The war in Israel has impacted the lives of many across the globe. Jews in Indianapolis are no exception. While this community may feel the distance between it and the families facing the daily hardships of war, the resilience of the Jewish people here in Indianapolis is felt around the world.

Since the Oct. 7 attack on Israel, the community has raised $2.45 million for the Jewish Federations of North America’s Israel Emergency Fund, which works with partners to support victims of terror, help rebuild damaged infrastructure, and address the unprecedented levels of trauma caused by this horrific attack.

Locally, Jewish Family Services continues to assist the community by providing individualized support and emergency funds for those impacted by the war in Israel and assistance with relocation as needed. Additionally, JFS is offering mental health supports and resources for local Jewish programs and individuals including; Holocaust survivors, young adults, seniors, and families. Contact Julie Sondhelm at jsondhelm@jfgi.org to access these services.

The Indianapolis Jewish community and its allies have come together to stand strong in solidarity. From the first community gathering to the many Shabbat dinners across the community, Israel has been at the forefront of many daily lives.

Each person has a unique connection to the Israel-Hamas war, filled with moments of pain and hardship, but also of resilience, strength, community, and hope. Here are a few stories that illustrate the strength of Israel and its people to become the light in the darkest of days.

Sapir Biton

Sapir Biton was born and raised in Eilat, Israel and served in the IDF before moving to the United States 6 years ago. Her parents currently live less than a mile away from the Gaza border in Sderot, a main target of the Hamas Oct. 7 attack.

By a miracle, Biton’s parents were visiting Indianapolis on Oct 7. They watched in horror as photos from the family’s security camera showed Hamas terrorists standing outside their home the morning of Oct. 7.

Biton recalls. “I don't want to imagine what would have happened if they were at home. They can't go back. It's a war zone.”

Unfortunately, the hardship and terror faced in Sderot is not new for Biton’s parents. Six months prior to the attacks, Biton’s father recalls running to a shelter during a previous bomb attack. Now when their red alert app alerts them of rocket attacks, Biton must remind her parents that they are safe, and there is no need to hide as they are here in the United States.

Following the attack, Biton found herself mourning the loss of many close friends in Israel but remains strong.

“If we give up, we're going to lose our country,” she said. “And if we fight, we're going to get back our lives.”

Biton shared that the Indianapolis community has welcomed her family and made them feel at home. She has also received many messages and phone calls from the community offering support to her and her family.

“We feel so blessed to be in this community. We feel so protected to be here,” she said. “It's hard to be a soldier in Israel. But I believe in our army; I believe in our soldiers; I believe in God, and I believe that everything will be okay soon. We just need to believe, pray, and be strong, like one nation united.”