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Israel's Two-Front War
Israel's Army, Citizens and Supporters Respond
by Israel HighWay Staff

Hizballah’s rockets continue to rain down on Israel’s civilian towns and cities in northern Israel.

On Wednesday two Israeli Arab children, Mahmoud Taluzi, 7, and Ravia Taluzi, 3 (pictured), were murdered by a Katyusha rocket that fell on Nazareth, one of Christianity’s holiest cites. Their deaths brought the total number of Israeli civilians killed to 16. Fourteen soldiers have died. Hundreds have been wounded by the 1,600 rockets that have been fired at a wide swath of Israel’s north. The range of the Hizballah rockets has been extended, and the Katyushas and larger rockets now can reach Haifa, Tiberius and Afula.

Israeli intelligence experts are convinced that the weapons originate in Iran and Syria. Israeli jets destroyed several trucks ferrying new missiles from Syria to Lebanon. One sophisticated anti-ship missile supplied by Iran hit an Israeli ship last week as it sailed off the Iranian coast. Hundreds of Iranian "advisors" are believed to be working with the Hizballah gunmen throughout Lebanon.

Issue of the Week is continued below

Bush Supports Israel's Move Against Hizballah
by Robin Wright and Thomas E. Ricks

President Bush Tuesday endorsed Israel's campaign to cripple or eliminate Hizballah, charged that Syria is trying to reassert control of Lebanon, and called for the isolation of Iran. Bush said the "root cause" of the conflict between Israel and Hizballah "is terrorism and terrorist attacks on a democratic country. And part of those terrorist attacks are inspired by nation states, like Syria and Iran. And in order to be able to deal with this crisis, the world must deal with Hizballah, with Syria, and to continue to work to isolate Iran."

Bush said again that Israel should be allowed to defend itself. "It is now clear for all to see that there are terrorist elements who want to destroy our democratic friends and allies, and the world must work to prevent them from doing so," Bush said. "The real objective here has to be to deny the Mediterranean branch of Tehran a strategic victory," a senior U.S. official added. (Washington Post)

Thousands Rally in Solidarity with Israel in New York
by Rose Just-Michael

More than 10,000 supporters of Israel gathered outside the United Nations on Monday, July 17, to rally against the terrorist attacks of Hamas and Hizballah against Israel. The street was closed off as people filed in to hear distinguished politicians and religious leaders speak about the effort to destroy these terrorist groups.

The impressive crowd of 10,000 in the sweltering noon sun was addressed by political speakers as well as religious and ethnic leaders. Mr. Fred Teng, Chairman of the Chinese Community Relations Council, related his strong feeling of connection to Israelis during this time of grave trouble. "I am a Chinese American…But today my spirit is that of an Israeli. We are all Israelis here today."

In her speech, New York Senator Hillary Clinton affirmed the United States’ support of Israel: "We will stand with Israel because Israel is standing for American values as well as Israeli ones."

The situation in Israel was often compared to that in America on September 11; speakers equated the terrorist groups Al-Qaeda with Hamas and Hizballah fighting against the democracies America and Israel. Israel's Consul-General in New York, Ambassador Aryeh Mekel said, "No one understands our plight better than the people of New York."

Many of the speakers reminded the crowd that the terrorists not only want to kill Israelis, but Americans too. Fighting against Hamas and Hizballah will not only be helping the only democracy in the Middle East, but also protect our own democracy. Congressman Fossella sent a message to the U.N. saying, "Wake up!" He continued, "They hate. They will kill. We must eliminate them before they kill more."

If America fails to assist Israel in destroying the terrorist groups, the United States will once again be victim to severe acts of terror. This chilling statement was echoed by Malcolm Hoenlein, Executive Vice Chairman of the Conference of Presidents and organizer of the rally, when he said, "What happens to Israel happens to all of us."

The rally was a very moving experience, with people cheering and waving flags and posters condemning evil and calling for peace and the release of captured soldiers Gilad Shalit, Ehud Goldwasser and Eldad Regev. People burst out in song and chanted along with speakers "Am Yisroel Chai!"

