War in Israel
Update from JFNNJ

(June 25, 2025)

Yesterday, Jewish Federation of Northern NJ shared the below message regarding the on-going effort to get the State of New Jersey to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemetism.

The IHRA is an intergovernmental organization founded to deliver on the commitments of the 2000 Stockholm Declaration and the 2020 Ministerial Declaration. Delegates from all of its member countries work closely together, sharing their expertise and experiences in the field and are united in their determination to combat growing Holocaust distortion and antisemitism, and protect the memory of the Holocaust and genocide of the Roma.

Today, the Jewish community turned out at the New Jersey State Assembly committee hearing to urge swift passage of the IHRA antisemitism bill. To our immense surprise, shock, and dismay, the committee tabled the legislation mere minutes before the hearing—catching even the bill’s two sponsors off guard. In protest, the Jewish delegation called attention to the failure, stood, and walked out.

This bill was first introduced three years ago in the prior legislative session. The Senate committee approved a version in June 2024, but the Assembly has yet to act. Over the past year, the Assembly has let this legislation languish while antisemitic incidents and hate crimes in New Jersey have surged.

For the last year, a coalition of Jewish Federations and Jewish organizations have worked closely with elected officials to secure passage of the bill. We trusted the process—and the moral clarity of our elected officials—to do what is right.

It is deeply embarrassing and disconcerting that New Jersey—the state with the fourth-largest Jewish population in the nation—cannot pass straight forward legislation to ensure the safety and security of its Jewish residents.

Our community will continue to ensure that law enforcement, government agencies, and our schools have the tools they need to keep our community members safe.

(June 18, 2025)

Israel Update from JFNNJ

Yesterday, Jewish Federation of Northern NJ shared the below message from the director of its Israel office, Ravit Steinmetz-Shemla.

She offers a glimpse into the resilience of our brothers and sisters in Israel and the very real challenges they are facing during this difficult time.

I wanted to provide you with an update on the current situation here, as we've entered a new phase of conflict since Friday morning while the previous situation remains ongoing.

NATIONAL RESPONSE

Educational System Shutdown: All educational activities have ceased nationwide for at least the coming week. This comprehensive closure includes schools, kindergartens, universities, day camps, and special-education facilities. Even high school matriculation exams scheduled for this week have been postponed—a significant step given their importance in the Israeli education system.

Economic and Transportation Impact: Most businesses and workplaces have closed except for essential services like supermarkets. Public transportation is operating at severely reduced capacity, with thousands of bus and train routes either suspended or running limited schedules. Israel's airspace is completely closed to civilian traffic, with all airports shut down. This has left approximately 200,000 Israelis stranded abroad, while Israeli civilian aircraft have been evacuated to Cyprus for safety.

Public Safety Measures: The IDF has banned all public events, particularly large gatherings, to minimize the risk of casualties from potential strikes on crowded locations. Public shelters, underground train stations, and schools with protected spaces have been opened across many cities for residents without access to private safe rooms.

Understanding the Escalated Threat: The current Iranian missile threat represents a significant escalation from previous attacks. These missiles are far more destructive than what we've faced before—each contains several hundred explosives, creating massive damage over very large radii. Their targets include both strategic national infrastructure and heavily populated civilian areas.

As a result of three days of rocket hits - approximately 1,400 Israelis are currently displaced from their homes, staying in hotels with Ministry of Social Affairs support for basic necessities.

NEW ALERT PROTOCOLS

The Home Front Command has implemented a new four-stage warning system that provides much more advance notice:

• Pre-Alert: (15-30 minutes before potential impact): Mobile app/SMS provides early warning for preparation


• Launch Alert: (upon missile detection): Loud SMS notification that sirens will likely sound within minutes


• Impact Warning: (90 seconds before impact): Sirens activate for immediate shelter-seeking


• All-Clear: (30-60 minutes later): Official signal that it's safe to exit shelters

While this enhanced warning system allows for much better preparation, it means our phones are alerting us at least three times before each potential strike, which significantly increases stress levels throughout the day.

LOCAL IMPACT - NAHARIYA

Shelter Infrastructure: About 30% of Nahariya's population lacks access to private safe rooms or building shelters, requiring them to use 160 public shelters and specially opened school facilities. Unlike previous conflicts where residents could take cover in stairwells or other improvised locations, current protocols mandate shelter-only protection due to the increased threat level.

Community Response: Nahariya municipality has been working continuously since Friday, addressing infrastructure challenges in mass shelters—plumbing, electrical systems, and other essential services. They've equipped all public shelters with Wi-Fi and basic amenities like mattresses. Some families are sleeping in these community shelters rather than returning home.

Organizational Adaptations: Community services have adapted quickly: the community center has moved all respite activities to Zoom-only formats, and partner organizations we support do the same. Additionally, Machsan Chesed (Relief Agency) is providing meals as always and also to Home Front Command soldiers deployed to the city, as they arrive with only basic combat rations.

The Galilee Medical Center: has again moved operations to its underground facility and continues operating under high alert with full preparedness for mass casualty event.

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On a personal note, I'm reminded daily of how this situation affects every aspect of life here. My daughter, Noa, who is finishing middle school, is heartbroken that her graduation party has been cancelled. She's been the choreographer for the event and has been planning and dreaming about this celebration since seventh grade began ☺. In many ways, watching her process this disappointment captures the broader impact on our young people—how security concerns are reshaping not just our daily routines, but our milestones and dreams as well.

We're operating under a "new emergency routine" that may continue for an extended period. The community is adapting well, but the psychological and logistical challenges are significant.

I'll continue to provide updates as developments occur.

Thank you all for your continued support during this challenging time!!!!

Am Yisrael Chai! Best,

Ravit Steinmetz-Shemla
Director, Israel Office