The Difference Between “Us” and “Them” and How “We” can Help
In Lebanon, tens of thousands of people are having second thoughts about living among the terrorists of Hizballah and allowing their homes and villages to be taken over by people who use them as human shields as they attack Israel over an international border. Hungry and miserable, they huddle in city squares and wail by the roadside. These Lebanese are suddenly “refugees” needing the immediate assistance of international service organizations and the UN – the latest “tragedy” “created” by Israel. OK.
In Lebanon, tens of thousands of people are having second thoughts about living among the terrorists of Hizballah and allowing their homes and villages to be taken over by people who use them as human shields as they attack Israel over an international border. Hungry and miserable, they huddle in city squares and wail by the roadside. These Lebanese are suddenly “refugees” needing the immediate assistance of international service organizations and the UN – the latest “tragedy” “created” by Israel. OK.
So in Israel, tens of thousands of Israeli have left the north under fire of rockets filled with ball bearings aimed at civilian population centers. A million more are sitting in shelters. No UN, no nothing, BUT – we received this note today from the fabulous educational travel service that runs JINSA’s Military Academies Program in Israel.
‘A LITTLE PEACE OF MIND FOR OUR FRIENDS IN THE GALILEE’
DA’AT’s Emergency Campaign and in Cooperation with Our Friends Abroad
“Many Israelis have relatives all around the country and have moved to their relatives within the country on a temporary basis to get away from the danger zone. However there are many veteran Israelis and immigrants who either do not have relatives within the country nor do they have the financial ability to move temporarily to Central or Southern Israel, many of whom are from the Russian and Ethiopian communities.
“We… have devised the following concept. We at DA’AT are committed to try to help by providing our abilities, skills, contacts and financial resources to as many Israelis as possible within the above category by giving them a ‘Little Peace Of Mind’ in a 3-day breather in the Jerusalem area.
“All this is being done on a voluntary basis with DA’AT directly subsidizing this project. From this coming Sunday (July 31st) we will be bringing as many people as possible to the Jerusalem area for a 3-day breather … The visits will include hotels, breakfast and dinner daily, transportation, touring and site visits. We have negotiated special prices with the hotels, bus companies, restaurants and sites and our guides will volunteer their time.
“As many of us are frustrated and don’t know how to help, we would like to offer you the opportunity to join our efforts …We can deal with the finances later, right now we just need to know if and how you are participating.”
So a) there is a big difference between “us” and “them” no matter how you define either group, and b) while there are many ways you can help, for this one e-mail: yfried@daattravel.co.il by tomorrow – 28 July – to pledge your support. Da’at will figure out how to collect your gift and you will have a better Shabbat for helping.
Thank you.