Jewish Connection - February 2026

“By coming to Israel for their education, students don’t just earn a degree—they join a network of peers, mentors, and opportunities that will carry them forward for life,” explains the Tzemach David Educational Foundation.

ATransformativeEducationalExperience

A New Platform Connects American Jewish Students with World-Class Israeli Universities

A compelling new initiative is opening lifechanging pathways for American Jewish students to access world-class higher education in Israel,

TheFutureIsCalling.org, launched by the Tzemach David Educational Foundation, provides families with comprehensive resources to navigate Israel’s premier university system, where students can earn globally recognized degrees at a fraction of U.S. costs. According to

EducationData.org, Americans pay 5.5 times more at public universities compared to Israeli universities’ international rates.

Unprecedented Opportunities Await

The initiative connects students with some of Israel’s most prestigious institutions, including Technion – Israel Institute of Technology, known as “Israel’s MIT,” where a remarkable Continued On Page 12

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Adolph&RoseLevisJewishCommunityCenter’sProject L.I.F.E.,ProgramForYoungAdultsWithSpecialNeeds

The Adolph & Rose Levis Jewish Community Center (Levis JCC) has just announced that it has a few openings in its Project L.I.F.E. (Learning. Independence. Friendship. Experiences.), a weekday program that supports young adults with special needs as they build essential life skills, confidence, and greater independence through structured instruction, wellness activities, and meaningful community engagement.

Part of the Levis JCC’s Helene & Roy Schwedelson Special Needs Department, Project L.I.F.E. serves individuals ages 18-30+ through a structured, Monday-Friday program from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The initiative blends life-and social-skills development with health, wellness, recreation, and volunteer opportunities both on and off campus, creating a supportive bridge between school-aged programming and adult independence.

With a staff-to-participant ratio of one instructor for every four participants, Project L.I.F.E. offers individualized, experienced attention while fostering meaningful peer connection. Participants volunteer at the JCC’s Zale Preschool, Levis JCC Resale Boutique, and Sinai Residences, learn cooking skills from a professional chef, participate in yoga and wellness activities led by specialized instructors and engage in weekly

community outings to locations such as grocery stores and libraries. A dedicated technology component introduces practical skills like sending emails and navigating basic digital tools.

“At its heart, Project L.I.F.E. is about empowerment, inclu-

Project L.I.F.E. launched in Fall 2025 with 13 participants and is growing quickly, though there is still limited space available for the program. While the program is private-pay, families may seek reimbursement through Med Waiver and partial scholarships are also offered.

sion, and possibility,” said Ali Landman, Vice President, Special Needs Services. “We’re creating a space where young adults with special needs are not only supported, but valued—where they can contribute, learn, and thrive as active members of the community.”

For more information, visit: https://levisjcc.org/specialneeds.

About the Helene & Roy Schwedelson Special Needs Department

For more than 30 years, the Helene & Roy Schwedelson Special Needs Department has supported children, teens, and adults with special needs through inclusive, high-quality programming. Serving more than 500 families annually through over 25 programs for participants ages 3–50+, the department welcomes families of all backgrounds and is committed to providing financial assistance to those in need.

About the Adolph & Rose Levis Jewish Community Center

The Adolph & Rose Levis Jewish Community Center promotes and enhances Jewish culture, heritage, and values through educational, spiritual, social, wellness and recreational programs for individuals of all ages. With a preschool, summer camp, family activities, athletics, cultural arts, adult enrichment, and special needs programming, as well as a Resale Boutique, the Levis JCC offers something for everyone.

ZOASettlesAntisemitismLawsuit AgainstCherryHillPublicSchools

After months of litigation, the Zionist Organization of America (ZOA) successfully resolved its federal lawsuit against Cherry Hill Public Schools in New Jersey.

In partnership with attorneys Jeffrey Schreiber and Stephen Meister of the Law Firm of Meister Seelig & Fein, PLLC, the ZOA filed suit on behalf of a Jewish student at Cherry Hill High School East and his parents after the student – a proud and vocal Israel supporter – was repeatedly threatened and nearly physically assaulted by other students after he documented on Social Media the provocative, dangerous, proterrorist Hamas conduct of fellow students. Just days after Hamas massacred over 1,200 Jews on October 7th, 2023, a group of Cherry Hill students walked through the halls of the high school enthusiastically waving Palestinian Arab flags, wearing keffiyehs, and shouting, “Free Palestine.”

The complaint alleged that school and district officials not only failed to protect the Jewish student from the repeated threats he received and reported. They also retaliated against him – the victim – and harshly, undeservedly and outrageously punished him in violation of their own rules and policies, while ignoring and downplaying the conduct of his attackers.

Under the settlement negotiated by the ZOA and its partners, the school district was required to (1) expunge the information and evidence related to the disciplinary action taken against the Jewish student; (2) continue to provide antisemitism education as part of its mandatory Holocaust instruction; (3) commemorate Holocaust Remembrance Day on April 24th, 2025, and commemorate it annually thereafter; and (4) during the week of April 21st, 2025, maintain a table of books in the district’s libraries that commemorated Jewish history and survival

through the centuries.

