Hamas/Gaza War Musings #55: Who's Whitewashing Gazan Civilian Attack of October 7, 2023?

 What really happened on October 7, 2023?

On October 7, 2023 and for awhile afterwards there were lots of photos, videos/YouTubes and reports of Gazan civilians-- even those considered friends and had been employed by Israelis who unabashedly, enthusiastically guided the Hamas terrorists and joined in attacking, their naïve Israeli friends. These Gazan civilians knew their way around the kibbutzim and knew their victims. These terrorists, who didn't wear uniforms, proudly took pictures and videos of their cruel acts, sending them off to their families and the wider world via the internet. Some stole phones of the victims  and got perverse pleasure showing their "victories" to their victims' families and friends.

Strangely the articles I read about this in October, 2023 can't be found online. At least I couldn't find any, nor did anyone I asked on Facebook. One friend said that she had saved the links of the articles, but the links are as dead as the victims...

In my searches I found the report that the Israeli Government has on its site. That's what I screenshot above. Even Bibi's government is masking the true story. They give the impression that Israel was invaded by uniformed soldier terrorists, not a ragtag group of Gazans of all ages, uniformed and not. I guess the government wants to hide the fact that the IDF and civil defense were defeated by amateurs. Volunteers came from all over the country to defend the innocent Israeli citizens, from infants to the elderly, while the army waited for orders and transportation.

The cruelty of the Gazans was worse than what the Nazis had done. Nazis had herded Jews of all ages into buildings, and then gassed them dead. They didn't butcher, decapitate the Jewish victims like the Gazans, read this. 

Now I can't find the articles. I asked on Facebook, and even people who had saved links, say that the links no longer function. Why has this happened? Why protect Gazans? Is this a conspiracy to rewrite history and invent the Myth of "Innocent Gazan Civilians?" If you have functioning links, please add them in the comments.

While hostages, Israeli citizens, still rot and starve, some alive and some long dead, as prisoners in Gaza, Bibi keeps sending food to Gaza. The Gazans don't need our food or any other aid. It's an agricultural area; they can grow what they need. They don't need medical supplies, when there are over two dozen hospitals there. It doesn't make us look moral or magnanimous; it makes us look guilty and foolish. The same must be said for Bibi's fokokt woke "moral" fighting. He warns Gazans to leave their homes before we bomb them. Duh!?! These are the terrorists and their supporters who've been cheering the deaths of our precious soldiers and the victims on October 7th. Coddling the enemy won't give us victory, and a "deal" won't give us peace. 

Only a TOTAL VICTORY and resettling Gaza with Israelis will give us peace.

Hamas/Gaza War Musings #30, Post Rosh Hashanah, Disturbing...

Here is another of Facebook my pre bedtime musings...

Before I sat down to write this one, I had totally different thoughts concerning what I'd write. But surprisingly different words began to appear on my screen. 

Please read it, and tell me what you think, thanks.

Gnite

Three days offline, no news, no travel, too much food...

Two days of Rosh Hashannah, shofar blasts, prayers...

Then a day of Shabbat...

Time and meals with friends, learning...

Almost half a week, we could almost pretend it was a regular year...

But we were on alert... could there be another massive attack?

What's going on in the rest of the country?

How are our children? Soldiers?

Will we be inundated with bad, tragic news once Shabbat ends?

When will we win this war? Destroy the enemies? See them surrender?

I feel more worried by the minute...

It's preposterous and dangerous to negotiate with someone who wants to destroy you

Get real!

On the Jewish calendar it's a new year. 5785 תשפ"ה

We must pray and fight and work hard to change things for the better. The world wants us destroyed. They are only concerned about the safety and health of Hamas, Hizbolla, Gaza and Lebanon. Do you hear condemnations of those who murdered, raped, captured innocent Israelis? We have no reliable allies. We must stop asking the USA, UN and others for help.

It's time to unify, pray to Gd and fight to win.

Shavua Tov

Gmar Chatimah Tovah

Hamas/Gaza War Musings #29 How Will History Judge Bibi?

