Dave Bender: Compelling Photography

Wednesday, July 19

Playwright David Mamet on world opinion of Israel

Practical aid for Israeli soldiers

"Following the escalation of tensions on Israel's borders, Table to Table will be distributing gift packages to soldiers defending our northern and southern borders.

For a donation of $18, Table to Table will purchase, process, and deliver a gift basket to our soldiers. Credit card donations may be made by clicking here. Specify that your donation is for Soldiers' Gift Baskets. Donations may be made in U.S. Dollars, Canadian Dollars, or British Pounds, and are fully tax deductible in the United States, Canada, and in the U.K.

Whether or not you're able to donate products or purchase gift baskets, Table to Table will be happy to pass on a message to the soldiers when we deliver the packages. Include your note in your package or write a message when you fill out the donation form. You can also send an email to soldiers@tabletotable.org.il. Every good word lets our soldiers know that we are standing by them, as they fight for us.

For more information, please contact call Table to Table at 011 972 9-744-1757.

Go there and help them. You know you want to.

(Hat tip to Daledamos)

A brief timeout for sanity... (Original Jerusalem photos)

(Photo: Dave Bender)

Well. Well. Well. Ain't we just havin'a grand freakin' ole' time over here...

Fed up to the gills with trying to keep on top of the news today, I took a break and rode my bicycle into town, and back to Gilo.

On the way back, I spotted a little girl herding goats, on Hebron Road. I imagine she was from nearby Beit Safafa.

The warm, late afternoon light, ruins of a stone structure where they stopped to graze among the olive trees, tawny wildflowers and grasses made for nice images. Enjoy.

(Photo: Dave Bender)

And now back to our regularly scheduled mayhem.

Map showing range of Hizbullah missiles within Israel

Israeli-American mother's moving words on aliyah and terrorism (Exclusive audio)

Miri Eisen

KING: We’re back on LARRY KING LIVE. Let’s go to Tel Aviv and Miri Eisin. She is the Israeli government spokesperson, retired colonel with the Israeli military intelligence. What’s your reaction to what Mr. Mousawi of the Hezbollah just had to say?

MIRI EISIN, ISRAELI GOVERNMENT SPOKESPERSON: I find it very interesting that the editor of Al-Manar TV talks only about things which have nothing to do with what’s happening. Almost seven days ago already Hezbollah crossed the border, an internationally recognized border, into Israeli territory, kidnapped two soldiers and at the same time, and this he failed to mention, opened fire with rockets on all of the northern villages of Israel.

Read it all.

Miri Eisen is very impressive in putting Israel's case across via the media, and even more so in person. This I know personally:

Eisen, who is a veteran immigrant from California, addressed a 2004 memorial ceremony for fallen North American immigrants who died in the line of duty and in terror attacks, held annually by the Association of Americans and Canadians in Israel.

Here are her moving words, as, repeatedly choking back tears, she talks about her parents brave decision to make "aliyah" (immigration to Israel), and her decision put down roots here, and proudly raise a family in the face of terror and tyranny.

Her simple, evocative words about raising children here, by choice, resonate more than ever in these trying days of battle.

A bio page is here.

(Hat tip to Jewlicious)

JerusalemOnline news update: 00:00, July 19th (Video - Channel 2 TV)

One dead in rocket attack on Nahariya
Dozens of rockets blast the North
Diplomatic process for ceasefire gets underway

Tuesday, July 18

"Drudge-ing" up the latest headlines (VIDEO)

Here's the Newt Gingrich "WWIII" video, courtesy of "Life of Rubin."

Meantime, here's "Drudge-ing" up the latest headlines:Hizbullah 'ready to attack US interests'... Nations mobilize for mass evacuations from Lebanon... *Americans Frustrated By Pace... Olmert: Offensive to Continue 'Til Release... Diary Of An Israeli Air Force Pilot... Hezbollah fires rocket-a-minute at Israel... *Hit Haifa -- Again... **Residents criticize air-raid shelter... 40-50% of Hizbullah's infrastructure destroyed... Flyers rain down on bemused Lebanese... Iranian President: Israel trying to occupy Lebanon... 'The day of happiness for the region is near'... Iran Official: No Part of Israel Safe... *Israel capable of air strike on Iran...

USAF general: Israel capable of hitting Iran

Lebanese bridge blasted by Israeli jets (Photo: AP)

From The Washington Times:

"They have the capability to strike Iran," said retired Air Force Lt. Gen. Thomas G. McInerney, a former fighter pilot who has trained with Israelis.

"It would be limited, though. They could do 30 to 40 'aim points' in the array. I'm not worried about them hitting the targets. They will suffer losses, but they are capable of doing it."