As I traveled from Westchester to the UN, I met so many of my neighbors on the train heading to New York City, all of whom were feeling the same emotions. We weren't sure what to expect. Would we be the only ones out there? Would the politicians and clergy really show as promised? We were prepared to stand in the street outside the UN and let the world know we stand strong with the people and state of Israel. What we didn't expect was the overwhelming feeling of warmth (not just because of the heat) and love from the extended community. It reminded us as Americans and as Jews how important Israel is to the world and that our continued support was essential during this time of crisis. When I spoke to my neighbors who had traveled with me on the train earlier, the exhilarating feeling that we felt from going to the rally and supporting our homeland had been multiplied; multiplied by thousands of other voices who stood strong with us. Listening to the speakers talk of an end to violence and of peace, and hearing the massive crowd clapping and screaming in agreement made it seem that if we just stand strongly together we can overcome any obstacle that comes our way.

Rose Just-Michael is a senior in High School in Westchester, New York. (Special to the Israel HighWay)

Israel Summer Programs Respond to Violence by Gabrielle Birkner

Israel summer programs, through which several thousand American high school and college students spend time in the country, are drawing up contingency plans in response to the violence. One program, Birthright Israel, which has sent more than 100,000 Jewish young adults on free, 10-day trips to the Jewish state during the past six years, has revised travel itineraries but has not canceled any of its summer tours in light of the escalating violence.

About 1,000 Birthright participants from around the world are now in Israel, and another 100 people are slated to arrive this week. A Birthright spokesman, Gidi Mark, said tour groups would remain south of Haifa, and planned trips to the Galilee Sea or the Golan Heights region in northern Israel have been called off. As expected, some of those enrolled have withdrawn in recent days, but the cancellation rate has varied widely, Mr. Mark said. "We don't know why, in one group 20 out of 40 come, and in another 32 out of 40 come," he said.

As of last week, Israel-based high school and pre-college summer programs organized by the youth divisions of the Orthodox Union, the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, and the Union for Reform Judaism, in addition to the Young Judea course run by the Zionist movement Hadassah, had not been canceled. The respective groups had corresponded with parents, saying their children's safety was the top priority, and in some cases informing them of canceled excursions to northern Israel. (New York Sun)

See Also: Chicagoans Rally for Israel - by Aaron B. Cohen (JUF News)

230 North American Jews Arriving Today in Israel

The Jewish Agency said in a statement that on Thursday, July 20 the second Jewish Agency/Nefesh B`Nefesh special EL AL flight of the year will arrive at Ben-Gurion Airport from JFK International Airport in New York City at 8 a.m., bringing 230 North American Jews to their new homes in Israel.

According to the Agency, for the first time around 100 Bukharian Jews from New York will make aliyah this year under the leadership of their rabbi, Michael Boruchov. If this 'pioneer' group succeeds, hundreds more Bukharian Jews may follow their lead in the years to come, the statement said. (Ynet News)

Israel by Kevin Senet

It was my first time in Israel, and on one of my first evenings there, I went to a Maccabi Tel Aviv basketball game. That night, Maccabi was playing Jerusalem HaPoel for the Israeli basketball championship. This rivalry is one of the greatest, if not the greatest, rivalries in Israeli sports. The stadium was divided; the Tel Aviv fans were standing on one side in yellow, while the Jerusalem fans were standing on the other in red.

All of the sudden, before the game, the arena lights dimmed. I was amazed to see tens of thousands of people stop whatever they were doing - mostly chanting and cussing at the other side - to stand united and sing "HaTikvah," the Israeli national anthem. Not only did everyone sing, but they sang with pride and wholeheartedly.

Listening to this once-in-a-lifetime experience, I could feel the love of the Jewish nation in everyone’s voices, the love that has kept the hope for Israel alive in the Jewish people for thousands of years and through many difficulties. From this I understood why the Israelis have such extreme national pride and risk so much in order to live in the Jewish homeland.

I had never heard "HaTikvah" sung in public by tens of thousands of people. Being in Israel taught me not to hide my Jewish pride, but to show it in public. After living in Tel Aviv with an Israeli family for two months on the Milken-Lady Davis Israel Exchange Program, my pride in Israel and in Judaism has risen greatly. Kevin Senet is a junior at Milken Community High School in Los Angeles. (Jewish Journal of Los Angeles)

Israel Trip Marred by Bombs by Kathy Uek

A summer trip to Israel to explore their Jewish roots and history has exposed two local teens - and their families back home - to the realities and dangers of Mideast politics as rockets and bombs claim more victims daily. "The children went to learn and see a beautiful country - not to see the country rained down by missiles," said Cantor Alan J. Brava, whose daughter Mandi is among 108 children attending the Dor L’Dor Leadership Program.

