End of the Goyishe Year (2008) Update:

posted by Ellen W. Horowitz for JewishIsrael

“Joes” abandon Joel

Key Messianic leaders of the Ephramite movement (also referred to as “Joes” in reference to ” the House of Joe –seph”) have abandoned evangelical missionary Joel Bell and his World Biblical Zionist Center endeavor after questions of financial accountability and credibility were brought to the fore. Several weeks ago I wrote a critical report on Joel Bell and his missionary activities and, in an interview on A7, questioned the wisdom of World Likud and certain Likud members aligning themselves with him.

I dunno what Joel did with the Joes’ funds, but a couple of eyewitnesses at a recent Likud event saw Danny Dannon run up to Joel Bell with an urgent request for heavy funding. Follow the evangelical/messianic money trail, folks, and you may come up with an answer.

Joel Bell and Sagiv Assulin are scheduled speakers at a messianic restoration conference coming up in just over a week.

It should be mentioned that there have been recent reports connecting Sagiv Assulin to Moshe Feiglin and Manhigut Yehudit. But Feiglin is the only Likud member to publicly distance himself from evangelicals and their donations. Feiglin feels that as one climbs the political ladder, Hashem tests them – and on the evangelical/messianic front, Sagiv seems to be failing in a big way.

There are no secrets here and this writer suggests that reporters contact Moshe Feiglin or Shmuel Sackett directly on this issue.

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Will Sephardic “Messianic” Jews inherit the Negev?

The Chistian Science Monitor reports on a growing trend among Christian Hispanics to trace – via DNA tests - their crypto Jewish roots. These Christians then join “messianic” congregations and emigration endeavors with the hopes of fulfilling “a prophesy that Sephardic Jews will inherit the Negev, a desert region of southern Israel.” The “rabbi”/ leader of the particular messianic Christian group discussed in the article, is “planning a trip to Israel in February and is in touch with government representatives about helping Hispanic Jews return to the country [Israel] to live.”

The Jewish Journal reported on this phenomenon back in July, noting that many of this group “convert” to Judaism, but retain their belief in Jesus which complicates the aliyah process under the law of return (but not if Messianic attorney Calev Myers gets his way).

Last April I reported that missionaries affiliated with James Hutchen’s Cyrus Fund were teaching the Gospel to Bnai Anusim via messianic churches - and getting those "converts" ready for aliyah to the Negev. What’s especially interesting to note is that in the mid 1970’s the very same retired Brigadier General Dr. James Hutchens, President of the Jerusalem Connection International, and his wife Patty, deceptively tried to convert to Judaism and make aliyah without abandoning their belief in Jesus (he even wrote a book about it, entitled “Guilty”)

Their efforts ended in failure when the Israeli Supreme Court rejected their “conversion”, and subsequent attempt to become Israeli citizens (they got swiftly booted out of this country). But that hasn’t stopped the good reverend - a former board member of John Hagee’s CUFI - from continuing efforts to promote a messianic Christian restoration in Israel.

What’s ironic and disturbing is that Benny Elon sits on Hutchen’s advisory board, and it was Benny’s father who handed down the decision on December 25, 1989 to categorically reject a bid by believers in Jesus to claim eligibility for aliyah as part of the Jewish people under the Law of Return. These are the words used by then Supreme Court Justice Elon:

"In the last two thousand years of history...the Jewish people have decided that messianic Jews do not belong to the Jewish nation...and have no right to force themselves on it," he wrote, concluding that "those who believe in Jesus, are, in fact Christians."

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The Chairman of the Knesset Christian Caucus has announced his intentions to leave politics.
After being relegated to an embarrassing 17th spot on the "Jewish Home" Party list, Benny Elon said he would resign from politics, but continue his work with Christian supporters of Israel as chairman of the Israel Allies Caucus Foundation, the international arm of the Knesset's cross-party Christian Allies Caucus.

Josh Reinstein, the director of the Knesset Christian Allies Caucus, also failed to make the grade on the “Jewish Home” list.

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Yisrael Beiteinu chooses messianic Christian venue for Press conference

According to Arutz 7, Avigdor Lieberman convened his Yisrael Beiteinu Party press conference in the“missionary village” of Yad HaShmonah - a moshav west of Jerusalem, whose members are Messianic Jews and Christians.

According to Party spokesperson Irena Ettinger, Yad HaShmonah was chosen as the venue because, “It is a convenient location between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, with a nice-sized hall, and that’s it.”

The Jewish National fund site features Yad HaShmonah as an ideal place to hold a Bar/Bat Mitzvah ceremony and describes it as “a thriving moshav composed of Israeli and Finnish believers in Jesus Christ.”

Gotta wonder who gives the evangelical Christian village their hechsher?

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Messianic Jewish Chaplains Must Wear Cross

The US Navy got it right. An order was handed down by Vice Admiral M. E. Ferguson U.S. Navy Deputy Chief of Naval Operations that Messianic Jewish chaplains must wear the cross lapel pin that identifies them as Christian rather than the Ten Commandments pin that signify a Jewish chaplain. That decision was made official last month after a messianic Christian applied to serve as a chaplain and requested the Jewish emblem, but was told to wear a cross. The loyal pseudo-Jew decided to leave the navy.