Recent weeks, I've found myself writing a short, but not sweet, gnite message on Facebook after taking out my hearing aids, taking off my "dog tag" necklace and eyeglasses before going to bed. It's illustrated with a photo showing whatever I'm reading, plus those accessories. I don't really plan what I'm going to write. It just flows... Letting my thoughts out is a good way to relax before trying to fall asleep.

I used to blog daily, before Facebook, and in my early days on Facebook. Nowadays I spend much more time on Facebook. It's hard to know how many people actually read my blog posts, while it's easier to get reactions on Facebook.

These gnite messages have been well received, so I'll be copying/sharing some here. I welcome your reactions, comments.

Thursday night, September 19, 2024

Gnite

It's hard to believe that in less than 24 hours we'll be celebrating, observing our Holy Shabbat. And totally horrifying is the fact that it'll soon be a full year that we're at war.

Maybe I didn't use the right verb in the previous sentence. That's because the State of Israel isn't actually fighting the war. It has been in a strange dangerous paralysis for most of the past 11 months.

To win, be truly victorious, we must fight. No mercy to the enemy.

I haven't seen that at all.

If Gd forbid there isn't a change soon, some day in the future, military historians will explain that Bibi's adoption of an unprecedented woke "morality" of warning the enemy before bombing, feeding the enemy etc prevented Israel from achieving the victory they could have easily won.

What do you think?

The Political Me and Bibi's Congress Speech

 

Some of my favorite "buttons" from the past

I don't like it when people think they can label me or presume they know my opinions. I'm not that easy to label. I don't take orders from anyone. I make my own decisions. And sometimes my opinions are like no one else's. 

Here's something I wrote recently on facebook.

I have never been loyal to a particular political party in any country. I look only at policies, even more than leaders.

Over the decades I've seen too many politicians and political parties desert principles.

I'm a purist. I don't trust anyone. If something stinks, then it goes... that includes politicians and political parties.

Speeches and oratory aren't policies and facts on the ground. Promises are promises...

I know that not everyone understands this. Too many people say that they only, or have always vote for a particular party; they're loyal to it. They make their decisions, decide their opinions according to party leaders. They trust their party and its leaders. I'm not like that. Sorry.

When I started demonstrating for Soviet Jewry, demanding that the leaders of the USSR release Soviet Jews from their prison-like country. One of the signs we held up showed the number of synagogues that had been in various cities that became part of the Soviet Union in 1917. Those numbers were compared with the number of synagogues in the same cities in 1965. Yes, there were far fewer. The message was very clear. Communism doesn't allow people religious freedom in addition to not allowing them to leave the country. 

"Enlightened" sic Americans were still enthralled with the idea of communism and socialism. Not me. I didn't go to the same demonstrations my peers attended "religiously." You could say that I chose a "different religion." My determined observance of Torah Laws certainly separated me from fellow Jewish students. Then I discovered Zionism, the mitzvah, religious requirement, to live in our Holy Land. That's why I live here in the holy city of Shiloh, the same place written about in the Bible, where the Ancient Tabernacle had stood for almost four hundred 400 years. 

I go straight to the source and I abhor double-talk, which is a reason I don't trust Prime Minister Binyamin Bibi Netanyahu. I've been listening to him and observing his policies for many years. He has been conning the Israeli public and people all over the world pretending to be a strong Right patriot, but his policies are something else entirely. So are his speeches. The important thing is to listen to the end. I caught onto that many, many years ago. 

Netanyahu's recent Congress speech was the same pattern/structure as what I heard in August, 2008. He hypnotizes people in the first part of his speeches, and then when most people are no longer listening to the details he tells the truth. By then most people aren't paying attention to the details; he has captured them. When I heard Bibi at the First International Jewish Bloggers Convention he announced that he'd return to office as Prime Minister as a "centrist." I heard him clearly, but it doesn't seem like others had paid attention.

The first three quarters 3/4 or so of Netanyahu's Congress address was wonderful. Yes, of course, Binyamin Netanyahu is certainly one of the world's greatest orators. He's responsible for his speeches, not hired writers. You can see it clearly when it's off the cuff. His knowledge of world and Jewish history qualifies him to teach in universities like his father had. But that doesn't mean that his policies, especially military/security are what the State of Israel needs.

