What the Orthodox Union and the Israel Center are doing for the "war effort", and how you can help. We are a drop-off and pick-up point for donations of candies and snacks for our soldiers at the front(s) - this via Table to Table. We are a clearing house for Jerusalemites who are offering home hospitality to people from the north - this in cooperation with AACI. NESTO continues to send food and "care" packages to NESTO alumni in the army. NESTO is holding afternoon gatherings and activities together with visitors from the north. Our Makom BaLev program is running specially designed Shabbatonim in "hot spots" such as Nahariya and Sderot. Our Kehilot Yisrael program, under the dynamic leadership of Meir Schwartz and Eliyahu Farjun, has been going from bomb shelter to bomb shelter all over the north with over 400 volunteers, bringing food and toiletries, much-needed counseling for adults and children, running day camps and other activities. 80 participants of our Bayit Yehudi branch in Tiberias, will be going to a Solidarity & Chizuk Shabbaton in Keshet run by Meir Schwartz and his team. Our major undertaking at the moment is the running of Camps for kids from Tzfat, Chazor, and Kiryat Shmona. These camps are already active, and it is hoped that by the end of next week, we will be running camps in all of the towns in the north. They will continue IY"H even after the fighting stops. For information about the Camps, to volunteer as counselors, and/or to help fund this project, call 050-556-0249. The Orthodox Union has collected and distributed thousands of dollars to fund various needs of soldiers and residents of the areas under fire. Please see www.ou.org for further details. Contributions can be made via the website or through the Israel Center. Drop by or call us at (02) 566-7787 ext. 204 or 220. In addition to the activities we are directly involved in, we are helping other organizations publicize their projects - see below. Please note that we cannot take responsibility for the projects mentioned here, except for those of the Orthodox Union and the various departments of the OU Israel Center. AACI is working to help those from northern Israel who are looking for temporary housing. In addition, please note that AACI has been working hard to pull together as much resource information as possible and we are updating our website on a daily basis. AACI -- Your address for current emergency info (in English) Volunteer opportunities and Donation Info,Blood donation -- Magen David Adom locations, times & contact info, National Insurance (Bituach Leumi) information & contacts, Hospital and Psychological Support Phone Numbers, Discounts for northern Residents info link, News and Media contact info & links AACI is also selling our Emergency Handbook with contact updates, both in print and on tape for the Visually Impaired. AACI: (02) 561-7151, www.aaci.org.il We have organized a group, in solidarity with Israel, that will gather every Friday between 1-2 pm on Keren HaYesod at the corner of Agron. Shaul Borskin has been doing extensive kiruv work with the Russian community of Haifa. He now goes from shelter to shelter to encourage the Russain Jews, give shiurim and hold activities with the children. People are afraid to go out of the shelters. They lack food, water, fans and bedding. The children are bored; people are depressed and crying. They need immediate help! Donations of canned goods, drinking water, fans, bedding, games, snacks and other items are needed. Call 054-479-1171 to arrange for pick-up of items. Monetary donations can be made via Bank Pagi, Branch 187, Haifa account 409-644323 (certified Amuta # 580445690) Standing Together - 050-558-0822, David Landau Yisrael Hatzair has launched a special plea for the north communities. Donations of food, diapers, toys and toiletries will be accepted at the office in Heichal Shlomo - King George 58, Jerusalem For more information and donations, please call: (02) 623-1361 [The
Parshat D'varim Homepage]
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