He said Israeli fighter pilots are "the best in the world. I've flown against them. They train better. They get more flying time."

Read it all.

Scads of details and photos about the Israeli F-16i here.

F-16i

Kassam hits Ashlekon water park, area kibbutz (UPDATE)

FIRST REPORT: Kassam hit packed recreational "water park" in Ashlekon. There are no reports of injuries in the attack, as of this posting.

A second rocket slammed down at Kibbutz Bror Hayil, also in the western Negev, causing a fire but without causing injury.

List of US rallies for Israel (UPDATED - CORRECTION)

A Jewish Canadian woman wears an Israeli flag in her hat
during a rally in support of Israel July 14, 2006.
REUTERS/J. P. Moczulski (CANADA)

List of Rallies in USA for Israel

[Thanks to www.standwithus.com and www.camera.org)
_______________________________________________

TUESDAY, JULY 18

BOSTON, MA
Date: Tuesday, July 18
Time: 6pm
Venue: Kehillath Israel, 384 Harvard Street, Brookline
Phone: 617-457-8657
http://www.bostonisraelaction.org


WEDNESDAY, JULY 19

BROOKLYN, NY
Date: Wednesday July 19th
Time: 8:30 p.m.
Venue: Manhattan Beach Jewish Center, 60 West End Ave, Brooklyn NY
Contact: 718-891-8700

DETROIT, MI
Date: Wednesday, July 19
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Venue: Congregation Shaarey Zedek, Eleven Mile Road west of Lahser 
Road,
Southfield
Contact: 248-642-4260 - Rebecca Starr (ext. 531) or Dale Rubin (ext. 
208)

GAINESVILLE, FL
Time: 11:00am - 2:00pm, Wednesday July 19
Venue: Turlington Plaza
Phone: 352.514.7744
Email: amgatorschai@yahoo.com

LOS ANGELES, CA
Wednesday, July 19, 4-6 pm
Join StandWithUs, American Jewish Congress and others
as we Counter Protest  the A.N.S.W.E.R Anti-Israel Demonstration
Israeli Consulate: 6380 Wilshire Blvd, LA
Come with signs that say:  Free Lebanon from Hezbollah
or get ideas from our website at:
http://www.standwithus.com/  

PLANTATION, FL
Rally at Ramat Shalom in Plantation
Wednesday, July 19, 2006 at 7:00 PM. 
Co-sponsored by ADL and the United Jewish Community of Broward County 
and Broward Board of Rabbis (additional participants to be announced).

WASHINGTON DC
12 Noon, Wednesday, July 19
Rally at Freedom Plaza
Pennsylvania Avenue NW between 13 and 14th Street
Metro - Metro Center
Co-sponsored by JCRC and Jewish Federation of Greater Washington DC
For more info, email jweingrad@jcouncil.org

THURSDAY, JULY 20

Added (NOTE>CORRECTION<) 
Cleveland, OH 
7:15PM
Mandel Jewish Community Center,
Stonehill Auditorium
26001 Woodland Road
Beachwood, OH
http://www.jewishcleveland.org/
Tel. (216) 566-9200
Fax. (216) 861-1230


CHERRY HILL, NJ
Date: Thursday, July 20
Time: TBD
Venue: TBD
Contact: JCRC of South NJ - 856-751-9500 x202 (Robin)

PHILADELPHIA
7:30 PM, Thursday July 20
Congregations of Shaare Shamayim
9768 Verree Road,  Philadelphia, PA 19115
Sponsored by Congregations of Shaare Shamayim, Bnai Brith, Zionist 
Organization of America Greater Philadelphia District, PhillyIsraelim

FRIDAY,  JULY 21

ARLINGTON TEXAS
7:30pm Friday, July 21
Congregation Beth Shalom
1211 Thannisch Drive
Arlington, Texas
For more information, contact Janet Aaronson, executive director at 
817-860-5448
or janetaa@bethshalom.org


SUNDAY, JULY 23

LOS ANGELES, CA
Date: Sunday, July 23
Time: 4:00 pm
Venue:in front of the Federation Building, 6505 Wilshire Blvd.

MONDAY, JULY 24

PHILADELPHIA, PA
Date: Monday July 24
Time: 12-2pm
Venue: Ritten House Square (by 18th & Chestnut)
Contact: 215-832-0549 (Asaf)

TUESDAY JULY 25

BALTIMORE, MD
Date: July, 25
Time: 12PM
Venue: Holocaust Memorial, 500 East Lombard
Contact: THE ASSOCIATED and The Baltimore Jewish Council