Matching Funds, The Right Partner

In the world of fundraising, "matching funds" is a popular technique.  A very wealthy donor or a government agency will promise to "match" or equal as much financial support as the project can generate, effectively doubling the income.  The technique is also sometimes part of an employment contract in which the employer promises to match the employees' retirement fund payment.


This isn't new, not at all.  Thousands of years ago, G-d made such a deal with the Jewish People.  Read about it in this week's Parshat Shavua, Torah Portion of the Week, Ekeiv:

 

 יג וְהָיָה, אִם-שָׁמֹעַ תִּשְׁמְעוּ אֶל-מִצְו‍ֹתַי, אֲשֶׁר אָנֹכִי מְצַוֶּה אֶתְכֶם, הַיּוֹם--לְאַהֲבָה אֶת-יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם, וּלְעָבְדוֹ, בְּכָל-לְבַבְכֶם, וּבְכָל-נַפְשְׁכֶם. 13 And it shall come to pass, if ye shall hearken diligently unto My commandments which I command you this day, to love the LORD your God, and to serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul,
יד וְנָתַתִּי מְטַר-אַרְצְכֶם בְּעִתּוֹ, יוֹרֶה וּמַלְקוֹשׁ; וְאָסַפְתָּ דְגָנֶךָ, וְתִירֹשְׁךָ וְיִצְהָרֶךָ. 14 that I will give the rain of your land in its season, the former rain and the latter rain, that thou mayest gather in thy corn, and thy wine, and thine oil.
טו וְנָתַתִּי עֵשֶׂב בְּשָׂדְךָ, לִבְהֶמְתֶּךָ; וְאָכַלְתָּ, וְשָׂבָעְתָּ. 15 And I will give grass in thy fields for thy cattle, and thou shalt eat and be satisfied.

There's one big difference between G-d's conditions and the examples I gave earlier:

טז הִשָּׁמְרוּ לָכֶם, פֶּן יִפְתֶּה לְבַבְכֶם; וְסַרְתֶּם, וַעֲבַדְתֶּם אֱלֹהִים אֲחֵרִים, וְהִשְׁתַּחֲוִיתֶם, לָהֶם. 16 Take heed to yourselves, lest your heart be deceived, and ye turn aside, and serve other gods, and worship them;
יז וְחָרָה אַף-יְהוָה בָּכֶם, וְעָצַר אֶת-הַשָּׁמַיִם וְלֹא-יִהְיֶה מָטָר, וְהָאֲדָמָה, לֹא תִתֵּן אֶת-יְבוּלָהּ; וַאֲבַדְתֶּם מְהֵרָה, מֵעַל הָאָרֶץ הַטֹּבָה, אֲשֶׁר יְהוָה, נֹתֵן לָכֶם. 17 and the anger of the LORD be kindled against you, and He shut up the heaven, so that there shall be no rain, and the ground shall not yield her fruit; and ye perish quickly from off the good land which the LORD giveth you.

Yes, if we don't keep our side of the contract, it's not just a simple situation where we get nothing. We lose what we have. This has happened. The Jewish People has been exiled from Eretz Yisrael, the Land of Israel in the past. We had better shape up, or it can G-d forbid happen again.

Size Isn't Everything

Don't be too impressed by the size of things in New York and the rest of the world.  Just like the warning in this mirror, there's distortion.

I agree that these buildings are impressive, but they are just buildings, not understanding nor morality.

Don't let illusions blind you.

And just because someone is Jewish, or calls him/herself a friend of Israel, doesn't make it true.  Henry Kissinger's input during the 1973 Yom Kippur War almost destroyed Israel.  Alan Dershowitz is a very impressive lawyer, but that doesn't qualify him to represent Israel in the United Nations; his priority is being an American.

My loyalty is clear.  I'm a Jew and Israeli above all.

Shabbat Shalom u'Mevorach

Have a Peaceful and Blessed Shabbat

Are They After the Israelis?

On one of my walks in Manhattan, during my recent visit to the USA, my eyes caught sight of Hebrew writing on some T-shirts.

