We Stand with Israel Statements
We Stand In Solidarity With Israel As They Defend Themselves
April 14, 2024
We are closely following the assaults yesterday on Israel by Iran. We condemn these attacks in the strongest possible terms, and fully support Israel's right to defend itself against Iran and others.
As always, safety of the local community and our Campus is of utmost concern to us. We are continuing to monitor the situation and have been in contact with local law and national law enforcement agencies. We are not aware of any direct credible threat to any Jewish institution, locally or domestically. Our Federation and Agencies are open as usual, but we will monitor the situation closely.
Following a tense night, Israeli citizens are again safe. Though more than 300 drones and cruise and ballistic missiles were launched from Iran, the Israeli Defense Forces was successful in mitigating the attack. We’re saddened that one person was injured, but extremely grateful the IDF was able to save many lives.
We have been in contact with our friends in our Partnership region and everyone is safe. They are thankful for the great work of the IDF and the U.S., for its collaboration to protect the state of Israel.
The attack from Iran came at a critical time in the war against Hamas. Though Israel agreed to the terms of a ceasefire, it was formally rejected by Hamas yesterday. We condemn this stance unequivocally.We stand in solidarity with Israel and the IDF as they work to defend themselves against these brazen attacks. And we are grateful to the American armed forces and other allies who are helping defend our beloved State of Israel. The world came together to show its support for the sovereign state of Israel. An international coalition, led by the U.S. military, combined forces with Israel’s cutting-edge aerial defenses. Together, they achieved a remarkable feat: 99% of the enemy’s arsenal was intercepted.
We pray for the safety of all those defending Israel in this fight.
Mark Huberman
Youngstown Area Jewish Federation Board PresidentAndrew Lipkin
Federation CEOBonnie Deutsch Burdman
Executive Director, Community Relations/ Government AffairsNancy Burnett
Jewish Community Relations Council Advisory Board Chai
Federation Joins Others in Rejecting Bigotry and Hate
October 17, 2023
Several days ago outside of Chicago, a six-year-old Palestinian boy was senselessly murdered and his mother was critically injured simply because they were Muslim. Police have a suspect in custody and are investigating the incident as a hate crime. We condemn this heinous act in the strongest possible terms. Hatred, prejudice, and violence have no place in our society and are an affront to our core values. During these difficult times following thehorrific Hamas massacre against Israeli citizens and the Israeli government's necessary defensive response to root out terrorism, we pray that this type of heinous hate crime does not happen here at home, or anywhere else again.
The Youngstown Area Jewish Federation joined with leaders in the organized Jewish community from throughout North America in signing a statement to condemn this action and to reject bigotry and hate in all its forms. The statement can be viewed HERE.
Statement on Current Situation in Israel
October 7, 2023
Once again, terrorists and enemies of peace attacked the people of Israel on a holy day of the Jewish calendar. Hundreds of Israelis are wounded and dozens are dead. That number is expected to rise.
The attack came on Simchat Torah, when Jews complete the annual cycle of reading the Torah scroll, normally a joyous day, as well as the 50th anniversary of the 1973 War in which Arab states blitzed Israel on Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the Jewish calendar. This year, however, Hamas declared war, launching an unprecedented wide-ranging mass attack. We, alongside the United States government, unequivocally condemn the unprovoked attack, and fully support Israel’s right to defend itself. We pray for the safety of our Israeli brethren, and offer our condolences to the families and loved ones of those killed in the attack.
