What can I do to help? As Jews watch the violence in Israel and the damage to the country’s economy, we wonder what we can do to make a difference in the lives of Israelis.
A lot.
The Internet provides you with a wealth of resources that allows you to reach out and help. McGill University Professor Gil Troy recently wrote in the Wall Street Journal that helping Israeli victims of terror would send a crucial message similar to the massive outpouring of good wishes and money following Sept. 11. “The message to the victims was: ‘You are not alone.’ The message to the terrorists was: ‘Your tactics are so barbaric, they obscure — and damage — whatever cause you were trying to advance.'”
Troy adds: “Support for the victims of these atrocities need not be political. Donating to the Israeli victims’ fund does not have to constitute an endorsement of Ariel Sharon nor a rejection of Palestinian nationalism. It is the tactic — terrorism — and the idea — anti-Semitism — that must be repudiated.” Read more of Troy’s article at: www.walk4israel.com/ index.cfm?fuseaction=article3
One of the organizations that Troy praises is the Israel Emergency Solidarity Fund– One Family, which runs several programs to help victims of violence. The fund organizes walkathons, learnathons and other fund-raising activities along with its Adopt-A-Family program.
With Adopt-A-Family, synagogues, schools or individuals outside of Israel are “twinned” with Israeli terror victims in order to provide them with long-term financial and emotional support. Foreign sponsors and Israeli families are matched according to such factors as need, knowledge of Hebrew and English, and whether the foreign sponsors are planning to visit Israel. Beyond financial assistance, Adopt-A-Family encourages international friendship and understanding. You can read some moving case studies at www.walk4israel.com
Many excellent Israeli news organizations provide extensive coverage in English of the latest events in the Middle East, including www.haaretzdaily.com and www.jpost.com Several organizations are focused on detecting opinionated media coverage on the Mideast conflict. Visit www.honestreporting.com for updates on “biased reports against Israel.” For links to media monitoring sites and for analysis of current events, look at the United Jewish Communities’ “Things You Can Do to Help Israel” page: www.ujc.org/content_display.html?ArticleID=37977 To hear what the other side is saying, Palestine Media Watch — www.pmwatch.org — will give you insight into how the conflict is viewed from a Palestinian perspective:
Soaringwords was created to be an online support network for sick children and their families. One section of the Web site at www.soaringwords.org is called SoaringBridges to Israel. Here children from abroad can submit artwork and messages, which will be forwarded to decorate hospitals and schools in Israel. You can view samples of the gorgeous drawings on the Web site and read the inspiring messages of encouragement like this one:
“Hello friend, Let me introduce myself. I am a 9-year-old with a few hobbies such as roller blading, bike riding, skateboarding, reading and playing baseball and football. How are you? I hope you feel better. How is Israel? Nice, right? Is it hot? I’m glad you are going to be okay. I’ve been to the hospital too. Best wishes.
“P.S. There will always be Israel.”
The writer is a Toronto-based television producer who writes, lectures and teaches about the Jewish Internet. He can be reached at [email protected]