Even after forty years here in Israel, I'm not the swiftest in the Hebrew-reading department, so it took me more than a second or two to realize that these young men are promoting "Jews for Jesus," a Messianic Christian sect.

And only when I cropped the picture and saw the enlarged shirt/writing, did I notice that there's also Russian written on it, so they are also targeting Russian Jews.

There are lots of Israelis, students, tourists, יורדיםת yordim, Israelis who live permanently abroad etc are in the area of Bryant Park everyday.  I didn't speak to these guys, so I don't know if they're Israeli or American, but it was clear that they're Christian missionaries targeting Jews.

Beware!

Losing Direction

I must admit that when I prayed in America during my recent visit, I most probably didn't face the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, Israel.  I rarely had even the vaguest idea which way was east.  It was very confusing.  I prayed in all sorts of places, indoors and out, sedentary and traveling.  I had no idea where the sun had risen and where it would set.  I just did my best to focus on the words and on G-d, pleased and proud that I found places to pray and hadn't forgotten with all of the distractions and pressures of the visit.

Another thing was that even in Arizona I found it pretty easy to find certified as Kosher food.  And in New York, I was constantly amazed at what big business kosher seems to be in the food trade.

So many large stores have enormous kosher sections, even selling only kosher baked goods.  That must force the kosher specialty shops to lower their prices or they will lose customers.  Some of these giant supermarkets have such a variety  of easily available kosher food, it's almost like being in Israel.  Yes, very confusing and too easy to be Jewish.

That's a problem and reminds me of my facing the wrong direction when praying.  It has become so easy to live as Torah Observant Jews in some neighborhoods that people think they're in the HolyLand.  With so many kosher stores, restaurants and Jewish schools it's hard to focus on the Mitzvah, Commandment, ultimate goal of aliyah artza, immigrating to the Land of Israel.

Elul is Approaching

Rosh Chodesh Elul, the First Day of the Jewish Month of Elul is very soon, Wednesday, August 11, 2010.  Elul is the traditional time for introspection, reflection and Teshuva, Repentance.  We must cleanse ourselves of sin before the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashannah and Yom Kippur, the Day of Judgement.

Women's Prayers at Tel Shiloh

תפילת נשים בתל שילה

ראש חודש אלול

יום ד' 9:30 11-8

Rosh Chodesh Elul

Wed. 11-8, 9:30am

Everyone's Invited

כולן מוזמנות

Look-out at Tel Shiloh

Tel Shiloh

Tel Shiloh is open to visitors all weekdays.  For more information, including how to arrange special tours etc, please email telshilo@gmail.com or call 02-994-4019.

Israeli Democracy, The People Don't Want a Unilateral Withdrawal

IMRA posted a poll by IBA's Chanel One which shows overwhelmingly that Israelis consider Disengagement a mistake and don't want another unilateral withdrawal.  Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu's building freeze was also unilateral and got us nothing but more international pressure and more criticism.  

Of course the key word here is "unilateral."

Israelis are suckers for unrealistic promises.  Coat the withdrawal with promises of "peace" and they'd sacrifice their own mothers.

When I think of the Holocaust survivors, who straight off the ships from Nazi Europe fought and even gave their lives for this unique Jewish State, it really makes me ill.  Today's Israelis are spoiled and ungrateful.  They're also unrealistic, rather nuts or fokokt. 

A little common sense, chevre.  Our enemies want us dead and gone, just like the Nazis did.  Only they're using different weapons, different terminology.  For a people touted as super-intelligent, we're acting very dumb.

It's almost the month of Elul, the time for reflection, teshuva, repentance before Rosh Hashannah and Yom Kippur.  Nu, let this year finally be the year to get realistic and listen to G-d, not the United States, United Nations, Europe, the rest of the world and the international Leftist antisemitic media.

"Completely Unacceptable," Great Britain's Condemnation of Israel

Today Mr Cameron said: "The situation in Gaza has to change. Humanitarian goods and people must flow in both directions.

"Gaza cannot and must not be allowed to remain a prison camp."

And he added: "The Israeli attack on the Gaza flotilla was completely unacceptable.

