Rabbi Dale Cohen's blog

Today I was on Facebook and was astounded at the amount of anti-Israeli attitudes not only from the Muslims but from the general public. Obviously I could not just sit there and read the attacks on Israel and remain silent. I believe that Israel has every right to do what they are doing to protect themselves and their civilians. I know of no other country that has exercised the amount of restraint that Israel has exercised over the past several years as Hamas has launched thousands of missiles in the land of Israel. Now that Israel has had enough and has started to defend itself the world condemns her actions. It is very important that we stand up where ever we can and express our support of Israel. One of the ways that we can proclaim our support of Israel is by writing to the IDF soldiers and encouraging them personally. You can do this act of kindness by going to the following site http://www.chabad.org/special/gazawar/letter.htm

If you’ve been following the Gaza war the past few days, you’ll know that Israel has her back to the wall. This is a war of defense. Israel’s objective is to destroy the terrorist infrastructure of Hamas in order to protect Israeli civilians. Yet, as usual, the biased media is a force used by the enemy to bring pressure on Israel to agree to another one-sided truce.

Mass riots by pro Hamas groups have broken out world- wide. Not just in Gaza and Paris but in Fort Lauderdale and Dallas. Anti-Semitic feelings are being hurled with hatred and fervor.

Israel Needs You More than Ever!

If there was ever a time to stand with the people of Israel it is now. They urgently need both our financial and moral support. If you are a lover of the land of Israel and of the spiritual message she has borne to us through the ages, it is within your ability to give encouragement and support to her people. The choice is in your hands.

How Can You Help?

With the growth of the internet ordinary citizens like you and I are suddenly in a position to have an impact. But, we must take the opportunity seriously and put our actions and money where our hearts already are.

Friends, be aware that destiny is being determined in our days and you have the opportunity to be part of it. The war in Gaza is not just an “Israel” issue. It is the great issue of our generation. The battle between radical Islamism and the rest of the world. As Israel’s Foreign Minister, Tzipi Livni, recently said: The world must choose whose camp it will stand in. “Choose Israel or choose terror.”

I know the battle is overwhelming, but in the words of Pirkei Avot (2:16), Lo Alecha Hamelacha Li’gamore…”It is not incumbent on you to complete the task. Yet neither are you free to abstain from it.”

3 Ways You Can Help

• 1. Pray. Consider getting a small group together to be praying for Israel, the IDF, Israeli citizens during this time.
• 2. Give. Below are two very worthy organizations in Israel that you can give to and know with certainty that your financial gift will make a difference.
  • American Friends of Magen David Adom. Israeli equivalent of the Red Cross. Provides the entire nation’s emergency medical needs and blood services. http://www.afmda.org/
    
  • Joseph's Storehouse. Provides aid to those in need. Food, clothing, medical supplies and more. Website has list of needs and an opportunity to make online donations. http://www.visionforisrael.com/
    
  • Encourage the IDF soldiers.
    
    • Send a Smile: Join Honest Reporting and Gili's Goodies in sending a smile to the IDF soldiers. (Free) http://www.honestreporting.com/a/smilecampaign.html
      
    • Pizza IDF: Send pizza, burgers and ice cream to the IDF soldiers to let them know you care. http://pizzaidf.org/

3. Get the Facts: Next time you hear someone put Israel down know how to respond. Here's a list of sites that will help:

• Israeli National News: http://www.israelnationalnews.com/
  
• Kol Israel: http://www.kolisrael.com/Kolisrael.htm
  
• See "What Really Happened in the Middle East," a 10-minute multi-media presentation on the history and background of the Arab-Israeli conflict.
  
• See the short film, "Missiles from Gaza."