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The AZM E-Letter is a publication of the American Zionist Movement. The E-Letter updates readers about the activities of the American Zionist Movement and its members, the World Zionist Organization and important trends in Israel and world Jewry. To subscribe to the AZM E-Letter, click here. To inform us of a change in your e-mail address, to update your contact information, or to unsubscribe, click here. |
Two years ago, on June 25, Gilad Shalit was abducted by Hamas terrorists, who crossed into Israel through an underground tunnel from the Gaza Strip. During these two years, he has been held in terrorist captivity, denied access to Red Cross treatment and forbidden from writing letters to his family, rights guaranteed to prisoners under international law.
As part of a campaign disseminated by the Israeli Consulate, around 75,000 Facebookers changed their profile picture and/or status in order to demonstrate solidarity and raise awareness about Gilad Shalit.
There is now a possibility that negotiations will bring Gilad home to his family and country. Join with the AZM in action on Gilad's behalf, as well as prayers for his well-being and return.
Historic, unique, inspiring, uplifting, challenging, gratifying, far-reaching, rational, organized, well-executed and successful are but a few of the plaudits President Shimon Peres deserves in the wake of the Facing Tomorrow conference that just concluded in Jerusalem after a whirlwind three days. An unqualified YES is the answer of whether two nights with El Al and two nights with Inbal are worthwhile, if the question need be asked at all.
When the President of the State of Israel invites AZM to be present, the answer is "Yes, sir." It was my honor to represent you, the American Zionist Movement, in Jerusalem.
Seven students are the proud recipients of Helyn B. Reich scholarships for their study in Israel this fall. The students were selected from a large pool of highly qualified candidates due to the commitment to Zionism as well as academic excellence which shone through their applications.
Three of the recipients will study at universities: Nira Lois Lee, who will participate in the University of Haifa Honors Program in Race and Conflict Resolution; Sarrah Bechor, who will study at the Tel Aviv University School for Overseas Students; and Avital Okrent, who will pursue a medical degree at the Ben Gurion University Medical School for International Health. Four of the recipients will attend post-university programs: Aliyah Schneider and Justin Pollack will be a part of the WUJS Land, Language & Society program, and Ilana Arnowitz and Melissa Keene will participate in OTZMA. This year marks the first time that OTZMA students have been eligible for the Helyn B. Reich Scholarship.
Through facilitating these students to accomplish their dream of studying in Israel, AZM is building Zionist leadership in the next generation. The AZM salutes their decision to study in Israel, and wishes them b'hatzlacha!
Sixty is a wonderful number and, on the occasion of Israel's 60th anniversary, it is a number which merits celebration. Are you 60 years old or celebrating your 60th wedding anniversary? Have you planted 60 or more trees through the Jewish National Fund? If you are a JNF donor, you may be eligible for a special tribute. By visiting the JNF website, you can request a tree to be planted in your name. In further recognition of Israel at 60, you can plant 6 trees in Israel for $60, using your EZ Tree account. You will receive a special edition certificate celebrating Israel’s milestone year, as well as the knowledge that you are keeping Israel growing in the 21st century.
The voters have spoken, and the winner is... the Hoopoe? If Hoopoe, or duchifat in Hebrew, doesn't ring a bell, you are not alone. Few Israelis, and fewer Jews outside Israel, are familiar with the flamboyant-looking bird which sports a rust-colored, "Mohawk-like" crest. This is a bird of noble lineage, immortalized in literature. Should you choose to consult your Rabbi, he will tell you, after scolding you for not remembering your Torah, that King Solomon chose the Hoopoe as his confidant. The King trusted the bird's advice concerning the Queen of Sheba, when her purity and motives were in question. Your Rabbi might inform you as well that the Hoopoe appears in another part of the Torah: as one of the non-kosher birds listed in Leviticus (Vayikra). The bird is also the lead player in a Sufi classic poem, "The Conference of the Birds," in which the Hoopoe is selected by the birds of the world to lead their quest for spiritual meaning.
