A Message from Rabbi Teller
FEBRUARY 8, 2024
Today is day 124 since the hostages were taken on October 7th.
Our friends, Jon Polin and Rachel Goldberg, are asking us to advocate on a daily basis to our representatives to release the hostages, which includes their son Hersh. They recommend this website: https://oneminaday.com/
Please consider using this website and signing up for daily reminders.
In addition to this website, they have launched this educational toolkit website: https://everyonecounts.live/
Rabbi Teller
Urge your elected representatives to stand with Israel
Dear friends,
To facilitate the process of writing to elected officials in support of Israel following the terrorist attacks, attached are opportunities to express your support and commitment to Israel.
May the State of Israel be blessed with peace and security.
Rabbi Teller Cantor Levine
Your help is needed – act now and urge your elected representatives to stand with Israel.
We know that there has been a concerted effort to lobby elected officials against Israel. We need your help to respond and ensure our voices are heard.
We must ask our elected officials to:
1. Voice that Israel has the right to defend Herself
2. Demand that Hamas unconditionally release the Israeli hostages taken on October 7, 2023
3. Vote YES on the aid package to Israel
4. Vote YES to increase Non-Profit Security Grant Money
5. Vote YES to confirm Jack Lew as the American Ambassador to Israel
Urge Swift Action by the UN and the U.S. Congress: Demand Hamas Release the Hostages (ajc.org)
The link takes you to a page on their website where you can type in your info and AJC will send a pre-drafted email to your rep on your behalf. You can write your own letters or use the ones already written by AJC.
Want To Do Even More?
Now that you have notified YOUR elected officials, let other elected officials know how our community feels. Please click the names below to access these representative’s websites. Then, cut and paste this message into their “contact me” feature.
"Please acknowledge Israel’s right to defend herself and demand the immediate, unconditional release of all hostages taken on October 7, 2023. Vote YES on the aid package, the increase of nonprofit security grant dollars, and to confirm Jack Lew as America’s Ambassador to Israel.”
Congress Members
Dan Crenshaw, 2nd District
Lizzie Fletcher, 7th District
Morgan Luttrell, 8th District
Al Green,9th District
Michael McCaul, 10th District
Randy Weber, 14th District
Sheila Jackson Lee, 18th District
Troy Nehls, 22nd District
Sylvia Garcia, 29th District
Brian Babin, D.D.S, 36th District
Wesley Hunt, 38th District
Texas State Representatives & Senators and US Senators
1. Visit the Texas Capitol website.
2. Enter your address or county.
3. Select your elected official.
4. Click through to their individual website and look for a contact link or form.
Resources for Advocacy
AJC Form
Here is a link to an American Jewish Congress form to petition elected leaders to stand with Israel and against Hamas.
White House Form
Here is a link to a White House webpage to send a message expressing gratitude for America's support and petitioning for its continued support through this war.
Hostage Petition
Hersh Goldberg-Polin is the son of close friends of Rabbi Teller and his family. He has been taken hostage by Hamas and is in dire need of medical attention. You can learn about his story in this CNN article, CNN interview, and editorial by his mother.
The office of Senator Durbin (IL) has agreed to take the lead on coordinating a bi-partisan push to raise awareness for all US hostages, and in particular Hersh's need for immediate medical attention
If you are a Texas resident, please write to Senators John Cornyn and Ted Cruz as soon as possible at the websites below. Request that they contact Chris Homan at Senator Durbin's office (Chris_Homan@durbin.senate.gov) or Cynthia Bajjalieh (Cynthia_Bajjalieh@durbin.senate.gov) and join the effort.
Senator John Cornyn: https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/share-opinion/
Sentator Ted Cruz: https://www.cruz.senate.gov/contact/write-ted/form
Prayer
Here's a prayer from our liturgy that's becoming an anthem for the war effort, sung by Cantor Dan Mutlu.
Translation:
Our friends and the whole house of Israel who are in distress and captivity who wander over sea and over land--may God have mercy on them and bring them from distress to comfort, from darkness to light, from slavery to redemption, now, swiftly, and soon. And let us say: Amen.
Jewish Federation of Greater Houston Blue Ribbons for Israel
Click on the image below to visit the Blue Ribbons for Israel page on the Jewish Federation of Greater Houston website.
From USCJ
Blue Ribbon Campaign - Join the Blue Ribbon Campaign, organized by JFNA and co-sponsored by USCJ and the RA, to show support and solidarity for the safe return of the hostages taken by Hamas terrorists in Israel. Learn more here or fill out this form to join as a sponsoring organization.
Place your bulk ribbon order by clicking here. If you are not placing a bulk order, please place your order for however many ribbons you can distribute here.
You can view and use the partnership toolkit, with many resources to promote this with your audiences here.
Don’t forget to encourage your audiences to post on social using #BlueRibbonsforIsrael
