Continuing Travels in Israel with Helen and Judy
Friday morning, August 17, began with an 8:30 AM pick-up by the one and only Ami Dadon, who has served as AFSI's Chizuk driver for 25 years. He was kind enough to drive us to Amichai, the new community in the Shomron, where the exiles from Amona will build their new homes. The morning was so special because one of our own AFSI members, who always prefers anonymity, donated a beautiful new playground to the children of Amichai, and we were there for the opening. It was an emotional and beautiful moment and we felt so privileged to be there. | | Ribbon cutting for the Amichai playground dedication | | | Helen, Anita Tucker, Judy and Ayelet HaCohen at the Playground Dedication | | Anita and Stuart Tucker, an heroic couple that was expelled from their home and farms in Gush Katif, in 2005, have been in the forefront of rebuilding Nether Hazani. From the dedication, they drove us to their beautiful home. Anita was busy planning an amazing event for Sunday night - a memorial to the many synagogues of Gush Katif destroyed by the Arabs. We learned that it was a huge success.
Dror Vanunu, former public relations head of the Gush Katif communities, then picked us up and drove us to the flourishing city of Ashdod where we met his charming wife, Keren, for lunch. The shopping and restaurant areas were packed with people, all enjoying their vacation time, and giving proof to the statistic that Israel is the 11th happiest country in the world. After visiting with the children, Dror drove us to the home of Mayor Alon Davidi in Sderot where we were spending Shabbat. | | Dror and Keren Vanunu with Judy and Helen in Ashdod | | Judy and Helen on Motzei Shabbat with Nurit and Mayor of Sderot Alon Davidi and six of their children | | When we had made our plans to visit the Davidi family, Sderot was under fire. Alon himself was taking wounded residents to the hospital. However, b'ezrat HaShem, this Shabbat was quiet except for the laughter of children and the lively conversation of the adults. The playground was filled with children and parents, all enjoying the camaraderie and ease of relaxing together on Shabbat. After Shabbat ended, we said farewell to Nurit and Alon Davidi and their six children who were home for the weekend, two were away, and thanked them profusely for the fabulous food and warm hospitality and took the train back to Tel-Aviv. We were struck by lack of "apartheid " on the train because people of all colors were riding together in the most normal way. We had to take a photo of what we saw. There were no photos taken in Sderot during Shabbat, so we don't have them to illustrate the beautiful city Sderot has become under the leadership of Mayor Alon Davidi. | | On the train ride from Sderot to Tel Aviv, after Shabbat, a group that might have been Ethiopians, boarded the train, putting the lie to the ignorant and biased claims that Israel is an apartheid state. | | Sunday, August 19, we joined Ofir Dayan and the Students of the Temple Mount at Har HaBayit, and I am sad to say that the situation of the denial of civil rights to Jews on the Temple Mount, still exists. We were kept in the holding pen until there was about 15 minutes left until 11 AM closing time and then we were we were moved out. It was an unfortunate experience, but it doesn't discourage us from continuing to visit the Mount on every AFSI mission. Jews must assert their rights in Judaism's holiest site. | | Jews singing and dancing with joy while being detained from ascending the Temple Mount | | Helen, Judy and Ophir Dayan on the Temple Mount | | We then had a lovely lunch with Jerusalem Councilman Arieh King. Arieh's dedication to the city, his concern about the frozen Jewish apartments and the thousands of illegal Arab homes, makes him an invaluable treasure in the Jerusalem municipality. He is up for election again this October 30, just when the AFSI Chizuk mission will begin. It will be exciting to be on the spot as the returns come in. | | Helen and Judy with Jerusalem Councilman, Arieh King | | Our afternoon meeting at Ir David with an excellent organizer and guide, Noah, helped to make the arrangements for the AFSI Chizuk mission's visit in October. | | Judy and Noah in Ir David, discussing plans for the AFSI Chizuk visit in October | | Monday's three-hour meeting with Gideon Mitchnik, CEO, and Yossi Ahimeir, Director General of the Jabotinsky Institute in Israel was fascinating. It is well known that AFSI was created as the American counterpart of the revisionist movement begun by Jabotinsky. It is his ideology of action, self-defense, and the iron wall that forms the foundations upon which AFSI was built. It was inspiring to review the amazing history. This will be another stop for another Chizuk mission. | | AFSI Board Member Richard Allen, Judy, Jabotinsky background photo, Helen, and Gideon Mitchnik, Director General of the Jabotinsky Institute in Israel | | They Like the Vibes
They recognized the impact the security situation had on their youth, but still spoke in unison about how they would not have had it any other way. Repeatedly, the teens interviewed stated that it was the "good quality of life" they enjoyed in their communities. | | What On Earth is Going On Here?
