(27) cvmay , January 22, 2009

U R THE BEST

Thank you Lori for your strength of character and support of Eretz Yisroel. Last year I joined a group of volunteers and gave out shalach manos to residents of Sderot and to many army bases. The soldiers and people were delighted. We made a Purim party in Sderot with a magician, band and beautiful dvrei torah, the smiles and happiness were everlasting. Hoping to do the same this year (my hubby and kids are very supportive in letting me go). I would love to join a women's chizuk trip, full of chesed, song and toys for kids. Count me in!!!

(26) neal f. , January 22, 2009

i volenteer.

shalom, former Marine, viet nam vet. unfortunatly dont have passport yet, im 64, but war is war and theres some things i can still do.death has no hold on me yet and bless Hashem ill die by His hand and no one elses. be safe and blessed, neal ben noach

(25) KAtherine Mclean , January 22, 2009

Gaza

Now is the time for strength. Anti-semitism, anti-Zionism is on the rise. American Jewish writers loosely accuse Israel of dominating American politics. Palestinian propaganda infects the world. The world again stands by and refuses to face the reality of terrorism. The UN denies Israel the right to its own security. Israel alone must continue to defend herself and the rest of the world must step up and take on the responsibility for the Palestinian people, prevent Hamas from shattering their lives, help them see the truth about the viciousness and hopelessness of radical Islam. Will Obama stand for justice for Israel or will he bow to pressure from the American far left who see Israel as a burden and who would see America abandon Israel? We do not know. His words are positive but they are only words and may soon be lost in the fog of Clinton diplomacy. (remember Oslo?) Will he really stand against Iran or will he conserve his political capital by appeasement and by leaving the heavy lifting for Israel? The true security of Israel and the Jewish people world wide rest on the shoulders of the IDF. Would I sent my sons and daughters? Yes I would. And I forgot to mention. I am not actually Jewish. But I love Israel. The world needs Israel as never before.

(24) Anonymous , January 22, 2009

we pray also for jews in the diaspora to realise

and always remember the original homeland, Israel.

(23) Lisa Stallman , January 21, 2009

it is hard a hard decision but. . . .

I am not sure how I would react to the call, but I know in my heart I love Eretz Yisroel and my husband would be fighting to get on a plane if the call went out. I would honor his decision to go and help. I would and am davening for the people of Eretz Yisroel my second daughter is there now learning in sem. I feel for all who live near Gaza and daven that our people will merit the mashiach soon because we need him now more than ever.

(22) roland , January 21, 2009

Rebecca

Rebecca, it is people like you who would continue to bring a bad name to the Jewish nation of Israel. If you have to judge, then judge with righteous judgement.

(21) Ann Ehrenzweig , January 20, 2009

Enjoying your teaching

I have been a volunteer for Israel for the past five summers, and recommend it. The sense of accomplishment for the country and being in Israel is an awesome experience.

(20) Anonymous , January 20, 2009

I'm here now

Settling the land is another mitzva, yishuv ha'aretz. Just being here, walking the streets builds this country--I believe even the beggars are building this land and make a contribution with their presence. You don't have to roll bandages or fight, just show up. Show up and shop even! On the other hand, people ask me all the time if my young teenage son will serve in the army. I always answer that I hope mashiach comes so he won't need to. I don't ask myself "would I send him?" We are here. He already gets mail from the army. So if you're reading this now, please continue the CPR (charity, prayer, return). Thank you for standing with Israel because you hit the nail on the head, we, all Jews, are all under fire and the IDF is fighting for us all.

(19) Mindy , January 20, 2009

something i needed to hear!

(18) ruth housman , January 20, 2009

Gaza

I think we are at a pivotal time in history. I do agree. I am writing after the inauguration of Barack Obama and I was moved by his eloquence and his deep love of all people, irrespective of race, religion, whatever divides us and causes us to continuously wage wars against each other. What would I do? I feel we needed this cease fire that is now happening. I feel we did not need to do this much damage to innocent people and not everyone hit was about Hamas. War does this and even those who are very ethical and committed to wiping out terror and terrorists, well bombs, and missiles make mistakes, deadly mistakes. I don't believe we can ever fight terror with terror. I think there's is "error" in this notion, as error is contained by the word itself. I work with language and I am perceiving within language some deep truths. It's not a word game. And I am saying this at the same time I am experiencing massive synchronicity which is a record I am keeping that simply, cannot, be random. So maybe there's some authority in my words. I am not in charge. I have seen history repeat her endless story and I have wept for the Israelis and the Arabs, because yes, this is the "chosen land" but I am perceiving a story that this land is also for a people who are actually related to us in deep Biblical ways. I am also seeing that what God demands is not always that clear. We are not "winning" this war and I think to win is about won, meaning in the words of Barack Obama, that realization that Won is ONE, and namely we are all of us one, belonging to the human "race" and the effort we must all put ourselves towards is humane ity. So, what would I do? I would try my best to wager a cease fire, and then try for "peace" meaning a recognition of the essential humanity and equality of us all. And after that, I think God has a plan and I might even have some glimemers of this. This story is about love.

