Shalom, Rabbi Jonathan Ginsburg of the Ezra-Habonim Niles Township Jewish Congregation in Skokie. In celebration of Israel’s 59th birthday, what can we personally do to help Israel? There are a number of things.
First of all of course is visit. I have been there 26 times. I lived there for a year. I took a group last October and I am taking another one in celebration of Israel’s 60th in the year 2008. People should go. It is a shame that Jewish tourist and Christian tourist do not visit more than we do. It is the most amazing country to visit. You can see the greatest Roman archeological excavations, you can see where the great ancestors of the Jews walked, the ideal land for the Torah, and the importance Christianity and Islam people should visit.
It is an amazing place, beautiful too. The Talmud says that ten measures of beauty would be given to the earth and nine to Jerusalem. So, the first thing is find a trip and go.
Number two, we need to help Israel politically. The only nation in the world really that stands by Israel is the United States. We do ensure that because all kinds of dustily voices has to be trying to hurt Israel in the United States. The most important organization to do that is the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC).
In the Chicago area, you call 312-236-8550. AIPAC is the registered lobby and they are in touch with Congress and the executive branch. They have grassroots efforts and membership organization.
If you are a Christian, there is a new organization called Christians for Israel. Reverend Hagey says there are going to be 50 Male Christians involved with this. Get involved politically and make sure that you are in contact with your Congressmen, your Senators, your state local officials and make Israel’s case for them.
Also, we can help Israel by donating money. One great way is by buying Israel’s bond. They are like American Savings bonds. You invest in Israel and you raise about a billion dollars and so you participate actually in the government of Israel.
Every teacher, every road you help the government by buying Israel bonds. They have all kinds of denominations. You can also loan Israel money. There is a mechanism to do that. The Chicago office is 312-558-9400 or you can go online and Google these things and find out more information.
Also, we have a Tzedekah Program Charity, the Jewish United Fund in Chicago or the United Jewish Appeal, the United Jewish communities raises money for charitable needs. Some goes to Israel, some goes for local needs. I think the combined effort raises about $400 million to give to Israel for non governmental programs, mostly humanitarian. It is another way by contributing to UJA.
Our local JUF in Chicago federation branch is this Sunday coming up April 29th but many communities have them or you can just call and help that way. The local number for JUF in Chicago is 312-346-6700 and many communities have their own local federations.
There is also the Jewish National Fund. It started off by actually buying the land of Israel from absentee layer air landlords and then they started planting trees because the previous governments before the Jews to cover had denuded the country of trees. Now, Israel is the only country in the world to have a net surplus of trees.
Many of the Palestinian wars against Israel have burnt many of the trees but they keep planting them and Israel is now again a country with trees. Besides that, Jewish National Fund works on water conservation, desalinization and now in land reclamation.
These are some of the ways and also make a special effort to buy Israeli products. When you are shopping, look for, especially in the kosher sections, naval oranges or Jaffa oranges, just look for Israeli products to buy. There are many stock companies now that you can invest in Israel that way.
Many communities also have a walk for Israel. Chicago, for example has several different walks depending on the area. Our local walk would be a through Skokie and Lincolnwood but you can join in and support the walk for Israel. These are just some of the ways that we can help.
Of course, read, read the Jerusalem Post website and get Jerusalem report magazine. Read online. You can read or buy Haaretz or Maariv, the Israeli newspapers checking regularly with the Israeli foreign ministry website, Chicago constant website if you live in Chicago. Keep up with the Israeli news.
There is a Jerusalem Post edition in English and many Jewish periodicals and newspapers have regular information. My grandfather may rest in peace, he basically asked one question when he heard the news, this is good for Israel.
Israel is not bad of a country. It is assaulted on all sides by many nations in the world and by some efforts locally here including the former president Jimmy Carter. So, we need to all step up and do what we can to help Israel.
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