Soon after Netanyahu voiced the slogan #neveragainisNOW which is one even I use on X, Instagram and Facebook, he took a different turn. He pledged that Israelis wouldn't return to live in Gaza, and from there it went downhill. That was a slap in the face to our brave soldiers who had fought so hard to destroy the terrorists and return to Gush Katif. It's so obvious to many of us that there can never be true peace if we're just policing Gaza and not living there.

After that Bibi sounded like 1960's druggy Leftist when he said that he "envisioned" peaceful Gazans ruling themselves. Duh? There's nothing pragmatic, realistic, intelligent about that...

If that wasn't enough, Netanyahu began bragging about Israel having "the most moral army" ever. Honestly, I don't think it's moral to endanger your own soldiers to protect the enemy. Over twenty years ago, local Shiloh soldier Avihu Keinan, HaY"D was killed in such an army action. Instead of destroying a building, which was believed to be in enemy hands, Avihu was sent in the inspect it, and then he was killed. His father organized various marches and demonstrations against the policy, and I attended and wrote about them. I remember Moshe Keinan asking "Why is Ahmad's life more important than my son's?" That's why I get very upset every time the Prime Minister and other government officials claim this policy is so wonderful, worth bragging about. It's so obvious that the Hamas terrorists will never surrender when we feed them and provide medicines. 

I call it suicidal. I'm a realist. And remember that terrorists don't wear uniforms. Photos publicized by the terrorists of October 7th, show clearly that CIVILIANS of ALL AGES were the rapists, murderers and arsonists. So why are we protecting Gazans as if they hadn't been involved? There's that famous recording of a phone call between a young Gazan terrorist and his parents bragging about murdering ten Israelis. His parents praised him.

Why is Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu bragging to the world about protecting, feeding and and sending medical care to terrorists?

Think about it...

Guest Post by Netivotgirl

Some of you may remember the wonderful posts my dear friend aka "Netivotgirl" had posted in the past about living in Netivot. Here's something she sent to friends and agreed that I post it here on Shiloh Musings. You can read more of her articles here by searching "Shiloh Musings Netivotgirl."

Facebook will NOT allow me to share this post so I am emailing it to some of my close friends. EVERYTHING mentioned here is fact taken from sites such as Human Rights Watch. Why am I not surprised? I welcome any and all remarks from you my friends. We need not agree but we must keep the lines of communication open between us. It's bad enough that anti-Semitism is currently rampant the world over; as Jews no matter what our political stance we are all loathed at present (if we can be recognized as being Jewish.) I will add here that later this year will be the first American election in which I will NOT cast my vote since making aliyah in 1977. In my opinion, Trump is totally off his rocker and Biden is a doddering incompetent man who is no friend of Israel. He is also (IMHO) a crook along with his son Hunter. These are my opinions and you may differ with me.
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Although I am an avid reader, I'm not a particularly gifted writer unlike some of my friends (Ariella McCauley Kopels, Paula R. Stern, and Batya Medad, that means you three!) Yesterday during Shavuot, I finished reading one thick book and half of a second one after reading all of the book of Psalms. I want to share some thoughts with you all to explain why I have decided to take a break from Facebook. As an Orthodox Jew, I believe that everything is decreed in heaven. Here in Israel we have been living in a surreal nightmare since October 7th of last year. Everyone has somebody they love serving in the IDF and many of us have lost people on that dreadful day. (I lost Judith Weinstein Haggai with whom over the years I participated in numerous in-service courses in Beer Sheva.) At the end of this missive, I will bring the sources for the facts that will be mentioned.
 
"In January and February of 2016, Human Rights Watch interviewed 21 Sunni Muslim Arab women from Iraq and women and girls from the Yezidi minority ethnic group, all of whom had fled ISIS-controlled areas, most in late 2015. Several of the Yezidis, abducted by ISIS in mid-2014, had spent more than a year in captivity. They described being forcibly converted to Islam, kept in sexual slavery, bought and sold in slave markets, and passed among as many as four ISIS members." The world was silent.

In 2022, "Rohingya Muslims are still awaiting justice and protection of their rights five years after the Myanmar military began a sweeping campaign of massacres, rape, and arson ….on August 25, 2017, Human Rights Watch said. More than 730,000 Rohingya fled to precarious, flood-prone camps in Bangladesh, while about 600,000 remain under oppressive rule in Myanmar." How did the world react? A few words of concern were expressed but life went on as usual.