The settlement also required the school district to issue and post on its website a detailed statement providing data about the “skyrocketing” rise in antisemitic incidents in New Jersey and affirming that the district would “not tolerate antisemitism in any form.” The statement promised that all perpetrators of antisemitism, both staff and students, would be held accountable by the district. In addition, the statement emphasized that understanding how antisemitism can be expressed “is critical for effectively addressing” the problem and provided much-needed

information to the community about the many forms of antisemitism: Included in the district’s statement was a definition of antisemitism almost identical to the widely accepted International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) working definition, including the examples related to Israel. ZOA National President Morton A. Klein and the

are pleased and gratified that we were able to achieve the result our clients were seeking and that justice was served. The school district took much-needed corrective steps. It also educated its community about the many forms of antisemitism and made it clear to the community that the district would have zero tolerance for all of it. It was a privilege to work again

Director of ZOA’s Center for Law and Justice, Susan B. Tuchman, Esq., expressed their satisfaction with the terms of the settlement, stating, “We

with the Law Firm of Meister Seelig & Fein, PLLC to fight the ongoing battle against the ugly surge of Jew-and Israel-hatred in our K-12 schools.”

IsraelGrowingBrainDrain

HundredsOfIsraelPhysiciansAndResearchersInTheU.S.GatheredInSouthFlorida

Hundreds of Israeli physicians, researchers, medical students, residents, fellows, and healthcare professionals who have left Israel and now reside across the United States gathered recently in Miami for the ScienceAbroad Conference, addressing the growing outflow of Israeli researchers and scientists.

According to recent data from Israel’s Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS), approximately 55,000 Israelis with academic degrees - from Bachelor’s to PhD - currently live abroad; about 16% of PhD holders reside outside Israel; and in 2024, Israel shifted to a negative migration balance of academics.

ScienceAbroad - the global network uniting thousands of Israeli scientists worldwide and working to reconnect Israeli scientists and physicians with Israel’s research and healthcare systems - held its first-ever conference in Miami as part of the IAC National Summit 2026.

The conference was led by ScienceAbroad in partnership with the Sheba Research Authority (Tel HaShomer), the Israeli Medical Association, and Nefesh B’Nefesh.

Speakers at the conference

included:

• Dr. Miriam Adelson, Israeli-American physician, businesswoman, and philanthropist

• Professor Joel Mokyr, Nobel Prize–winning economist, Northwestern University

• Brigadier General Dr. Zivan Aviad-Beer, IDF Chief Medical Officer

• Dr. Michal Mekel, Director General, Rambam Health Care Campus

• Professor Itai M. Pessach, MD, PhD, MHA, Associate Director General, Sheba Medical Center; CEO, Edmond and Lily Safra Children’s Hospital

• Prof. Shlomi Codish, CEO, Soroka Medical Center

• Dr. Zeev Feldman, Chairman, State Physicians Organization; Vice Chair, Israeli Medical Association (IMA)

“This conference brought together Israel’s medical and scientific leaders living in North America to confront one of the most urgent challenges facing Israel todayhow to sustain its research, healthcare, and innovation future by reconnecting with its global talent,” said Nadav Douani, Executive Director of ScienceAbroad.

About ScienceAbroad:

Established in 2006, ScienceAbroad connects more than 11,000 Israeli scientists and physicians working at leading academic institutions and industry firms in over 30 countries. The organization fosters collaboration between Israeli scientists and medical professionals abroad and their counterparts in Israel, strengthening Israel’s global scientific ties and ensuring Israeli inno vation continues to have global impact.

ScienceAbroad.

ANewYear,ANewMission

DudiLev’sFightToRecover&CopeWithPTSDThanksToFIDFSupport

The sound came first. A sharp boom, then a heavy, disorienting silence. On a narrow road in northern Israel, a Hezbollah rocket struck just meters from where Dudi Lev was sitting. It was June 23rd, 2024. He had been escorting a displaced family back to their damaged home in Metula, helping them recover what they could, documents, photographs, artifacts of their life fractured by war. The mission was brief, he thought. Instead, it changed everything.

The Hezbollah rocket destroyed Lev’s right eye, shattered his hand, crushed his leg and damaged his hearing. He survived, barely. “I was awake the whole time,” he said recently from an FIDF funded Beit HaLochem in Haifa, a rehabilitation center for wounded Israeli soldiers. “I felt everything.”

Lev, a former special forces soldier, had returned to combat after October 7th, 2023, when Hamas’s attack in the south raised fears of a wider war. Many elite units were redeployed south, leaving limited forces to guard Israel’s northern border. In Metula, Lev and a small group of reservists and veterans of elite IDF units became the town’s and the country’s, first and last line of defense. For months, they operated under near-daily rocket and drone fire, sleeping in abandoned homes and moving cautiously through empty streets. Intelligence reports warned that thousands of Hezbollah fighters were positioned just across the border ready to replicate Hamas’s October 7th Attack. Moments of calm were rare and never fully trusted.

It was during one such lull that Lev was asked to help a family whose home had been destroyed by a Hezbollah rocket. As he and his partner escorted them in an open-air ATV, a missile struck right next to their vehicle. The blast threw Lev into the ground.

His partner pulled him to safety, hiding with him in a roadside ditch while waiting for evacuation, unsure whether a follow up strike or an ambush would follow.

Lev spent days in a coma and more than four months hospitalized at Rambam Medical Center in Haifa. “I used to be independent,” he said. “Suddenly, I needed help with everything.” The physical injuries were severe, but the psychological ones, he says, ran deeper.

Now, in early 2026, Lev is focused on a resolution he has set for the new year: to complete his rehabilitation and find a sustainable way to live with his PTSD. At Beit HaLochem he spends his days relearning how to walk, managing a brace on his leg and working through the lingering limitations of his right arm. Hearing loss challenges his balance. Alongside physical therapy, he participates in a specialized PTSD treatment program developed by Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (FIDF), in partnership with Sheba Medical Center.

Lev meets weekly with a trauma psychologist named Michael, learning to untangle layers of trauma, the blast itself, the helplessness of recovery and grief for the life he lost. “He doesn’t try to fix me,” Lev said. “He gives me the space to be broken without judgment and pushes me to find the solutions to each trial we encounter because he understands how I think and that if I can’t find the solution on my own, I would not be able to accept it.”

