Jewish Federation CEO: My Trip to Washington in Support of Israel

By Heidi Gantwerk

SAN DIEGO — On Tuesday, I, along with Federation Board Chair David Bark, flew to Washington D.C. to gather with more than 200 Federation and partner agency leaders, philanthropists, and many national officials — all in support of Israel. We heard extraordinarily strong words of support from Congressional leadership from both sides of the aisle and from the Secretary of Homeland Security, stating their unequivocal support for Israel and their resolve to “eliminate Hamas.” They made clear, as we must, that there is no moral equivalence between terrorism and self-defense.

I had the opportunity to address the group and share the devastating toll of recent attacks on our partner community, Sha’ar HaNegev, and to remember Mayor Ofir Libstein and the many, many others lost that day.

We heard many speeches. Words of grief, of strength, and of resolve. But the story that will stay with me – which was almost too much to bear – came from Noa, a 25-year-old Israeli who had been at the all-night concert where so many young people lost their lives. This story is difficult to read, so please be aware.   

When the attack began, with the rockets flying overhead, Noa fled with four of her closest friends in one of their cars. Their route was blocked, and they ended up running to a small concrete roadside shelter. If you have seen these shelters, you know they only fit a few people – usually fewer than 10. That morning, nearly 40 desperate young people crowded into the shelter. Many had panic attacks and trouble breathing. Noa tried to help by doing deep breathing exercises with some of them. She tried texting other friends from the concert but received no answer. Then she heard the screams: “They’re coming.”

Some people pushed to the back of the shelter, panicked, when the shooting began. Grenades, one after another, were tossed into the shelter. Some inside believed they were suffocating and ran out, only to be shot down by Hamas. For more than three hours, Noa lay on the ground with bodies on top of her, breathing the smoke of the bodies Hamas was burning. She somehow survived this unspeakable ordeal with a broken arm, but, as she told us, “My soul is broken. Just like my soul is broken, all of Israel’s soul is aching and our hearts were broken.”

Noa came to the U.S. to bravely share that story with us because we need to hear it. We need to understand what happened; the horror of it and the brokenness that we must help to heal.

This is a generationally defining moment. I feel incredibly proud to be a part of the national Federation system, which has, with astonishing speed and reach, mobilized for Israel. By the end of the day, David Heller, the JFNA National Campaign Chair, announced that the Federations, some of which were represented in D.C. had already raised a staggering $388 million to meet urgent and coming needs in Israel. But of course, much more will be necessary.

We must be up to the task of defending and supporting Israel, and standing up against rising antisemitism that will no doubt get worse – as it always does when Israel defends herself. We must ensure the security of our own community. We hope for a quick end to this terrible conflict and the pain and suffering it causes so many. Once the war is over, the rebuilding – of buildings and of trust – will take time, and a strong Jewish Federation will be essential to this work.

Now is the time to give generously to our Israel Emergency Response fund, as well as to our Annual Campaign. Both are crucial to stand united with Israel – now and in the future – while also ensuring we continue to support our own community here in San Diego, and others across the world in their time of need.

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Heidi Gantwerk is President and CEO of Jewish Federation of San Diego