Heller Israel Advocacy Initiative: Passionate Support of the State of Israel

The Bob and Esther Heller Israel Advocacy Initiative was created to deal with a number of efforts both locally and abroad.

These efforts include:
● Advocate for peace and security in Israel through education, information and community awareness.
● Raise awareness of and actively confront anti-Semitism and radical Islam on a global level.
● Directly address anti-Israel activities in Sarasota-Manatee.

Example of BDS propaganda

IAI will make these efforts through: Educational programs, community outreach and partnerships with Jewish and non-Jewish organizations and public officials. And through this process, IAI hopes to engage Jews and non-Jews in Israel 3-D: Demonization, Double Standards & Delegitimization. Learn more about Israel, advocating  and combating anti-Semitism by visiting www.SarasotaLovesIsrael.com.

But let’s, for a moment, think about the world over the last 70 years without Israel.

The obvious first point is that Israel is a beacon of hope for democracy and justice in the 21st century in the region of the Middle East. But if you wanted to imagine your life without Israel it may go something like this:
Your connection to family members who live around the world would be much harder because you can’t Instant Message them or text them. Israelis invented both of those technologies. That flash drive you keep in your purse or pocket wouldn’t exist. If you’re so inclined to social justice and want to help those in developing countries drink safe and clean water whenever they want, you would probably need the process of desalinization, which was invented by Israelis. Or, you’re a medical professional who is the first to volunteer when disaster strikes around the world. Without IsraAID or the IDF by your side, you may not be able to get your triage X-Ray machine built and working within 24 hours of landing, or see more live rescues from a collapsed building than not.

Israel was first to respond to the 2010 crisis in Haiti

It is for these reasons and so many more that we are passionate about our support of the State of Israel.

 

---

 

100 Days of Impact from The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee

 

100 Days of Impact started on September 22 and will run through the end of 2014. Each week we will demonstrate the the collaborative impact that we and our donors make locally and globally.

MAKE A DONATION

You are the Jewish community. This is your Federation. Together, we do extraordinary things!

 

 

 

Proceeding with caution: Israel-Iran update

Tikkun Olam means to repair the world.  This simple phrase holds a great amount of significance within the Jewish culture as well as around the globe. Ever since its formation in 1945, after one of the worst periods the world had ever seen, the United Nations has worked to uphold its mission of repairing the world through promoting peace and international cooperation.

Last week the leaders of countries around the globe came to New York City for the 68^th meeting of the General Assembly.  193 countries’ views were expressed; however, three countries in particular gave notable speeches on one topic, Iran.  President Obama, Prime Minister Netanyahu, and President Rouhani of Iran all talked about an issue that has worried the world for several years, a nuclear Iran.

The threat of a nuclear Iran directly threatens the safety and security of the Jewish State of Israel.  The new democratically elected president of Iran, Hassan Rouhani, is seen as a moderate compared to past presidents.  He recently admitted that the Holocaust did occur which is a stride in the right direction.  Rouhani and Obama had a phone conversation marking the first direct contact between the United States President and an Iranian president in 34 years.  These actions have proven that Rouhani is different than Ahmadinejad was; however, the simple fact that remains is that those are a few actions done by Iran out of many and the Ayatollah Kahmeini still truly holds the power in Iran.

The international community desires to have one less conflict in the world and with the potential for one to be resolved, countries around the globe are watching to see what happens.  President Obama has stated he is willing to start diplomatic proceedings with Rouhani and Iran but will do so with caution. He said that he would like to reach an agreement with the Rouhani and has instructed John Kerry to pursue such an agreement with close cooperation with the European Union, as well as Russia and China.  These proceedings mark a major turning point in International Affairs and give a beacon of hope that a conflict that has plagued the Middle East and elicited many conflicts in that region may get solved. However, this must be done cautiously.

We as the Jewish people must keep the State of Israel in mind and must not forget the previous actions and statements of Iran.  Rouhani offers a moderate point of view from a country that has been consistently conservative in its beliefs of the State of Israel, which is that it has no right to exist.  Actions such as those must not be forgotten. Prime Minister Netanyahu said, “ I wish I could believe Rouhani, but I don’t because facts are stubborn things. And the facts are that Iran’s savage record flatly contradicts Rouhani’s soothing rhetoric.”  Netanyahu’s point is one that must not be forgotten.  The peaceful rhetoric of the newly elected president cannot cloud the fact that Iran’s economic sanctions were put in place for a reason.  That is not to say Rouhani can’t be trusted, but rather we must wait to see if Rouhani proves that he can be trusted.

The Middle East is a region in turmoil.  Headlines continue to come out of that region on a weekly basis.  Iran, Syria, and Egypt all have caused the world to watch carefully as to what unfolds in those respective countries.  The situations in Syria and Egypt have taken an ancillary role to that of Iran; however, that is not to say they are any less important than the Iran situation.  Israel is surrounded by nations that threaten its very existence.  As Jewish people we must not forget the State of Israel and ensure that it continues to flourish in a region that wants anything but that.  I stand with Israel in peace and conflict; the question is who else will? Will the United States begin diplomatic proceedings with Iran? Or will the United States stand by what Netanyahu said? All are questions with answers that will soon appear.

Sources:

http://gadebate.un.org/sites/default/files/gastatements/68/IL_en.pdf

http://gadebate.un.org/sites/default/files/gastatements/68/US_en_0.pdf

http://gadebate.un.org/sites/default/files/gastatements/68/IR_en.pdf

Grant C. is the Israel Advocacy Intern at The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee.

Egypt – A Country In Turmoil

Violence.  Death.  Mayhem.   Such are the words that describe reality in the Mubarak gone, Morsi gone land of Egypt.  After days of warning, Egypt’s military regime has gone on the offensive, attacking Islamist protestors while killing nearly 300 and wounding thousands.  The goal was to clear the tent cities established by the Muslim Brotherhood in response to the ouster of Egypt’s President Morsi.

Coptic Church on fire

The Muslim Brotherhood wasted no time in giving its response to the violence that had been turned loose upon them.  As the encampments in Nadha and Raba’a al Adiwiya Squares were being removed the Brotherhood went on the attack setting fire to Christian churches.  The Church of Abraham and the Virgin Mary in Mayo were torched.   The Muslim Brotherhood burnt to the ground the main Coptic church in the city of Sonag.  Sixteen Coptic churches have been burned.  Coptic priests and laymen have been killed.  Anti-Christian graffiti has been written on churches throughout Egypt.

Muslim Brotherhood supporter
STR/AFP/Getty Images

Chaos reigns supreme and no one can predict the outcome of these most horrifying acts.  Protests have arisen from throughout the world, including the United States.  They have fallen on deaf ears.  The Muslim Brotherhood wants President Morsi returned to office.  The military, responding to mass demonstrations, want a new regime put in place.  Fighting continues, the death toll rises and the Christian community fears for its life and its houses of worship.  There is no peace, there is no accord.  There is only the struggle of the fittest and a world waiting to see who or what will prevail.

We Jews have experienced this type of attack on our people, on our temples and synagogues.  We know the sorrow, the heartache and the fear that such attacks produce in young and old alike.  We worry about tomorrow and we wonder what that tomorrow will be.  Only time will tell.  The world waits, the Middle East waits, the land of Egypt waits — all hoping for a better tomorrow.

Rabbi Howard A. Simon
Co-chair of the Robert and Esther Heller Israel Advocacy Initiative
The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee