I’ve started and deleted this several times—and I’m still having a hard time finding words to talk about everything going on in Israel and the Middle East. We all have opinions, and they are all valid. But no matter your views, I think we can agree that this is straight up terrifying and will have dire worldwide consequences that remain to be seen.

Saturday morning, I quickly texted my Israeli host mom (from a Federation-sponsored program in the mid-’90’s) who lives just south of Tel Aviv, to see what was going on. You can always count on Ya’ara to tell the truth—sometimes she says, “Oh it’s a bunch of meshugenahs! Now look at these pictures from our visit with the kids last weekend!” When she says stuff like that, I know I can relax a little, it’s not quite as it seems on our news.

The last few months, her updates have been getting a little scary, but Saturday I just had no words (again) to respond to what they were experiencing. Absolutely dumbfounded, she gave me the facts, then I texted other friends/family in other parts of the country. Each one had a completely different situation unfolding around them. All were safe, but some just barely—one friend’s family, on a kibbutz near the Gaza border, was rescued after locking themselves in their safe room for hours as Hamas terrorists went door to door. Somehow, hearing this in my friend’s words and voice—and feeling the raw emotion in what she was saying—it hit differently.

This is in full force as we speak—who knows what madness will ensue today? I’m glued to the news, checking in with people there and hearing about it without a media filter, and also trying to just live normal everyday life, as much as possible, here and now.

So with my ear buds tucked in, podcasts and news stories streaming, I’m baking this week to support the Jewish Federation’s “Cleveland Stands With Israel” Campaign. I hope you’ll join me—there’s a link at the top that will take you straight to their page so you can donate directly—but if you’d also like some challah, click the button below to order for pickup or local delivery this Friday, October 13. Also, did you know our Challah Donation program is ongoing? Profits benefit our partner organization (and others as emergencies arise—like now!), while the challah itself goes to a rotation of food pantries, and places like the Transplant House of Cleveland.

With that, I thank you sincerely for your ongoing support, and I wish you—please please please—a peaceful week, or at the very least, moments of peace and quiet, and a resolution to this insanity.

Joanna