"And I have told PM Netanyahu we will expect the Israeli inquiry to be swift, transparent and rigorous." (complete article, I first heard this on the bbc, but can't find it on the internet site)

Great Britain's Prime Minister David Cameron's words are no great surprise.  The anti-Israeli (Zionist/Jewish) policies of Great Britain are long-standing.  Cameron's no different from his predecessors.

Israel does permit humanitarian goods and people to cross in and out of Gaza.  But because of the terrorist and rocket attacks from Gaza on Israel, Israel has no choice other than inspect the goods first.  That's what all countries do. 

Israel didn't "attack" the Gaza flotilla; it just attempted to inspect the goods, but the soldiers were surprised/attacked by violent mercenaries.  In self-defense the Israelis had to kill some of the mercenaries.  It's that simple, but David Cameron isn't interested in the truth.

Decompressing and Debriefing After My Trip To the USA

I'm still trying to decompress after my visit to the states, AZ, NY and NJ.  Granted, I only landed just over twelve hours ago.  And about the landing...  I flew BA, British Airways (Premium Coach,) since they have an "easy" route, Israel to London, then London to Phoenix, which the agent (Tzell Travel) recommended as best for my very elderly father.  My AZ to NY was on Delta, more comfortable than expected.  ...when the wheels hit the ground at Ben Gurion International Airport, there was clapping, just like on ELAL.  I got a kick out of that, since I've been flying ELAL for years and missed their menu about which I'll have to blog on me-ander.

One thing I "enjoyed" this visit was noticing the great variety of dressing styles you see in America today.  There was a time when my kerchiefed head and over the knee skirts made me stand out, but today there are all sorts of ethnic and fashion statements on American streets.  I wasn't the only middle-aged person with a backpack, though wheeled bags of all sizes and shapes were much more common.  There were hats and turbans of all styles and fabrics.  This was very different from the mid-1950's when my concept of "normal" and "acceptable" was formed.  And there seems to be an increase in tolerance from even a few years ago.  At times I wondered if it was safe to have my Israeli backpack with Hebrew writing on my back, but obviously, it didn't attract danger, even in Arizona where there are many more Arabs than Jews.

The large supermarkets offer everything their customers could possibly need or crave from junk food to strictly organic, kosher and halal.  Commercially, it seems to be bad news for entrepreneurs, since the large chains can easily sell more variety for less money.

On one hand, superficially, there's a very obvious prosperity, but things are different when you speak to people.  Even the successful are more worried about money and the future.  Most in my generation with adult children aren't in the financial position to help their own children the way we were helped by our parents. 

My very elderly parents are now in a wonderful "old age home" in Arizona.  It can be described as a luxury resort for senior citizens.  Some of the residents use it as a "hotel," not needing any special care packages.  For those, like my parents, there are individual care packages suited to their individual needs.  My sister did a great job in choosing the place.  Arizona has a great variety of facilities.  And if you're wondering, there are only a few Jews in the place and they quickly found my parents, happy for the increase in numbers.  (My parents aren't religiously observant, but they are very sociologically and culturally Jewish.)

Now, I must "reinvent" my life after almost a year of being the full-time care-giver for my father.  I also need some sort of job I can do part-time and when traveling.

It's so good to be home here in Shiloh, Israel.

Israel, Going Cold Turkey

It's no great surprise that Turkey is more interested in being pals with Syria and other Arab countries, rather than being a partner of Israel.  Just look at the map.  Israelis seem to forget that we have a very small country, no natural resources etc.

Honestly. I don't think there is anything the Israeli Government can do to repair the damage in Israel-Turkey relations.  Turkey's a Muslim country, and they just don't like us Jews.  Simple as that.  They may like our money, but there's potentially lots more from Arab countries.

Sometimes people have to reach rock bottom to make crucial decisions.  That's what happened when the State of Israel was declared.  The Labor Zionist leaders, like David Ben-Gurion's group were disillusioned believing that Britain and other countries would support a Jewish state, even though facts showed otherwise.  Only after desperate Jewish refugees, survivors of the Nazi Holocaust were refused entry to the HolyLand by the British and it became more and more obvious that the British supported the Arabs, did the Zionists declare the establishment of the State of Israel.

