Last week we met with our IDF liaison to better understand what the army is anticipating given the impending Sept. 20th unilateral announcement regarding an independent Palestinian state. We listened to a confidential briefing regarding redeployment of troops in various areas of the country; expected interruptions in soldier training programs in order to commit the maximum number of soldiers to active duty in designated “hot spots;” possible reservist call ups as well as other emergency time measures. All of this was raised with us so that we could reach out to you, our partners, in order to provide some of the intangibles to our young men and women who will be facing difficult conditions physically, emotionally and spiritually exactly at one of the most intense times of the Jewish year – its high holidays.

Unfortunately, as we were preparing this information for you, the south erupted in unprecedented rocket attacks. The unfortunately commonplace past experience of Sderot has now engulfed a significant portion of our southern region with 80 rockets falling in the greater Be’er Sheva region in less than two days! Ofakim, for example, is one of a number of communities where there have been direct hits resulting in loss of life and serious injuries not to mention damage to homes and institutional structures. In one case, a 38 year old man who was driving to his 9 month pregnant wife followed emergency procedures of vacating his vehicle and seeking cover when a siren sounded, only to be fatally hit by flying shrapnel. His two children and unborn infant will never have the father who loved them share their life with them. This, my friends, is only one story of many. The government is now sending 50 reinforced shelters (the type that line the streets of Sderot) down to Ofakim now, but most homes have no safe rooms, public shelters are in disrepair and the residents are slowly learning what it means to run, hide and pray.

And bear in mind, this does not take into account what we are expecting to see in September! Our projected program of enhancing the holiday spirit of mobilized forces living under adverse conditions is now taking a backseat to more immediate demands.
Please also send letters of support to our people and soldiers. These heartfelt expressions of concern provide tremendous strength. Feel free to write them in any language you feel comfortable with as our army and country is truly an ingathering of the exiles with representatives from every corner of the earth.

Donations can be made online at:
www.connectionsisrael.com/donate

Checks and letters can be mailed to:
Connections Israel
P O Box 28371
Jerusalem 91283

We also ask that you add a prayer for the well being of the Jewish People and her soldiers. If you would like to “adopt a soldier in prayer” we will provide you with the name of an individual on active duty. While we are familiar with increased prayer during the period of the High Holidays, it seems that with a nation going to increased alert status, increased rocket fire of both small and large grad type missiles, and roadside shootings, we must use every possible form of “ammunition” to respond. Prayer and charity are two traditional responses to national difficulties and coupled with our modern army the results can be truly miraculous! Please play an active role in this miracle waiting to happen!

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