I want to share a list of top organizations on the ground supporting the innocent people in Israel and Gaza tragically impacted by the war between Hamas and Israel. This is not a political post, it’s a humanitarian one. But first, I want to share something I think is important.

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Relief for human suffering: Where do we even start?

For years, we have offered advice for parents through so many wars, natural disasters, deadly explosions, mass shootings and hate crimes, domestic terrorism, international terrorism, social justice movements, refugee crises and humanitarian emergencies — both natural and manmade. Earthquakes. Wildfires. Hurricanes. Tsunamis. Looking back, oof. It’s a lot.

Our world is difficult, and parents have the added responsibility of both wanting to help, and trying to prioritize the wellbeing of our own families and children. It makes me reflect on which crises get our attention; there are just so many terrible issues in the world every day that are desperately hurting people. And so we, admittedly, focus on the ones that get the most news coverage, because those are the ones our readers ask about, those are the ones our kids ask about.

That by no means indicates that other people suffering around the globe are any less important.

This week alone, in addition to the war in the Middle East and the continued the war against Ukraine. there’s been a deadly earthquake in Afghanistan; a refugee crisis in Armenia; the bombing of a refugee camp in Myanmar that took the lives of children and families; a UN about a heightened risk of genocide in Ethiopia; at least 5.4 million people displaced in Sudan; Syrian and Russian missiles targeting schools and hospitals in rebel-held Northwest Syria; and at the same time, there remain issues terrorizing people right here in the US, from the continued gun violence epidemic to increasing attacks on the LGBTQ community to a surge in anti-Semitic threats.

My God.

The truth is, we simply don’t have the bandwidth to cover every issue that demands the attention of good caring people like our readers have always been. So I urge you to take the time to follow accounts on social media that do that humanitarian work around the world, and keep you informed, including those listed below.

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The Top Charities Providing Aid to Israel and Gaza

Charity Watch has released a list of the top charities supporting citizens in Israel and Gaza right now. (With a big hat tip to Asha Dornfest for sharing the link with me on her substack, Parents of Adults.) CW’s lists are always a solid place to start when you don’t know how to help.

These are the NGOs that charity watch describe as “legitimate, efficient, and accountable” so you can be sure your money is going where it’s intended:

• Doctors Without Borders/MSF
• Anera
• Muslim Aid USA
• The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee
• Hadassah hospitals and medical teams
• Zakat Foundation of America
• Direct Relief (committing funds to Ashkelon Foundation, in support of the Barzilai Medical Center)
• Episcopal Relief and Development
• HIAS

Please read more about these organizations supporting citizens in need in Gaza and Israel on the Charity Watch site, learn what each of them achieve, and how they made the list.

Additionally, I’m putting my own plug in for World Central Kitchen, which mobilizes to feed hungry people around the world, regardless of nationality or ethnicity. They are currently positioning teams in Israel, Gaza, and any neighboring countries that may receive a flow of refugees. I have set up a monthly donation with them, because I know that even when I can’t keep up with every crisis, they certainly manage to, and I am confident my money will go to excellent use.

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Please, let’s be kind to each other. Let’s find our shared humanity even in our differences. Let’s support the helpers who who allow us to become helpers ourselves. Let’s take care of ourselves so we can be there for the people who rely on us. And let’s never, never lose hope for peace.

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Top image:  Aleksandr Ledogorov via Unsplash