The past week has been more harrowing than words can express. Hamas terrorists, together with Palestinian Islamic Jihad, attacked Israel. They murdered more than 1,200 people, injured thousands, and subjected young and old to torture, rape, and abduction. Israelis, living in fear, are coming together to care for and protect one another. We must do the same.
We know you may be looking for ways to help. Here are several things you can do to support Israel, its LGBTQ community, and all those who love Israel.
1. Connect:
Call, text, WhatsApp, and email your Israeli friends, including people you’ve met through A Wider Bridge. Let them know that they’re in your hearts. Recognize that they may be overwhelmed and may not be able to respond right away, but know that the messages you send make a difference.
2. Stay Informed:
Look to credible domestic and Israeli sources, including English-language Israeli media like Ha’aretz, Times of Israel and Ynet. Listen to updates, including the emergency briefing AWB held with our friend Nurit Shein, former chair of The Aguda.
3. Speak out:
Your voice needs to be heard on social media and beyond. Words from the heart can be a great comfort to people in pain, even those you don’t even know. They say, “you’re not alone, we stand with you, we get it.”
You can use our AWB portal to share a message to the Israeli LGBTQ community – we will make sure they receive it.
4. Reach Out:
The AWB staff is here to listen and hold space for you to share what you’re thinking and feeling. Write us, message us, call us, and we’ll respond. We can provide information, connect you with Israeli LGBTQ groups, or just provide a space for you to be your authentic self. If you’re looking for ways to do more, we’d be happy to brainstorm with you. We can also help if you’d like to write an op-ed, get speakers for your community, etc.
5. Donate:
A Wider Bridge is accepting contributions that we will share in their entirety with Israeli LGBTQ organizations responding to the needs of LGBTQ Israelis during this time of crisis – helping to house the displaced, providing hotlines, emotional support, mental health counseling, caring for the injured, and supporting one another in every possible way.