Therapy has also helped him reconnect with his children, strained by months of anger and withdrawal. “After the attack they didn’t know how to approach me,” he said. “And I didn’t know how to approach them.” Now that he can manage his pain the distance is closing.

Nearly 4,000 soldiers across Israel receive PTSD care through the FIDF–Sheba partnership, some at long-established Beit HaLochem centers, others at sites opened after October 7th, 2023. Since the initial Hamas attack, FIDF has funded more than 10 mental health clinics throughout the country. Programs like these, Lev says, are as vital as any surgery or medical intervention. “Surgery kept me alive,” he said. “Psychological support gave me a reason to keep going.”

As 2026 progresses, Lev is measuring progress not in headlines or medals but in small milestones, steps without a brace, moments of calm, conversation with his children and the ability to plan a life beyond the hospital walls. One day, he hopes to drive Israel’s quiet back roads in a 4x4 with his dog, Echo, discovering stillness in a world he once defended.

For now, his New Year’s resolution is simple and profound, to rebuild, to cope and to move forward. In that, he is succeeding.

Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (FIDF) is dedicated to honoring and supporting the brave men and women of the IDF who risk everything to protect the State of Israel and the Jewish people. While the mission of the IDF’s heroes is to look after Israel, defending its people, borders and freedom, FIDF’s mission is to look after them. FIDF provides life-changing support through education, financial aid, bereavement programs, mental health services and more, ensuring that every soldier, veteran and bereaved family knows they are not alone. Through global partnerships and unwavering commitment, FIDF stands as a pillar of strength for those who sacrifice so much in service to the Jewish homeland. For more information, visit: https://www.fidf.org/

BroadNationalCoalitionLedByICARCollectiveLaunchesIsrael’s FirstPsychoeducationCampaignToAddressTrauma

There is now a coordinated effort aimed at improving mental health literacy, reducing stigma and helping people access support following the October 7 Hamas attacks and the ongoing war.

A wide-ranging coalition of healthcare providers, government agencies, civil society organizations and philanthropies, led by ICAR Collective, has launched Israel’s first national psychoeducation campaign, a coordinated effort aimed at improving Mental Health literacy, reducing stigma and helping people access support following the October 7th Hamas attacks and the ongoing war.

The campaign, titled “How Are You,” was coordinated by ICAR Collective and developed and implemented in partnership with dozens of organizations across Israel’s mental health ecosystem, including HMOs, government ministries, local authorities and nonprofit groups. Organizers described it as a first-of-its-kind initiative, bringing together institutions that do not typically collaborate around a shared public mental health response.

“This campaign reflects a shared understanding that trauma recovery cannot rely on clinics alone,” said ICAR Collective CoFounder and Executive Director Gila Tolub. “When people understand what they are experiencing and know that their reactions are normal, they are far more likely to reach out for support earlier and help one another.”

In preparation for the campaign ICAR Collective conducted a national psychotrauma survey, which collected responses from 915 participants representative of the Israeli population. The survey assessed mental health literacy, stigma, coping behaviors and readiness to access care since October 7th, 2023. Development of the campaign was directly informed by the survey findings.

The survey showed that while awareness of Mental Health is relatively high, practical knowledge about when and how to access support remains limited. About 85 percent of respondents said they understand that mental health affects daily functioning and can be treated, and roughly 75 percent view psychotherapy and medication as effective. However, only 60 percent reported knowing where to turn for help, and only about half of the respondents believed that people with severe Mental Health conditions can fully recover.

Although 70 percent of respondents said they would be open to professional support if distressed, nearly 80 percent reported not accessing any mental health support in the past year. Among those reporting poor emotional well-being, only about half accessed care. Common reasons included believing they could cope independently, uncertainty

about treatment effectiveness, cost, long wait times, lack of information and stigma.

According to ICAR Collective, the findings pointed to a national paradox: While nearly 90 percent of respondents recognized the importance of daily routines and 70 percent viewed relaxation techniques as helpful, only about 60 percent could

could make the biggest difference.”

Over the past few months, ICAR Collective worked with field partners and clinical experts to translate the survey findings into campaign design. This included mapping existing psychoeducation efforts, developing short evidence-based messages and filming 28 Mental Health professionals to deliver core messages with credibility and public trust.

said ICAR Collective Co-Founder and Director of Medical and Scientific Affairs Prof. Eyal Fruchter. “Many people understand that mental health matters, but uncertainty, stigma and lack of clear guidance still prevent them from reaching out when support

The campaign launched during prime-time television news broadcasts across seven channels, alongside distribution through digital platforms, health maintenance organizations and community networks. A central component is an online toolbox, available at: https://www.hru.org.il, which includes instructional videos, selfassessment tools, practical coping strategies and links to professional support services.

In Israel, partners include the Federation of Local Authorities in Israel, JDC, Sahar, Tamar Association, Israel Healthy Cities Network, Clalit Health Services, Maccabi Healthcare Services, Meuhedet Health Services, Leumit Health Services, ERAN –Emotional First Aid, Natal, Enosh, the Israel Trauma and Resiliency Center, the Israel Trauma Coalition, the National Insurance Institute, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Welfare, Mifal HaPais, the Taub Center and Wuste Tsega.

Funding for the campaign comes from a combination of international partners, including Jewish United Fund of Chicago, Micah Philanthropies, Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia, Jewish Federation of Greater Houston and ZB Foundation and local partners including the Israel Trauma Coalition, Mifal HaPais and Meuhedet Health Services.

