January 8, 2009

United Jewish Communities of MetroWest NJ and the Jewish Federation of Central New Jersey will together hold an Evening of Solidarity with the People of Israel on Saturday, Jan. 10, at 7:15 p.m. at the Wilf Jewish Community Campus, 1391 Martine Ave. in Scotch Plains.

The aim of the event is to provide an opportunity for prayer and support for Israel and educate and galvanize community members to be ambassadors for Israel.

Among the speakers will be Benjamin Krasna, deputy consul general of Israel in New York, area clergy, and government officials. There will also be a live hook-up from Sderot, Israel.

In response to the crisis, the Community Relations Committee of UJC MetroWest is focusing on political activism, mindful of the new presidential administration and Congress. CRC chair Merle H. Kalishman said, “We acknowledge the many challenges facing President-elect Barack Obama from day one. Nonetheless, we urge him to make a sustainable end to hostilities with Hamas and the pursuit of peace in the region among his top priorities upon taking office.”

Sen. Frank R. Lautenberg on Jan. 6 issued a statement on the conflict, saying, “As President-elect Obama has made clear time and again, no country should be forced to tolerate attacks on its people. Israel is doing all it can to prevent future terror attacks, and the United States supports the Israeli government’s efforts to protect its citizens. Hamas is abusing the people of Gaza by using their homes as a base for terror operations. The world should no longer tolerate a terrorist government in the Gaza Strip.”

And in a statement issued Jan. 3, Gov. Jon Corzine said that the crisis “reflects a fundamental truth: Violence begets violence” and underscores two important issues.

“First, all countries around the world have the absolute right and the responsibility to defend themselves against attacks on their people and their sovereignty. Israel has justly asserted that right and responsibility, as any country would, in the face of consistent and recently increased destructive rocket bombardments….

“Second, the breakdown of the Gaza cease-fire and resumption of violence are tragic reminders of the urgency to work toward comprehensive peace in the Middle East.”

Corzine went on to say, “I mourn the loss of innocent life and believe we are compelled by our common humanity to ensure that critical aid and assistance flow unhindered to innocent civilians in Gaza…and applaud Israel’s decision to open the borders for the life-saving work of United Nations agencies, the Red Cross, and other humanitarian organizations.”

UJC MetroWest is also sponsoring a Solidarity Mission to Israel, departing Sunday evening, Jan. 11, and returning Thursday morning, Jan. 15.

The mission will include community volunteer work, mainly with children and youth, to provide support to MetroWest partners Nachal Oz, Kibbutz Erez, and Ofakim, and briefings by community leaders.
Mission accommodations will include two nights of home hospitality. The cost is $500, with the flight arranged and paid for by participants.

For more information on the mission, contact Neimah Tractenberg at 973-929-3046 or ntractenberg@ujcnj.org.

The Jan. 10 rally will be followed at 8 by the Leil Iyun, An Evening of Jewish Growth and Learning, featuring rabbis and scholars conducting classes on Jewish texts and topics.

For more information, contact Jane Gardner at 973-929-3064 or jgardner@ujcnj.org.

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