S.O.S. Save Our Soldiers Lobbies Capital Hill on behalf of Israel

On November 11th, Gabrielle Flaum, Sam Cantor, Jeff Rayvid, Eden Kanowitz and Danielle Flaum, and Jill Sobelman along with Nancy and Rich Flaum traveled to Washington D.C. to attend an AIPAC (American Israel Political Action Committee) High School Summit. AIPAC hosted a unique three-day educational opportunity in the nation’s capital for high school students. Student leaders from across the nation gathered for the High School Summit’s top-level political activism training. More than 250 students and 30 Jewish professionals from Jewish Day Schools, synagogues, youth groups, and teen leadership organizations learned strategies for advocating the U.S.-Israel relationship, skills that participants used in lobbying their members of Congress on Capitol Hill.

The Summit was geared toward providing politically active teens with the tools they need to get involved in the American political process, more specifically in support of the Israel American Alliance. At the Summit we learned what we as teens can do to make a difference. AIPAC’s faculty introduced us to initiatives and activities we can bring home to our communities. We also were briefed about issues currently facing Israel, including the threat of Iran having nuclear capabilities. We hope that we can help our communities to better understand the issues as well inspire individuals to take action.

On the last day of the Summit we had the incredible opportunity of lobbying a Senior Policy Advisor of Congressmen Rodney Frelinghuysen. We spoke to him about why we are passionate about Israel and why it is in America’s best interest to remain Israel’s loyal ally. This meeting was an amazing opportunity for us personally and an amazing opportunity for the Jewish community. Now, our Congressmen knows and understands the feelings of some of his Jewish teen constituents. Overall, the AIPAC Summit was an unforgettable opportunity and we hope to educate others using our new skills.

-written by Jill Sobelman

Cpl. Gilad Shalit was kidnapped early Sunday morning, June 25, 2006 in a Hamas terrorist attack that murdered two other soldiers. Gilad has been held captive for more than a year now, and Hamas recently released a video in which Gilad says his health “is deteriorating.” Israel still does not know where he is being held. The Shalit family is holding out hope that Gilad will be returned safely.

Reform Jewish Teen Leads Diplomatic Charge to Free Captive Israelis
URJ Campers Join New York City “Free the Soldiers Rally”

July 13, 2007 – Under the leadership of 16-year-old activist Gabrielle Flaum of Short Hills, NJ, the URJ Eisner and Crane Lake Camps will represent the Reform Movement’s youth during the “Free the Soldiers Rally” on Monday, July 16, 2007 at Dag Hammarskjold Plaza at the United Nations in New York City.

S.O.S.: Save Our Soldiers (“S.O.S.”), the national youth movement created by Flaum upon returning home from a NFTY in Israel trip last summer, is dedicated to raising the awareness of captured soldiers Regev, Goldwasser, and Shalit. Flaum will be joined by a delegation of 300 people including the Eisner and Crane Lake Camps’ Machon Leadership Program participants, members of the Camps’ Israeli staff and faculty members, as well as campers from Kutz Campus, the Union for Reform Judaism’s NFTY Leadership Academy.

“S.O.S., Gabrielle Flaum and her peers have become a driving force in the effort to win the release of Israel’s kidnapped soldiers, demonstrating a deep and abiding commitment to advocacy, tikkun olam and the prophetic ideal that serves as the underpinning of Reform Judaism,” said Rabbi Eric Yoffie, president of the Union for Reform Judaism. “In these and all their deeds, may these young people go from strength to strength and may the work of their hands help to bring about the swift and safe return of Ehud Goldwasser, Eldad Regev and Gilad Shalit.”

Flaum became the leading force behind legislation that was introduced in the New Jersey State Legislature, demanding that the United Nations assist in the release of the soldiers (SR94/AR244). Flaum and S.O.S. testified before the New Jersey State Assembly and Senate, leading to the passage of the Resolution two weeks ago, becoming the first state to pass such a resolution.

A product of the Reform Movement and member of Temple Sharey Tefilo-Israel, Flaum is currently a counselor-in-training in the Machon Leadership Program at Eisner Camp, after having spent ten summers as a camper. Upon her return to the United States last year, Flaum sought an outlet to release her energy and new found passion for Israel. She hoped to do something for the three kidnapped soldiers and engage others in her mission.

“Eisner Camp and the Reform Movement are proud that Gabrielle’s devotion has manifested itself in New Jersey and hopes that her work will be continued at the United Nations,” said Louis Bordman, Senior Director of URJ Eisner and Crane Lake Camps.
Machon campers Robbie Heeger and Aaron Mazie wrote Pikuach Nefesh, a song supporting Israeli soldiers, while in Arad, Israel during the Israeli-Lebanese conflict in the summer of 2006. The song, which will be performed during the rally, urges peace and unity in the Middle East from the eyes of our Jewish-American youth.