“Our campaign reflects growing recognition that large-scale psychoeducation can strengthen resilience, reduce stigma and ease pressure on an already strained mental health system by encouraging earlier access to appropriate support,” said ICAR Collective Co-Founder & Director of Advancement Lisa Silverman.

ICAR Collective (Israel’s Collective Action for Resilience) is working to accelerate trauma recovery and advance mental health resilience through coordinated collaboration across Israel’s public health, NGO, academic and research communities. Founded in response to the national trauma of October 7, ICAR Collective’s mission is to build a national, science-backed roadmap for long-term trauma recovery—aligning efforts and resources to protect the wellbeing, productivity and security of Israeli society. For more information, visit: https://www.icarcollective.org/.

67% of Israel’s Nasdaq-listed companies have been founded or led by Technion graduates. Students can also explore Tel Aviv University, which is leading breakthrough research in spinal cord engineering and medical innovation, or Hebrew University of Jerusalem, home to worldrenowned research and Nobel Prize winners. Bar-Ilan University offers access to awardwinning researchers in cutting-edge fields like marine virology, while Ben-Gurion University of the Negev and Jerusalem College of Technology provide additional pathways to academic excellence.

Transformative Benefits for American Students

There is an exception to every rule and “you get what you pay for” is NOT true for Higher Education in Israel. American students gain access to globally-ranked universities at 60% to 75% less cost compared to comparable U.S. institutions, with over 100 degree programs taught entirely in English. These universities have collectively produced 9 Nobel Prize winners and hold more than 10,000 patents from their affiliated research institutions. Beyond academics, students experience vibrant Jewish campus life with diverse Orthodox-friendly options and comprehensive transitional programs designed to support academic, social, and emotional adaptation from day one.

Meeting Growing Demand

The Orthodox Union has documented a dramatic increase in American Jewish students applying to Israeli universities—from just 22.5% eight years ago to nearly 20% today. This surge reflects students’ desire for academic excellence in environments that embrace Jewish identity and values.

“By coming to Israel for their education, students don’t just earn a degree—they join a network of peers, mentors, and opportunities that will carry them forward for life,” explains the Tzemach David Educational Foundation.

“Through TheFutureIsCalling.org, families gain peace of mind, students step into their futures with confidence, and Israeli universities gain a generation of leaders with deep ties to Israel.”

Comprehensive Support System

The platform addresses the informational, emotional, and practical gaps that previously made studying in Israel seem daunting for American families. Students receive clear, reliable information about university programs and campus life, along with transitional support programs designed to ensure successful adaptation. The initiative provides guidance on Orthodoxfriendly campus environments and facilitates connections to student communities and established support networks, ensuring students can thrive from their very first year abroad.

higher education. [2] Choosing Israel opens doors that last a lifetime—opportunities for networking, professional development, and friendships that root students both in the Israeli and global community.

About The Tzemach David Foundation

The Tzemach David Foundation goal is to open new doors in education and opportunities in Israel. Our entry point has been supporting olim—helping families integrate and thrive in Israel’s schools. Today, that mission has taken

on a new focus: helping students and families see Israel itself as a first-choice destination for higher education. This campaign is at the heart of that work—bringing together parents, students, and universities to imagine a future where Israel is not only the homeland, but a place of world-class learning, belonging, and

growth. Choosing Israel opens doors that last a lifetime—opportunities for networking, professional development, & friendships that root students both in the Israeli and global community.

For more information, visit: TheFutureIsCalling.org.

DenialAnd“FalseFlag”ClaimsFollowingAntisemitic AttacksAreLatestEvolutionOfHolocaustDenial

New research released by CyberWell ahead of International Holocaust Remembrance Day found that viral denial and conspiratorial “false flag” narratives targeting Jews on Social Media recycle and adapt core tactics and talking points of Holocaust denial and distortion to contemporary antisemitic violence.

CyberWell’s report documents how online discourse in the immediate aftermath of violent attacks against Jews and Israelis, from October 7th, 2023 through the last year, frequently shifts toward rhetoric questioning the reality of the violence, disputing documented evidence or attributing responsibility of the attack to Jewish victims themselves. According to CyberWell, these narratives mirror longstanding Holocaust denial mechanisms: erasing victimhood, invert-

to blame Jews for orchestrating attacks against themselves draw directly on the framework of Holocaust denial and distortion. Violence against Jews is denied, responsibility is inverted, and conspiracies replace facts. Whether it is the Holocaust, October 7th or other recent violent attacks against Jews, denial of well documented attacks against Jews is meant to dehumanize them further by erasing their victimhood—now at digital speed and global reach.”

The analysis outlined in the report is based on a series of real-time alerts and reports that CyberWell shared with major Social Media Platforms, documenting and addressing recurring behavioral patterns that emerge after antisemitic attacks. The report identified two interconnected current narratives: Denial, which dis-

while blaming Jews for the attacks that befall them aligns with Holocaust distortion by reframing Jewish victims as deceptive or complicit actors. Together, these narratives fuel radicalization by normalizing suspicion toward and rejection of Jewish suffering and undermining accountability for violence.

The report analyzes online discourse following attacks worldwide across Meta (Facebook and Instagram), TikTok, X and YouTube. The sample dataset of content examined more than 300 examples which collectively generated nearly 14 million views and more than 500,000 user interactions, demonstrating the outsized reach of denialist and conspiratorial narratives during moments of public attention.

The overwhelming majority of posts ana-

Nearly half of the content analyzed (47.4 percent) featured denial and conspiratorial narratives related to the October 7 massacre, the deadliest day for Jews since the Holocaust.

ing responsibility and replacing facts with conspiracy.