"It was supposed to be a summer of education, beauty, joy, and to appreciate what it means to be a Jew - full of joy and peace," said Alan Brava, a resident of Ashland and New York City, and the director of operations at the Center for the Jewish Future at Yeshiva University in New York. "The goal of the program is to take these young teens and to develop them into potential future Jewish leaders." Although Israel is under siege, Brava has confidence in the security forces protecting his daughter’s safety. (Metro West Daily News)

Elmira NY Teens Find Beauty in Israel by Molly McCarthy

Imagine swimming in the Mediterranean Sea, riding a camel or staying at a kibbutz. A group of local teenagers doesn't have to imagine it - they recently experienced it for themselves during a 10-day trip to Israel that allowed them to soak up another culture, practice a different language and connect with their Jewish heritage.

As the group recovered from their jet lag, the students said the memories of their trip that will last a lifetime, and some already hope to return to Israel. "I think the thing that struck me the most was it was such a paradox," said 16-year-old Beth Semel, who will be a senior at Elmira Free Academy in September. "It was such a mix of past and present."

The purpose of the trip organized by Elmira's Jewish Community Foundation was to help the students learn about their faith and its history. "I think the best thing about the trip was watching the young people connect with their heritage at in all facets," said Rabbi Mimi Biatch of Congregation B'Nai Israel in Elmira, one of the adult chaperones on the trip.

Big Flats resident Rebecca Massey, 14, who will be a sophomore at Horseheads High School this fall, said she will certainly take away from her trip a renewed appreciation for her faith. "It helped me connect with my religion," she said. (Star-Gazette)

Israeli Wins Wimbledon by Leslie Bunder

Israeli tennis player Andy Ram and his Russian partner, Vera Zvonareva, won this year's Mixed Doubles title at Wimbledon after defeating Americans Bob Bryan and Venus Williams.

Ram, 26, has now become the first ever Israeli at a senior level to pick up a winning trophy at the world famous tennis tournament. Ram and Zvonareva, 21, won 3:6 in the first set and 2:6 in the second set and took just 55 minutes to become champions. For Ram, it was his second appearance at the finals. In 2003, he was a runner up at the mixed finals.

Ram, who was born in Montevideo, Uruguay turned pro in 1998. (Something Israeli)

Israeli Star Guard Set to Play for Wichita State Shockers by Paul Suellentrop

Former Shocker Nick Rogers got his first look at future Shocker Gal Mekel when he watched the Israeli guard throw a between-the-legs bounce pass to a cutting Kyle Wilson for a layup.

"He did a lot of that," Rogers said, remembering a pickup game in June at Koch Arena. "He completed most of them. He's a pass-first player."

Mekel (6-foot-3, 195 pounds) said Friday he will attend Wichita State. He is regarded as one of the top talents in Europe and will captain Israel's 18-and-under team later this month in the European championships. WSU coach Mark Turgeon cannot comment on Mekel's commitment until he receives a signed financial aid agreement.

Mekel visited WSU and Providence in June and also had an offer to play professionally for Maccabi Tel Aviv in his hometown. He eliminated Providence last week and decided playing time at Maccabi might be limited.

"We think the best way for me to develop is in college basketball," Mekel said. "I really connected right away with (coaches) Mark and Scott (Spinelli)."

He also connected with the university and city. He's a little nervous about moving a 19-hour flight from home, but he feels good about Wichita.

"To leave the family, it will be very tough for me," he said. "But you have to sacrifice things to make your dream and develop. I need to do this. If all the people in Wichita take care of me and welcome me, it will be easy to leave home." (Wichita Eagle)

Israeli Actress Plays 'Terrorist' by Yehudit Yehezkeli

Israeli actress Noa Tishbi has recently completed filming for her role in the new film "Fatwa," in which she plays a terrorist who cooperates with an Arab terror organization. Tishbi plays alongside actor Lauren Holly (The Mask). "The filming took place in Washington and I am playing an interesting character of a British terrorist," Tishbi says.

"As part of the role, I had to learn Arabic, and I wanted to do it. The language teacher who taught me was pleasantly surprised by me, maybe because I didn't tell him that Arabic and Hebrew were related languages. Besides, I remembered some of my Arabic I learned in school." (Something Israeli)

Levy Tries to Qualify Despite Distractions by Mark Ambrogi

Although Harel Levy is concentrating on qualifying for the RCA Championships, he is keeping a close watch on his native Israel's battle with the Hizballah guerrillas from Lebanon.