As part of Israel's 60th anniversary celebrations, the election of a national bird was used to raise public awareness about Israel's critical role for millions of birds that cross over the country during their semi-annual migrations. 155,000 Israelis voted, including many schoolchildren and soldiers. Surveys show that 46 percent of the votes for the winning bird came from Israel Defense Forces soldiers. President Shimon Peres announced the Hoopoe as the winner on May 29th, but expressed his regrets that the dove wasn't chosen.
So, after being chastised by your local Rabbi, take some time out to celebrate by hanging a bird feeder or some pro-bird social action project. The Hoopoe: observant, wise, treif, and now the national bird of Israel.
A continuously updated events calendar is always available at www.azm.org/events.shtml.
If you would like to submit an event to be posted on this calendar, please email eletter@azm.org.
| Israeli Photography Exhibit | |
|---|---|
| "Tom Heyman: The Yom Kippur War" - Photographs from the photographer embedded in the Israeli Army in the North during the 1973 war. | |
| Organizer: | ARZA |
| Where: | HUC-JIR Museum in New York |
| When: | February 15 - July 15, 2008 |
| Contact: | For more information, please contact Jeanie Rosensaft at 513-221-1875 |
| Tzofim Friendship Caravan Israel Scouts | |
|---|---|
| Experience a one hour show of song & dance about Israel. The Tzofim will perform for the Baltimore Community | |
| Organizer: | Baltimore Zionist District |
| Where: | Beth Tfiloh Congregation @ 3300 Old Court Rd. The Alvin and Elaine Mintzes Theater |
| When: | Tuesday, July 18th, 7pm |
| Contact: | For more information visit: www.bzdisrael.org/media/Tzofim1.pdf |
| Teen Trip to Israel | |
|---|---|
| Think you had the best summer of your life? Forget about it! You don't even know the meaning of that is until you've gone on BZD's exhilarating month in Israel. Be prepared to travel around Israel, chill with Israelis, go to beaches, soak up the sun, shop, eat and meet some amazing kids. You would be out of your mind not to sign up! A month-long experience in Israel | |
| Organizer: | Baltimore Zionist District |
| Where: | Baltimore's Israel trip |
| When: | June 30 - July 29 |
| Contact: | Call the Baltimore Zionist District today to reserve one of the few spots that are left at 410-356-1140 or visit the website at: www.bzdisrael.org/media/bzd_teen_trip2008.pdf |
| Theater Benefit | |
|---|---|
| "The Drowsy Chaperone" | |
| Organizer: | Bnai Zion |
| Where: | Los Angeles, CA |
| When: | Sunday, July 13, 2008 |
| Contact: | For more information and reservations, please contact Zev Litenatsky at: 818-716-2722 or zevliten@bnaizion.org |
| Na'amat Caberet | |
|---|---|
| In memory of Phyllis Sutker | |
| Organizer: | Na'amat |
| Where: | Highland Park Community House |
| When: | Sunday, June 29 at 7 p.m. |
| Contact: | For more information, call Na'amat: 847-675-7275 |
| AFLikud Young Professionals' Mission to Israel | |
|---|---|
| Meet: Benjamin Netanyahu, Chairman of the Likud Party; Leading Members of Knesset; security officials and policy makers; Israeli journalists and business leaders and more. Experience: Shabbat in the Old City, trial of Hamas terrorists in IDF military court; tour of army base and Israel Service Organization concert for IDF soldiers, visit to Sderot, VIP tour of newly renovated Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial Museum, and more! | |
| Organizer: | American Friends of Likud |
| Where: | Accommodations at the Dan Panorama Jerusalem Hotel |
| When: | August 27 - September 1, 2008 |
| Contact: | For more information, call Rebecca Langer at 212-308-5595 or email rlanger@thelikud.org. |