“By analyzing the online response to the repeat violence targeting the Jewish community across the world in the last two years, this research reveals an important development in current Jew-hatred: denialism is being repackaged for the masses online,” said CyberWell Founder and CEO Tal-Or Cohen Montemayor. “The current denial narratives that go so far as

misses attacks as fabricated, exaggerated or staged; and Conspiratorial Self-Victimization (CSV), a growing online trend in which Jews are accused of staging violent attacks against themselves to gain sympathy, political advantage or shape public opinion—rooted in the classic antisemitic trope that paints Jews as master manipulators.

The report illustrates how denial today functions in ways comparable to Holocaust denial,

deadliest day for Jews since the Holocaust. More than two years later, these narratives continue to circulate widely, with low removal rates (only 17.8 percent), despite extensive documentation of the attacks.

Overall, the report highlights critical gaps in how Social Media platforms address denial and conspiratorial narratives linked to present-day antisemitic violence. While most major platforms explicitly ban Holocaust denial and distortion, denial and Conspiratorial SelfVictimization related to current waves of antisemitic attacks are addressed less consistently, enabling these narratives to flourish during periods of heightened vulnerability.

Platform-level analysis identified X as the primary source of both volume and engagement for this content. Across platforms, enforcement was inconsistent: fewer than one in five posts in the dataset were removed after being reported, even when content violated existing platform policies.

TikTok emerged as a partial exception due to their explicit Community Guidelines banning denial of welldocumented violent events and CSV narratives. Even so, enforcement remained limited and below the average rates of removal of antisemitic content documented by CyberWell, underscoring the need for stronger, more consistent moderation across platforms.

lyzed (88 percent) included claims of Conspiratorial Self-Victimization asserting that Jews staged, provoked or carried out violence against themselves, often alongside explicit denial. In many cases, attacks were labeled as hoaxes, while simultaneously framed as coordinated “false flag” operations.

Nearly half of the content analyzed (47.4 percent) featured denial and conspiratorial narratives related to the October 7th massacre, the

CyberWell is an independent, techbased NonProfit combating the spread of antisemitism online, operating globally. Its AI-technologies monitor Social Media in English and Arabic for posts that promulgate antisemitism, Holocaust denial and promote violence against Jews and their allies based on the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism, expanded to include emergent antisemitic tropes not explicitly covered in the working definition. Its analysts review and report this content to platform moderators while indexing all verified posts in the first-ever open database of antisemitic Social Media posts, democratically cataloging it for transparency at: https:// app.cyberwell.org. Through partnerships, education and real-time alerts, CyberWell partners with social media platforms and their moderators to help them enforce their policies more effectively, promoting proactive steps against online Jew-hate. For more information, visit: https://cyberwell.org/.

ZAKASearch&Rescue

InvestsInTrainingAnd PreparednessTo StrengthenRescueAnd RecoveryOperationsAt HomeAndAbroad

ZAKA Search & Rescue volunteers are entering 2026 with a renewed focus on training and preparedness, conducting intensive disaster exercises alongside the IDF Home Front Command. The drills test volunteers’ skills in search and rescue, casualty extraction, operation of specialized equipment, and multi-agency coordination under pressure, preparing responders for both the rescue of the living and the dignified recovery of the deceased.

“Training is the foundation of everything we do,” said ZAKA CEO Dubi Weissenstern. “Our volunteers must be ready not only to save lives but also to honor those who have passed. Every exercise ensures we respond with professionalism, precision, and compassion, giving families a measure of closure in their darkest moments.”

ZAKA’s dual mission is central to its training philosophy. Volunteers practice rapid response to emergencies, from car accidents to collapsed buildings to mass-casualty events, while also emphasizing Kavod Hameis, the dignified handling of human remains in accordance with Jewish faith and tradition. These exercises ensure that victims are treated with respect, and that families can trust their loved ones are cared for when they cannot be present.

“What we do in drills translates directly to how we respond to real-life emergencies,” said ZAKA Vice President of Operations Chaim Weingarten. “Working alongside the IDF Home Front Command allows our volunteers to integrate and operate seamlessly alongside Israel’s emergency services, ensuring that both lives and the dignity of the deceased are protected when every second matters.”

Beyond its drills for volunteers in Israel, ZAKA is expanding its awareness and training programs for U.S. Law Enforcement Leaders. It continues to offer its Kavod Hameis Awareness Seminar nationwide and, in early 2026, will host a more intensive program in Israel for Senior Law Enforcement officials, homicide investigators, and medical examiners. These courses help U.S. agencies understand the religious and cultural needs of the Jewish community in fatal incidents while integrating these considerations into investigative practices.

“By sharing our expertise with U.S. agencies, we help investigators across the United States to better understand the unique customs surrounding Jewish fatalities,” said ZAKA U.S. Executive Director Moshe Rozenberg. “We showcase how Israel has integrated these customs into its emergency and investigative practices and discuss what can be adapted in their own jurisdictions.”

“Every drill, every training session, every partnership matters,” Weissenstern added. “We are investing in preparedness today so that when disaster strikes tomorrow, our volunteers and partners are ready to save lives and honor those who have passed.”

Founded to honor the dead in accordance with religious tradition, ZAKA has evolved into a full-scale emergency response from rapid medical response and search and rescue to water

For more information, visit: https://zakaworld.org/.

TeachingAboutTheHolocaustToTheAIGeneration

The Jewish Foundation for the Righteous (JFR) selected 23 middle and high school educators and Holocaust Center Staff from eight states to participate in its 2026 Advanced Seminar, an intensive two-day academic program focused on strengthening Holocaust education and addressing both historical and contemporary antisemitism. This year’s seminar placed special emphasis on the opportunities and challenges of artificial intelligence in Holocaust education and research. The program took place from January 17th - January, 18th, in New Jersey.