Levy said he isn't worried for his family's safety for now. "But I'm concerned about what's happening with Israel; people are getting killed every day," Levy said. "It's not easy. I talk to my family every day and I know exactly what happens." Levy said he is able to watch Israeli TV on the computer. "I'm up in the morning waiting for the news, going and playing and then going back to the hotel getting news," Levy said. His parents, two sisters and extended family are in Israel.

"I won't get home until after the U.S. Open (in September), so hopefully it will calm down," Levy said. [Editor's note: Levy didn't qualify.] (IndyStar)

Depeche Mode: Show Must Go On by Or Barnea

When cannons roam, singers sing: "Now, there is no question that Depeche Mode will perform in Israel," famous producer Marek Lieberberg promised. "There is no talk or thought of canceling the show."

Lieberberg is well aware of the rumors regarding the possible cancellation of the show due to the escalation in the north. From his current home in Germany, the producer is showing great interest in the Israeli crisis.

"We want the situation to improve," Lieberberg says. "And we will review the situation later, but as of now, there is no doubt that we're coming to Israel. We don't see Tel Aviv as dangerous, and we don't feel there is threat." (Ynet News)

Ziggy Still Coming to Israel by Viva Sarah Press

Ziggy Marley, who was scheduled to perform two concerts in Israel on July 27 and 28, has said the fighting in the north will not cancel his visit here. But instead of performing in Tel Aviv and Achziv, the son of legendary reggae singer Bob Marley will perform one concert only in Ra'anana on July 27. (Jerusalem Post)

Israel Leaves the Scuds Behind by Zev Chafets

Starting with the first gulf war, Israel went from being the deterrent power in the neighborhood to being the chronic frightened patsy. At least that’s what Sheik Nasrallah thought when his men snatched two Israeli soldiers on the Lebanese border. He figured the new prime minister, Ehud Olmert, would meet almost any price to get the soldiers back peacefully.

Instead, Mr. Olmert attacked. He knew that retaliation would bring on the missiles and rockets, but he evidently thought it was worth the risk. What Mr. Olmert didn’t know when he gave the order - what the Israeli public itself didn’t know - was that the rockets wouldn’t cause panic. Fear, yes. Caution, too, and some complaining (this is Israel, after all). But, amazingly, most people in even the most vulnerable areas have behaved with something like the sanguine good nature of the British during the Blitz. For Israelis, fighting back made all the difference. We’ve taken Hizballah’s best shot and we’re still standing. (New York Times)

Israel's Moment by Lawrence Kudlow

All of us in the Free World owe Israel an enormous "thank you" for defending freedom, democracy and security against the Iranian cat's-paw wholly-owned terrorist subsidiaries Hezbollah and Hamas. Israel is doing the Lord's work. It is defending its homeland and very existence but are also America's homeland as our frontline democratic ally in the Middle East. We are fortunate to have a staunch ally like Israel to assist us in this fight. As Ben Stein recently put it, "God bless Eretz Israel. God bless Israel for having the [courage] to stand up for herself."

Remember, Israel pulled out of southern Lebanon and Gaza. Later, when terrorist gangs kidnapped Israeli soldiers, Israel appropriately fought back. That is what sovereign nations do, and Israel's recent military actions deserve our unyielding support. Israel has the right to put the terrorist armies of Hezbollah and Hamas out of business. When the dust clears the world will applaud Israel for its courage. Sensible freedom-loving people everywhere will realize Israel's furious response in the face of senseless terrorist attacks will have made the world a better place. In fact, we are all Israelis now. (Washington Times)

Fighting Hizbollah with 'Deliberately Disproportionate' Force
by Pierre Atlas

There is an asymmetry of power in the fighting between the Israel Defense Forces and Hizballah. Israeli ordnance has far greater lethality and accuracy than the rockets Hizballah has used thus far against Israeli cities. There is an ongoing debate as to whether Israel's response is "proportionate," and if not, whether it is justified.

Hizballah is an unconventional enemy, unique in the world. It is a "state-within-a state" embedded within the Lebanese society and polity, yet it is also a rogue force that is well-armed, violent, and unaccountable to Lebanon's sovereign government. By all accounts, Hizballah is more powerful than the Lebanese Army, and it has dragged an unwilling Lebanon into war with Israel to fulfill its own agenda, and perhaps the agendas of its patrons, Syria and Iran.