Many Israelis still quest foreign support and approval.  It's dangerous and pathetic. 

During this visit to the states, I had some interesting conversations in stores etc with ordinary Americans.  They all professed pro-Israel views, wondering why their government and the media are so anti-Israel.  "Why is everyone always criticizing Israel?"  That was a common refrain.

The State of Israel must face the truth.  Nothing we do will make other governments love us, support us etc.  Our policies must be what's best for us, and then at least we'll get some respect.   It starts with self-respect.

Instead of A Sermon, There Was A... Fire Drill

Davka, such timing.  Just when it had been revealed that one of the causes of the really big mess when the BP oil rig exploded was because they had the alarm off,m as not to disturb people.  Well, aren't alarms supposed to wake people up.  OK, sometimes there are false alarms, but sometimes it's the real thing.

The suburban synagogue my relatives attend is hypersensitive to the dangers of fire.  That's the reason most people gave for the unprecedented fire drill.  It had been announced the week before, and today's wasn't introduced by a bell.  There was a simple, calm detailed announcement explaining where each seating section should exit.  As we stood outside in the parking lot, people seemed disappointed that there weren't any fire trucks, firemen or police observing and approving.  At least it wasn't raining. 

I wonder if they'll ever dare to do a surprise drill.  I think they're afraid to frighten the congregants.  This community knows that nobody is immune to deadly fires, so they're taking precautions as seriously as they can.

The oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico is massive, and the repercussions will spread further than the oil.  You can't skimp on safety.  When my father lived with us, the local doctor always said that she doesn't mind being called for false alarms.  They're a lot better than bad news.  Apparently, the BP crew didn't think so.

Breaking The Law on NYC MTA Buses

There's a big sign on the QM (Queens-Manhattan) buses warning passengers not to speak to the "operator) when the bus is in motion.  Well, I guess nobody told the operators (drivers) about it.  I took those buses the other day to meet my elderly aunt and my father's cousin (whose actually very close to my age.)

It was like in Israel, the drivers and passengers were all buddies and friendly.  On the way to Queens, I wasn't sitting close enough to hear the conversation, but on the way back I was right there.  OK, on the bus there were barely half a dozen of us, but everyone was talking.

First there was a conversation about:

"Did you see the picture on the cover of the newspaper?  Take a look!"
"A black couple with a blond blue eyed kid!"
"Is it theirs?"
"Maybe he's albino."
"Did they do DNA testing?"

Then the conversation switched to Obama.  I could see that the driver was Black, but wasn't sure about the others.  I was certain that they must be loyal Obama fans.

"Do you think he'll get a second term?"

Interesting..."No way.  He has made too many mistakes, and too many impossible to keep promises."  And that was the driver.

Clem Kadiddlehopper and Conversion

I admit that this will probably rile many.


I am a Torah Jew.  I was born Jewish, to a family of generations of Jews, but not Torah observant.  As a teen I discovered (in NCSY) that being Jewish was more than lighting the Chanukah Menorah, eating hamantaschen, matzah and challot.


Torah Judaism is the Judaism that has lasted for thousands of years.  Other "versions" have either faded from existence or become new religions, like Christianity.  Simplistically, that's it.  The synonym for Torah Judaism is Orthodox Judaism.  It's not based on innovating Judaism, nor gives each synagogue the right to decide how to observe G-d given Commandments.  Yes, I believe in G-d and I consider Judaism as the way we should live specifically, not vaguely.


It's human nature for each individual to observe as he or she wishes but not to claim that his/her version is the true Judaism.


Conversion to Judaism must be to Torah Judaism or it's not to Judaism at all.  Getting into proper English Grammar, it's clear that since Reform Judaism, Conservative Judaism and Reconstructionist Judaism all capitalize the "adjective" they are making it a new religion,rather than just descriptive individual/personal observances.