In March 2023, "The Syrian Network for Human Rights (SNHR) announced in a report marking the 12th anniversary of the popular uprising for democracy in Syria that it has documented the deaths of 230,224 Syrian civilians, including 15,272 who died due to torture." The world was silent.

Now let's mention the facts: The Palestinians actually had a state. In 2005, Israel put into action a plan called, "The Disengagement from Gaza." IDF installations and forces were removed and over 9000 Israeli citizens living in 25 settlements were evicted. Jews who lived in the settlements in that area left behind millions of dollars' worth of greenhouses that could have helped turn the Gaza Strip into a modern Singapore. However, all of that expensive machinery and agricultural apparatus was put on fire and destroyed! Fast forward to October 7th, 2023. Israel suffered an incursion by barbarians who swept through Moshavim and Kibbutzim in the Gaza Envelope. Entire families were shot and killed. Babies were burned in their cribs and often beheaded. Women were gang-raped and their bodies dismembered. (i.e. breasts were found near the defiled women.) In total, 251 men, women and children were abducted into Gaza. Hostages who were later released told chilling stories of the abuse they suffered. And the world? Suddenly non-Jews the world over began spewing anti-Semitic chants such as, "From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free." (Few if any of those protesters can name to which river and sea are referred.) Neither Egypt nor Jordan (nor any other country for that matter) cares to take in refugees from Gaza. Why is this? Nobody wants them. Why are we Israelis responsible for them? As Douglas Murray, famed British author and reporter has mentioned many times, Israel is the only nation in the world that is not allowed to win a war. We the Jews are the indigenous people in our land, speaking the same language that was used 3000 years ago. The Al-Aqsa Mosque is built upon the remains of our holy Temple. Coins excavated from that area show ancient Hebrew letters and symbols. Biden has been attempting to force upon us a "two state solution" which IMHO would in essence be rewarding the Arabs for the worst genocidal attack we Jews have suffered since the Holocaust in WWII.

It seems like yesterday (actually it was on November 10th, 1975) that the UN General Assembly adopted G.A. Resolution 3379, which declared Zionism to be “a form of racism and racial discrimination.” I feel that I must distance myself from what is posted on Facebook about current events in order to retain my sanity. I run a fund for poverty stricken brides from Netivot and am involved with other communal activities so I will not be bored. So forgive me if I remove myself from the public arena. As mentioned earlier, sources will appear below.

I will also add that I have no idea how long I will take my break. What I can say with certainty is that not listening to the news nor watching videos on my laptop has brought me some small measure of serenity as the world continues to go berserk.
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source for the Yezidis:   https://www.hrw.org/news/2016/04/06/iraq-women-suffer-under-isis
source for the Rohingya Muslims:  https://www.hrw.org/news/2022/08/24/myanmar-no-justice-no-freedom-rohingya-5-years  
(The above email address belongs to "Human Rights Watch.")
 
The source for the slaughter in Syria by Bashar al-Assad: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/may/14/more-than-300000-syrian-civilians-died-any-attempt-to-rehabilitate-assad-is-utterly-shameful
Source for the disengagement from Gaza: https://embassies.gov.il/MFA/AboutIsrael/Maps/Pages/Israels%20Disengagement%20Plan-%202005.aspx

Facebook Rescinded Ban

former title:

According to Facebook, One Can't Mention Biden's Age

I'm in shock. According to Facebook I've gone against "community standards." All I did was share an article from The NY Post, The best and worst of Joe Biden put on display during whirlwind day by John Podhoretz to facebook and write:

It's a real shocker for me. For over a decade I figured there'd never again be an American Presidential race in which both candidates are older than I am. Joe Biden is 7 years my senior, while Donald Trump is only 3 years older than me, four years younger than Biden. If Biden's elected, he'll be over 80 before his four years as POTUS are up. In case you're wondering, Bibi is just a few months younger than me. And I'm happily retired. Why should they all want the pressure after 70?

What's wrong with it? I don't see any "spam" in what I wrote. I'm almost 71, not a kid, so why can't I mention age?