(17) Anonymous , January 20, 2009

i have

two of my three sons went and served in the idf. they served both before and during the second lebanon war. i have one more son and he will too. it is critical that we support israel through actions not just words.

(16) Menachem , January 20, 2009

The Most Important Thing You Can Do...

Lori, You spoke very eloquently, but you left out the most important thing people can do. That is, of course, to make Aliyah. Israel doesn't need mercenaries, vacationers, do-good volunteers as much as we need people to live here. The greatest miracles in the last 100 years revolve around the creation of the State of Israel. America's Jews, the last major remaining population of Jews outside of Israel, have, for the past 60 years, effectively responded to G-d's outstretched hand with a virtual smack across the face.

(15) Graciela , January 20, 2009

For the war of Yom Kipur my brother was in the first group of volunteers to arrive in Eretz Israel. He fell in love with the land and made Alia as a doctor. Became the head of the rescue team and was sent all over the world for catastrophes by war or nature. His oldest daughter was killed 5 years ago. My daughter arrived in Israel at the beginning of the second intifada, people asked, are you bringing her back home? I replayed are my children more important than other jewish children simply because they live in the US, my nieces and nephews are there ! Yes, I would sincerely recommend to all men and women outside of Israel to go and help. Am Israel Chai !!

(14) Jake Sorenson , January 20, 2009

SAREl PROGRAM

I am a christian and a supporter of Israel.I am proud to be a member of VFI. VOLUNTEERS FOR ISRAEL. (SAREL) PROGRAM. If you want to help Israel in a truly unique way - contact VFI. Work on a Israelie military base with the solders and give a little back. I'm 63 years old and did this for the first time two years ago.I'm planning to go back in Feb. or march of this year.I worked physically but felt my greatest contribution was showing the solders my support and love for Israel. I got much more out of this then Israel did.What an honor! Israel is mentioned 2,566 in scripture.It also says the G-d of Israel 203 times and the Lord G-d of Israel 108 times. I think he's trying to tell us something.

(13) Sol Schneider , January 20, 2009

No More

Before Israel unilaterally stopped its Gaza 2 war against Hamas I would have given all my worldly wealth and my life for Israel and my fellow Jews. I live on Social Security and would be listed as a upper-Lower class American Jew. I immediately sent my few dollars to the IDF and to Mogan David Adom to help the wounded and aid the war effort. But now I will have to say "Go your own way, I no longer care." Because the Israeli Government put their children, cities and country for the second war with Hamas with the Gazian's and they (the Gazian's) are already celebrating victory and I prophesy are setting up their military for GAZA 3. with Israel complying. Eventually Israel will no longer exist and the Jewish people will have museums built that will attest to our once having been here in the past as we celebrate the ancient Roman and Greek cultures.

(12) Arthur Mintz , January 20, 2009

Volunteers for Israel

I am going to Israel tomorrow to participate in my second "Volunteers for Israel" program. It is a most rewarding and valuable experience to work with Israeli soldiers. Packing sleeping bags, sorting uniforms or being on KP helps support the well being of Israel!

(11) Evelyn Demanuele , January 20, 2009

I would go!!

I would go and help out and I am not even Jewish!! I was in Sderot on the 24th of December when all of the missiles were coming in! I made Hanukah greeting cards and passed out gift baskets, before the war!! You don't have to be Jewish to support the Jews!!

(10) Risha Shaw , January 20, 2009

absolutely yes

My husband and my sons could not have a better reason to live, or even die, than to save Israel. Without Israel, all the Jews are doomed. I dread the though of losing my men, but I dread losing our homeland even more.

(9) Anonymous , January 20, 2009

Than you Lori

You always hit the right chord with me. My sons were serving there, today they can come home. Your indentifying with them warmed my heart, your viewing them as serving Clal Yisroel is viewing them as they need to be seen.They have given up their naive adulthood and turned into men who have witnessed atrocities, we should be proud and stand behind them. Thank you for waking us up to realize that we also should do our part!

(8) Birdi , January 19, 2009

Ariella

Comment # 6 by Ariella is 100% correct. I too live in Israel & say that Ariella is telling the complete truth.