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Messianic missionary leader detained at Ben-Gurion Airport

Jamie Cowen a director of the US Union of Messianic Jewish Congregations was detained at Ben Gurion airport for alleged missionary activity (duh!)

The Jerusalem Post reported that the Cowens were in Israel to visit their two daughters, one of whom is an Israeli citizen. The other is in the process of obtaining citizenship after she and a group of other Messianic Jews won a Supreme Court case against the state (Cowen is Jewish, his wife is not).

According to the report, Cowen said he had visited Israel about 10 times, and had been active in social causes via the Knesset Social Lobby (that would be via messianic attorney Calev Meyers who has served as Legal Counsel to the Chairman of the Knesset Social Welfare Lobby).

"I've brought $100,000 in humanitarian aid to Israel. We've provided lone IDF soldiers with about $50,000 in aid… he said.”

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Missionary musical director Chuck King to leave Israel

The Jerusalem Post reports that Chuck King, the music director at the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem, has decided to end his sojourn in Israel.

What that article does not tell you is that Chuck King has done much to promote the messianic movement here in Israel by having served as the worship director for the messianic congregation Assembly Kings of Kings, located in Jerusalem's Clal Center.

King declared the theme of ICEJ 2008 Feast of the Tabernacles – the largest tourist event in Israel - to be year the of "the true “Lion King” – Jesus"

"we proclaim in this 60th year anniversary of Israel’s national rebirth, that the coming Lion of the Tribe of Judah will soon establish His rightful inheritance and establish His throne to rule over His city and the nations. "

Chuck King’s daughter recently married Israeli Oriel Danielson in a messianic Christian ceremony performed by pastor Tony Sperandeo. And Oriel is currently working as a broadcast technician for the missionary channel GodTV Satellite Network (beaming the gospel from Jerusalem).

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Top evangelical, Rev. Richard Cizik, resigns from the NAE:

Reverend Richard Cizik resigned as the Vice President of Governmental Affairs for the National Association of Evangelicals. He did so after an NPR radio interview in which he voiced support for same-sex civil unions . The NAE said in a statement that Cizik had expressed regret, apologized and "affirmed our values." The NAE is an umbrella group for tens of thousands of churches and organizations.

Last year Cizik, who supports a two-state solution, met in a closed meeting with top evangelical leaders and Arab Muslim leaders to promote dialogue.

Cizik is a senior editorial advisor of the Christian Post which last summer published an attack on Orthodox Jews - accusing them of planting a bomb that severely injured a pastor’s son – despite there being no evidence, suspects, or arrests in the case to support that claim.

It should be noted that Cizik, like Benny Elon, sits on the advisory board of James Hutchen’s Jerusalem Connection International – a “Christian Zionist” publication (see earlier related story in this update).

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Jewish mom uses this blog to plead for Israeli son lost to Jesus

Last August I blogged and sent out updates about a Jewish yassamnik who had been brought to Jesus via the evangelistic charms of a cute missionary volunteer from Christians for Israel (CFI). Erin Elizabeth Adams wrote several diary entries (which have since been taken offline) of how she step by step brought Tomer Kol to Jesus.

(Example):

“My friend Tomer (Police guy) who I gave that book of Psalms to,has now agreed to attend "the deepend" at my congregation tonight”.

The deepend is a part of the Kings of Kings messianic missionary community in Jerusalem’s Clal Center (see earlier item on Chuck King).

It seems our “Police guy” went off the deep end shortly after his “deepend” encounter. He took off for the States, got baptized, and married the little missionary girl. The “ketuba” reads something like, “I will love you as Messiah Yeshua loved the Body and
gave himself for her…”

Well Tomer and his devastated Mom have been in touch with each other via my posting. Scroll down to the last comment of that blog post. It’s in Hebrew and is sure to bring you to tears. I’ll keep you posted, as we all hope and pray that Tomer comes home to his people (even if he is a yassamnik).

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Missionaries Target Crown Heights, and Chabad Targets….Gentiles

Israel, you’re not alone. Crown Heights Brookline has a missionary problem.

“The Shomrim hotline received a call…informing them of a group of missionaries that was targeting Frum Yidden in front of 770, engaging in religious debate and distributing missionary paraphernalia.”

Meanwhile it appears that Chabad’s “messianic wing” has taken flight with a new mission of their own. The Jerusalem Post recently ran the following headline: New Indian Chabad House to reach out... to gentiles. The report seemed to ruffle the feathers of the mainstream Chabad leadership.

But there is no question that the Rebbe advocated that “…each person should fulfill the Seven Noahide Laws with all their details and particularities”.

I guess the jury is still out on the approach and the methods used to spread that message.

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Jesus invited to Shul?: Riskin responds

I really haven’t had a chance to examine – in depth - Rabbi Riskin’s response to my post. I’m not a scholar (I’m just a Jewish mother with fairly good instincts), but at first glance it appears that Rabbi Riskin does indeed blur some lines.

This Jew finds it a little alienating when Rabbi Riskin expounds on the oneness of a threesome. But I was never really good at math or theology, and the concept of the trinity is really irrelevant to me as a Jew. I simply have no desire to understand it. And I was never under the impression that my faith advocated that “ultimately everyone will convert” to Judaism. I’ll have to pass Rabbi Riskin’s arguments on to greater minds than mine.

