be freed, may Israel’s enemies surrender, and may the region know peace and prosperity, soon.

“It is interesting to note that while we are mourning 300 days of captivity for our hostages, amidst a multi-front war, while Israel is anxiously preparing for an expected attack from the Hamas- Hezbollah -Iran axis, we have an opportunity to partake in the joy of the release earlier today of WSJ reporter Evan Gershkovich. I hope that his release is a prelude to the safe return of the hostages held in Gaza for the past 300 days.” Steven Schimmel, JFCM Executive Director.

He’s on his way home!

Lots of local community unity happened this past weekend with YAD’s Shabbat Lunch on SPEC Pond (aka JCC Leominster), and Chaverim’s fun and frolic at the Summa’ Pool Party. Together we stay 💪.

Sources are reporting a possible UAV strike in Tel Aviv, damage reported.

Great evening at Polar Park for Jewish Heritage Night!

Wishing everyone a Happy Independence Day. And may we remember the Americans still held captive in Gaza.

Splashin’ summer fun today with PJ Library families at the Worcester JCC.

Tickets! Tickets! Get your tickets here for Jewish Heritage Night at the Woo Sox!

Jewish Federation of Central MA 7/9/24 @ 6:45 PM - Jewish Federation of Central MA

Thank you all for helping our greater community. The response has been overwhelming and we need to put a halt to the clothing drive as storage is to capacity. You are amazing!

June 9, 2024

We call on Worcester City Councilors Etel Haxhiaj and Thu Nguyen to immediately retract the inaccurate and inappropriate social media messages they’ve posted over the past 24 hours related to yesterday’s successful IDF hostage rescue. These social media posts, seen below, are examples of gross manipulation and misrepresentation of this rescue mission. We note that the rescue operation reportedly resulted in the unfortunate deaths of a number of civilians in Gaza, as well as resulting in the death of an IDF commander, and to mention these deaths is of course, acceptable. However, to categorize this operation as “not a rescue operation but a massacre”, as the councilors have, is unacceptable and deserving of condemnation.

# # #

ADL New England
everyone
Jewish Federation of Central MA

Wonderful news.

https://www.timesofisrael.com/idf-frees-4-hostages-after-8-months-captivity-in-daring-daytime-raid-in-central-gaza/

What a festive evening with women of all generations coming together for a pre-Shavuot celebration, hosted by Jewish Federation and The Torah Center

2 tickets and bus transport available for Auschwitz Exhibit this Sunday. 2 last minute cancellations. Contact [email protected]

Urgent Call for Clothing for Worcester Fire Victims! DO your spring cleaning today! Drop off at Worcester JCC or contact [email protected] or [email protected] for alternate locations.

PLEASE: SUMMER/LIGHT CLOTHING ONLY. THANK YOU.

Yom Yerushalayim, Jerusalem Day. The day when the unification of Jerusalem is celebrated. This was especially important because from 1948 until the moment when the Old City was retaken from the Jordanian military in 1967, Jews were forced out, under Jordanian rule, half of the Old City's 58 synagogues were demolished and the Jewish cemetery on the Mount of Olives was plundered for its tombstones, which were used as paving stones and building materials. Jews could not access, let alone pray at the Kotel.

Below is the iconic photo of IDF paratroopers at the Kotel after liberating the Old City on June 7 1967.

Here are the words of Moshe Dayan:

This morning, the Israel Defense Forces liberated Jerusalem. We have united Jerusalem, the divided capital of Israel. We have returned to the holiest of our holy places, never to part from it again. To our Arab neighbors we extend, also at this hour—and with added emphasis at this hour—our hand in peace. And to our Christian and Muslim fellow citizens, we solemnly promise full religious freedom and rights. We did not come to Jerusalem for the sake of other peoples' holy places, and not to interfere with the adherents of other faiths, but in order to safeguard its entirety, and to live there together with others, in unity.

Sad news of the passing of one of our longtime community members.

Marion "Susie" (Eisenberg) Hodes - View Obituary & Service Information Share Memories and Support the Family.

Fabulous turnout at our annual Educator’s Community Lag B’omer celebration today. Thank you to all who helped make this possible.

A blazing fire and good friends at YAD’s Erev Lag B’omer gathering!