This is not to disparage the sincerity and good intentions of the converts who truly wish to be Jewish, nor is it to belittle the seriousness of many of the courses of study that Reform, Conservative and Reconstructionist Judaism frequently demand.  I know Jews who have converted more than once, after they discovered that "choosing a Judaism" isn't like choosing between Macintosh and Granny Smith apples.  An apple is an apple, but the "Judaisms" aren't all Judaism.  It's "misleading advertising"  to claim that they're all the same.


This can cause terrible tragedies and heartbreak, unlike Clem Kadiddlehopper and his diploma to be a dentist.

Technology Won't Bring Peace and Security to Israel

Big deal, so what, there's a rocket/missile/weapon "catching" machine that can be set up in Israel to keep the weapons the Arab terrorists launch at Israel from landing, killing, destroying innocent Israelis.

"A system that can shoot down approaching rockets has passed its last tests and will be ready for deployment by November outside Sderot, near the Gaza border, Israel’s Defense Ministry said Monday. The “iron dome” system uses sophisticated radar to track, intercept and destroy rockets that are still far from their targets. The iron dome system was developed to protect Israel from rockets fired by Palestinian militants."

Just like deadly bacteria that constantly adapt to the antibiotics, the terrorists will find other ways of  attacking us.


We must destroy the Arab terror structure/organization/factories.  Hiding under "umbrellas" won't help.  Things will only get worse.  Negotiations aren't useful either.  They just encourage and embolden the enemy.

Let's pray for storng sensible leadership, true Jewish values and priorities.

Just Like Home

Yesterday morning I accompanied my sister-in-law to a friend of hers for T'hillim, Psalms.  T hey have one of those sets of all the one hundred and fifty divided into equal length booklets.  There were lots of women, and we finished quickly. I'm getting to know the women, since I've met them in shul on Shabbat here.  Home in Shiloh, I frequently join neighbors on Tuesday afternoons.


One big difference was that in Shiloh we finish our prayers, requests and Psalms and then leave.  In my sister-in-law's neighborhood they read from a book.  Amazingly the excerpt was about caring for parents.  It was as if it was chosen specifically for me.  I was in New York after taking my very elderly father from my home in Shiloh to Arizona, where my mother decided they should live, near my sister.  Last October I took my father to Shiloh from their home in New York.  He made aliyah and impatiently waited for my mother to join him.  We all accepted the change in plans, and now I'm "vacationing" with family in New York.


Last night we all went to their synagogue for the Tisha B'Av service and reading of Eicha, Lamentations.
This was also divided up among a few readers.


The synagogue was very crowded.  Public mourning on Tisha B'Av is much more common and acceptable abroad than it once was.  I consider this a very good sign.  G-d willing we will rapidly begin building our Beit HaMikdash, Holy Temple and all be in the Land of Israel.  And next year, we'll be celebrating the dedication of the rebuilt Holy Temple!

Did I Sin This Tisha B'Av?

What a way to start Tisha B'Av, the 9th of the Jewish Month of Av, our day of greatest mourning.  On Tisha b'Av we're not supposed to bathe, launder or put on clean clothes.

When I returned to my sister-in-law's home after hearing the special mournful Eicha, I changed into clean clothes, dried myself off and hung up clothing to dry.  Did you guess correctly?  There was a very powerful rainstorm. 

The walk to the car was long and wet.  We were drenched by the time we got there.  I was glad that my shoes weren't ruined.  I was wearing rubber shower thongs, since leather is forbidden on the Ninth of Av.

I felt like I had just taken a shower.  My clothes were dripping wet, hat to toe.  Although it's forbidden to bathe and change into clean clothes, it was clear that these weren't normal circumstances.  

 Jewish Law is governed by common sense.  I didn't have to stay in wet clothes, just because it's the Ninth of Av. 

And although Tisha B'Av is a twenty-five hour fast like Yom Kippur, those with certain health problems are required to eat.  A good and thorough knowledge of Jewish Law shows this.

Tzom Kal, have an easy fast, if you're permitted to fast.  If you must eat, do it as the rabbi and doctor instruct, but your mind must stay focued onthe day.

