As a proud Zionist congregation, TBA unequivocally supports Israel’s right to exist and defend herself. We hope and pray for the day when Israel will be able to coexist in security and peace with all her neighbors. We also mourn the loss of life in Gaza as Israel seeks to rescue the hostages and defeat Hamas. To help you learn more about the complexities, challenges, and seemingly intractable difficulties Israelis and Palestinians face, we offer the following programs and website resources:
Current News and Information
Rabbi Pokras and Rabbi Weiss have created this page to help you answer common questions about the war, including:
- Why Israel is Not a Settler Colonial State
- Four Reasons Why the Events in Gaza are NOT “Genocide”
- What Does the Slogan “From the River to the Sea, Palestine Will be Free” Mean?
- What Does the Slogan “By All Means Necessary” Mean?
Recently Rabbis Pokras, Weiss, and Luxemburg signed this joint letter from Maryland rabbis to Senator Chris Van Hollen to reconsider his rhetoric on Israel. The rabbis wrote: “While Israel fights against terror and threats of annihilation, we are aghast by [the senator’s] claims about war crimes and your portrayal of Israel as the aggressor,” slamming Van Hollen for efforts to condition or cut off military aid to Israel, which the letter describes as necessary to protect Israelis and Palestinians from Hamas.” Read more here.
Members of our Israel Matters’ community recently shared the following noteworthy articles and op-eds. Depending on the source, a subscription may be required for reading. Click here to join the Israel Matters list serve.
- Hamas Has a Secret Weapon No One Talks About: Western Stupidity by Casey Babb (The Times of Israel)
- An Opportunity to Rewrite the October 7 Playbook by Michael Koplow, Israel Policy Forum
- The Mournful Isolation of Israel Six Months After Terrorists Attacked by Ruth Marcus (Washington Post)
- The Great Rupture in American Jewish Life by
- What Would You Have Israel Do to Defend Itself? by David Brooks (NY Times)
- Pro-Israel Progressives by Ritchie Torres (Sapir)
- An Arab Mandate for Palestine by Bret Stephens (NY Times)
- Israel Has No Choice But to Fight On by Bret Stephens (NY Times)
- Don’t be fooled: Palestinian suffering in this war is exactly what Hamas wants by Dan Perry (The Forward)
Relevant News Sources and Jewish Organizations
We encourage you to stay updated by following these news outlets and Jewish organizations:
- Times of Israel
- Jewish Federation of Greater Washington
- Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington
- ADL – Anti Defamation League
- American Jewish Committee
- Israel Policy Forum
- Boundless Israel
Email Ed Sondik to join TBA’s Israel Matters list serve to learn more and engage in ongoing discussions about Israel.
Donate to Support Israel
Please consider supporting our brothers and sisters in Israel by donating to any of the following organizations: