1.Our Dollars at Work

I spent the past two weeks in rainy Israel (crazy record-breaking rainfall, in case you were wondering). As I always do, I visited the communities and programs we support as well as others we might consider helping in the future. The report is both outstanding and troubling. Outstanding is the impact of our gifts and troubling is the remaining needs.

Let's start with the incredible impact of our support. In the Druze community of Hurfeish (up by the border with Lebanon) our funds are at work on a daily basis supporting the families of a school where 97 of the 461 kids who are dealing with trauma receive care through a program we support. We are now in year two of a three-year initiative. I can't think of any program we have supported during my time here that has had a more significant impact. They thanked you from the bottom of their hearts and I would like to use this Bulletin to forward the message to all of you.

At the Rabin Medical Center, I saw the greatest impact of our support in how we help treat the caregivers. The hospital was (and is) central to the treatment of returning hostages and wounded soldiers and civilians. Those who care for them have been stretched to the limit for more than two years. They too wish to thank our community. 

The part of my visit that was particularly hard was seeing the needs in many communities for treatment and support because of stress and trauma. I have no doubt that in the coming years the needs for caregivers and therapists will grow exponentially. And I have no doubt our community will do its best to address them. We always have.

2.Antisemitism, Water and Fire

It is a sad truth that no matter the zip code or element we are faced with a massive attack on our identity as Jews, Zionists, Israelis, civilians, students, children, parents.

I was tempted to headline this item "Mississippi Burning" because earlier this week a 19-year-old racist torched Beth Israel Congregation and burned it to the ground. Almost 60 years after the congregation was a target of the Klan a radical antisemite of a similar racist conviction destroyed the building and its contents, which included two Torahs.

At the time this happened I was in "Manchester England England Across the Atlantic Sea." In the Salford area where I was staying a Holocaust memorial bench was destroyed and tossed into the water. The story of Chaim Ferster who survived Auschwitz was set in a built-in audio device that was in the bench and it was just my luck to be at that very neighborhood at the same time.

This has become an almost daily reality and we must remain resolute as we continue to face it with wave after wave.

3.No Detectable Pattern

There is no reason (in my opinion) for anyone in Israel to take shelter because of a US intervention in Iran. It is closer than Venezuela and Greenland, but it is not like Iran in its current state poses much threat. That said, war is good for insecure leaders on trial and in black books. If you are familiar with Barry Levinson's masterpiece Wag the Dog, you'll detect a pattern. Hardly a day goes by without a scene from the movie coming to life in real time.

I flew Lufthansa TLV-MUC this week. It was one of "Several European carriers (that) canceled flights to Tel Aviv on Wednesday as turmoil over a potential U.S. strike on Iran roiled the skies and elevated fears in Israel." All because 47 (foolishly and bullishly) threatened to intervene in Iran.

Revolutions - like this one could be - and most conflicts on that side of the world are best left alone. Oil prices at around $60 a barrel have a greater impact than any weapons system and this is a perfect time to be a spectator and keep the powder dry. That is unless of course you have a tail that is desperately trying to wag the dog.

"On Thursday, reports emerged that Gulf states had talked Trump out of an imminent attack. But the uncertainty — and the recollection that Trump had appeared to waffle before striking Iran last year — has escalated fears in Israel, which is the Islamic Republic of Iran’s sworn enemy."

Read more in JTA's article, "Travel disrupted, fears elevated as Israel weathers uncertainty over potential US strike on Iran."

4.Expats

While it is very much yesterday's news (that's what 10 days can do in this crazy world), the Jews of Venezuela had something to say about recent events. "Samy Yecutieli, 60, moved to Israel eight years ago with his wife and three children. He’s among an estimated 20,000 Venezuelan Jews who fled their oil-exporting country after Maduro’s predecessor, Hugo Chávez, came to power in 1998 and began slowly bankrupting what was once Latin America’s most prosperous economy while also adopting antisemitic rhetoric that has persisted since.

"At one time, Venezuela was home to some 25,000 Jews. Today, no more than 4,000 remain — about the same number as those who moved to South Florida. A similar number moved to Israel, while the remainder — not knowing English or Hebrew — opted for Spanish-speaking countries, principally Colombia, Panama, Mexico and Spain.

"They were among an estimated 8 million Venezuelans, nearly one-third of the population, who have emigrated, constituting the largest refugee exodus in modern history — even bigger than from war-torn Syria. More than 200,000 ended up in Florida alone; so many 'venezolanos' reside in Weston, a suburb of Fort Lauderdale, that the city is often nicknamed 'Westonzuela.' ”

JTA covers more in, "Venezuela's Jewish diaspora is relieved to see Maduro deposed. But can they imagine returning?" (Spoiler: The answer is no.)

5.Last Year's Antisemitism

If 10 days feel like a long time ago, how does a month feel?

"I was shockingly not shocked by the massacre on Bondi Beach. And that realization hit me harder than the news itself. I found myself wondering: Has baseless hate against us become so normalized that nothing surprises me anymore? If so, that’s not just a Jewish tragedy — it’s a societal one.

"In the hours after the attack, a thoughtful colleague reached out with 'thinking of you' and 'my prayers are with you.' I genuinely appreciated his kindness. But I also found myself saying something I didn’t expect to articulate out loud: 'Thank you…and we need more than thoughts and prayers right now. We need your help. We need you to stand with us.'

"He paused and asked, 'What does standing with you look like?' I couldn’t answer him," writes Deborah Lovich, a managing director and senior partner at Boston Consulting Group and a Fellow at the BCG Henderson Institute, for Jewish Boston.

"Then I saw a billboard on my walk to work (see pink sign above). It motivated me to try and come up with an answer. And since it was only after mile 1.5 of my 4-mile walk, I had time to think about it. Here’s what I’ve come up with so far: "Standing Up for Jews."

6.TV Dinner

How to occupy your long, dark nights in winter? Follow Kveller's guide to "All the Jewish TV Coming in January 2026." "The year is off to a strong start with a lot of great TV premieres, including quite a few with Jewish stars and storylines. From the return of an excellent Israeli spy drama, to that of our favorite fictional Jewish doctor, to a sweeping ode to Mel Brooks, here’s all the Jewish TV coming this January." See the trailer for one below. I have already watched Season 2's first episode of The Pitt and can recommend.

7.Kraft a Message

On Sunday, the New England Patriots take on the Houston Texans at Gillette Stadium. It would be nice if Robert Kraft, the outspoken leader of the Pats and funder of the 'blue square' campaign, would lead the way in exposing the double standard that allows an idiot like the Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al Shaair who wore "Stop the Genocide" eye black to go undisciplined. To get away with violating the NFL rulebook that clearly states players are "prohibited from wearing, displaying, or otherwise conveying personal messages either in writing or illustration, unless such message has been approved in advance by the League office." Players have previously been fined for wearing eye black with personal messages, though they had not gotten league approval before their games. Al-Shaair has not been issued a fine.

8.Birthday Month

January is National Soup Month. It fits for me because other than clam chowder (gag) I like all kinds of soups and this after all is my birthday month. Everyone knows there is nothing like a piping hot bowl of comfort food to make the short days feel longer. We all have our favorites. Whether yours is chicken noodle, broccoli and cheese or Chinese hot and sour, there's a soup out there for everyone. 

If the ones below don't do it for you, maybe you'll find inspiration in 101cookbooks.com's list: "90 Best Soup Recipes."