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July 20, 2001/Tamuz 29, 5761, Vol. 53, No.41
Israel advocates gather at Har Zion
BARRY COHEN
Editor
Valley Jews need to become proactive advocates for Israel, learned participants at a July 17 event at Har Zion Congregation in Scottsdale.
Meirav Eilon Shahar, Consul for Communications and Public Affairs of the Consulate General of Israel, detailed how Israel advocates can best respond to ha'matzav (the situation) in Israel.
"The most important thing to do is to go (to Israel) and show support," Shahar told the approximately 50 people who attended the event, sponsored by the Jewish Community Relations Council of the Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix.
Advocates should also remain vigilant about media reports and voice their opinion, she added.
"Do not be afraid to say, 'You are not doing your job correctly. You are not reporting as extensively as you should.' "
Lastly, she stressed the need for advocates to be informed and educated.
After her introductory remarks, Shahar welcomed participants to speak or ask questions.
Gerald Webner spoke about a mission his Har Zion havurah (social group) made to Israel, July 3-15.
"We did not feel unsafe in any way wherever we went," he said. After listing the number of places on the itinerary, he added, "Not one Israeli we met omitted saying, 'Thank you so much for coming. We want you. We need you.' "
Helen Friedman, whose daughter Stephanie Pierson (former Jewish News staff writer) lives in Israel, complained about Valley Jews planning vacations to Lake Tahoe or France instead of Israel. In addition, she urged participants to make sure the non-Jewish community is aware of their connection and passion for Israel.
"Our best friends in the world have been ignored by the Jewish people, and those are the evangelical Christians," said Friedman. These Christians continue to visit Israel, while Jews stay at home, she explained.
Robin Loeb, federation missions director, detailed upcoming solidarity missions to Israel: July 21-26, Aug. 5-10, Sept. 9-14 and Dec. 2-7. Cost is $999, based on double occupancy, in addition to $163 airfare from Los Angeles.
Efforts have been made to charter a "dedicated 777 for the September date" for 500 participants from the United Jewish Communities Western Region, she said.
Philip Sheinbein, JCRC chairman, said it is vital for the community to voice its opinion about what is going on in Israel.
"Start writing op-ed pieces. Write to the (Arizona Republic) religion editor. ... Also, attend meetings so you can begin to be educated and informed to do (advocacy) correctly," he said.
During his introductory remarks, Sherman Minkoff, chairman of JCRC Israel Affairs Committee, urged the participants to become advocates for their fellow Jews in Israel.
"We will take a very active role. We will not simply be educated and informed. We will do much more," he said.
Handouts were available, including Web sites for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the State of Israel (www.mfa.gov.il), the Jerusalem Post (www.jpost.com) and Israeli radio broadcasts (www.jpostradio.com), among others.
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