Helping people evicted from Gaza

Letter from Naomi Ragen

Dear Friends,

I woke up this morning with the following idea on how to help the precious families of Gush Katif. I would like to discuss it with all of you. What if synagogue kehilot, and (why not?) pro-Israel Christian congregations all over the world adopt one family from Gush Katif and become responsible for their needs until they are back on their feet. This would include writing and speaking to family members either personally, or through a volunteer interpreter. It would include having the entire kehila write letters on behalf of the family to the Israeli bureaucrats. It would include being active in pursuing the Israeli politicians overseeing this (remember, this is an election year. Politicians are fundraising among the Jews of the world. You have leverage). It would involve sending care packages of clothing. And yes, cash. But it wouldn′t be overwhelming, because it would be one family helped by hundreds of families.

I would prepare an application and put it on my website for any kehila or congregation interested in participating. You could fill it out and e-mail it to me, and I would then ask local volunteers to find suitable families interested in participating.

If we can make a "shidduch" between the kehilot and the families that will lead to each kehila (and thousands and thousands of people all over the world) being intimately involved with the difficulties each family faces materially, politically and bureacratically, so that the powers that be will not be able to claim that all is well, that alone will be worthwhile. This is a way to give immediate help, to personalize and publicize the plight of families.

If you think your kehila would participate, please let me know.

Naomi

Please see Link on the left of our ICJS Home page titled "Partners Programme for Gush Katif" Application. Or go directly to Naomi Ragen′s website address, provided below.

www.NaomiRagen.com