In the meantime, I’ll stick with Rav J.B. Soloveitchik’s psak against interfaith theological dialogue. And I would hope that Rabbi Riskin considers that despite his sweeping, prophetic, and scholarly views on the topic; the message which was ultimately conveyed about his center via a Christian–oriented publication is that Christians picked up the proselytizing ball which the Jews dropped, and that Jesus is now invited to shul.

And speaking of picking up dropped balls….

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Eckstein: Evangelicals will fill the void in a post-Madoff era

The Jerusalem Post is reporting that Yechiel Eckstein's Christian group, IFCJ, is positioned to fill in the void left after the Jewish philanthropic world was devastated by the 50 billion dollar Madoff rip-off. Eckstein represents his Christian donors on the boards of the Jewish Agency, Keren Hayesod/United Israel Appeal, and the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee.

I don’t doubt Eckstein’s word, as A7 reports that IFCJ is providing NIS 1,100,000 to Israeli communities currently under fire from the Palestinian Authority in Gaza.

I don't think we Jews have ever been in a position where we have had to hand the keys of tzedakah for our community over to Gentile hands. We have always strived to take care of our own. I expressed my concerns over this philanthropic deterioration within the Jewish community two years ago.

Our increasing dependency on Christian aid is a situation we asked for and which we created. Some would say we should be grateful, but as evidenced by this report I think we can clearly conclude that yes, there is a cost involved, and there are certainly strings attached.

“In the direction a person chooses to go, that’s where G-d will lead him.” (Makkot 10b)

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For those who put their faith in John Hagee, he has a new book out called "Financial Armageddon"

Watch Out America

Hat tip Boker Tov Boulder

One of my post -Barack Obama predictions concerns the dangerous/exaggerated expectations of some of his supporters. The "changes" they want in American society are a lot deeper and more drastic than Obama can provide, whether or not he actually agrees with their agendas.

They're not the most patient or tolerant members of American society. I'd hate to be in America when they begin to demonstrate their disappointment.

Yes, I'm talking about American Moslems, and there are many more than most people want to admit.

Here's the Anti-Israel Pandemonium in Gaza City Fort Lauderdale FL USA.

Ambiguous and More AMBIGUOUS!

I'm enjoying a rain day, last minute change in plans, and I didn't have to leave my house. I guess the prayers for the safety of our nation has swayed G-d to allow some rainfall. So, I have the news on the TV.

Unless I missed something, they reported that the cabinet met to discuss how the war should go. There seems to be debate on its aims. Now debate? Shouldn't there have been clear war aims before we attacked the Gazan missile launchers on Shabbat?

The TV journalists are interviewing a government official and keep asking about cease fire and what's the war aim. All he could say was that the government wants a "significant change." That doesn't say much. Ambiguous is the best word I can think of.

Avigdor Lieberman is now on the program. He's speaking clearly. He said that an attack like this should have happened from the very beginning seven years ago, when the terrorists first began launching kassams at Sderot and Gush Katif. He's right. He'll get support for telling the truth. He also calls it a lie that there's international pressure on us to stop. That's a myth. I agree with him on that, too.

Now someone else (a Prof. Stern) is on saying that without a clear war aim this war is a waste. And I agree with that too. This is starting to be like Olmert-Livni's first war, which I likened to A bissel ointment on the gangrene.

To quote King Solomon:

Nothing's new under the sun.

A Request From Anita Tucker

Dear friends,

As you know we have no "safe area" in Ein Tzurim caravilla site in which for our children to seek protection during the siren alerts when the rockets explode and fall. The Pikud HaOref has as of yesterday closed all the nurseries,kindergartens and schools in the area and in nearby areas probably all this week and perhaps some of next week as well.
We would like to bus between 30 -40 children of Netzer Hazani-Gadid community in Ein Tzurim (ages about 2.5-3yrs until about 13 yrs. for daily trips to various communities who will be willing to host entertainment for the children and perhaps some of the parents who are not working . Perhaps youth in the host community or parents could prepare activities in various age groups , perhaps local musicians ,actors etc could help ---an outdoor trip in your area ---anyhting your community can think of that will make the day pleasant for the kids and parents --would be great !.

We have two people in our community trying to coordinate such activities and days
so please if you have any ideas or would like to organize people in your community to try and help them lift up this glove that would be amazing -- for any ideas suggestions or willingness to do this one day
please contact tucker.anita@gmail.com

Please pass this around.

Thanks

Prayers at Tel Shiloh

On Sunday, Rosh Chodesh Tevet, the first of the Jewish Month of Tevet, a group of us went to Tel Shiloh to pray.


How could we not pray, when our country is in such danger? Successive Israeli governments have been caring more for our enemies, giving them Land, food and medicine, while simultaneously arresting and restricting the most patriotic among us.

Finally on the Shabbat of Chanukah, the government decided to "attack" the terrorists in Gaza. As if taking a lesson from one of those modern child psychology books, they're making a point of distinguishing between "terrorists" and "civilians." Gaza is a terrorist entity, ruled by terrorists and supported by its population.

