Jewish National Fund-USA’s Breakfast for Israel in December 2022. Courtesy: Shalom Austin

By JD Krebs

It is more important than ever for the Jewish community to stand together in solidarity for Israel, especially with the sharp increase in antisemitism across the United States through anti-Israel protests, threats, and even physical violence against Jews. On December 7, 2023, at 8:00 a.m., Austin community members will come together at Jewish National Fund-USA’s Breakfast for Israel in a powerful show of solidarity and unity for the Jewish State.

The complimentary breakfast, chaired by Melanie & Gary Susswein, will feature keynote speaker Dr. Rachel Fish, an educator, activist, and expert in antisemitism. She co-founded Boundless, a think-action tank that identifies and addresses system-wide challenges preventing organizations from educating about Israel, engaging with Israel, and combating Jew-hatred. She has lectured at Harvard and various other institutions, serves as an advisor about antisemitism to the president of Brandeis University, and has spoken out about Jew hatred on college campuses, something particularly relevant given the recent shocking and abhorrent pro-Hamas activity on these campuses.

“The mission of a university means nothing if its students can’t distinguish between evil and innocent, between crimes against humanity and the moral obligation of a state to protect its citizenry,” Dr. Fish said in a recent opinion piece for CNN, “The college campus has become an entry point to normalize these words and ideas. Just as frightening, they continually spread beyond campus.”

The event will also feature a special performance by the Special in Uniform band, a group of musically inclined soldiers with disabilities who perform with pride, passion, and talent, showing the world there are no limits. Jewish National Fund-USA is a proud supporter of this program, which integrates young Israelis with disabilities into the Israel Defense Forces, each to their full potential, then subsequently helps them integrate into Israeli life post-army.

In addition, local lay leaders will discuss Jewish National Fund-USA’s Israel Resilience Campaign, which is supporting Israelis impacted by the war in the short and long term. Since October 7, 2023, the organization has supported the relocation of tens of thousands of residents in Israel’s South; provided them with housing, food, clothing, and other supplies, as well as firefighting and protective equipment for civil defense in vulnerable regions; education, activities for children, therapy for trauma, and more.

“Jewish National Fund-USA was created for moments like this, and it is so crucial for Austinites to come together to understand what’s happening in Israel and support their work,” said Melanie and Gary Susswein. “This incredible group helped build the nation. It is stepping up today in unparalleled hands-on ways to support Israelis in need and to protect the sacred idea that Israel is the one place where Jews can be free from persecution.”

To learn more or to register for the event, visit jnf.org/bfiaustin or contact Chayla Furlong, Director, Central Texas at cfurlong@jnf.org or (512) 410-1438 x948.