Through advocacy and activism, this group hopes to engage others in the Jewish values of pikuach nefesh (saving a life) and hava’at shalom beyn adam l’chaveyro (making peace amongst human beings), carried out through the mitzvot (commandments) of pidyon shvuyim (the redemption of captives) and tikkun olam (repairing the world), to simultaneously act quickly to bring our soldiers home.

This rally is sponsored by the Conference of Presidents of Major Jewish Organizations and the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York and in cooperation with the United Jewish Communities, the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, the UJA-Federation of New York, and the American Zionist Movement, and will urge the United Nations to demand the immediate and unconditional release of Israeli soldiers Gilad Shalit, Ehud Goldwasser, and Eldad Regev, who were kidnapped by Hamas and Hezbollah one year ago.

It is of utter importance that we not only get the word out there about these soldiers, but also that we let those with political power know how we feel. If you follow the link below, you can go to the free the soldiers petition page and send a message to Ban Ki-moon, the Secretary-General of the United Nations. This is a great way fir everyone to help in the effort to bring our soldiers home.

Free the Soldiers Petition

Families of the Israeli soldiers whose abductions by Hezbollah ignited last year’s war against Israel attended the rally and appealed on their behalf in meetings with United Nations Secretary-General Ban ki-Moon and top Congressional and government leaders.

Malka Goldwasser, mother of abducted soldier Ehud (“Udi”) Goldwasser, along with his wife Karnit and father-in-law Omri Avni, joined Zvi Regev, father of abducted soldier Eldad Regev and his brother Binyamin, on a United States tour to increase official and public awareness of the continuing captivity of their loved ones.

“I will not be satisfied until my husband comes home,” said Karnit Goldwasser after meeting with Secretary-General Ban ki-Moon. “This is the worst time in our lives.”

United Jewish Communities (UJC), in cooperation with the Permanent Mission of Israel to the United Nations, the Consulate of Israel in New York, and the Embassy of Israel, arranged the stops in New York and the nation’s capital, which continued through today.

Israel Defense Forces soldiers Ehud Goldwasser and Eldad Regev were abducted by Hezbollah forces in an unprovoked cross-border attack last summer, igniting last summer’s war. In response, UJC/Federations launched the Israel Emergency Campaign, which has raised more than $358 million to-date. IDF soldier Gilad Shalit was earlier kidnapped by Hamas forces and also is still being held. His family was unable to join this week’s U.S. trip.

UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which ended the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah last August, calls for the release of the abducted soldiers. During their official meetings and public appearances, family members underscored that Hezbollah has not complied.

“Israel has fulfilled its obligations under the resolution, and we asked the secretary general to move Lebanon to fulfill its part under the same resolution,” said Karnit Goldwasser during a news conference outside the secretary general’s office Tuesday. “He said he would do all that he can to make sure the United Nations resolution is fulfilled.”

“The secretary general committed to try to solve this as soon as he can,” said Binyamin Regev. “We are grateful for his help.”

This week’s visits by the soldiers’ families focused further attention to Free the Soldiers, a continental effort by UJC/Federations and many other Jewish organizations to win immediate release of the captive soldiers.

The initiative includes a petition, already signed by tens of thousands of people around the world, which calls for the full implementation of the UN resolution and unconditional release of the Israeli soldiers. For details on how to help, visit the Free the Soldiers Web site.

Generating even further momentum behind that effort, hundreds of people joined soldiers’ family members and rallied on Capitol Hill Monday for the soldiers’ freedom. Sen. Sam Brownback of Kansas, and Reps. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and Debbie Wasserman Schultz, both of Florida, joined the rally.

“The world cannot be allowed to forget these brave young men,” said Susie Gelman, chair of UJC Israel, at the rally. “Nothing short of their swift and unconditional release is acceptable. We say to the Shalit, Regev and Goldwasser families that we share your pain, we pray for the imminent release of your sons, and we will do everything in our power to make it happen.

“Let us pray that in a few weeks, when we celebrate Passover, our feast of liberation, we will also be able to celebrate the liberation of Gilad, Udi and Eldad.”

The rally was part of the annual Jewish Council for Public Affairs Plenum in Washington, with JCPA — the umbrella organization of Jewish community relations councils — endorsing and promoting the effort as well.