I really didn't plan on writing so much politics here. I wanted to express the feeling of the "shechina," the spirit of G-d, we feel here in Shiloh.

It was reassuring to see that the recent rain had caused the land to be muddy. It's winter and there should be lots of mud. Israel's in the midst of a very serious drought.

Last year, at this time of the year it was all green.

Instead it was like a cold summer's day, but here in Israel, so close to the equator, it never gets cold in the summer. Sunday morning was bitter, like G-d must be at the horrendous way the Jewish People has been treating the gifts He has given us.

It is already over forty years since the Six Days War, and modern Israeli leadership, Jewish leadership all over the world, have allowed our Land to be handed over to our enemies. Our enemies, once so defeated, are getting stronger, and the Israeli Government is feeding them. That's why our Holy Land is looking so parched and brown in the middle of the winter.

Day Four of the War ( in Netivot)

The city is quiet. Too quiet. It is eerie. Many stores are still open but few venture out to purchase anything but the most basic items. Some have left town but it is ridiculous, for where does safety lie?

My husband's first cousin spent the last two days in Beer Sheva. One of the grad rockets fell this evening not far from her "retreat" so she is returning to her own home tomorrow here in Netivot. We are continuing to receive heartwarming invitations by phone to stay by friends and relatives, but prefer to stay here. At home.


My morning was spent at a brainstorming session at Ulpanat Tzvia Sedot Negev. Many of our pupils are from Sederot and we are trying to show our girls morale support through regular phone calls; sms texting; e-mailing; etc. Ideas were aired for sending school work via the Internet and perhaps organizing a two day trip to Jerusalem next week.

Additionally, although far less important on the grand scale of affairs is the fact that Math and English Winter Bagrut exams are rapidly approaching and a very small number of our weakest seniors may endanger their chance of achieving a bagrut certificate if this war continues. That would be a shame. What was utterly shameful, however, was the phone call received by our principal during the meeting. The call came from some nameless Ministry of Education bureaucrat in Tel Aviv, as if nothing unusual is going on. No inquiries about our safety; simply business as usual! We were shocked at this lack of brotherhood and sensitivity.

Academic issues at present are, of course, secondary. What is primarily important is maintaining contact with our many dear "daughters" spread far and wide from moshavim near Ofakim all the way out past Yehini, Yoshivia up to T'lamim. In days past we had pupils from Gush Katif at our school. **sigh** Those were the days! At present we are still blessed with many staff members residing in Nitzan, Ein Tzurim and Har Chevron instead of places like Neve Dekalim, Morag, and Kfar Darom in Gush Katif.

Having a strep throat, I made my way home from the pharmacy at nightfall on foot (no car and no public transport in this direction!) Out of the blue, without warning BOOOOOOOOOOOM! No siren had sounded. This was the first time I heard a rocket land while outside. I was startled, but more angered than scared.

My anger only increased when listening to the news tonight. A 48 hour humanitarian cease-fire is being proposed by our "staunch ally," the French. Ooh la la. Give the poor guys a couple of days prepare a welcoming committee for our incoming forces! Add a few booby traps and perhaps another mine or two. Darn it all-- keep up the momentum! Strike while the iron is hot! If we stop now, the same old untenable situation will only be repeated a little bit further down the line!

No, I am not looking forward to losses that may be incurred by our IDF infantry entering Gaza, should such a move be deemed necessary. However, to end the campaign now would be like my stopping to take antibiotics in two days time. The germs will only become stronger, and I'll need to take an even heavier dosage in the end to get rid of them. The germs. Streptococcus- type A. The Chamas should only be that easy to eliminate.

I Don't Drink The Stuff

It doesn't matter how you spell it. They want us dead.

Shakespeare said that "a rose by any other name still smells as sweet."

I prefer: "A rose by any other name, still has thorns."

And don't forget that "a threat, even misspelled is still a threat!"

Life-protecting Sewers for Gush Katif Expellees

Life-protecting Sewers for Gush Katif Expellees
By Sara Layah Shomron

Our family lives at the Nitzan caravilla site, halfway between Ashkelon and Ashdod. NO bomb shelters at this Nitzan or any temporary caravilla site. So when the Red Alert siren sounds of incoming rocket(s) - we quickly lay down on the floor and cover our heads as though in an open field (even one of our dogs initially cooperated as he put his paws over his ears) while others squeeze large families under their dining table, or behind a sofa and yet others simply ignore the warning and sit/walk outside.

"Bomb shelters" are being brought in today. One neighborhood already has. It's comprised of three HUGE sewer pipes put together to create one tube 6 ft high and about 12-15 ft long. in which one can stand and walk. On each end there's a cement block covering most of the opening so one is protected from shrapnel. It's like a hamster's toy - only BIGGER. Actually my Wisconsin elementary school playground had a couple of these. Kids would squeeze inside during school-time recesses to keep warm from the freezing winter temperatures.

In our cul-de-sac today there was a conversation calmly discussing where to put the concrete sewage pipes in our parking lot. People don't seem to be panicking (I translate and paraphrase):

Not in front of my house. It will destroy our breeze and view

I have a measuring tape – here- take an end

Put it in front of my house

No put it over there- it's more in the middle

The government will get us all inside these and seal them closed

We've been expelled from our houses, in these caravillas, and now we're supposed to go into sewers? What's happening to us?