What do you think?

The Truth About Purim, Via Facebook Live

Reflecting on Purim, Corona virus, Jewish History and Jewish Life today.

Just to warn you, I generally come up with unique opinions.

I'd like to know what you think, even if you don't agree with me. Let's agree to disagree, but please listen first.

Have a wonderful week. Stay healthy best you can and keep your sense of humor.

Facebook Election Campaign

This year's Israeli Elections seems to be fought in the media, the social media, especially facebook, even in English.

• Likud
• Bayit Yehudi
• Otzma Yehudit and more

There was a time, not that long ago, when Israelis waited nightly during campaign season for the television broadcasts of election campaign movies. There was a complicated system allocating certain amounts of minutes per party depending on if they were already in the Knesset, how many seats and if they were just challenging from the outside.

Now the movies are on youtube, facebook and all over.

The Likud just came out with a great one, teaching Israelis some history. Today's Labor Party, founded by David Ben-Gurion the first Prime Minister, has been claiming that Bibi Netanyahu is ruining relations with the United States. So the Likud has countered with a history lesson reminding everyone that in 1948 the United States State Department opposed the Declaration of the State of Israel. But Ben-Gurion defied the Americans and established the state.  As soon as I can get the code, I'll post it.

Nine Days' Havel Havelim, What to Read Online

I'm the "default" blog for the new weekly Havel Havelim, the international Jewish blog round-up aka carnival.  In principle Havel Havelim is a floating blog carnival hosted by various Jewish and Israeli bloggers every week in time for Shabbat, but it may be posted as late as Sunday your time.

If you'd like to host an edition, please let me know, thanks.  We communicate via our  facebook page.  Hosts are to post links submitted (just edit out any spam) and you may and should add any other suitable links you've found over the previous week.  It's really easy to host.  Your base is the blog carnival's "instacarnival" and you just add additional posts and picutres from posts if you want.  I'll coach you through it if necessary, so don't fear.

Jewish-Israel blog carnival aka Havel Havalim
Submit your posts by clicking here.
and Please add the logo to your blog's sidebar.

Simply put, on with the show!

I've added a new category to Havel Havelim, רפואה שלימהת Refuah Shleima, A Complete Recovery.  I've been following a couple of Jewish blogs dealing with medical issues, which I want to include.

When the bima Ima's life was "simpler," when all she had to deal with was her work in Jewish education and raising four precocious and adorable kids, she used to host HH.  Now unfortunately the family revolves around the needs of Superman Sam.  Please read and pray.

Geuliyah aka Geuliyah Shomrona bat Leah Rachel is a very pregnant mother and doula blogging about a complex pregnancy.  She's the daughter of close friends and the doula who delivered other friends' grandchildren. She's a gifted writer and new blogger.

Antisemitism

Shiloh Musings: A "Good News Bad News" Picture posted at Shiloh Musings.

Culture

A book review: Lorri M. Review: The First Lady of Fleet Street
Meeting Rita | Ima 2 Seven posted at Ima 2 Seven, saying, "My personal experience interviewing Israeli pop icon, Rita."

History

OK, this isn't from a blog, but a good friend recommended listening to Shani Taragin talk about Eicha.

Shiloh Musings: Egypt, What are The Odds? My Prediction posted at Shiloh Musings.

Israel

There are first person aliyah posts and blogs, and there are also those by parents of olim.  Hadassa is joining that group, You’re Sending Your Son to Die?

Shiloh Musings: It's Clear in The Torah That All Jews are Commanded by G-d to Serve in the Jewish Army posted at Shiloh Musings.

But what's the source? posted at Our Shiputzim: A Work In Progress, saying, "Thanks for doing this and shavua tov!"

 

Seeing's believing.  Here's what Sharon saw on Rosh Chodesh at the Kotel: Rosh Chodesh Av at the Western Wall
reesasworld: Rabbi Akiva's Laughter posted at reesasworld.
Ruti loves this country!

