As the security situation escalates in Israel, millions of Israeli lives have been profoundly disrupted. The people of Israel are struggling with the physical, emotional and psychological impact of living under siege on a daily basis as rocket fire streams into the south from terrorists in the Gaza Strip.
Our Partners
Our overseas partners, The Jewish Agency for Israel, the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, World ORT and the Israel Trauma Coalition, are delivering immediate services and assistance on the ground throughout the south. Such services include trauma counseling, financial assistance, portable bomb shelters, and potentially other initiatives including bringing children in the strike zones out of harm's way.
The Jewish Agency for Israel continues its program of respite care for thousands of children from the South, and to disperse funds where needed via the Fund for the Victims of Terror.
The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee continues to distribute supplies to those in the 0-7 kilometer range of Gaza. The JDC has an Israel update on their efforts in the region.
World ORT is also providing necessary structure to education outside the class via smart classrooms.
The Israel Trauma Coalition is working round the clock to provide care for all those in need in the afflicted regions, including phone lines for those in distress.
Soldiers
The number of female reserve soldiers in this operation is the highest in the IDF's history. Yasmin Vardi (23), director of the children's center in Kibbutz Ruhama, is a commander in the armored corps. "Keep your cool, and comfort those who are afraid," said Rotem Yitzchak who studies Nursing and works at Soroka Hospital. She serves as a Company Command Major in a Search and Rescue unit. "The situation is worrying but it's all under control. Be calm."
One soldier, Yishai, has written a public letter to the Gazan family in whose house he slept, detailing his thoughts and desire for dialogue.
Monday, a school in Ashkelon received a direct hit. One teacher, mother to three, received the news and soon after heard from her husband, a pilot carrying out targeted airstrikes in Gaza, that he had hit the launching site of the rockets.
Children in the South
A significant problem is the limited size of shelters where many people -especially children - are now living full time. This is due to a fear by many parents that rockets will fall when their children are elsewhere or because they are physically disabled and it would take too long to move them to safety.
Children are also suffering intense and chronic trauma. Tamar (9) says, "It's terrible that this is what the world looks like for children. At night I have nightmares and I sleep the whole time in the shelter. I'll never forget what we're going through. The fear stays with me constantly."
Many children sing a particular song when the Code Red siren sounds, a group activity which is aimed to help keep the calm.
Yael (15) who lives in Beersheva cannot remember what the city looks like without missiles and air raid sirens, "The BOOM that you hear is terrifying, it's exhausting. There's no day or night here. I miss being able to sleep straight through without having to jump up for the siren every second."
Orion Nachum, (6) from Ashkelon admits, "I cry the whole time. I miss playing with my friends, but it's impossible any more, not unless there's peace."
In Ashdod, the teachers of Amit School 10, seek to support their students during this stressful period. Ido Aharonovitch, principal of the school, together with two teachers, every morning, between Code Red alarms, visits the homes of children living in areas that were affected directly by grad rockets fired from Gaza the day before. The municipality of Ashdod informs school principals and teachers after every rocket hit whether their students live in the vicinity. One teacher said, "When the children see you, they understand that school is not just about grades and studying."
Foreign leaders and responses
President Shimon Peres met with Tony Blair, Quartet Special Envoy, on Monday. The two delivered joint statements and held a private meeting.
Blair thanked Peres and said that he hoped that for a ceasefire in the coming days, noting that Egypt, Qatar, America and the UN were all supportive of a ceasefire.
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton arrived in Israel yesterday to work on a ceasefire agreement between Netanyahu and Abbas. As a result, Israel has agreed not to launch a ground operation in Gaza for at least 24 hours.
Prime Minister Netanyahu, who spoke again with US President Barack Obama on Monday, is also due to meet in Jerusalem with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon and German Foreign Minister, Guido Westerwelle.
Israel is emphasizing its desire to achieve the objectives of Operation Pillar of Defense without a ground offensive, but has said it will do all it needs to, in order to protect its citizens.
Humanitarian Care
Israel continues to provide medical care for Gazan residents. Monday, a Gazan boy (6) and his mother came to the Holon Wolfson Medical Center for lifesaving heart surgery. At the Center there are currently four Gazan children treated by the Save a Child's Heart organization.
Food and other supplies continue to be provided to Gaza from Israel. Over 120 trucks set out to deliver their goods but had to wait at the border as Hamas were firing rockets at the border crossing.
Economy
Farmers are working to ensure damage to their crops is not too significant, but considerable obstacles to working in agriculture remain while rockets continue to fall.
General News and Articles:
Federation will continue to keep our community informed of the situation in Israel. Please keep Israel in your thoughts and prayers during these trying times.
Federation must close all remaining open gifts by the end of December in order to fulfill our commitments to our local beneficiary agencies and overseas partners. 
