Today's Forecast

Over Shabbat I learned that average Jews in New York do not know there are rockets being fired at Israeli towns every day. I spoke with a family visiting, who had no idea. No idea?! They said there is nothing about it in the newspapers, both public and Jewish, there is no coverage about it on the radio, and no one is talking about in shul, school, or at the table. How can that be when here there is little else being spoken of? Last week over 50 rockets slammed into Sderrot. People have been killed. This morning a ceasefire was announced. By 2 PM Israeli time at least 5 rockets have fallen today. The ceasefire lasted 75 minutes.

Protest The OU?

The OU has decided to honor Prime Minister Ehud Olmert this Wednesday at their annual convention in Jerusalem. A protest is being organized. Hmmm.... to join, or to laugh... that is the Q.

It's The Law.

With all the of our security, poverty, religious, and civil rights issues on the forefront of most israeli discussions the government has found time to pass a law that will help solve the problem. No, no... it's not going to do squat for the security situation. It does not effect the poor of the country. It pertains to the religious and non-religious equally, and while I can hear the argument made for civil liberty - I think that's pushing it. As of last week all wedding halls must install a decible meter. If the band's music rises over 85 decibles the electricity to the band will be cut. Currently the average is just over 100 decibles. As someone with ears, I thank you - our government - for having the ability to overlook all more pressing issues, such as the lives, well-being and security of those who put you in power to gather together agree that something must be done and pass this law. There is hope for our future yet.

Dear Dad,

I think an answer to your comment (posted under "Too Quiet For Too Long ") deserves its own 15 minutes. I teach about Jewish leadership. What makes a leader. Who is a leader. Why is it important to have strong leaders. How to develop and direct your leadership qualities. I am not saying in my previous post that it was all us and only us. I'm saying there are no leaders. Barur that we managed to do what what was done b/c G-d is on our side. Is He not on our side now? Is He on the side of the Palestinians who are shooting missles at us? Hashem helps those who put in their hishtadlut... their own effort. I don't see our effort being made. I see us cowering, and appologizing, while they are dancing and claiming responsibility. They should be afraid of claiming responsibility. They should be afraid to show their allegience to the terror groups...instead they are afraid not to. If Giuliani had said about the crime in New York...well, if G-d didn't want crime here He'd stop it, areas in NYC would still be places the police were afraid to enter into... But He didn't. If we had said, (as some do) that if G-d wanted us to be living in Israel, He'd have brought us on the wings of Eagles, there would be little to no Torah in Eretz Yisroel (depending on how the rest of world politics would have played out...)

I'm not saying that we can do it without Him,
I'm saying He won't do it without us!

Were They Waiting For This?

This Morning....

woman was killed and a man lost his legs when two Kassam rockets landed in downtown Sderot. The Islamic Jihad and Iz A-Din El-Kassam terrorists claimed credit.

The rockets fell not far from the house of former Sderot Mayor Amir Peretz, Israel's Defense Minister.

Fatima Slutzker, 57, who was killed in the attack, and Maor (ben Dorit) Peretz, 24-year-old guard assigned to protect Peretz's house, were hit by the rockets' wildly-scattered deadly shrapnel. Both were taken to Barzilai Hospital in Ashkelon, where the woman died, leaving behind her husband and two sons. Peretz had both of his legs amputated. Six other people were treated for light injuries. Close to ten Kassams were fired at Sderot today.

Later Today...

A 17-year-old youth was seriously injured in a Palestinian Authority rocket attack on Sderot a short time ago. Three other people were lightly injured by shrapnel.

Them...

Prior to his capture...

Ehud Goldwasser, 31, lived in Nahariya. He worked at Technion, the Israeli Institute of Technology, from which he earned a degree in environmental engineering studies. As a teenager, Udi lived in South Africa with his parents and two younger brothers. He is married to Karnit. His parents are Shlomo (father) and Mickey (mother).

Eldad Regev, 26, was a student at Bar Ilan University studying law. Born and raised in Kiryat Motzkin. Eldad is the son of Tova (of blessed memory) and Zvi Regev, and brother of Benny, Ofer and Eyal. Among Eldad’s hobbies are football (last year he passed a coaching course - he is a fan of Maccabi Tel Aviv football team), music and books.

Gilad Schalit, 20, was serving in the Israeli army. He is the son of Aviva and Noam Schalit from Mitzpe Hilla in the Western Galilee and the brother of Yoel (23) and Hadas (16). He has enjoyed playing basketball ever since he was a child, but is interested in sports in general. He follows the different leagues and tournaments all over the world, from tennis and basketball to cycling and athletics. If you wish to know the results of a tournament somewhere in the world – it’s Gilad you should ask.

Too Quiet For Too Long

It hasn't been for lack of reason that I've been quiet recently. I have no words for the government's lack of governing ability, the hatred in the name of G'd that took to the streets to fight the Gay parade, and the lack of progress we have made regarding the kidnapped solidiers; the situation in the south; and the living conditions of those removed from their Gush Katif homes. I have no words because I do not understand how these things have gone on this long. I recognize that I do not understand politics. I do not understand why we downshifted from a daring nation that looked a challange straight in the eyes and said "you're on". We are a nation that was born from the fighters who collapsed the English hold over our land. We are a nation that rose up from ashes to create the most feared army in the world. We are the nation who took our barren land and made it flower. When did we become a nation bent on appeasing our enemies? A nation who accepts a Prime Minister who clearly does not understand war? A nation who can sleep at night knowing our boys are in enemy hands? Can it be because of people like myself who are speechless?