The family members also met with a slate of national figures across the political spectrum on Capitol Hill, including U.S. Sec. of Education Margaret Spellings, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (CA), Rep. Gary Ackerman (NY), Rep. Shelley Berkley (NV), Rep. Eric Cantor (VA), Sen. Norm Coleman (MN), Rep. William Delahunt (MA), Rep. Keith Ellison (MN), Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (TX), Rep. Ron Klein (FL), Rep. Dennis Kucinich (OH), Rep. John Murtha (PA), Sen. Barak Obama (IL), Rep. Charles Rangel (NY), Rep. Bill Shuster (PA), Rep. Brad Sherman (CA), Sen. John Thune (SD), Rep. Pat Tiberi (OH), and Sen. George Voinovich (OH).

The meetings with Congressional leaders were arranged by UJC Washington and the Embassy of Israel in Washington. Also meeting the soldiers’ families was a women’s mission to Washington of the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago/Jewish United Fund of Metropolitan Chicago. Family members met with officials of the International Committee of the Red Cross and the American Red Cross as well. International relief organizations have been prevented from visiting the captured Israeli soldiers.

“It makes us stronger to know we are not alone on this,” said Karnit Goldwasser.

Families of the Israeli soldiers whose abductions by Hezbollah ignited last year’s war against Israel attended the rally and appealed on their behalf in meetings with United Nations Secretary-General Ban ki-Moon and top Congressional and government leaders.

Malka Goldwasser, mother of abducted soldier Ehud (“Udi”) Goldwasser, along with his wife Karnit and father-in-law Omri Avni, joined Zvi Regev, father of abducted soldier Eldad Regev and his brother Binyamin, on a United States tour to increase official and public awareness of the continuing captivity of their loved ones.

“I will not be satisfied until my husband comes home,” said Karnit Goldwasser after meeting with Secretary-General Ban ki-Moon. “This is the worst time in our lives.”

United Jewish Communities (UJC), in cooperation with the Permanent Mission of Israel to the United Nations, the Consulate of Israel in New York, and the Embassy of Israel, arranged the stops in New York and the nation’s capital, which continued through today.

Israel Defense Forces soldiers Ehud Goldwasser and Eldad Regev were abducted by Hezbollah forces in an unprovoked cross-border attack last summer, igniting last summer’s war. In response, UJC/Federations launched the Israel Emergency Campaign, which has raised more than $358 million to-date. IDF soldier Gilad Shalit was earlier kidnapped by Hamas forces and also is still being held. His family was unable to join this week’s U.S. trip.

UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which ended the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah last August, calls for the release of the abducted soldiers. During their official meetings and public appearances, family members underscored that Hezbollah has not complied.

“Israel has fulfilled its obligations under the resolution, and we asked the secretary general to move Lebanon to fulfill its part under the same resolution,” said Karnit Goldwasser during a news conference outside the secretary general’s office Tuesday. “He said he would do all that he can to make sure the United Nations resolution is fulfilled.”

“The secretary general committed to try to solve this as soon as he can,” said Binyamin Regev. “We are grateful for his help.”

This week’s visits by the soldiers’ families focused further attention to Free the Soldiers, a continental effort by UJC/Federations and many other Jewish organizations to win immediate release of the captive soldiers.

The initiative includes a petition, already signed by tens of thousands of people around the world, which calls for the full implementation of the UN resolution and unconditional release of the Israeli soldiers. For details on how to help, visit the Free the Soldiers Web site.

Generating even further momentum behind that effort, hundreds of people joined soldiers’ family members and rallied on Capitol Hill Monday for the soldiers’ freedom. Sen. Sam Brownback of Kansas, and Reps. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and Debbie Wasserman Schultz, both of Florida, joined the rally.

“The world cannot be allowed to forget these brave young men,” said Susie Gelman, chair of UJC Israel, at the rally. “Nothing short of their swift and unconditional release is acceptable. We say to the Shalit, Regev and Goldwasser families that we share your pain, we pray for the imminent release of your sons, and we will do everything in our power to make it happen.

“Let us pray that in a few weeks, when we celebrate Passover, our feast of liberation, we will also be able to celebrate the liberation of Gilad, Udi and Eldad.”

The rally was part of the annual Jewish Council for Public Affairs Plenum in Washington, with JCPA — the umbrella organization of Jewish community relations councils — endorsing and promoting the effort as well.