She's a passionate Zionist. She is also livid, frustrated and confused.
Arlene From Israel writes in her latest column that what is happening in Israel with the so-called "ceasefire" with Hamas is just not coherent.
| | Weapons Stashed. Israeli forces unearth illegal weapons cache in PA village in Samaria, including sub-machine gun.
| | Tami, believed to be the oldest hippopotamus in captivity, died last Thursday at the age of 59 in her sleep at Jerusalem's Biblical Zoo.
Jerusalem's Biblical Zoo, founded in 1939, contains some 250 species, most of which are named in the Bible.
| | | A FEW SPACES LEFT - SIGN UP TODAY! Tuesday, October 30 to Monday, November 5, 2018 AFSI CHIZUK MISSION TO ISRAEL (7-DAY TRIP) Member Price: $2,000 pp Double Room; $3,000 pp Single Room. $500 Deposit Due Now | 50% Balance Sept 7 | Balance Due October 4 Participants make their own flight arrangements - BOOK NOW! To reserve your spot or for questions please contact Judy Kadish or call (212) 828-2424. | | Tuesday – August 21, 2018 from 7:30 PM - 9:30 pm Strength to Strength's Young Executives Summer Soiree 2018 Dinner and Dessert Fare ~ Open Bar ~ Silent Art Auction ~ Evening Program $85 Early Bird until August 14 | $100 General until August 21 @ 2pm | $120 at the door White Space Chelsea at Agora Gallery | 53- West 25th Street, NYC
Monday – August 27, 2018 from 7 PM to 8 PM Phyllis Chesler at the Strand Bookstore, "A Politically Incorrect Feminist" Phyllis will engage in a lively conversation with you, read from and sign her new book: "A Politically Incorrect Feminist: Creating a Movement with Bitches, Lunatics, Dykes, Prodigies, Warriors, and Wonder Women." No charge but registration required. Strand Bookstore – Rare Room | 828 Broadway, NYC (between 12th & 13th Streets)
Thursday - August 30, 2018 from 8:00 AM-10:00 AM Gaza Border Crisis: The Trauma, The Damage, The Needs Join us to meet a mother, a young pioneer, and a farmer - residents of Gaza border communities - who will share their personal stories of living under attack, with hundreds of incendiary kites, balloons, and rockets steadily raining down on them. Hear about the needs in their communities and the issues they face on the ground: their experiences running to bomb shelters and sleeping in saferooms, their fears of a ruined economy, the ecological disaster, and their challenges dealing with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) - both their children's as well as their own. Please note that for security purposes, government-issued photo identification will be required for entry. All bags are subject to search and absolutely no backpacks or large bags will be allowed. Featuring Special Remarks From Ambassador Dani Dayan, Consul General of Israel in New York Event Co-Chairs: Ariel Grunberg, Deborah E. Riegel More Information: Sarah Azizi or 212.879.9300 x505 Park East Synagogue | 164 East 68th Street, NYC
Sunday - October 21, 2018 @ 4 PM Rachel's Children Reclamation Foundation 24th Annual Dinner Manhattan Beach Jewish Center | 60 West End Avenue | Brooklyn, NY
Sunday - October 28, 2018 The 2018 Conference on Jews and Conservatism This year's program: Jewish Ideas and the American Public Square, Keynote Speakers, Israel and World Politics. Guest speakers: Minister of Justice Ayelet Shaked, Natan Sharansky, Ruth Wisse, Caroline Glick, Elliot Abrams and many more. Cost is $200 per ticket. To register online plus full program info CLICK HERE. Grand Hyatt @ 42nd Street, NYC
Tuesday, October 30, 2018 from 7:30 PM – 10:00 PM - Addison, TX (Dallas Area) AFSI Co-Sponsors An Evening with Caroline Glick with Special Guest Col. Allen West. Celebrated author and journalist Caroline Glick discusses "President Trump's Israel Policy and Its Effect on American Interests and National Security." Colonel Allen West will introduce Ms. Glick. A short presentation about ZAKA, Israel's volunteer emergency responders will be shown. Book signing (books for sale) with Caroline followed by dessert reception. FREE PARKING. $25 Early Bird Price thru Sept 1. $40 after Sept 1. Get tickets on Eventbrite. For info call (972) 450-6241 or actcinfo@addisontx.gov Addison Conference and Theater Center | 15650 Addison Road, Addison, TX | | STAY CURRENT. STAY CONNECTED.
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