There are many ways Americans can support Israel, our ally, and the only democracy in the Middle East. Below please find a list of suggestions. We welcome other ideas from you for future editions. Please send them to Joseph Varon at: jvaron613@aim.com. 

I. PRAY INTENSELY, FREQUENTLY AND SINCERELY � Attend your local synagogue. Not only does prayer work, but it helps us cope with the situation, by talking it out with G-d. Pray for the protection of Israeli Defense Force soldiers as they root out every last terrorists. If you know somebody living in Israel, plead with the Almighty to keep them out of harms way. Pray that the Israeli weapons work, and that the Hamas weapons don�t. Pray that Israel�s leaders will gain (and maintain) the clarity they need to fight this war, despite international pressure. Ask Hashem to heal Israel�s wounded soldiers and civilians and to thwart future terrorist attacks. Pray for the Arabs to realize the true nature of their leadership and doctrines that teach hate and murder.

You can join an initiative to �adopt� a soldier to pray for. Participate in �Operation Tefillah, Torah & Troops�. To receive the name of an Israeli soldier, send an e-mail to maortlmo@gmail.com.

It is a time-honored tradition to recite Psalms in times of distress. King David wrote stirring words that seem to be for our exact situation today. Recommended are Psalms 20, 83, 121, 130, & 142.

II. WRITE TO AN ISRAELI SOLDIER � Show Israel�s soldiers that we care � that all of us across the world are in awe of their heroism and brimming with admiration for their courage- and praying to G-d for their miraculous success and safe and speedy return home. Chabad and Thank Israeli Soldiers enable you to send a free letter (and your picture if you like) which they will hand deliver. On the internet, write your thoughts to an IDF soldier, or an Israeli living in an area where rockets are constantly falling. To participate go to http://www.chabadwesthempstead.org/special/gazawar/ or check out Thank Israeli Soldiers at http://www.thankisraelisoldiers.org/categoryID=185 

IV. HELP PURCHASE SOCKS, WARM UNDERWARE, TIOLETRIES, AND NOSH FOR THE SOLDIERS IN GAZA:  � Our brave chayalim are locked in combat for the protection and safety of the Land of Israel. They fight not only for those in the Holy Land, but for Jews all over the world. Soldiers in Gaza desperately need the items listed above. Please donate to this cause in any way possible. After all, they are our boys who are defending us and we must look after them. Make checks out to Congregation Anshei Shalom and indicate that the donation is for the �Chayalim Fund�. Checks should be sent to: Congregation Anshei Shalom, 472 Hempstead Avenue, West Hempstead, New York 11552.

V. FOOD FOR THOSE IN NEED  � Yad Ezra v S�hulamit is sending 20 tons of food to Israeli families being attacked by Hamas rockets. Help send food and basic supplies to Israeli families locked in homes and bomb shelters. Learn about this very important organization. Click on http://www.yadezra.net/ to make a donation or call USA Toll free 866-978-5049.

VI. TAKE YOUR LUNCH TO WORK DAY � Brown Bagging your lunch for a day will give your group members the opportunity to assist Israel�s soldiers by packing your own lunch and donating the equivalent of your restaurant tab to �Friends of Israeli Defense Forces�. Your group can designate a specific day for the Take Your Lunch To Work Day or participate for the four Wednesdays for an entire month. Pack your lunch day is a small gesture that can have a big impact on the lives of our valiant soldiers stationed in and around Gaza. Check their web site at http://www.israelsoldiers.org.  Contributions may be sent to FIDF-New York, 350 5th Avenue, Suite 2011, New York, NY 10118

If your synagogue or organization is planning an event to help Israel, please send us the details and/or if you know of a store which carries Israeli products please inform us so we may publicize these items in a future edition of this bulletin. Feel free to use all or parts of this bulletin in your organizations newsletter.