Listening to Other Voices, Respect and Tolerance

This week's Havel Havelim is hosted by Ima 2 Seven.

The jblogger (Jewish Blogger) world is very varied.  What we have in common is that we consider our being Jewish as part of our blogging identity.  Havel Havelim unites us.  Granted few of us read every post, but we all appear together. 

This unity is what should be.  There are times we must ignore "right and wrong."  We must look for the good in each other and in ourselves. 

For some Jews, it's already Tisha  B'Av, and they may already be fasting. 

I wasn't raised with a knowledge of Jewish Law and fasts like Tisha B'Av, but I was raised to be a proud Jew.  No matter where we stand at this moment in Jewish knowledge and observance, it's important to try to add on it and improve it.  Standing still, status quo, is not the Jewish way.

Tisha B'Av symbolizes our disunity.  We must correct it.  I was lack of respect for fellow Jews which destroyed our Holy Temples.  We must each look for every way possible to treat others better.  Grand gestures aren't enough.  Every small move, even an encouraging smile.  Nothing and nobody should be belittled.

May next year's Tisha B'Av be a grand celebration, the dedication of the third Bait HaMikdash, Holy Temple.

ON ASSIGNMENT IN JERUSALEM - INTERVIEW WITH SARA SHOMRON

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On Assignment in Jerusalem
By A. Ozoous
July 17, 2010




INTERVIEW WITH SARA SHOMRON (Pictured)
Publicist for the book GRAINS OF SAND, The Fall of Neve Dekalim, written by her daughter, Shifra Shomron
(For a copy of the book, go to the author’s website for a list of bookstores: Or contact Mazo Publishers; also a Literature Study Guide is available for the book for free downloading. For more information, contact the publicist at publicist.sls@gmail.com)

I caught up with my friend, Sara Shomron, at the Teachers Conference in Jerusalem, doing what she does best – promoting her daughter’s book. If a kid ever wanted a publicist for their book, they couldn’t find a more loyal, dedicated person than a mother like Sara. The following is about a young Jewish boy who received an awakening to his identity & to his Land after accepting the challenge of a school project and a personal encounter with the author of GRAINS OF SAND. I believe this book should be in every family library and every synagogue for the future education of Jewish children and their identity to the real world of Israel & the young people who are in the struggle to keep it a homeland for the Jews. The interview is in Sara Shomron’s own words:

A 7th grade boy in New Jersey was given a history assignment along with his classmates in conjunction with the State History Day Competition. Conflict & Compromise in History was the year’s theme for students 7th grade and up from New Jersey public schools and this Jewish boy in a public school did not know what he was going to do his project on – he had no idea – so he and his mother sat down at the computer and Google-searched for a subject of interest. Mother & son somehow fell into an interview Shifra had given about her book, and he was wild. He couldn’t believe someone close to his age had written a book about the expulsion of Gush Katif.

He had never heard of Gush Katif before. Even his connection to Israel was minimal so he decided it would be a terrific project to do for his class assignment. He got a hold of the book and as part of his research he contacted my daughter Shifra and asked her questions via email, and they corresponded.

For his history assignment he submitted his project and earned the grade of 100. His teacher encouraged him to participate in the state-wide competition of New Jersey in 2008. This 7th grade boy who had not previously heard of Gush Katif now entered his project called: In the Shadow of a World Destroyed, Memories of an Expelled Teenager, based on Shifra Shomron’s novel Grains of Sand, the Fall of Neve Dekalim and on April 30, 2008 this boy heard over the loud speaker, Gush Katif is a winner! He won first place for his entry in this New Jersey state-wide competition for the Southern Regional Division of National History Day Competition at Rider University.

Afterwards, the Northern & Southern State Regional winners were combined to determine who would be the finalist of the state competition. This boy was not a finalist, but several months later, he marked his Bar Mitzvah. At his Bar Mitzvah each and every table at the reception had a name of a destroyed Gush Katif community, because he wanted all the people present to know of and to remember Gush Katif. It wouldn’t have been the same if Gush Katif hadn’t been part of it. He made Gush Katif known and did his best to increase awareness and keep the memory alive of Gush Katif – a young boy who had never heard of it prior to falling into Shifra’s interview and reading her book, the power of the word, the power of the book and the power of the internet.
He has developed an amazing love for Gush Katif, and in particular a love for Israel.

