WORLDWIDE EFFORT TO SUPPORT ISRAELI SOLDIERS IS LAUNCHED

“Operation Tefillah, Torah & Troops” Gets Underway

As the members of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) battle Hamas terrorists and Palestinian militants in Gaza, leading international Torah scholars have launched a worldwide effort aimed at providing them with spiritual support.

“Operation Tefillah, Torah & Troops,” which was launched by Rabbi Simcha HaCohen Kook, the Chief Rabbi of Rehovot, Israel, and the Bostoner Rebbe (Rabbi Levi Yitzchak Horowitz) of Har Nof, Israel, partners people from around the world with soldiers in the IDF.  Each person who takes part in “Operation Tefillah, Torah & Troops” is paired with an Israeli soldier, and is responsible to say tefillot (prayers), learn Torah, and do special acts of chesed (kindness) on behalf of that solider.

Rabbi Kook and the Bostoner Rebbe noted that this concept is one that has been a part of the Jewish people for thousands of years.  When Moshe Rabbeinu (Moses) led the Jewish people to war with the nation of Midyon, for every person who went to battle, there was a designated person who was responsible for praying and learning for him.  Throughout his reign, David HaMelech (King David) utilized this practice as well.  During the war in Lebanon in the summer of 2006, more than 50,000 people worldwide participated in this initiative spearheaded by Rabbi Kook and the Bostoner Rebbe, and facilitated in North America by the National Council of Young Israel.

To participate in “Operation Tefillah, Torah & Troops” and receive the name of an Israeli soldier who needs your prayers, send an e-mail to the office of Rabbi Kook at maortlmo@gmail.com.   To request the name of a soldier by phone or fax, call the National Council of Young Israel at 212-929-1525 x100, or send a fax to 212-727-9526.  Members of the IDF who wish to have a “partner” praying for them are urged to e-mail the office of Rabbi Kook as well.

Rabbi Pesach Lerner, the Executive Vice President of the National Council of Young Israel, noted that every tefillah that is said on behalf of a soldier will make a difference, regardless of where a person may be in religious observance.

“Each soldier that is putting his or her life on the line to defend the land of Israel and safeguard the Jewish nation deserves to have someone praying for their well being and safe return,” said Rabbi Lerner, “During my conversations with Rabbi Kook, he emphasized that every Jew is encouraged to participate in this critical endeavor and to pray for a soldier in a manner in which they feel comfortable, irrespective of their religious background.”

The National Council of Young Israel (NCYI) is urging its more than 150 branch synagogues, as well as the entire Jewish community, to take steps to stand in solidarity with the State of Israel as it moves to put an end to Hamas’ reign of terror in the region.  NCYI President Shlomo Z. Mostofsky said that the National Council of Young Israel is recommending the following action items, which he hopes people will take in a concerted effort to stand united with our Israeli brethren in their time of crisis:

1)  Schedule special Tefillah gatherings in support of the State of Israel, the members of its armed forces, and the Israeli people.

2)  Begin reciting the Tefillot for the Israel Defense Forces and Medinat Yisrael on a daily basis.

3)  Call the Israeli Embassy at 202-364-5500, and the White House at 202-456-1111 or 202-456-1414, and express your support for Israel’s right to defend her people against acts of terrorism.

4)  Call your Senators and Congressional representatives and let them know that you strongly support Israel’s actions to curb the spread of terrorism.

5)  Support the efforts of the brave men and women of the Israel Defense Forces who put their lives on the line every day to protect the Land of Israel and its citizens.  Contributions to the “Support the Troops Campaign” can be made through the National Council of Young Israel by visiting https://www.youngisrael.org/securecontent/donate.cfm

6)  Participate in Project SMS (Solidarity Messages for Sderot) and develop an understanding of just how little time the people of Sderot and all of Southern Israel have to react each time a rocket is fired at them.  Project SMS enables people to sign up to receive a real-time text message when a rocket is fired at Sderot, or anywhere in Israel.  To subscribe to Project SMS and sign up to receive the emergency alert text messages, go to www.smssderot.org or www.youngisrael.org.

“With more than 10,000 rockets having been fired into Israel by Palestinians in Gaza over the past several years, Israel’s right to defend itself cannot legitimately be questioned by anyone,” said Mostofsky.  “Hamas’ relentless attacks on innocent men, women, and children have been met with a great deal of restraint by the Israeli government, but the time has come for Israel to put an end to the deadly rocket attacks and send a message to Hamas that its terrorist activities must stop.  We need to do our part and use the power of prayer and advocacy to stand together with our Israeli brothers and sisters during this difficult time.”

Visit freepollardnow.com to find out how you can help! 

 * * * * *
On  Dec. 15th, 2008, the Chief Rabbi of Israel, Rabbi Metzger - along with Rabbi Pesach Lerner & Mr. Shlomo Mostofsky, National President of NCYI - visited Mr. Pollard in jail. After leaving the prison, YWN was granted an exclusive interview with Rabbi Metzger about the condition of Mr. Pollard. An audio file of the interview can be heard at the following link:
http://www.theyeshivaworld.com
 * * * * *

The Time is Now
by Rabbi Pesach Lerner

...This past week, I accompanied Rabbi Yonah Metzger, Chief Rabbi of Israel, and Shlomo Mostofsky, the President of the National Council of Young Israel, to Butner, North Carolina, to visit Jonathan in prison. We spent several intense hours together...

It has been over 920 days since Gilad Shalit has been kidnapped! Despite relentless efforts from his family, friends and support from politicians and friends around the world he still remains in captivity.

This past Chanukah we  joined together as a world wide community to show our solidarity for Gilad forming a unbreakable light that will remind the world that we have not forgotten our soldier, our son Gilad. We ask you to continue to keep the candle buring  by joining us at our Website FreetheSoldiers.org to Light One Candle for Gilad. 

We have not forgotten Gilad, We will not forget him and we will not stop praying for his freedom.

Please send this letter to your communities, to your friends and post it on Facebook.

MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD!!!
 

 The rally may be over, but your voice is still needed to continue the pressure on Iran. 

It is imperative that we send a clear and powerful message that we oppose Iran's nuclear program, its support for global terrorism, threats to destroy the U.S. and Israel and its blatant abuse of human rights.. 

The following websites will be helpful for your synagogue or organization's programs on divestment and to continue the pressure.

http://www.ujcnj.org/page.aspx?id=185532
http://www.ujcnj.org/local_includes/downloads/25635.pdf
http://www.ujcnj.org/local_includes/downloads/27913.pdf