Personal

Top Seven Reasons Making Aliyah is Like Having a Baby by Jennifer
me-ander: Facebook Friending, Accept All, or Keep Up Some Barriers? posted at me-ander.
The Rebbetzin's Husband On feeling a profound absence of generosity
me-ander: Yes, I Guess I'm Human posted at me-ander.
Shirat Devorah tells us How to Perform Miracles
me-ander: Still Writing That Journal posted at me-ander.
Adventures of a Chief Rabbi: Anatomy of an Asado

Touring Israel

 Leora's Ma’alot Israel Flowers and Birds

Shiloh Musings: A Good Mob, Crowding Together to Learn More About Ancient Shiloh and Archeology posted at Shiloh Musings.

And as host's prerogative, I'm including information about next month's Women's Rosh Chodesh Prayers at Tel Shiloh.

Women's Prayers at Tel Shiloh
Rosh Chodesh Ellul

Wednesday, August 7, 2013

1 Ellul 5773, 8:30am

Tour of Tel & Dvar Torah, Short Torah Lesson

Please come and invite family, friends and neighbors

תפילת נשים
ראש חודש אלול בתל שילה
יום ד' 7-8 א' אלול תשע"ג 8:30
יהיה דבר תורה קצר וסיור בתל
 כדאי לבוא ולהזמין חברות, משפחה ושכנות

That concludes this edition. Submit your blog article to the next edition of jewish-israel blog carnival aka havel ha using our carnival submission form. Past posts and future hosts can be found on our blog carnival index page.

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Technorati tags: jewish-israel blog carnival aka havel ha, blog carnival.

Facebook's "Like Man" Likes Shiloh. How About YOU!

Mateh Binyamin

Shiloh is definitely on the beaten path for tourists to Israel looking for the historic locations depicted in the Bible.  One recent visitor was Jared Morgenstern aka "the man who invented the facebook like."

Morgenstern is touring Israel and was at Shiloh HaKeduma aka Tel Shiloh this week. 

I live in Shiloh.  My house is just over a mile, about two kilometers from Tel Shiloh.  That may give me a slightly subjective perspective about the subject, but the increase in tourism to Shiloh proves that it is a popular spot for tourists and pilgrims and that popularity is growing.

Touring Tel Shiloh during the 2nd Annual Shiloh Conference

There's now a very interesting and well kept up tourist center in Shiloh, Shiloh HaKeduma, at Tel Shiloh.  You can arrange tours and events there by emailing visit@telshilo.org.il or call 02-994-4019.

For the past few years, I've been organizing Women's Rosh Chodesh Prayers at Tel Shiloh. Next month, G-d willing will be Ellul.  Please publicize this and join us if possible, thanks.

Women's Prayers at Tel Shiloh
Rosh Chodesh Ellul

Wednesday, August 7, 2013

1 Ellul 5773, 8:30am

Tour of Tel & Dvar Torah, Short Torah Lesson

Please come and invite family, friends and neighbors

תפילת נשים
ראש חודש אלול בתל שילה
יום ד' 7-8 א' אלול תשע"ג 8:30
יהיה דבר תורה קצר וסיור בתל
 כדאי לבוא ולהזמין חברות, משפחה ושכנות

 

Pilgrimage to Shiloh, Like in Ancient Days

Centuries before Jews trekked to Jerusalem for prayer, Jewish pilgrims came to the Mishkan Tabernacle in Shiloh to pray to G-d on chaggim, holidays and whenever they could.  Yes, the Shiloh where I live is the same Shiloh, which was the spiritual and administrative Capital of the Jewish Nation for almost four hundred years, from the time of Joshua until Shmuel Hanavi, Samuel the Prophet.

We were provided with an
excellent tour guide.

Yesterday,  a group of women came from all over Israel to visit and pray at the ancient site, Shiloh HaKeduma, Tel Shiloh.  They have been in touch with me via social media, mostly facebook, and we have been planning this trip for months.

outside a local store

They traveled from various parts of the country by bus and car for the opportunity to pray where Chana prayed and see the modern Jewish community that has grown on the same site where our ancestors lived and visited.

No doubt that it was due to the holiness of the spot, but everyone managed to find the strength and agility to hike all over Tel Shiloh.

 

The highlight, of course, was the chance to pray and say T'hillim, Psalms to G-d in the very spot most experts, archeologists and Biblical scholars believe the Mishkan had once stood.

