OpEd: Pray for Israel as It Seeks to Eliminate Iran’s Nuclear Threat

CARLSBAD, California — The news reported on Thursday, June 12, that Israel has initiated a preemptive strike against Iran. You can find the official communication from the Israeli authorities below.

What can and should we be doing?

It is our solemn duty to do our part. We should all add in the prayers we say, the good deeds that we do, and the Torah we learn. This is our most effective means of helping our brothers and sisters.

We will say some special prayers on Shabbos during services. Until then find a Tehillim/Psalms and Daven for Divine protection and success for the IDF. You can find it on www.Chabad.org in Hebrew and English.

Remember, “The Guardian of Israel neither sleeps nor slumbers!”

The IDF Spokesperson announces that, a short while ago, under the directive of the political leadership, the IDF launched a precise and coordinated preemptive strike based on high-quality intelligence. The objective: to damage Iran’s nuclear program and respond to the ongoing aggression of the Iranian regime against Israel.

Dozens of Israeli Air Force aircraft recently completed the opening strike, which targeted dozens of military sites, including nuclear-related targets across various areas in Iran.

“The public is urged to follow the Home Front Command’s instructions, which will be updated as needed, and to act responsibly and with patience. The IDF and all relevant bodies are fully prepared for a range of scenarios—both defensive and offensive—as necessary.

“For years, Iran has been advancing terrorism both directly and indirectly against the State of Israel. It funds and directs terror operations through its proxies throughout the Middle East while progressing toward nuclear weapons.

“The Iranian regime is the primary axis behind all terrorist activity carried out against Israel since the beginning of the ‘Iron Swords’ war. This includes arming and funding the terrorist organization Hamas, which is responsible for the October 7th massacre. During the war, Iran directly attacked Israel twice, launching hundreds of missiles and UAVs at Israeli territory.

“The Iranian regime has openly declared its aim to destroy the State of Israel. Its senior officials publicly declare this intention and are working to realize it through their regional proxies. Today, Iran is closer than ever to obtaining nuclear weapons. A weapon of mass destruction in the hands of the Iranian regime poses an existential threat to Israel and a grave danger to the entire world. The State of Israel will not allow a regime whose goal is Israel’s destruction to possess weapons of mass destruction.

“The IDF has conducted extensive assessments and preparations for this campaign—both on the frontlines and the home front. Civilian resilience will be a key factor in the campaign.

“The IDF is prepared to continue operating as required. The State of Israel has a duty to act in defense of its citizens and will continue to do so wherever necessary, just as it has in the past. The IDF is holding continuous situation assessments and will provide updates on any developments.”

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Rabbi Yeruchem Eilfort is spiritual leader of Chabad at La Costa

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SAN DIEGO — These reactions to Israel’s preemptive strike against Iran were received at the offices of San Diego Jewish World:Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations — Betsy Berns Korn, Chair, and William C. Daroff, CEO, of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, issued the following statement in response to Israel’s preemptive military strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities:“Iran’s rapidly advancing nuclear program—carried out in violation of international agreements and in defiance of the IAEA—poses an immediate, existential threat to Israel and a grave danger to global security. Its underground enrichment efforts and repeated calls for Israel’s destruction have made clear that the regime’s intentions are not peaceful. In the face of this mounting peril, Israel has taken necessary and justified defensive action to protect its citizens and ensure its survival.The Conference of Presidents affirms Israel’s sovereign right to defend itself against existential threats. As the central coordinating body of the American Jewish community, we expect the United States and responsible members of the international community to stand with Israel as it confronts the Iranian regime’s nuclear ambitions. Preventing a nuclear Iran is not only a moral obligation—it is a vital American and global strategic interest. This is a time for resolve, not equivocation.As sirens sound and families across Israel seek shelter from the threat of incoming fire, our prayers are with the people of Israel. We express unwavering solidarity with all those under threat and salute the courage of Israel’s leaders and defense forces as they confront this danger with strength and determination.”
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World Jewish Congress — After Israeli military strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, Amb. Ronald S. Lauder, president of the World Jewish Congress (WJC), released the following statement:

“The Iranian regime is the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism. If it were to acquire a nuclear weapon, it would endanger the very fabric of civilization.

“May Israel succeed in its mission to neutralize this threat – for the sake of global security and the future of humanity.”
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Zionist Organization of America — ZOA National President Morton A. Klein shared: “The Zionist Organization of America (ZOA) strongly supports Israel’s necessary preemptive military action against Iran’s violating International law and illegally developing nuclear weapons and threatening the entire world.

“Since two months of US negotiations to stop the terrorist Islamic Republic of Iran from developing nukes failed miserably, Israel, with the support of the US, was compelled to powerfully attack Iran nuclear facilities.

 “For years, Iran has openly called for ‘Death to America, Death to Israel,’ ‘America is the big Satan, Israel is the little Satan’ and ‘First the Saturday people, next the Sunday people.’ As Nobel peace prize winner Eli Wiesel repeatedly warned, ‘If they say they’re going to kill you, believe them,’ so Israel had no choice but to take military action to protect America, Israel and the West from terrorist Islamic Iran from attacking all of us with Nukes and nuclear armed ICBM’s in an attempt to establish an Islamic Caliphate to rule the world as Iran regularly proclaimed.