Yossi Alpher, Israeli strategic analyst and co-editor of the Israeli-Palestinian dialogue website Bitter Lemons (www.bitterlemons.org), suggests that "the Israeli response in Lebanon is deliberately disproportional."

Alpher told me that deliberate disproportionality "is an imperative when fighting a guerrilla enemy waging asymmetrical warfare." From Israel's perspective, defeating this unconventional enemy requires an unconventional strategy. Hizballah's headquarters are in urban neighborhoods and it fires its rockets from civilian areas, making it virtually impossible for Israel to distinguish between combatants and non-combatants.

In assessing Israel's response, one needs to look beyond the asymmetry of power, to a second asymmetry in terms of goals. Israel's goals are strategic, while Hizballah's are existential. Israel has the greater arsenal, but it is fighting an enemy that won't be satisfied as long as Israel continues to exist. In this case the asymmetry is reversed. And it begs the question: how should you fight such a group as it wages war on you?

Hizballah is not just a "Lebanese militia," but is Iran's proxy army, with Syria as the middleman. So long as Lebanon and the international community remain unable or unwilling to disarm Hizballah and remove it from Israel's border, Israel will continue to use its arsenal in a "deliberately disproportionate" manner against the organization that proudly declares itself to be Israel's existential enemy.

Pierre M. Atlas is an assistant professor of political science and director of the Franciscan Center for Global Studies at Marian College. (RealClearPolitics)

Issue of the Week continued

Meanwhile, Hamas-led terrorists in Gaza continue to shoot their rockets at Israeli towns in the western Negev. Analysts suggest that Hamas and Hizballah coordinated their abductions of Israeli soldiers on each front. Hizballah is believed to be encouraging new terrorist attacks in the West Bank in order to open a third front against Israel.

The Israel Defense Forces is responding fiercely with a force that surprised Hizballah. Since Israeli troops withdrew from the southern Lebanon security zone six years ago, Hizballah would occasionally carry out relatively small attacks against Israel’s north or IDF positions, and Israel would act with restraint. Throughout that period, Hizballah built a massive, well-equipped army within Lebanon, in some cases very close to Israel’s border.

Last week, when Hizballah fighters crossed into Israel and abducted two soldiers and killed eight, Israel responded with fury. Israeli Air Force planes are targeting any Katyusha rocket launcher they can find. Hizballah bases, depots, and headquarters have been hit, but hundreds of rockets and hidden arms caches, including those hidden in civilian areas, remain to be destroyed.

Not only did Hizballah maintain a "state within a state," but it even had a capital within a capital – a large area within Beirut where Hizballah maintained offices and where its leadership lived. Hizballah’s leader Hassan Nasrallah reportedly has a command bunker deep underground. Israeli planes have been pounding the section, hoping to disrupt Hizballah’s communications and command centers.

Who Supports Israel’s Actions?

Israel itself is surprised by the support its anti-Hizballah operation has received from important nations around the world – the United States, Britain, Canada and Germany stand out. The Bush Administration is telling other nations that it is opposed to an immediate ceasefire, in effect giving Israel more time to try and crush Hizballah. "I want the world to address the root causes of the problem, and the root cause of the problem is Hizballah," President Bush said Tuesday. Click to view video. "We have made it very clear that Israel should be allowed to defend herself," Bush said. "We've asked that as she does so, that she be mindful of the Saniora government [in Lebanon]. It's very important that this government in Lebanon succeed and survive."

No Arab country will praise Israel for its attack on Hizballah and parts of Lebanon. But anti-Hizballah comments have been expressed by leaders and newspapers in Egypt, Jordan and Saudi Arabia. Commentators explain that these pro-Western, Sunni Moslem countries have a deep distrust of the Islamist Shiite Iranian leadership. They blame Iran for directing Hizballah to embark on this "adventure" that threatens the survival of Lebanon.

Across the United States, Israel has received editorial support by many newspapers and columnists (see Opinion section above). Earlier this week, the Senate passed a resolution on Tuesday that supported Israel and "holds the governments of Syria and Iran responsible for the acts of aggression carried out by Hizballah and Hamas against Israel."

When Israel Is under Attack Its Citizens and Supporters Unite

Tens of thousands of Israelis have been living in public bomb shelters for more than a week. Often the shelters are hot, humid and confining. Those Israelis who own cars and have relatives in the south have left the north until the Katyushas stop.