(Name of the boy withheld by request, due to the age of the minor.

For a transcript of his words about the book, go to Gush Katif is a Winner!

Or, he can be heard speaking on UTube: Readers Discuss the Book Grains Of Sand: The Fall Of Neve Dekalim -- Part 2

also view:
Readers Discuss the Book Grains Of Sand: The Fall Of Neve Dekalim -- Part 1

Look what’s hanging over Jerusalem on Erev Tisha b’Av

Posted by Jewish Israel

This banner welcoming the conference for the Church of the Pentecost Missions hangs over the Rimonim Shalom Hotel in Jerusalem’s Bayit Vegan neighborhood. The banner quotes the new testament passage: “being transformed into the image of christ in a changing world”.

Properly welcoming tourists of other faiths into Ir Hakodesh and into Eretz Yisrael surely doesn’t warrant this shameful display. That it hangs over us at a time of year when we’ve been remembering tragedies associated with avodah zarah (strange worship), among other sins, and on the eve of our commemoration of the destruction of the First and Second Temple in Jerusalem, is distressing.

But jesus-friendly banners in Jerusalem may be the least of our problems. Is it possible that the Muslims know something we don't?...more

The Muslim Threat

This is a must-see.


Of Mosques and Men: Reflections on the Ground Zero Mosque

Islam isn't a peace religion.  The plan for a mosque on the site of the World Trade Center which was destroyed by Islamic Arab terrorists must be taken very seriously.  The commentary on this youtube is logical.

It's Time to Leave Lala Land

The Arabs don't want peace with Israel.  They want to be without Israel.  And when that's the case, there's nothing to negotiate.  No matter what we "reluctantly" agree to, no matter what promises, urgings etc from international mediators, there's no way that there will or can be peace with people who want us dead and gone.  Each concession we make just brings more and more dangerous demands.

These negotiations, direct, indirect,m proximity etc are like cancers.  And we all know that cancers must be destroyed.

These negotiations must be stopped!  Our very survival is at stake.

G-d Shakes Up Washington DC

This morning's headlines tell of an earthquake in the Washington DC area, yes, the United States's Capital City.  Hmm... can that be a message?

The east coast of the United States generally thinks itself immune to such natural disasters.

G-d likes to give us a chance to repent, so we shouldn't scoff at the relatively low magnitude of the earthquake.  It may be barely noticed in California, but for the Washington DC area it's major.  G-d customizes for each of us.

On the Jewish Calendar we're in the deepest days of mourning for our Holy Temple and Jewish Unity.  Next month is Ellul, the month of repentance before our New Year, Rosh Hashannah, and Yom Kippur when we beg G-d to forgive us.

The United States Government, led by its President Barack Hussein Obama is the least sympathetic to the State of Israel and the Jewish People since Jimmy Carter.  G-d's trying to shake us up a bit.  Let's all listen and not dull the sensations with Prozac and Nobel Peace Prizes.

Shabbat Shalom from my temporary blogging spot in the USA...

Winner Takes All, Losers Be Damned

Jameel at the Muqata has an interesting post about Israeli democracy.  I sent a short comment:

There's something very dangerous in the "winner takes all" philosophy/mentality here in Israel. It's like the american electoral college. The majority rules by totally overriding the minority even if it's just a 51% to 49% vote.

The winner or boss as dictator.


Quite often there's abuse at the workplace, because the boss is considered a god-like king. "If you don't like it, leave."


When Yitzchak Rabin was elected Prime Minister, he made it clear that he considered himself Prime Minister to those who supported him. His followers made it clear that those who opposed his policies were thereby disloyal to the State of Israel. That's the mentality, culture here in Israel. It gets very frightening.


We're now in the "Nine Days" when we mourn the destruction of our Holy Temple in Jerusalem which happened in ancient times. Many of us also mourn the implementation of Disengagement which has many of the same dates though thousands of years later.


