Israel Emergency Action Fund

The Israel Action committee is restarting TST’s “Israel Emergency Action Fund.” This will be an effort to help specific Israeli individuals and families who have very big and measurable needs due to the war. These individuals will come vetted to us from trusted sources in the congregation and in Israel. Every few weeks, the committee will present a different case and seek support from our temple members. This will be direct tzedakah, from TST to the person. Read more about the people below, and in the letter from our clergy and the Israel Action Committee below.  

New Family to Support - Ori Reches - 4/19/24

This week we are introducing our community to one of the harshest stories of war.  Ori Reches is a 20 year old frontline battle sharpshooter with the IDF.  A young man of extraordinary courage and bravery, Ori’s story is also one of the greatest trauma and sacrifice.  On December 20, 2023, Ori and his unit were battling in the heart of Gaza and they were hit with both heavy gunfire and attacked with explosives.  Three soldiers were badly wounded, but Ori’s wounds were truly devastating.  He suffered multiple catastrophic injuries to his head and brain, his arms and his hands.  His life was in great jeopardy as he was medivacked to the hospital.  Three Doctors intervened immediately on the battlefield and on the transport to somehow get Ori to the emergency room while still alive. He was intubated on the battlefield and his wounds were partially stabilized aboard the helicopter.  Upon arrival, Ori began a hospital odyssey that started with 12 hours of life saving surgery followed by a month in an induced coma and multiple further surgeries.  Ori’s parents, his Mother Niv and his Father Raz, arrived almost immediately along with Ori have not left his bedside since the first moment.  Their lives are now devoted to Ori’s painful recovery and long and brutal convalescence.  There are at least two years of therapy and many more surgeries ahead for Ori, and only at the end of these treatments can there be hope for reconstructive surgery to reassemble his nose, lips and face and to obtain a cosmetic eye to replace the one he lost.  As you know, we try to have pictures to introduce the people we are introducing, but Ori’s wounds are so extensive that no photo could be taken that affords him the dignity he so fully deserves.  Ori’s family needs our emotional support and friendship.  If you can make a gift of any amount, it will remind the Reches family that they are not alone in the long difficult days ahead.  As always, no gift is too small and is a reminder that we are all one family.  Am Yisrael Chai.  

A New Family to Support - Ofek Vaxman - 3/29/24

This week we share the story of Ofek Vaxman and his remarkable family. Ofek is a 20 year old IDF volunteer who has seemingly struggled against all odds his whole life. Ofek and his younger brother are both autistic. They lost their mother at a young age, and both brothers were raised by their amazing father, Reuven. On the terrible morning of October 7th, the family was visiting relatives when their house suffered a direct rocket hit and collapsed. 

Ofek was grievously injured and trapped beneath the rubble. Miraculously, Ofek’s father was able to dig him out from beneath the rubble and somehow get him to care in time to save his life. Ofek was in a coma, in the most critical condition, for the two weeks following the attack. He required intensive medical care including multiple surgeries. 

As a result of his injuries, Ofek is now paralyzed below the waist. He remains hospitalized and his father or his aunt is by his side at all times to help Ofek communicate with and understand the medical staff. Reuven has been unable to work since the attack as he cares for Ofek. The suffering of this patient and family is so great, yet seemingly matched by their love and devotion to each other and their extraordinary resilience. We hope to provide some support, friendship and assistance to this truly worthy family and hope you will consider helping them at this difficult time. No gift is too small and every amount will help.   

We ask that the contributions be made to TST Israel Emergency Fund, either by check sent to the Temple, or by simply clicking this link and filling out the form like the picture below.

Our original post:

Dear Congregation:

One of the most beautiful and compelling messages of our Jewish heritage is expressed in the words: “It is not for you to complete the task, but neither are you free to turn away from it.” Those words come to mind as we think about the barbaric Hamas attack and the many people in Israel whose lives were changed forever on October 7th. 

So many of us asked ourselves: “What can I do to ease some of the suffering that so many in Israel have endured?” And, “what might we do as a congregation to affirm our bond with the people of Israel at a time when so many face such great need?”

Years ago during the Second Intifada, when suicide bombers were exploding themselves in the midst of Jewish crowds, we as a congregation embraced 81 Israeli Jews and helped them with the financial demands they were facing. We came to know them as individuals; children, mothers and fathers, people young and old. As a congregation, we raised and distributed more than $750,000 to these people, each of them facing profound emotional and financial challenges. We significantly impacted their lives, and some of those connections continue until today. 

And now we want to do it again. We have been in direct contact with a number of individuals and families who have endured great suffering and face great and immediate need. 

Our plan is to introduce some of these people to our congregation with the hope of offering them financial and emotional support. Every few weeks we will communicate their “story”, with the intent of helping them rebuild their lives. Yes, we as a congregation are being asked to contribute, with no amount being too small or too large.

Previously Supporting:

We have been in contact with the Golan family who survived the attack in kibbutz Kfar Aza who lost virtually everything but their own lives. Ariel is a social worker while his wife, Ellay, is a physician. They have a baby daughter named Yael and parents who also lived on the kibbutz. As the terrorists entered Kfar Aza, the Golan family hid in their safe room hoping to avoid the attack. But their home was set on fire with a gas tank thrown into the safe room, causing severe burns to their bodies. Throughout the ordeal Elay continued to nurse Yael to keep her from crying and revealing their hiding place. After many hours, the Golan family was rescued by soldiers and transported to Sheba Hospital. Ellay was then placed in an induced coma for 58 days, while Ariel and Yael also spent time in an induced coma for the severe burns that covered their bodies. All three were eventually released to the rehabilitation department for their wounds. While they have lost everything they owned, they take solace in having their lives and each other – even as they each face great hardship and pain.

Let us help this worthy family face the challenges that they must now endure. We are asking each temple family to consider a contribution of any amount as a symbolic gesture of our congregation’s support for the people of Israel. All contributions will go directly to the Golan family and others who will be announced in the coming weeks and months. We ask that the contributions be made to TST Israel Emergency Fund, either by check sent to the Temple, or by simply clicking this link and filling out the form like the picture below.

Thank you for supporting these families. 

Now especially, 

Rabbi Emeritus David Greenberg

Rabbi David Wilfond

Cantor Ines Kapustiansky Szterenberg

Israel Action Committee