The Advanced Seminar is an intensive graduate-level program in which a select group of educators who are already well-versed in Holocaust history are given the opportunity to study more focused topics relating to the Holocaust and antisemitism from world-renowned lecturers.

This year’s program focused on the future of teaching the Holocaust, including the impact of Artificial Intelligence in Holocaust education, historical research of the Holocaust, and its impact on antisemitism.

This year’s speakers included Professor Andy Pearce of University College London, Professor Avinoam Patt of New York University, Professor Noah Shenker of Colgate University and renowned Holocaust Historian and Exhibition curator Paul Salmons.

Participants hailed from Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Illinois, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Texas and included:

• Amy McDonald of the Alabama Holocaust Education Center in Birmingham, Alabama

• Mindy Walker of Northside High School in Northport, Alabama

• Kendra Tallent of Glen Rose High School in Benton, Arkansas

• Maureen Carter of Boca Raton High School in Boca Raton, Florida

• Julie Gates of Logger’s Run Middle School in Boca Raton, Florida

• Sandy Lopater of John I. Leonard High School in Greenacres, Florida

• Mary Ellen Richichi of Independence Middle School in Jupiter, Florida

• Krystal Lamb of Dr. Joaquin Garcia High School in Lake Worth, Florida

• Sheri Crowley of Polo Park Middle School in Wellington, Florida

• Christine Giles-Lefkowitz of Palm Beach Central High School in Wellington, Florida

• Kimberly Coombs of the School District of Palm Beach County in West Palm Beach, Florida

in West Palm Beach, Florida

• Bradd Weinberg of the School District of Palm Beach County in West Palm Beach, Florida

• Yara Lugo of the Florida Holocaust Museum in St. Petersburg, Florida

• Lauren Crampton of the Holocaust Education Resource Council in Tallahassee, Florida

• Julie Klein of Fenwick High School in Oak Park, Illinois

• Jill Tejada of Livingston High School in Livingston, New Jersey

• Sarah Coykendall of Kean University’s Holocaust Education & Resource Center in Union, New Jersey

• Cara Tharpa of Kean University’s Holocaust Education & Resource Center in Union, New Jersey

educators who teach the Holocaust either in classrooms or through Holocaust Centers, have taught for at least five years and are at least five years from retirement.

“Each of these educators has already distinguished themselves through a strong commitment to teaching the Holocaust and to deepening their own understanding of the antisemitism that shaped it,” said JFR Executive Vice President Stanlee Stahl. “Through this intensive, graduate-level program, participants developed a more nuanced understanding of Holocaust history, testimony, pedagogy and contemporary tools and challenges for teaching about the Holocaust, strengthening their own effectiveness in the classroom and enabling them to mentor other colleagues who teach the subject.”

• Micaela McNiff of the School District of Palm Beach County in West Palm Beach, Florida

• Kelly Warsaw of inSight Through Education

CONCERNED: Pro-Hamas Turkish And Qatari Officials Named

To Gaza

Boards ZOA

Zionist Organization of America (ZOA) National President Morton A. Klein released the following statement:

The ZOA is concerned about Special Envoy Steven Witkoff’s announcement last Wednesday that the U.S. is launching “Phase 2” of President Trump’s 20-Point Gaza Plan –despite the fact that Muslim terrorist group Hamas has refused to meet the plan’s Phase One requirements to return every hostage and to disarm. Failing to insist on the preconditions of disarmament and returning every hostage signals U.S. weakness and emboldens Hamas and other anti-Israel and antiAmerican interests.

ZOA is also concerned by the announcement that the Phase 2 launch “establishes a transitional technocratic Palestinian administration in Gaza, the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG)”; and that this weekend, President Trump appointed a “Gaza Executive Board” that includes enemies of Israel, and will be led by a socalled Palestinian “technocrat,” Ali Sha’ath.

that Hamas made Gazan hospitals into their headquarters and command centers; said nothing negative about Hamas; said that they would be “connecting” Gaza to the Palestinian Authority (which would cut Israel in half); said that “Palestine” lives within him; and said that the NCAG would be relying on an “Egyptian Arab Islamic plan.”

Sha’ath also said that NCAG plans to place 200,000 prefabricated homes in specific locations in Gaza. Just like illegal PA building in Judea and Samaria is designed to encircle and seize Israeli lands, we suspect that the Gazan building units will be placed in locations that most endanger Israel, especially since the Gazan plan is based on an “Egyptian Arab Islamic plan.”

Fidan; Qatari strategic affairs minister Ali AlThawadi; Egyptian intelligence chief General Hassan Rashad; and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair (who has been advancing dangerous programs to have the PA control Gaza). Israeli PM Netanyahu also strongly opposed having any Qatari or Turkish troops in Gaza.

Nations that fund, support, host and propagandize for Hamas, such as Turkey and Qatar, are a danger to Israel, the West, and the cause of peace, and should not be given these critical supervisory roles in Gaza. As Minister of Finance Bezalel Smotrich wrote on X: “The countries that inspired Hamas cannot be the ones that replace it. Those who support it and continue to host it even now will not be granted a foothold in Gaza. Period.”

Bank” including (the non-existent entity) “East Jerusalem” is an “overdue right.” Kaag also absurdly and wrongly claimed that Israel has still been the “occupying authority” of Gaza since 2005 and that Israel’s withdrawal from all of Gaza in 2005 was “irrelevant”; and that Gaza is “the world’s largest open-air prison” and is “under siege”; and that Israel controlled everything going in and out of Gaza. Kaag ignored Gaza’s border with Egypt, arms smuggling through tunnels from Egypt, etc.

