Outside of Israel, Jews everywhere feel intense longing to support their Israeli brothers and sisters. As terrifying as the plight of the State of Israel is, the agony of watching from afar is all-encompassing and achingly painful in a uniquely horrible way.
We can dispel the worst of our fears and heartbreak through action.
Here are tangible ways you can support Israel while living in America.
1. Buy Israeli products, here are few to get you started
Bamba
Israeli produced Bamba is carried at Trader Joe's stores across the country. Pass these peanut butter puffs out far and wide. You can find these and other products from Israeli brand Osem on Amazon too.
Wissotzky Tea
Wissotzky Tea is an international, family-owned tea company based in Israel. Comfort yourself over a satisfying cup of tea, knowing you’re supporting the fight against evil.
AHAVA Dead Sea Mineral Skincare
You know the drill, the antisemites chant “From the river to the sea” and the whole world pretends they don’t understand the not-so-hidden message calling for our mass genocide. Turn their slur on its face and proudly purchase AHAVA products, made from our sea, to keep you soft, smooth, and immune to their ignorant hatred, inside and out.
Israeli Produce
If you see produce labeled “Product of Israel”, buy it!! The farmers have suffered greatly because the Iron Dome redirects Hamas’ rockets into empty fields. While we are all endlessly grateful for the divine success and protection of the Iron Dome, we need to be aware that the farmers incur deep financial losses when their fields are ravaged by terrorist missiles. Popularly exported produce include cherry tomatoes, peppers, avocados, and dates.
Kosher food markets and restaurants
Kosher food markets often carry a much more expansive quantity of Israeli products. If you live near one, make a visit and purchase Israeli products generously. Many kosher restaurants across the country have stepped up to offer large portions of their profits to support Israel through this war. If you’re eating out anyway, make these restaurants your first stop for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Achva Tahini and Halva
If you’re not having luck figuring out which products at your local grocery store are Israeli-made, head to Amazon. You can easily buy Achva products on Amazon here and here.
Spices
Variety is the spice of life, and Israel is known for a variety of spices. You can find so many options on Amazon.
Pereg (They also have an amazing range of grains and flours to choose from.)
Jamie Geller (She’s also known for her Israeli honeys and pilaf mixes.)
LiOR (Spices, Tahini, Halva…everything!)
Israeli wine
Israeli wines have won awards in the later half of the past decade. The vino world has realized that Israeli harvests and techniques are superior and delicious.
2. Wear your Jewish pride
Intimidation techniques on behalf of our enemies are intended to keep you feeling small, meek, and scared. Set them in their place with a proudly placed kippa, flowing tzitzit, or star of David necklace. We are one nation, with one heart.
3. Check in with your Israeli friends and family
Let them know you are rooting for them, thinking about them, exposing the truth of what has happened in Israel to your community and network in America. While the world blames the victim, Jews stand together, united. We’re oceans apart, yet we stand shoulder to shoulder.
4. Pray
In any language you know, open your mouth and let the words pour from your heart and soul. Every single Jew in the world has been called to the front lines. Some carry guns, march in formation, and go to physical battle. The rest of us support the efforts from afar, with the strength of our faith and heartfelt prayers for peace in our time. We are in this together.
5. Care for yourself
Awareness and social media advocacy have an important role in dispelling the darkness, but remember you matter too. While we pray for our soldiers, our hostages, our entire nation, we show the world that every Jew counts. That all human life counts. The morals we’ve learned from the Torah, and taught the whole world, they really, really count.
And you count. Between donating, giving, praying, make sure you are eating, sleeping, surviving. Make sure you care for yourself so you can continue to fight the good fight for your people and ensure Israel wins this war against evil (we will, don’t worry).
Most importantly, remember always: Apart, we are weak. Together, we are limitless.
Thank you!
Are there any products we can purchase directly from Israel?