Does anybody know if these are used?

Have you guys seen the other neighborhood where kids are drawing on them? We should have a contest

You know we'll have to sleep in street clothes

A neighbor sent their pre-teen daughter to request the sewage pipes be put by her house –they can't make it in 30 seconds otherwise. And so went the conversation.

Several hours later three HUGE sewer pipes were trucked into our neighborhood. One of the neighbors made it clear to the army officer in charge that they wanted the pipes placed somewhere other than immediately in front of their caravilla. A compromise was reached with the sewage pipes placed a further distance in front of their caravilla. After all, we wouldn't want the sewage pipes to dislodge, roll, and smash into a caravilla.

Postscript: The siren sounded just a short while ago in the late evening hours. My husband, on the computer wearing earphones, hadn't heard. Suddenly he noticed me and the girls lying on the floor with our hands protecting our heads. "What are you doing? I didn't hear a siren - outside to the sewers" said he. We had totally forgotten and made haste. Only four other neighborhood families joined us. We were about to return to our caravillas when we felt another BOOM though heard no siren. Methinks from now on we'll sleep in our street clothes with a warm jacket in easy reach.

"Even miles away you can be a part of us and together we will write a new page in the history of e Jewish people and the Land of Israel," Katif Fund http://www.katifund.org/

In the US: Make checks payable to

FRIENDS OF GUSH KATIF,

Friends of Gush Katif (501 (c)(3))

PO Box 1184

Teaneck, NJ 07666

In Israel:

Gush Katif Committee

Ahuzat Etrog

P.O.B 450

Israel, 79411

Burying The Dead

Jewish Law, Halacha, is very different from the standard American, Christian, western. For Jews growing up out of Israel, in the galut, diaspora, it's sometimes hard to realize that local Jews have adopted many non-Jewish customs.

I guess it sounds peculiar, and can be misread, for me to say that I love the funerals in Shiloh. Of course, I hate the deaths, but I do value the way our funerals are conducted. We have our own local burial society, Chevra Kadisha, and everything is conducted according to Jewish Law.

The graves are prepared by local Jews, and the body, wrapped in a shroud, is gently placed in the grave and then buried. People, generally the men, take turns shoveling the dirt back into the hole and onto the dead.

The physical, kinesthetic act helps with the very necessary "closure." By being part of the earth, the dead returns to G-d.

HaMakom Y'Nachem, May G-d Comfort the Mourners...

Update on war situation of Netzer Hazani in Ein Tzurim, by Anita Tucker

As to all who have called and written in concern as to how Gush Katif people in" dangerous circles" are doing ===

In Ein tzurim we feel like total idiots ---as our homes and businesses were destroyed so that we can be in same situation as before but now have no protection whatsoever ----while many children have no school and will be wondering around unprotected while the schools all have protected rooms (chelm or not chelm) --we had to put up a big fight to get the kindergartens to reopen so that the children might be near a protective room when the alert goes off (if we happen to hear it from a distant area of kibbutz ein tzurim --one hears it from here only outdoors and indoors only if you leave windows open and have no music on).They are also concerned that to many be concentrated in one location and if rocket happens to fall there then many will chas vechalila be hurt at one time . So this statistically slight chance is causing all to react exactly as the enemy intends --to cause our daily lives to be turned inside out and freeze people with fear---to me it seems absurd and almost sick.

Of course a little piece of Eretz israel of shevet yehuda was given away free of charge so that we could fight this dangerous war to rid us of the enemy to whom we gave the land . It is now ten years since Oslo Peace agreement and all the craziness it brought . Ten years and Am Yisrael seems to be walking backwards on a endless plank with its eyes tied close --. I recall writing such an email letter to friends right after the road map agreement trial telling about the same preparations for the missle attacks in Netzer Hazani.

I may as well be back home ---nothing has changed except that I'm less protected than then and threats are worse for many more people.. So maybe they can make some order and let us go back home .

Now we are fighting to have the afternoon moadoniot open for same reason --while Pikud Haoref(Homefront Command ) only know how to make general announcements without checking situation in each location. We are also trying to pressure kibbutz hadati to allow us to leave the shelters in the yeshiva of kibbut hadati open -as it is closed down this year ) or at least give us keys so that families who are fearful have the option of sleeping there if they wish.I don't know of any such families but having that option open is comforting to some ,we believe.(among many families injured from shrapnel of rockets in Netzer Hazani we have one fellow that still has 116 slivers of shrapnel in his body ,one who was injured quite seriously --and three more rockets fell in his garden after he was injured family was saved by mammash miracles) . Meanwhile we are trying to fulfil our responsibility by nudging pikud HaOref to bring us Miguniot ---but we fear they will degrade us as they have done to our friends in Nitzan who also made alot of noise as to lack of any protection ---and resulted in Pikud HaOred bringing them big sewage pipes with Battonadot on each open side ---into which they are to enter with families if there is a red alert.

