Dear Friends:

Last Friday I wrote to you from Jerusalem. Sadly, there is little, if any, progress as hundreds of rockets continue to be fired into Israel. Below is a letter to the editor sent to the Times-Union.

On our national mission co-chaired by Federation Past President Dr. Scot Ackerman, $900,000 was raised with a 20 percent gift-to-gift comparison.

Here at home, our Jewish community has responded wonderfully to the Israel Emergency campaign. Our national organization, Jewish Federations of North America, has announced the need for a $30 million effort. We have now raised $62,000 toward our fair share goal of $75,000. This is so appreciated! Funds are needed for trauma counseling, portable shelters and upgrading existing shelters. Also children are being moved from the south of Israel to quieter areas for summer camp.

 
Please continue to donate. You may mail in checks made payable to the Jewish Federation of Jacksonville (see address below) and note that this is for the July Emergency Campaign Effort. You may donate via phone by calling 904-448-5000 ext. 209. If you prefer to donate online, please visit our website, www.jewishjacksonville.org or click here.  

Wishing everyone a Shabbat Shalom,

Alan Margolies
Federation Executive Director

Times-Union letter to the editor:
On Thursday, Hamas rejected the third ceasefire offer since the current crisis began between Israel and Hamas. Therefore, the responsibility for the loss of life on both sides falls squarely on Hamas' shoulders. Arguing that both sides are to blame plays into Hamas' hands inviting a radical terrorist organization to continue its campaign of terror.

Over the course of the past 17 days, nearly 2,200 rockets have been fired into Israel with the intent of killing Israelis. Hamas is hiding its arsenal of weapons in mosques, hospitals and private homes. Israel has set up a hospital to treat injured Gazans.

The United States has said that we will not negotiate with a terrorist organization and this includes Hamas - not that it makes any difference if Hamas continues to reject offers to negotiate.
Our Congress has voted to express its total support of Israel. Polls show the American people clearly support Israel, our friend and ally.

As soon as Hamas stops firing rockets at the Israeli people, all of this will come to an end.

-Alan Margolies