AZM's "Yom Kef" - Campaign for Sderot

A young citizen of Sderot

Thanks to your generous contributions, AZM is hosting "Yom Kef," or "fun days", for the citizens of Sderot on August 5, 6 and 7. Mercaz USA will sponsor 3 buses of Sderot citizens, AMIT will sponsor 2 buses, and B'nai Brith and the Baltimore Zionist District each will sponsor 1 bus.

Damage to a building in Sderot

The families of Sderot, who have suffered greatly from living under an unyielding barrage of Qassam rocket fire for the last five years, will travel to Jerusalem, see the Knesset, visit museums and picnic in tranquility. AZM's Sderot itinerary is unique in providing enrichment as well as fun. Working through the WZO Department for Zionist Activities, AZM's Yom Kef includes a tour of Israel's capital for Sderot's residents, many of whom are new immigrants and families who have never been there before.

This day will also be especially meaningful to the children, who have not even been able to go outside to play, a constant tension which has caused post-traumatic stress, trauma, and other long-term problems. To contribute to the AZM Sderot "Yom Kef," please visit http://azm.org/sderot/sderot.html

In addition, AMIT is continuing its Campaign for Sderot in the five AMIT Sderot schools serving almost 2,000 students. AMIT provides services ranging from extra tutorials for students having trouble concentrating to arts and crafts and music to keep younger children calm.

"Free the Soldiers" Rally

Credit: Kfir Ziv

Karnit Goldwasser (left), Elie Wiesel (center), and Miki Goldwasser (right) at the rally. Credit: Kfir Ziv

This summer marks an entire year since the abduction of Gilad Shalit, Ehud Goldwasser, and Eldad Regev by the terrorists of Hamas and Hezbollah. To show the world that neither these missing boys nor the other missing Israeli soldiers have been forgotten, rallies took place on July 16 in New York City and London. 5,000 people attended the rally in New York, including speakers such as Karnit and Miki Goldwasser, wife and mother of Ehud Goldwasser, Representatives Jerrold Nadler and Christopher Shays, Nobel Laureate Elie Wiesel, City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, as well as interfaith and inter-ethnic leaders. The speakers and other demonstrators demanded the soldiers' immediate and unconditional release and restoration to their families and country.

The rally was sponsored by the American Zionist Movement as well as the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations and the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York in cooperation with the United Jewish Communities and UJA-Federation of New York.

You can now listen to and view the lyrics of "Army Brothers," a new song by Yaron Cohen about the abducted soldiers, on the AZM website.

AZM Biennial Assembly

The AZM Biennial Assembly is rapidly approaching! It will take place on October 21 and 22, 2007 at the Sheraton Hotel, Newark Airport. At the Assembly, AZM's new leadership will be elected and an Action Agenda for the Zionist Movement for the next two years will be established. Delegates will return to their communities with new skills, information, and the motivation to work even harder on behalf of the Jewish people. Another goal of this Assembly is to commit to engaging a new generation of Jews. Chairman of Executive of The Jewish Agency and the WZO Zeev Bielski and sociologist Steven M. Cohen are confirmed speakers. Registration will soon be available online. Early bird registration is $250.00, which must be paid in full by August 31st - watch our website for details.

Israel through Film

Scene from "Sallah"

"Israel through Film," an exciting, new AZM educational guide, is now being developed! The guide, which will be available this fall, provides resources for classes, community centers, film clubs, and individuals from teenagers to adults of all ages to explore the fascinating world of Israeli film. With discussion questions, cultural and historical background information, and plot summaries, this guide will allow you access to a fun way of better understanding Israeli society, the issues that drive it, what day-to-day life is like, and its unique sense of humor. Films covered include hit favorites ranging from the classic "Sallah" to the popular "Walk on Water." The production of this guide will be part of the celebration of "Israel at 60."