Last night we had meeting of our Tzevet Cheirum Yishuvi (committee of our town that deals with emergencyh situations) we are unfortunately a well oiled experienced committee ---and among our members who live here in Netzer Hazani in Ein Tzurim is the school advisor of the religious elementary school in shderot (Zahava Almassi --remember this mom of kallot and hattanim) and Monique Zarbiv who is head nurse in clinic of caravilla site in Nitzan (another mother of chattanim) who gave us rundown of what is happenning there . We decided to keep sending daily notices to our population to keep them as informed as possible as to all that is being done . also to shlepp moatzas Social worker to visit those families most likely to get stressed out in this tense atmosphere --with no protection around and nothing to do about it other than write emails and faxes to Pikud HaOref --after their poured concrete home was destroyed to bring them to this.

We also will continue and have more shiurim that are mechazk and tehilim etc as that is the most relaxing solution we all know of and the only place one finds any logiacal answers ----as well as the meetings planned about the building anew ---unless the officials who are supposed to come to speak chicken out. We also hope to activate our young people whose studies in Ashkelon and shaar hanegev are closed.to help in our efforts. We will take interest in our families whose kids are in the special units fighting back home in Azza ---the craziness of their situation is beyond words. Most of the birthright groups who were to have been in guesthouse in Ein Tzurim and I was to speak to have cancelled as they are not allowed in the circles of the red alerts so they no can only visit northern half of the country .Only ZOA student group who are to come tonight have not yet cancelled .

---kol hakavod to ZOA!.

Late last night we received notice which schools will open and which will not ---so some kids here have school and some don't depending on decsion of Pikud HaOref and Moatzot and whether school has protected area or not.. By this morning turned out that almost all the kids are not learning today . They ,will be wondering around unprotected with no school and with some of their parents at work (those working north of Asdod -Yavneh -) ---lovely situation.

our koach this week comes from the koach of channukah --and we certainly won't allow anyone to turn off those lights strength and miracles we so enjoyed last week. if we keep our eyes open it is easy to see the lights are still on in so many spots of chesed and caring . BE"h they will gets stronger and be seen and felt in more and more circles.

BE"H certainly soon Hakadosh Baruch Hu will let us know clearly why all this is LeTovah ---we yearn for this time anxiously ---meanwhile praying for this time gives koach as well as connecting with all you great people who feel care and understand.

love you all,anita

PS feel free nudge pikud HaOref(IDF homefont command) to provide us with Miguniot (small structures that are protective for some rockets that are placed in neighborhoods to run to for protection when have red alert of rocket attack) --sewage pipes are only protective against shrapnel at most but cannot protect against even smallest of missles as it is not thick enough concretes. No doubt our protection will come from Hakadoah Baruch Hu . As we had the zchut to see endless miracles ,now people all over the country have the zchut . However we are still obligated to do our hishtadlut.

The War From The Air

This is from the official government youtube site. There's lots more on the site. This Election Campaign War is modern.

Barak loves technology.

Too bad he didn't use it to destroy the terrorists' missile launchers before they could be activated.

Out of the Frying Pan – Into the Fire

Out of the Frying Pan – Into the Fire
By Shifra Shomron

There was a siren. It was loud and alarming and we didn't know what to do – we had never heard a siren before and anyways, there was nowhere to run. You see, in Gush Katif we had always been warned after the mortars had fallen, not before though at least there our houses were solid cement and cinderblock. In fact, shortly before Disengagement, the Government had even finished reinforcing our ceilings and then we really felt safe in our house from mortars.

But that was then, and now as I heard the siren I did the only thing I could: I dived off my bed (it was nighttime and I was in pajamas) and onto the floor and covered my head with my hands. All the time there was one thought running through my head: 'this is absurd'. And then the siren stops its wailing, and after a few seconds I heard a muffled BOOM and realized that Ashkelon or Ashdod must have gotten hit. And I prayed that everyone was safe, and knew that thank G-d our Caravilla was still standing. As the missile had fallen, I could return to bed and spend the rest of the night hearing planes flying overhead and wondering if they were indeed planes or missiles.

In short, I was up all night. At one point I turned the lights on and tried knitting to make myself drowsy. It did – but I still couldn't sleep.

You'd think that after all the years in Gush Katif we'd be used to being bombed. But the bombs weren't so strong then, and we didn't feel so defenseless. The Caravillas are plaster, and they are definitely in range. When they were put down the government saved costs and didn't build them with security rooms, as they're obliged to do by law to any structure in Israel, by the loophole that these were "temporary" structures.

So now the army is establishing a five meter long cement tube sort of thing in each cul-de-sac. You can stand in them. They won't protect you from a direct hit, though. We can all run there each time we hear a siren. God, I wish I had the young child's attitude; they're drawing on the walls in there with chalk and enjoying the echo.








Shifra Shomron is the author of the historic novel, Grains Of Sand: The Fall Of Neve Dekalim, (Mazo Publishers). "Travel beyond time and beyond location – into my Gush Katif"
Visit Shifra's website: www.geocities.com/nevedekalim

Election Campaign War News

There are a few blogs posting various updates and links about this war. If you want to save yourself the search for information, then I suggest you keep checking up on those blogs.

G-d willing, there will be more Notes from Netivot, and I hope to gt another friend in the enemies' target area to post, too. So, please keep checking here.

The Muqata

Israellycool

Jack

According to the latest news, no place is safe, especially since the war/campaign/operation has pushed the terrorists out of their closets.