Similarly, former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said, “The entry into Gaza of Qatar and Turkey, which support and finance Hamas, rewards Hamas for the October 7 massacre, endangers the security of Israel’s citizens, and sends a serious message to all the peoples of the region that the massacre of Jews yields political and military achievements.”

And, as Aliyah and Absorption Minister, Ofir Sofer, said, “Israel must oppose the entry

Kaag also spouted phony blood libels that the “parties” (meaning Israel) are committing war crimes in Gaza; that Israel is an “occupying power” that is not meeting its obligations to provide security and access for aid under International Humanitarian Law (“IHL”), and that Israel is only allowing in minimal aid and is starving Gazans. (In fact, from October 2023 to September 2025, Israel facilitated in Gaza 2,174,489 tons of humanitarian aid on 111,540 trucks and 13,209 pallets by land, air and sea. Further, IHL is inapplicable. The applicable law is the Law of War, which Israel also complied with.)

Kaag also falsely condemned the U.S.-sponsored Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) –and instead insisted that Hamas-infested UN agencies and NGOs must be in charge of humanitarian aid distribution. (In fact, the highly successful GHF provided 187 million meals directly to Gazans, without allowing Hamas to loot the aid.) One of ZOA’s concerns about the 20-Point Gaza plan (see Point 8) is that terrorinfiltrated UN agencies such as UNRWA will again take over aid distribution in Gaza.

The term “technocrat” has repeatedly been used to whitewash terrorists and officials committed to Israel’s destruction. Ali Sha’ath –appointed to head the Gazan administration – is a Palestinian Authority official, whose family is tied to PA dictator Mahmoud Abbas. In an interview following his appointment this weekend, Sha’ath never indicated any plan to reeducate the Gazan population to live in peace with Israel, and never indicated any intention of disarming Hamas. Instead, Sha’ath called Israel “the occupation”; accused “the occupation” of destroying Gaza’s hospitals; never mentioned

Another serious danger is Egypt’s and the EU’s training of thousands of Palestinian “police” troops for Gaza. Palestinian Authority (PA) police are notorious for using their training and weapons to commit deadly terror attacks against innocent Jewish Israelis. PA “police” and “security” officers serve dual roles as terror commanders; and receive extra pay incentives and are glorified for attacking and killing Jews, etc. (See, e.g., “Terrorists in Uniform: A Study of Palestinian Authority Security Forces’ terror involvement,” Palestinian Media Watch Report, July 2025.)

It is also alarming that, as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office stated on Saturday night: “The announcement regarding the composition of the Gaza Executive Board, which is subordinate to the Board of Peace, was not coordinated with Israel and runs contrary to its policy.”

Further, this weekend’s appointees to the “Gaza Executive Board” – which will oversee and administer Gaza – raise alarm bells – including appointees Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan

of Qatar and Turkey into the administration of Gaza. This is a fundamental security interest, no less important than the insistence on control of the Philadelphi Corridor. Israel should tell its closest friend, ‘No. This is a real danger to the security of the state.’”

Still another alarming appointee to the Gaza Executive Board is Dutch UN official Sigrid Kaag, who propagandizes blood libels against Israel and is married to a Palestinian activist and PA official Anis al-Qaq. In a recent Council on Foreign Relations video, Kaag stated that a Palestinian state including Gaza and the “West

ZOA is also deeply concerned that another Israel-hater has been invited to join the “Gaza Peace Board,” Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Sharif calls for establishing what would be a Palestinian terror state on Israel’s lawful lands, with the Temple Mount as the Palestinian state’s capital; and celebrates October 7 as “Palestine Solidarity Day.” Sharif also falsely accuses Israel of numerous blood libels, including perpetrating “genocide,” “massacres,” “state terrorism,” “starving,” “indiscriminate bombing,” “unrelenting oppression and aggression,” and “waves of atrocities” against “unarmed Palestinians.” Someone who perpetrates such dangerous blood libels should have no place on a “Board of Peace.”

ZOA urges the administration to reconsider the recent concerning and dangerous steps, and to hold off launching “Phase 2” until the Phase 1 requirements of returning every hostage and disarming Hamas are complete.

SupremeCourtSidesWithZAKALegalAffairsUnit

ToProtectDignityOfDeceasedAfterFatalJerusalemNurseryTragedy

Following the tragic deaths of two infants at a Jerusalem nursery, ZAKA Search & Rescue’s Legal Affairs Unit played a central role in safeguarding the dignity of the deceased and representing the families during a sensitive and legally complex process that rose to Israel’s Supreme Court.

Immediately after the incident, as authorities began to investigate the fatalities, ZAKA’s Legal Affairs Unit was asked by the families to provide legal guidance and representation. From the outset, the unit ensured that investigative procedures would respect Kavod HaMeit, the obligation to preserve the dignity of the deceased.

When the Israel Police and State Attorney’s Office petitioned the Jerusalem Magistrate’s Court for full invasive autopsies, ZAKA’s Legal Unit made the case to the court that preliminary medical assessments already indicated the likely cause of death and should be accepted in lieu of invasive procedures.

Despite this, the Magistrate’s Court approved the autopsies. Within hours, ZAKA filed an urgent appeal to Israel’s Supreme Court, exhausting every legal avenue to preserve Kavod HaMeit.

At the Supreme Court hearing, ZAKA’s team, led by volunteer Attorney Dror Shosheim and Legal Affairs Unit Coordinator Michael Gutwein, presented an alternative framework balancing investigative needs with human dignity. The high court overturned the lower court ruling, ordering no autopsies be completed and emphasizing the importance of preserving the infants’ dignity while releasing their bodies for burial.