The family members also met with a slate of national figures across the political spectrum on Capitol Hill, including U.S. Sec. of Education Margaret Spellings, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (CA), Rep. Gary Ackerman (NY), Rep. Shelley Berkley (NV), Rep. Eric Cantor (VA), Sen. Norm Coleman (MN), Rep. William Delahunt (MA), Rep. Keith Ellison (MN), Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (TX), Rep. Ron Klein (FL), Rep. Dennis Kucinich (OH), Rep. John Murtha (PA), Sen. Barak Obama (IL), Rep. Charles Rangel (NY), Rep. Bill Shuster (PA), Rep. Brad Sherman (CA), Sen. John Thune (SD), Rep. Pat Tiberi (OH), and Sen. George Voinovich (OH).

The meetings with Congressional leaders were arranged by UJC Washington and the Embassy of Israel in Washington. Also meeting the soldiers’ families was a women’s mission to Washington of the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago/Jewish United Fund of Metropolitan Chicago. Family members met with officials of the International Committee of the Red Cross and the American Red Cross as well. International relief organizations have been prevented from visiting the captured Israeli soldiers.

“It makes us stronger to know we are not alone on this,” said Karnit Goldwasser.

July 10, 2007, Great Barrington, MA – The Union for Reform Judaism’s Eisner and Crane Lake Camps today announced its participation with S.O.S.: Save Our Soldiers (“S.O.S.”) in the “Free the Soldiers Rally” on Monday, July 16, 2007 at Dag Hammarskjold Plaza at the United Nations in New York City. This action comes after three Israeli soldiers were captured last summer.

Sponsored by the Conference of Presidents of Major Jewish Organizations and the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York and in cooperation with the United Jewish Communities, the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, the UJA-Federation of New York, and the American Zionist Movement, the rally is aimed at urging the United Nations to demand the immediate and unconditional release of Israeli soldiers Gilad Shalit, Ehud Goldwasser, and Eldad Regev, who were kidnapped by Hamas and Hezbollah one year ago. S.O.S. is the national youth movement dedicated to raising the awareness of captured soldiers Regev, Goldwasser, and Shalit. The group was created by Eisner camper Gabrielle Flaum, 17, upon returning home from a North American Federation of Temple Youth (NFTY) trip to Israel last summer. Flaum will be joined by a delegation of 300 people including the Eisner and Crane Lake Camps’ Machon Leadership Program participants, members of the Camps’ Israeli staff and faculty members, as well as campers from Kutz Campus, the Union for Reform Judaism’s NFTY Leadership Academy.

Gabrielle Flaum became the leading force behind legislation that was introduced in the New Jersey State Legislature, demanding that the United Nations assist in the release of the soldiers. Flaum and S.O.S. testified before the New Jersey State Assembly and Senate, leading to the passage of the Resolution two weeks ago, becoming the first state to pass this Resolution (SR94/AR244). A product of the Reform Movement, Flaum is currently a counselor-in-training in the Machon Leadership Program at Eisner Camp, after having spent ten summers as a camper at Eisner, participating in the Olim Leadership Program for 10th graders and the NFTY trip to Israel. Upon her return to the United States, Flaum sought an outlet to release her energy and new found passion for Israel. She hoped to do something for the three kidnapped soldiers and engage others in her mission.

“Eisner Camp and the Reform Movement are proud that Gabrielle’s devotion has manifested itself in New Jersey and hopes that her work will be continued at the United Nations,” said Louis Bordman, Senior Director of URJ Eisner and Crane Lake Camps.

Machon campers Robbie Heeger and Aaron Mazie wrote Pikuach Nefesh, a song supporting Israeli soldiers, while in Arad, Israel during the Israeli-Lebanese conflict in the summer of 2006. The song, which will be performed during the rally, urges peace and unity in the Middle East from the eyes of our Jewish-American youth.

Through advocacy and activism, this group hopes to engage others in the Jewish values of pikuach nefesh (saving a life) and hava’at shalom beyn adam l’chaveyro (making peace amongst human beings), carried out through the mitzvot (commandments) of pidyon shvuyim (the redemption of captives) and tikkun olam (repairing the world), to simultaneously act quickly to bring our soldiers home.

To learn more about Shalit, Goldwasser, and Regev, please visit www.freethesoldiers.org.

URJ Eisner and Crane Lake Camps are summer overnight educational camps located in the Berkshire Mountains. Eisner Camp and Crane Lake Camp are significant fixtures in the national Jewish camping system serving 1400 youth grades 2-10 each summer from synagogues in New York, New Jersey and New England. Its mission is to increase the self esteem of campers, strengthen their Jewish identity and create the next generation of Jewish leaders. The camps accomplish this by creating community among a diverse group of people that come together for 4- and 8-weeks during the summer. Camp’s emphasis is to create a “home” like atmosphere that nurtures its inhabitants, fosters caring behavior and provides emotional and physical safety. For more information, please visit www.urjnecamps.org.