(7) Yohanna , January 19, 2009

To go or not to go

Thank you Lori for raising and being so bold as to speak out on this issue. I have spent years but especially the last weeks in termoil asking myself the very questions you have asked would I send my sons, - my husband and I have discussed it many times - "living in Y'srael" to go or not to go - B'Midbar 32:6 has felt highlighted to me in these recent times "Are your brothers to go to war while you stay here?" - I live in New Zealand I was born here, my sons were born here - paradise on earth - so far from Ha Eretz Y'srael and all the challenges it faces on a daily basis, I lived in Yisrael in my early twenty's before I got married, and I went back for a visit after my first son was born (my sons are still young) - life is not easy there- everything is 10 times harder or so it seems, compared to living here - but still my heart aches for it, I feel it calling me in deep places. I've been thinking alot about the Channukah story of Chana who stood up against the Greek Ruler Antiochus at the cost of her 7 sons and her own life - her story directly affecting Mattathias Maccabee which sparked the revolt and other brave Jewish men and women throughout history - so inspiring and empowering, Israel would not be as it is today without those courageous and brave men and women who have stood up to protect Ha Eretz Y'srael and her people and their right to be - over the ages with the Empowering and guidance of Ha Shem. We all have a part to play in the days we are living in, I believe it will become clearer and louder in our hearts as the days progress. May we have the courage needed to not see the Giants in the land but to trust in the awesome power of Ha Shem as he goes before us. May Ha Shem bless all those serving in the Armed Services at this time and their Families.

(6) Ariella , January 19, 2009

To Rebecca

Rebecca- I understand fully where your hurt and pain must stem from. But let me try to give you even the slightest insight onto what kind of barbaric creatures we are dealing with. In a normal civilized country, the army and leadership take precautions and evacuate all women and children as to keep them out of harms way. The Hamas party, which was elected in a democratic elections, and is known to be as a first class terrorist party, were elected by these civilians who are now crying injustice. But the worst is yet to come. This party, which was appointed by the nation, uses children and women as human shield. The Hamas is to blame- they should find shelter for the weak rather than using the weak as shelter. I have been witness to this craziness as one who lives here in Israel. Once I saw that a baby was placed in front of an Israeli bus, in order to make the bus stop. Than Arabs attacked the bus with stones- this was a few years ago. These evil people hide in hospitals and schools. Our IDF warns these civilians ahead of time of an upcoming attack- but the Hamas forces them to face the bullets. Turn your fury towards the Hamas- they are killing their own people. We are a Jewish nation trying to survive in the midst of a chaotic existence.

(5) Anonymous , January 19, 2009

Rebecca: Hamas targets women and children, not the IDF!

Rebecca, your view is twisted, probably due to the lies the media feeds you. Hamas shoots rockets at women and children (even kindergartens) in Israel and deliberately set their launchers in place where there are women and children. It is totally moral to shoot at these launchers in a defensive war and you can be proud to send your men to help the most moral army in the world. Show me any other country that would allow their men, women and chilren to be sitting ducks to enemy rockets and refrain from defending them because the enemy is shooting from schools, homes and the like. These very "poor, desperate people" elected their own terrorist government. Their "brave" leaders do not allow them to leave their homes with the launchers on their rooves even the the extraordinarily moral IDF warns them in advance that they will be shooting and asks them to protect themselves and leave. Hamas does everything they can to increase PALESTINIAN, not only Israeli, civilian casualties so that they can cry crocodile tears to arouse people just like you to pity them. They also steal their people's money - unbelievable amounts of humanitarian aid pours into their coffers - so that the populace remains poverty stricken and angry. So please, Rebecca, you decide who is moral and who is not. You can rest assured that G-d is on the side of the moral ones.

(4) Chaya , January 18, 2009

mission

U put the mission together and I will be there to go help Israel!!!!

(3) Moshe Rosen , January 18, 2009

supporting Israel because we are with G-d

Another way to help support Israel is by attending pro-Israel rallies, and I may go to one tonight...Instead of us saying, "G-d is on our side", which can come off as arrogant, it is much better to say, "We are with G-d" (as opposed to the opinion of Hamas, the misinformation from the PR machine in the MSM, and whatever the secular world thinks otherwise).

(2) Rebecca , January 18, 2009

what about the suffering of others?

So far over 1000 Gazans, mostly civilians, and many women and children, have been killed by Israeli bombs. Is this what God wants us to do, kill poor people in Gaza? Granted Hamas has caused many problems for Israel, but is this how we deal with it--by bombing women and children? I would certainly think twice about sending my men to fight an unjust war which further increases the suffering of poor, desperate people.

(1) Tefilla , January 18, 2009

Great! I can tell you how to help! Tefilla Buxbaum

Dear Lori, Great video. I work for an organization that is sending down trucks of food and going from bomb shelter to bomb shelter (see 1 minute video at www.yadezra.net) People are doing solidarity meetings which is beautiful but we need to feed people stranded in bomb shelters. The cease fire was declared last nite and over 40 bombs hit today!!! Our convoy of 6 trucks to Ashdod and Ashkelon heard the sirens! IF everyone would pay for one basket for $100 it would make a huge difference. Thanks, Tefilla