“This decision reflects not only religious law and legal reasoning, but human sensitivity,” said ZAKA’s Legal Affairs Unit Coordinator Michael Gutwein. “Our role is to stand beside families at the most painful moment of their lives and ensure that their children are treated with respect and care, even after death.”

Throughout the process, ZAKA coordinated with rabbinic authorities and forensic professionals, including Rabbi Asher Landau and the staff at the Abu Kabir Institute of Forensic Medicine, exploring non-invasive investigative alternatives. The Legal Affairs Unit also guided families through the legal system, explaining proceedings and ensuring their voices were heard.

“ZAKA exists to protect dignity where it is most vulnerable,” said ZAKA CEO Dubi Weissenstern. “Our Legal Affairs Unit ensures that even in the most sensitive and complex investigations, families are not left alone and dignity is preserved.”

“Our Legal Affairs Unit is a critical tool in ZAKA’s holy work of Kavod HaMeit,” added

ZAKA U.S. Executive Director Moshe Rozenberg. “In this case our incredible volunteers, who are attorneys who have dedicated themselves and volunteered their time to stand by families in their darkest hours, were able to prove to the court that the tools exist to bridge both investigative needs and preserving the dignity of the deceased.”

Founded to honor the dead in accordance with religious tradition, ZAKA has evolved into a full-scale emergency response network, with over 4,000 trained volunteers operating 24/7 across Israel to honor the dead, aid the living and bring dignity in times of devastation. Today, it operates a wide range of units – from rapid medical response and search and rescue to water

recovery to culturally sensitive burial teams serving Israel’s Jewish, Bedouin, Arab and Druze communities to international units deploying at a moment’s notice to crises across the globe.

For more information, visit: https://zakaworld.org/.

TempleBethElLaunchesCentennialCelebration

Temple Beth El’s Centennial Celebration is officially underway, and the opening events have set a powerful and joyful tone for this historic milestone. Marking 100 years of faith, community, and shared history, the congregation recently hosted three unforgettable events that brought together more than 1,000 attendees in celebration and connection.

Official Centennial Kick-Off Featuring Matisyahu

On December 18th, Temple Beth El launched its Centennial year with an electrifying kick-off event featuring acclaimed artist Matisyahu. More than 600 community members gathered for an evening filled with music, inspiration, and unity. The energy of the night reflected the spirit of the Centennial—honoring the past while looking boldly toward the future.

The Maccabeats Live in Concert

On December 25th, more than 400 attendees filled the venue for a lively and heartwarming performance by The Maccabeats. Known for their signature blend of Jewish music and contemporary sound, the group delivered a night of harmony, humor, and celebration that had the audience smiling, singing, and fully immersed in the joy of the moment.

Centennial Casino Night

The celebration continued on January 10th with a glamorous Centennial Casino Night, welcoming nearly 70 guests for an evening of games, laughter, and community connection. The event combined fun and festivity while supporting Temple Beth El’s future and ongoing mission.

“These first three events are only the beginning,” said Ilan

Kottler, Former Temple Beth El President and Current Centennial Celebration Chair. “Each gathering reflects the strength, warmth and commitment of our community –values that have sustained us for 100 remarkable years and will guide us into the next century.”

“Live and Loud” with Actor, Comedian and Podcast Star Michael Rapaport was held on Thursday, February 5th, 2026 at 8:00 p.m. VIP tickets included an exclusive meet and greet reception, elevated cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, along with reserved premium seating and preferred parking. Temple Beth El proudly invites the community to an unforgettable evening celebrating 100 years of faith, community and legacy at its Centennial Gala – Purim Style, to be held at the Lake Pavilion in downtown West Palm Beach – on Sunday, March 1, at 6 p.m.

Centennial Gala – Purim Style

This dazzling milestone event will bring together congregants, friends and supporters for a night where community, celebration and philanthropy unite in honor of Temple Beth El’s rich history and vibrant future. Inspired by the joyous spirit of Purim, the Centennial Gala will feature elegant dining, lively entertainment and festive, historic touches woven throughout a truly memorable evening.

The event is being co-chaired by community leaders Caren Winer and Jill Weiss.

“For a century, Temple Beth El has been a cornerstone of Jewish life in our community,” said Ilan Kottler, Past President and Centennial Celebration Chair. “This celebration is both a tribute to those who built our past and a commitment to sustaining our future for generations to come.”

Guests will have the opportunity to make a lasting impression by supporting the event through sponsorships or advertising in the Centennial Tribute Journal. Sponsorship opportunities include event recognition, tickets to the gala and placement in the commemorative journal – an ideal way to honor this historic moment while supporting Temple Beth El’s mission and continued impact.

Proceeds from the Centennial Gala will help ensure the continued vitality of Temple Beth El and its programs, strengthening its role as a spiritual, cultural and communal home for years to come.

“Temple Beth El looks forward to celebrating this historic milestone together with the community as it marks 100 years of tradition, connection and purpose,” said Kottler.

For sponsorship opportunities, advertising information or event details, please visit: bethelwpb.com Or contact: Temple Beth El at office@bethelwpb.com or (561) 833-0339.

Additional Centennial events and opportunities to celebrate will continue throughout the year. For more information, visit the synagogue’s web site at: www.bethelepb.com.

About Temple Beth El of West Palm Beach:

Founded in 1926, Temple Beth El is a vibrant center of Jewish life, learning, and community in Palm Beach County. For 100 years, it has served as a spiritual home for generations –rooted in tradition, dedicated to education and committed to the values of faith, compassion and inclusion.

Learn more about the full slate of centennial events at: www.bethelwpb.com/100

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