Sun Lakes Jewish Congregation
Friends of Israel Committee

 

Mission Statement

The purpose of the Friends of Israel, SLJC is to raise awareness regarding Israel’s current status and needs through a variety of educational programs, written materials and events focused on the historical reviews, political perspectives and arts/culture to the congregation and the entire Sun Lakes community. This is accomplished by presenting three speakers events each year

After pursuing this course for some approximately three years the committee decided in 2016 to make Lone Soldiers in the IDF as an advocacy project which will meaningfully influence the future safety and welfare of the State of Israel as the Jewish homeland.

Topics of previous Presentations:

         Construction of the New Intel Building by Project Supervisor from Israel

         The historical right to the land of Israel by the Jewish people

         Ancient History of Jewish People

         The Lone Soldier program and American Jewish Youth

         The Birth-Right Missions

         The Book “One Moroccan Woman” by the author

         Is Anti-Israel sentiment the same as Antisemitism?

 “A Case for Israel- Updated” by a Former Director of ZOA

January 8, 2017- “The BDS Movement” by Shahar Edry- American Israel Council Jake Bennett, Past                       Phoenix ADL Director

March 26, 2017 – Is Israel a Jewish State or a State of Jews by Rabbi Michael Beyo CEO, East Valley JCC

October 29, 2017 - Action, Not Just Talk: Learn Concrete Strategies to Combat Media’s                   

Demonization of Israel and Jews by Ginette Weiner, Published Commentator and Activist







Lone Soldier Project

The Lone Soldier Project is sponsored by Sun Lakes Jewish Congregation. This social action project is managed by the congregation’s Friends of Israel Committee.

By way of explanation, Lone Soldiers refers to those young men and women, who come from all over the world and travel to Israel, to serve in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF.) They serve alongside Israelis in the defense of their country.  Can you imagine what bravery this must take; to leave behind the comfort of home, family, friends and all that’s familiar to you, and travel thousands of miles in order to help ensure that Israel continues to exist!!

In this regard, Sun Lakes Jewish Congregation has decided to recognize the contributions of these committed young soldiers by sending them packages from home filled with items that they always need, such as toiletries, warm knitted hats, etc. Our Israeli Partner, Chayal el Chayal (Soldier to Soldier) will see to the delivery of our packages to them.

A donation of $25.00 will allow the Lone Soldier Project to send a gift of a Personal Care Package (travel size toiletries, socks and snacks) and a hand knitted hat, for cold weather assignments to active duty Lone Soldiers. Additional donations are being accepted to support the project and to identify previous Lone Soldiers in the State of Arizona and recognize them for their service.

As of September 1, 2017 we have received donation to support sending 40 packages and hats to Israel. The summer is a busy time at Chayal el Chayal, with many pre-inductee youth arriving to begin the testing process and learning Hebrew to qualify for induction into the IDF. Our kits are in high demand during that time.   

The Anti-Defamation League is offering some new opportunities to take action against Anti-Semitism

https://www.adl.org/take-action/advocate-with-adl?gad=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw67ajBhAVEiwA2g_jEFzQc6DxRXTd-w2TDRG6CXHuUHlmwgrvxSJpVSRE660Lhu7uCEKDmhoCBf8QAvD_BwE

 

Stand With Us, who launched the Stand up to Jewish Hate Campaign, which you may have seen on TV, also has several Action Opportunities

https://www.standwithus.com/action-center

 

Daniel Gordis on PBS

MWC: This is a one hour interview which I found particularly insightful

 

American-born Israeli author, speaker, Koret Distinguished Fellow at Shalem College, and passionate Israel advocate Daniel Gordis joins Abigail Pogrebin to discuss this difficult inflection point for the country he loves, and his latest book, Impossible Takes Longer: 75 Years After Its Creation, Has Israel Fulfilled its Founders’ Dreams?

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pw4emEVduSI&t=5s

 

Musical Tribute to Israel’s 75th Anniversary

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=et1y2YWE-Ww

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dz2Pd3MygH0

 

Am Yisrael Chai

Take action against Anti-Semitism

 

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