With Iranian proxies flanked on Israel’s Southern and Northern borders, along with the rise in terrorism throughout Yehuda and Shomron, Marc Prowisor, former Chief Army Security Coordinator for the Shilo Region from 1996 through 2006, and presently Director of Security Projects for One Israel Fund says, "This is not a time to despair.  This is a time to encourage the discouraged, to engage the disengaged and to persevere in the fight for the land that we treasure."

The Jewish people are weathering yet another great storm in our long and arduous journey. But, it is how we weather that storm that determines our character as a nation and distinguishes us from the rest.  We are all part of the strength of Am Yisrael.  Each one of us, a branch in the tree of life, can give of ourselves for the future of our people.  One Israel Fund, an organization based in New York and in Yehuda and Shomron, sees the future of our nation in our G-d given land of Israel and believes that it is in our very heartland where our destiny begins.

Over the past decade and a half, One Israel Fund has dedicated itself to providing humanitarian and security assistance to the communities throughout Yehuda, Shomron and Gush Katif.  To this end, it established and developed a broad range of diverse projects essential in sustaining everyday life and aiding these areas to grow and flourish.  

Projects ranging from purchasing ambulances, armored vehicles to transport children to and from school, bulletproof vests, emergency medical equipment, camera surveillance systems, building schools and playgrounds for the children, providing scholarship programs and so much more have all improved the quality of life for many of these communities.

Now, in its sixteenth year, One Israel Fund continues to undertake campaigns to help ensure the physical, emotional and moral well-being of the Jewish families living in each community throughout YESHA.  It is likewise committed to aiding the families of Gush Katif and Northern Shomron, so that they can rebuild their lives and their communities with pride and dignity.

Presently, One Israel Fund is proud to be part of the training program for the Rapid Response Teams of Gush Etzion.  In cooperation with the Security Chief of the Gush Etzion Regional Council, One Israel Fund is sponsoring one day training exercises for each of the twenty teams located in Gush Etzion.  The training takes place in Gush Etzion at the Calipher 3 facility located in the Industrial Zone.  In light of the government cutbacks in security for this region, the importance of this project cannot be underestimated.

Many valuable lessons have been learned since the violent Arab terrorist war that erupted in September of 2000.  One of these lessons is that the military cannot always respond fast enough to terrorist attacks in Jewish towns or on the various roadways throughout Yehuda and Shomron. It often falls on the shoulders of the local security forces to neutralize the attackers.  These individuals and teams, as a result, are the First Responders to all acts of terrorism and have often been instrumental in saving many lives.

While the courage and motivation among these dedicated teams and personnel are not lacking, it is nevertheless not only necessary to train them to be able to react in a professional and highly efficient manner, but also to maintain this high standard of excellence through repeated training exercises.

Marc Prowisor has taken on the task of assisting these teams where possible.  Working with the regional security chiefs, various efforts are being established to supply these teams with the training and equipment needed.  "It is with great pride that we do this," says Marc. "These teams have proven their value many times over…you can never train too much and simply put, lives are saved due to these teams and their training."

Gush Etzion, along with the rest of Yehuda and Shomron, is witnessing a rise in Arab terrorism, and the future for our heartland does not hold much tranquility.  Therefore, before the bombs explode and the shots begin to fly in our neck of the woods, it is imperative to be prepared. Only in this manner will we be able to save more lives.  If there seems to be quiet in any particular part of our region, Mr. Prowisor emphatically states that "...it is not because the Arabs have decided to lay down their arms, it is because, thankfully, Jews are working hard to defend their families and land, 24/7."  This is why we must not let ourselves become relaxed in this cause.  One Israel Fund understands this and therefore dedicates itself toward this endeavor.