“This is a sacred preemptive defensive war to protect Western civilization. We all must support Israel in their courageous, lifesaving actions.”

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Secure Community Network — Following reported Israeli preemptive airstrikes targeting the Islamic Republic of Iran’s military and nuclear infrastructure, the Secure Community Network (SCN) is urging Jewish communities across North America to remain on heightened alert and maintain robust security measures.

SCN stresses that, while there is currently no credible or specific threat against the Jewish community, this development occurs amid an already intensified threat environment. This environment is fueled in part by Iranian-linked actors, designated foreign terrorist organizations, violent extremists, and politically motivated groups.

These entities continue to incite violence globally, including against Jewish civilians and communal facilities, often under the pretext of perceived grievances related to Israel’s war with Hamas and related military or political developments. SCN is also issuing this notice in the context of recent antisemitic terror attacks in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; Washington, D.C.; and Boulder, Colorado, incidents that underscore the increased risk facing Jewish institutions and individuals.

“The situation in the Middle East potentially carries implications for the threat environment facing Jewish communities across North America,” said SCN National Director & CEO Michael Masters. “While there is no specific or credible threat at this time, we urge communities to remain vigilant, continue the strengthened security postures institutions have implemented since 10/7, and coordinate closely with law enforcement. This is a moment to demonstrate resilience, to stay alert, report suspicious activity, and continue living proud, public Jewish lives.”

Iran remains the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism. In recent years, SCN has tracked Iranian-linked actors involved in plots to carry out politically motivated violence, including assassination attempts against perceived regime adversaries, prominent Jews, and communal institutions globally, including here in North America.

SCN remains in close and ongoing contact with our law enforcement partners at the federal, state, and local levels, as well as with Jewish communal partners across North America, to monitor developments, share information, and support proactive security measures.

SCN encourages Jewish institutions and event organizers to review its Eight Security Recommendations for Hosting Public or Community Events and consult with their local security professional to ensure proper planning and preparedness.

To report suspicious activity, contact your local law enforcement agency and reach SCN at 844-SCN-DESK or dutydesk@securecommunitynetwork.org.

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Alpha Epsilon Pi –The brothers of Alpha Epsilon Pi, the world’s Jewish fraternity, stand in solidarity with Israel, as its armed forces embark on preemptive strikes on targets in Iran that manufacture weapons designed to endanger the lives of millions of innocent Israelis and western civilians.

With hundreds of American and Canadian undergraduate and alumni brothers currently visiting or living in Israel and many other Israeli AEPi brothers serving in the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) or in the reserves, we pray for the safety of all Israelis and remain steadfast in our promise that never again will an existential threat to the existence of the Jewish people go without response.

Am Yisrael Chai!

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Democratic Majority for Israel — After Israel’s Defense minister said Israel issued a pre-emptive strike on Iran and declared an emergency across Israel, Brian Romick, President and CEO of Democratic Majority for Israel, made the following statement:

“Israel has a right to defend itself. A nuclear-armed Iran is an existential threat not only to Israel but to the United States and our allies in the region. Iran’s leaders have made clear they are intent on Israel’s destruction, and recent findings by the UN’s nuclear watchdog confirm it is in violation of its non-proliferation obligations.

“Reports indicate Iran was just days away from having a nuclear weapon. Let’s be clear: for the safety and stability of the Middle East — and for the protection of American interests — Iran cannot have nuclear weapons.

“We support Israel’s efforts to dismantle Iran’s nuclear program for the security of the region and the free world.

“The United States must not abandon Israel. We urge President Trump to give Israel all of the necessary support, resources, and assets to protect its citizens. It is essential that the President and all American government officials send a clear, unambiguous public message that in the event of a counterattack, America has Israel’s back unconditionally.

“We pray for the safety and well-being of all those in the region.”

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Ben Gurion University of the Negev: Due to the current security situation and in accordance with Home Front Command guidelines, Ben-Gurion University’s Eilat/Sde Boker/Beer-Sheva campuses will be closed today, Friday, June 13, 2025.  Entry will not be permitted.  Please avoid coming to campus until further notice.
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United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism: “A few hours ago, a heavy but necessary decision was made: Israel took pre-emptive and decisive military action to dismantle Iran’s nuclear weapons capabilities. In a world of continued instability and danger, Iran has brazenly pushed forward its nuclear ambitions, disregarding international agreements and relentlessly calling for the destruction of our homeland. This is not just a geopolitical issue; it is a matter of Israel’s very survival. We stand behind Israel’s right to self-defense, protecting itself, others in the region, and all those in range of Iran’s weapons of mass destruction and the terror it sponsors through Hamas and Hezbollah.

“Our fervent prayers are with the people of Israel. We pray for the success of the IDF and for the safety of those seeking shelter in the shadow of the threat of retaliation. Our hearts also remain with the Israeli hostages who have lived in Hamas captivity for 615 days and whose fate is even more tenuous at this moment.

“As Shabbat approaches in Israel and around the world, we stand together, praying for security, peace, strength, and hope.”