Israel Resources and Support

War in Israel feels personal; it is war on our family, friends and it’s our identity under attack. Services and other spaces which enabled us to come together have provided us with time to be together in our shared grief.

We have been asked by CST to take extra precautionary measures in our security at this time. Our gates will be closed unless until people are entering the building. We will not be able to hold it open even when we can see you approaching. Please be patient at this time, it may therefore look less welcoming than usual but please be assured our gates are being flung wide open for you as always but sadly it’s needing to be done a little more metaphorically at the moment than we would like.

Given the current situation, we are as always happy to welcome non-members to FRS, but are asking them to let us know in advance that they are coming. 

In this time of crisis you can help by making a donation to the Israeli Movement for Progressive Judaism, who will channel the money where it is most needed, including to members of our sister communities who have lost their homes. (Choose the IMPJ emergency fund). 
Donations directly support:

• Emergency spiritual care and emotional support in hard-hit areas
• Safe relocation and temporary shelter for those without secure housing
• Keren B’Kavod operations: distributing essentials, running women’s support circles, and addressing the needs of those most at risk
• Continued care for young adults with cognitive disabilities, ensuring this crisis doesn’t unravel their hard-won independence
• Tailored programming for Ukrainian refugees and Russian-speaking immigrants now enduring a third war in as many years
• Development and distribution of spiritual and educational materials for thousands of families

You may also choose to support World Jewish Relief's work to provide humanitarian aid in Gaza or their ongoing Israel appeals. 

A note from our clergy

The ongoing conflict in Israel and the Middle East has touched many within our FRS community, and we know that many members are holding grief and worry for family members, friends and those in our wider networks. We have mourners within our community, as well as those who have family directly in ongoing danger, and we create space in our services to pray for them and to stand alongside them in this incredibly difficult time. We continue to pray for the release of hostages, and the security of all of those under threat from Iran, as well as for the innocent civilians who suffer the tyranny of the Hamas and Iranian regimes. 

We pray the words of Acheinu in most of our Shabbat morning services. You can listen to them here:

We have reserved chairs in our shul for two hostages- Alon Ohel and Matan Zangauker. To learn more about their stories you can read Alon's here and Matan's here.

The ongoing conflict is discussed frequently in sermons at FRS and you can read them here https://www.frs.org.uk/sermons.html. 

Supporting the ongoing security needs of our community

Since the horrific attacks on 7th October, FRS has continually been reviewing our security for Shabbat services, our Kindergarten and our regular programmes and activities. This has seen the following:

• Increase to two professional security guards for all services
• Additional security items to keep our volunteers safe and warm have been purchased
• Some adjustments to our building infrastructure are in progress to enhance our security

We want to remind the community that the FRS building is very secure, and was designed in partnership with CST who have been incredibly supportive, providing bespoke training and an emergency grant from the government.  However, we still have a significant shortfall so are turning to our wonderful community to ask for help at this difficult time.

We are a community of nearly 1,000 families and if each family donated a minimum of £10, we would cover these costs.  Please click here to make a donation.