At this point we don't know if the elections will be as scheduled, or later, before the dust settles, if the military results are good for the government. If the results are more like the Olmert-Livni war #1, then, elections will follow lots of spin, until we can't tell Left from Right.

If my cynicism is proven pragmatism, either they won't be delayed or just a tiny bit. That's because, as far as I'm concerned this is just a very bloody campaign event to promote Kadima and Labor, Livni and Barak.

Yes, It's A War

At least the enemy is treating it like a war and attacking on all fronts. Southern Israel is being blitzed by Arab terrorists who launch missiles at us.

Innocent Israeli civilians are being killed and injured, their homes damaged, their peace of mind destroyed.

In other parts of the country, Arab terrorists are attacking civilians.

And Israel continues to shtopp the Gazans with food and other supplies. It's dangerous and perverse to be so kind to enemies. The Gazans supply the terrorists with supplies and recruits. The terrorists are Arabs, nor Martians.

This is no chess game. It's for real. The attitude of the government and media remind me of the days when war was a sport, entertainment and people would bring chairs to watch the battles.

The Arabs want to destroy us and they're not shy about saying so. The only effective defense is to destroy them!

Campaign War?!!!

Note from Netivot #2

I have read and heard negative remarks criticizing the present "political war." My response is that of a resident of the Western Negev and I feel differently than those in our country whose last 8 years have been free of rocketing. True, in Netivot until the past week we have had relatively few rockets. However, as a teacher at Ulplanat Tzvia Sedot Negev, my pupils (who are like daughters to me) have shared with me their pain, confusion, frustrations and fears for years! I lost a pupil to a Kassam-- Ella Abukasis, z'l, whose fourth"Yom Ha'Shana" is in a few weeks time.

I couldn't care less whether Olmert and his corrupt colleagues are acting in accordance with a private agenda. I also don't give a hoot if this is an electoral trick to get Kadima/ Likud/ Avoda votes.... as long as they let the IDF continue until a SATISFACTORY ending not dictated by "allies" abroad.The present situation is UNTENABLE and must cease!

I don't believe that folks from Netivot/ Sederot will be hoodwinked into changing their votes due to this campaign/war. In my end of the woods, everyone is ecstatic and willing to sleep in secure spaces for the duration. We all have many friends; pupils; family ; etc. living and or working in the most oft targeted areas. The lack of response before the present campaign has made our blood BOIL!

As I write this, another few BOOOOMS heralding rockets sounded here in town although there were no warning sirens. (We had one siren earlier, and the local geriatric hospital was spared by a few meters!)

I spent the morning phoning all of my pupils. One, a girl who came to our Ulpana to become more religious was almost hysterical! Her fourteen year old brother is so traumatized that he is unable to leave his bed or eat. He is vomiting none stop and their house is filled with medical and psychological staff attempting to deal with his situation. This, sadly, is NOT an isolated incident.

So, many may be cynical about what may be a last ditch effort to garner votes, but better late than never. We here pray to G-d that our chronically spineless leaders stay strongly enough focused (albeit for their private agendas-- who the heck cares?) to allow the IDF to see this through until the very end. Until normal life can be returned to our area.

Finally, as our Rabbis said, a mitzva done for an ulterior motive may change to be a mitzva le'shma-- a pure mitzva! May Hashem watch over our boys and lead them to victory!

What's A Mandrake?

There are plants mentioned in the Bible, whether in the original Hebrew, or translated into Engish, which aren't familiar.

Yesterday, when I was in Tel Shiloh for Rosh Chodesh Prayers, a neigbor with lots more horiticulture knowledge than I have, suddenly pointed down and said:

"Here are duda'im, mandrakes."

I took a good look via my camera's viewfinder. These are the plants Rachel and Leah believed would make them more fertile.

A Political Party To Vote For

Baruch Hashem, Halleluya, Praise the Lord

Enough with the stress and suspense. I have a political party to vote for in the next Israeli Elections, whenever it will be. It may be postponed due to the Election Campaign War.

A Zionist Patriotic pro-settlement in the Land of Israel party has been formed, combining a number of small ones and factions. Baruch Merzel has promised to support it and not run against it. It even adopted a name similar to my fictional party.

No doubt, if I look carefully, I'll find things to complain about, but there's no alternative, and if Arieh Eldad, Katzale, Uri Ariel and Uri Bank are working together, that's good enough for me.

So, I'm voting for:

Eretz Yisrael Shelanu

The Land of Israel is Ours

Pray for Our IDF Soldiers

Last night I got a call:

"What's new?"
"Nothing much. Were your boys called up?"
"No, were yours?"
"No, not yet. But who knows?"

So far there hasn't been a major "call up," and I'm among the lucky mothers. But that doesn't mean that the safety of our soldiers in Tzahal, IDF, Israel Defense Forces doesn't concern me. And it doesn't garantee that my sons won't be rushing home soon to gather all of their uniforms, equipment etc and join up with their units.

Other mothers' children are fighting, and whether we see this "campaign" as soley military or for the elections, we must support our troops and pray for their success and safety.

Please say T'hillim, Psalms, Chapters 121 and 142.

