An Incredible Week of Chizuk and Real Support: American Jews Visit Yehuda & Shomron To Connect With The Strength of the Jewish People of Israel

In their pursuit to divide the Jewish people, many left wing “Jewish” organizations were busy last week showing support for our Arab enemies. With campaigns of deceit aimed at college campuses, and pro-Arab ads in various media outlets, these organization begin with the premise of promoting peace but are really out to make democratic Israel look bad.

One Israel Fund spent last week on the opposite extreme. It was our unique privilege to take groups of American Jews around our heartland. Our guests wanted only to be together and united with us, to connect with their land and their people.  Jews of all ages came to see and be part of the IDF and the Jewish Communities of Yehuda and Shomron. The 300 “shlukers” (water hydration packs for soldiers) we gave out together did more than quench thirst this week: they created bonds that will last forever.

Marc Prowisor, One Israel Fund’s security projects director, and Irwin Borvick, our Israel operations director, brought a constant flow of visiting groups, who brought emotional support and much needed equipment to the yishuvim and the soldiers who protect them. A Bar Mitzvah boy from West Hempstead, NY stood next to our soldiers, bursting with pride, as his family was brought into the inner circle of an elite unit; American boys, learning for a year in a yeshiva in Beit Shemesh, and soldiers bonded and became friends; a few soldiers at a roadblock introduced themselves to a rabbi and his family from Great Neck, NY and emergency medical kits were delivered to yishuvim in desperate need donated by friends throughout the US – and most of all, people grew stronger because both sides connected with one another on new levels.

One company commander told Marc, “All of the years of being on the borders, patrolling and fighting takes a lot out of you and it wears you down. But your bringing out these people gives us strength and reminds us what we are doing and why. For this, I want to thank you.”

Those who accompanied us this week wanted to see and be with the communities of Yehuda and Shomron, to meet the brave “obstacles to peace” firsthand. They wanted to be part of the accomplishments of One Israel Fund – they participated in and saw how our work strengthens communities’ security and emergency medical response.  And, together, we have enhanced and saved lives.  As insiders, they saw “tough” security chiefs extremely touched at the level of commitment resting deep in the hearts of our guests.

“The Jews of Yehuda and Shomron are our strength” and “we so appreciate their daily defense of Israel – merely through living on the frontlines” were the expressed sentiments of our guests.

Our enemies and confused brothers may try to weaken us and rip our heartland and heritage from us through political maneuvers, but we must remember there are many out there doing the exact opposite, living and strengthening the heart of our land and people.

One Israel Fund is so fortunate to have such dedicated and committed friends who are willing to become activists in their communities and schools on behalf of those in Israel who need them most. How wonderful it is when actions strengthen the donor, as much – if not more – than it helps the recipient. We are all stronger on account of their efforts.