During the time leading up to Disengagement, its supporters insisted that the fact that it was passed in the Knesset gave it a "holiness" and refused to debate the moral pros and cons. To them the highest morality was that it was government policy, passed by law. The laws from the politicians in the Knesset mean/meant more to them than the laws G-d gave us.


The same people who have been lobbying for the children of illegal foreign workers to stay here, because it would be too traumatic to send them away from their birth places, the homes they know and schools they know etc even though their parents were breaking Israeli law for years, had absolutely no problem dragging Israeli citizens of all ages from their legal homes. They see/saw no contridiction, no moral dilemma in retroactively declaring legally bought and built Jewish homes illegal.


Chazal, our sages say that the great sin which caused the destruction of the Holy Temple was the dispicable behavior between Jews. We haven't learned the lesson yet.

Events Commemorating Five Years Since Disengagement

AFSI Americans for a safe Israel


Tel: 212-828-2424; Fax: 212-828-1717; afsi@rcn.com ; www.afsi.org
Contact: Helen Freedman, Executive Director


Please see the updated list of events scheduled to commemorate the 5th anniversary of the expulsion from Gush Katif. 


YOU ARE INVITED TO ATTEND ANY AND ALL – FREE ADMISSION:


Brooklyn, New York -Sunday morning, July 18, 10 AM – Rubin Margules, Pres. Manhattan Beach Jewish Center, 60 West End Avenue, will be leading the commemorative event. It will include a presentation by Dror Vanunu, along with professional films about Gush Katif before and after the expulsion. Contact: 718-891-8700


New York City- Sunday, July 18, at 7 P.M., Congregation Ohab Zedek, 118 W. 95th Street (off Amsterdam Ave.), a community-wide event will take place with Rabbi Allen Schwartz, spiritual leader of OZ, Dror Vanunu, International Liaison for Gush Katif, and films depicting life before and after the expulsion. Contact: Helen Freedman: 212-828-2424


Los Angeles - Sunday, July 18, 7 PM: Shaarey Zedek Congregation, 12800 Chandler, Blvd., Valley Village. There will be a screening of the documentary: “Withdrawal from Gaza,” presented by Joel Blasberg, director and co-producer of the film. Contact: Bonnie Kurnick - 818-769-0200


Chicago- Thursday, July 22, 7 P.M., Congregation KINS of West Rogers Park, 2800 W. North Shore Ave. Dror Vanunu will be the featured speaker, along with films depicting life before and after the expulsion. Contact: Cheryl Jacobs Lewin – 312-654-9955


Teaneck, New Jersey- July 23, 24 –, Congregation B’nai Jeshurun. Rabbi Steven Pruzansky will be hosting Dror Vanunu for Shabbat. Various events are planned for the weekend.


Miami- Sunday, July 25, 8:30 P.M., “K Space” – 170th & Collins Avenue – Films and speakers – Closed, members only event


In addition, many synagogues throughout the country are showing Gush Katif films during the day of Tisha B’Av. It is not too late to order your film. Contact: AFSI – 212-828-2424; afsi@rcn.com


Other events are planned in July, August, and into October, 2010 commemorating the expulsion. Donations are gratefully accepted. Send checks to: Friends of Gush Katif, POB 1184, Teaneck, NJ 07666 or by credit card through the secure website: www.gushkatif.org

On The Other Side of The Gaza Fence

Another of those subjective, innacurate articles for the New York Times about Gaza.  The world is brainwashed thinking that the Arabs in Gaza are so poor and suffering.


Nobody cared when innocent peaceful Jewish Israelis were forced from their homes, buisinesses, schools, communities in the name of Disengagement.  


Disengagement was a unilateral, meaning that Israel got nothing positive for it, decision that wrecked havoc with the lives of countless thousands of law-abiding Jewish Israelis.  It further endangered the Israeli south, including cities like Ashkelon and Netivot.


It is now five years since Disengagement, and even the Israeli public has been shockingly apathetic.  That's the most frightening lesson of all.