Psalms Chapter 121
א שִׁיר, לַמַּעֲלוֹת:
אֶשָּׂא עֵינַי, אֶל-הֶהָרִים-- מֵאַיִן, יָבֹא עֶזְרִי. 1 A Song of Ascents. {N}
I will lift up mine eyes unto the mountains: from whence shall my help come?

ב עֶזְרִי, מֵעִם יְהוָה-- עֹשֵׂה, שָׁמַיִם וָאָרֶץ. 2 My help cometh from the LORD, who made heaven and earth.

ג אַל-יִתֵּן לַמּוֹט רַגְלֶךָ; אַל-יָנוּם, שֹׁמְרֶךָ. 3 He will not suffer thy foot to be moved; He that keepeth thee will not slumber.

ד הִנֵּה לֹא-יָנוּם, וְלֹא יִישָׁן-- שׁוֹמֵר, יִשְׂרָאֵל. 4 Behold, He that keepeth Israel doth neither slumber nor sleep.

ה יְהוָה שֹׁמְרֶךָ; יְהוָה צִלְּךָ, עַל-יַד יְמִינֶךָ. 5 The LORD is thy keeper; the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand.

ו יוֹמָם, הַשֶּׁמֶשׁ לֹא-יַכֶּכָּה; וְיָרֵחַ בַּלָּיְלָה. 6 The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.

ז יְהוָה, יִשְׁמָרְךָ מִכָּל-רָע: יִשְׁמֹר, אֶת-נַפְשֶׁךָ. 7 The LORD shall keep thee from all evil; He shall keep thy soul.

ח יְהוָה, יִשְׁמָר-צֵאתְךָ וּבוֹאֶךָ-- מֵעַתָּה, וְעַד-עוֹלָם. 8 The LORD shall guard thy going out and thy coming in, from this time forth and for ever. {P}

Psalms Chapter 142א מַשְׂכִּיל לְדָוִד;
בִּהְיוֹתוֹ בַמְּעָרָה תְפִלָּה. 1 Maschil of David, {N}
when he was in the cave; a Prayer.

ב קוֹלִי, אֶל-יְהוָה אֶזְעָק; קוֹלִי, אֶל-יְהוָה אֶתְחַנָּן. 2 With my voice I cry unto the LORD; with my voice I make supplication unto the LORD.

ג אֶשְׁפֹּךְ לְפָנָיו שִׂיחִי; צָרָתִי, לְפָנָיו אַגִּיד. 3 I pour out my complaint before Him, I declare before Him my trouble;

ד בְּהִתְעַטֵּף עָלַי, רוּחִי-- וְאַתָּה, יָדַעְתָּ נְתִיבָתִי:
בְּאֹרַח-זוּ אֲהַלֵּךְ-- טָמְנוּ פַח לִי. 4 When my spirit fainteth within me--Thou knowest my path-- {N}
in the way wherein I walk have they hidden a snare for me.

ה הַבֵּיט יָמִין, וּרְאֵה-- וְאֵין-לִי מַכִּיר:
אָבַד מָנוֹס מִמֶּנִּי; אֵין דּוֹרֵשׁ לְנַפְשִׁי. 5 Look on my right hand, and see, for there is no man that knoweth me; {N}
I have no way to flee; no man careth for my soul.

ו זָעַקְתִּי אֵלֶיךָ, יְהוָה:
אָמַרְתִּי, אַתָּה מַחְסִי; חֶלְקִי, בְּאֶרֶץ הַחַיִּים. 6 I have cried unto Thee, O LORD; {N}
I have said: 'Thou art my refuge, my portion in the land of the living.'

ז הַקְשִׁיבָה, אֶל-רִנָּתִי-- כִּי-דַלּוֹתִי-מְאֹד:
הַצִּילֵנִי מֵרֹדְפַי-- כִּי אָמְצוּ מִמֶּנִּי. 7 Attend unto my cry; for I am brought very low; {N}
deliver me from my persecutors; for they are too strong for me.

ח הוֹצִיאָה מִמַּסְגֵּר, נַפְשִׁי-- לְהוֹדוֹת אֶת-שְׁמֶךָ:
בִּי, יַכְתִּרוּ צַדִּיקִים-- כִּי תִגְמֹל עָלָי. 8 Bring my soul out of prison, that I may give thanks unto Thy name; {N}
the righteous shall crown themselves because of me; for Thou wilt deal bountifully with me. {P}

And here's an English text of the Prayer for Welfare of Our Soldiers:

Prayer for the Welfare of Soldiers in the Israel Defense Forces

May He who blessed our fathers Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, bless the soldiers
of the Israel Defense Forces who keep guard over our country and cities of
our Lord from the border with Lebanon to the Egyptian desert and from the
Mediterranean Sea to the approach to the Arava, be they on land, air or sea.

May the Almighty deliver us our enemies who arise against us, may the Holy
One, blessed be He, preserve them and save them from all sorrow and peril,
from danger and ill.

May He send blessing and success in all their endeavors, may He deliver to
them those who hate us and crown them with salvation and victory, so that
the saying may be fulfilled through them, "For the Lord, your God, who walks
with you and to fight your enemies for you and to save you", and let us say,
Amen.

Hashem y'shmor, May G-d protect us all.