Stand With Us Come to Israel Summer 2010

Stand With Us! Come To Israel!

From The Heart

Rabbi Gary S. Creditor

 

At the Rabbinical Assembly Convention held this past May the Israel Ambassador to the United States was asked what we, the Jews of America, could do for Israel. He answered: Stand With Us! Tears came to my eyes! After 62 years of sovereignty, the Ambassador of Israel would have to say those words?!? And that was before the Gaza episode! What else could I do? I support Israel by signing on-line petitions. I donate to our Federation Campaign, a portion of which goes to Israel. Ruby and I "have given" Israel our own flesh and blood when Tzeira made aliyah. We have visited as often as we could. Yonina just studied there for a year, and Menachem is imbued with the same zeal and advocates for Israel most strenuously and passionately. What else can I do?

 

I turn to you for that answer!! Through this bulletin article which is being sent out on the listserv, on my Facebook page and on my blog, I am sending out this message:

                        Stand With Us!!                                  Stand With Israel!!

            Not just with words.   Not just with donations.         Not just with signatures.

                        Come to Israel!!          Stand with Israel!!         In Israel!!!!

 

Ruby and I propose to lead a trip to Israel at the end of this December, 2010.

We have not chosen dates. (We will be flexible.)I don't know how much it will cost. (We'll do our best to make it affordable.) We haven't created an itinerary. (We'll take your input.) Those are the easy parts. I will use the company, ITC that served us so well in our trip in 2006. We will see the special highlights; be informed by Israeli representatives; meet members of the Masorti (Conservative) Movement; visit Emek Hefer, our partner in P2K; walk the streets, smell the aromas, and dine Israeli cusine.

 

Most importantly we will make a statement: We are here!! We Jews are with Israel!! We stand as One Jewish people!! We give our heart, our hand, our neshama, which sometimes is superior to our dollars, no matter important they are.

Israelis will know that they are not alone in this world!!!

 

We seek at least twenty individuals who will join us (the more the merrier!) Contact me as quickly as possible at rabbi.creditor@bethelrichmond.org. I will begin preliminary work with ITC on possible dates for an eight to ten day trip. Those who wish to stay longer can have their tickets arranged in advance to come earlier or remain later. While we might be tourists, we will be tourists with a historical, emotional, and spiritual mission. We will tie the pieces of the Jewish people together!

 

I recommend that you click on the following link (or paste into your web browser) that brings you to an article written by Ed Koch, former major of NYC. Read carefully the most articulate, passionate words of the Spanish politician, journalist and activist Pilar Rahola. http://www.standwithus.com/app/iNews/view_n.asp?ID=1502 Check your calendars and contact me. We passionately look forward to receiving your reply!

            Meanwhile, Ruby and I wish everyone an enjoyable and refreshing summer.