Everyone agreed that the visit was spiritually exhilarating, despite all their time traveling.

Joe Bazer's Biblical Flutes

Afterwards, we spent some time in the Visitors Center, where you can buy drinks, snacks, local crafts and souvenirs, including  wine and olive oil from the area.

Pilgrims can't leave hungry, especially Jewish pilgrims to Shiloh.  The last stop of the group was the local dairy restaurant, pizza place, where everyone ordered a delicious meal, and we even skyped with a member of the group who presently lives abroad.  Thank G-d for modern technology.  Of course, the entire group is due to modern technology, internet and social media.  Almost all of us are writers, bloggers and photographers, so there should be more posts in various sites and blogs in the internet about this visit.

For information about Shiloh HaKeduma, Tel Shiloh, contact visit@telshilo.org.il or call 02-994-4019.  They cater to both groups and individual visitors besides running large public events during Jewish Holidays.

Women are invited to join me for Rosh Chodesh Prayers at Shiloh HaKeduma at Tel Shiloh.  The next one will be:

Women's Prayers at Tel Shiloh
Rosh Chodesh Sivan

Friday, May 10, 2013

1 Sivan 5773, 8:30am

Tour of Tel & Dvar Torah, Short Torah Lesson

Please come and invite family, friends and neighbors

תפילת נשים
ראש חודש סיון בתל שילה
יום ו' 10-5 א' סיון תשע"ג 8:30
יהיה דבר תורה קצר וסיור בתל
נא לבוא, לפרסם ולהזמין חברות, משפחה ושכנות

Face2Facebook

Face2Facebook
by Sara Layah Shomron

It has been 5 years since the uprooting, expulsion and destruction of Gush Katif.

There seems to be a glitch on the radar screen of major mass media news coverage concerning the former Gush Katif residents' plight and current situation. In order to remedy this I have finally discovered Facebook and am finding it an amazing vehicle to connect with people worldwide.

The "Gush Katif - historical fiction novel” Facebook page is now up and running with the aim to increase public awareness by providing a more personal look at former Gush Katif residents via select youtube videos and pertinent news articles. This Facebook page will also provide a forum to engage in relevant discussion, announce Gush Katif events, and encourage organizing Gush Katif Od Chai awareness events.

What was it like living in Gush Katif before the summer of 2005 is featured on this Facebook page via youtube videos of the historically accurate, fictional novel “Grains Of Sand The Fall Of Neve Dekalim” by Shifra Shomron (Mazo Publishers).

What has life been like since the summer of 2005 for Gush Katifers is seen on this Facebook page through select news articles and youtube videos. These videos allow people to go behind the major media news coverage and get a more intimate look and better understanding of the issues still being grappled with 5 years later. I encourage you to leave a comment on the Facebook page after watching a video.

Let your voice be heard on the page's Discussion section. Let’s engage! The first Discussion topic: your thoughts about 5 years later.

Please join and share this new Facebook page with interested others.

AntiSemitism on Facebook!

Recently I received the following note from a friend:

My grandchild, -, took the quiz "What Religion are you?" on Facebook, and this is what it replied:
"Jew-
You are cheap, smart, rich and most people hate you. You are great at business and know how to make money. Everyone blames you for everything and you blame them. You are probably very Conservative."

Please help get this material off Facebook by taking the quiz and reporting it to the Abuse department. Please spread the word.

This is no "urban legend." I do know the people involved.

I inquired how a pre-teen could be on Facebook, and I was told that the family uses it to post pictures to each other. Personally, I don't like the popular use of Facebook for posting pictures for family and friends. There isn't enough control over it, and as in this case, it exposes young children to an adult-oriented site. There must be something safer.

Recently, I opened a WEJEW account, the same name, shilohmuse, as my youtube. It does have a picture upload option, besides the videos, and it's "clean." At least it's as clean as anything can be, since they check what you've uploaded before making it viewable.

Of course, even on WEJEW, one should be alert to people abusing it for the wrong reasons, but it has the potential to be a much safer alternative, at least for Jews, who use the internet for videos, movies and photos.

This is not a blame the victim post. Certainly spread the word about Facebook's definition of a Jew, and do investigate and patronize safer internet sites.