But what about those who have no cars? No families? No jobs or income because most stores, offices, and factories in the north are closed? What about the poor, handicapped or elderly?

Facing these problems, Israeli citizens around the country are opening their homes, hearts and wallets to provide housing, food, and assistance. Israeli entertainers are driving around northern Israel like traveling minstrels, performing for people stuck in their bomb shelters, in some cases singing for a single family who stayed.

Internet sites, such as www.tzafon.co.il [tzafon = north], provide lists of individuals and communities who are ready to host families from northern cities. The community of Efrat, for instance, is hosting 200 people from the Moshav Bar-Yochai, located near the Lebanese border. More than 250 families in Ramat HaSharon have opened their homes. Cities such as Beer Sheva and Herzilya have set up telephone hotlines to match northern families with local residents. Food industries are donating food to residents in the northern shelters; university students from social work programs are circulating among shelters to help; and camps in the south are accepting northern children free of charge. A group of Tel Aviv dog-owners has offered to host 20 dogs whose owners left their homes under fire.

And Help from Friends Abroad

Around the world, and particularly in North America, Israel's supporters have stepped up their activism on behalf of Israel. Rallies have been held in New York, Washington, Chicago, Boston, St. Louis and other cities. Major rallies are planned for Los Angeles, Houston and Toronto, to name just a fewe. Click to see city-by-city listing.

Supporters and activists are raising money for various emergency organizations in Israel. These are three among many worthy efforts:

American Friends of Magen David Adom Since July 12, MDA has treated hundreds of wounded Israelis. The MDA National Blood Services Center, which supplies 100% of the Israel Defense Forces’ blood needs and 97% of the nation’s, has also been moved underground so that it is safe from attack. MDA has deployed 750 ambulances and Mobile Intensive Care Units in the north and also assigned double shifts to 12,000 MDA personnel. A substantial number of MDA’s 12,000 volunteers are high school students. In addition to pulling double shifts, alongside MDA’s paramedics and professional staff, these young people are also working hard to keep the people in northern Israel’s bomb shelters healthy and in good spirits.

Friends of the IDF Emergency Campaign will provide personal care packages to frontline soldiers. These packages include toothbrushes, toothpaste, underwear, soaps, etc. FIDF also sets up snack bars to provide drinks, ice cream and sandwiches to soldiers who come off the front lines. Air-conditioned recreational tents provide soldiers a place to relax and cool off.

A Package from Home is a project initiated and run by American immigrants to Israel to "strengthen the spirit and resolve of each Israeli soldier, and to show our appreciation for the sacrifices they are making in securing our safety and our survival." The volunteers send thousands of packages to chayalim bodedim (soldiers without family in Israel) and combat soldiers. These packages contain socks, underwear, candy, chocolates, snacks, and toiletries.

Summer Camps Enlist in the Effort

In Houston, JCC campers showed their support of Israel by tying ribbons around the trees of the Milton Levit Campus and the Merfish Teen Center. Prior to the ribbon tying, the campers heard from Rabbi Eve Ben-Ora, Marcy Powers, Camp Judaic Specialist, Hadas Cohen, Israeli Schlicha, and Eric Bishop, Camp director, about the current happenings between Israel and the Hizballah in Lebanon. The campers heard first hand accounts from Hadas Cohen on her experiences in the Israeli military.

Habonim Dror's Shaliach, Yona Prital, visited all the seven Habonim Dror summer camps in the U.S. and Canada in the past two weeks. She gave a talk to all the campers on the broader background to the current situation in the Middle East.

Camp Gilboa offered a "serious elective" on Shabbat to discuss the situation, and held group discussions with the older children. In addition, responding to a request from the Los Angeles Jewish Federation, the children at camp wrote letters of support and encouragement to the children in Israel who are sheltering from the attacks.

Habonim Dror's 16-year-olds from all seven camps are on a 5-week educational & leadership program in Israel. They have of course changed their itinerary and schedule to ensure the group's safety, but will remain in Israel to complete the program, unless a statewide national emergency were to be declared.

Camp Massad is a Hebrew Immersion Camp in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, Staff and campers wrote upbeat supportive letters to Israeli Soldiers.

Camps Moshava, Camp Tel Yehuda, Camp Spout Lake, Camp Naaleh, Camp Kutz/NFTY, and TVI Bnai Akiva attended community rallies in support of Israel and calling for Hamas and Hizballah to free the captured soldiers.

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