Israel Advocacy

1. Write letters of encouragement to senators and Representatives – and even State and local officials – who have been supportive of Israel in any way. The letters should be personal and to the point, signed with respect and valid address. Nothing used to be better than a letter, but today, our Government officials read e-mail first and foremost!

In addition:

• • Follow all your local politicians on social media (Facebook and Twitter).
  • Pay close attention to comments made supportive to Israel.
  • Write or reply to say additional support of Israel is needed.
  • Pay attention to Anti-Semitic incidents and comment on them at local and national politicians social media sites.

Social Media responses ARE tracked by Congressional offices and senate offices.  If poor positive responses to Israel comments are made they have been removed. – Our social media voices have an impact!

Be Involved, social media IS a modern polling tool, don’t ignore its power!!

2. Write letters of objection to those whose support for Israel has been less than adequate. Those letters too, should be respectful and to the point.  The goal is not to berate, but to persuade.
3. E-mail or call the White House to encourage the President to continue his support for Israel and to persevere in the war against terrorism

   Public Opinion Line – 202-456-1111.
   President Donald Trump  The White House    Office of the President      1600 Pennsylvania Ave  Washington, DC 20500	Vice President Michael Pence The White House Office of the Vice President 1600 Pennsylvania Ave Washington, DC 20500
   Whitehouse.gov/contact Senator Chuck Schumer schumer.senate.gov         Senator Kristen Gillibrand  gillibrand.sentate.gov Congressman Thomas Suozzi Suozzi.house.gov

4. Read newspapers and watch television with a special eye for reporting on Israel and the Middle East. When someone has done a good job, write or call with praise.  When someone has done a poor job, carefully communicate your objections.  It is as important to watch carefully local news as it is national news and world news.  One good source for being a media watchdog is honestreporting.com or www.camera.org    For more accurate information, the Israeli Government’s website is www.israel.gov.il/eng and the Jerusalem Post newspaper is online at www.jpost.com and Times of Israel at timesofisrael.com and political intelligence briefings are found at www.debka.org  
5. Shop for Israeli products. They are everywhere if you just look for them.  Israel needs our economic and moral support.  A thumbnail sketch of the political and historical background of the current conflict can be found at org/resources.  A more detailed analysis of the historical and political background is provided by Mitchell Bard, author of the authoritative Myths and Facts; A guide to the Arab Israeli Conflict – the on-line date/resource website is www.us-israel.org/source/myths.  Shopping for  Blue & White Israeli products also negates the fraudulent claims of the BDS (Boycott/Divestment/Sanction Movement.)
6. Support Israeli emergency medical services. Magen David Adom fulfills the function of the Red Cross in Israel (magendavidadom.org).  Likewise, Hadassah Hospital and many other hospitals and emergency centers in Israel need our support. (hadassah.org)
7. Call & email friends in Israel just to talk to them. Promise you will visit.  Keep in touch with your Israel friends/business associates/family!
8. Make plans to go to Israel. Book a trip with your travel agent or online.    Send for the brochures.  Next year in Jerusalem – should be this year in Israel.
9. Talk to friends and neighbors, particularly those who are not Jewish. Email them articles that are short and to the point.  Engage them on the issue and about how important Israel is to you.  If they show sympathy for the anti-Israel causes, gently try to persuade them, but make it clear that there is no alternative for the Jews in Israel or in the world other than a secure Jewish nation in Israel, the only democracy in the middle east.
10. Show up at organizational events. DHJC members have gathered in Washington, marched in New York and been at rallies in years past!!  Our presence strengthens Israel.
11. Keep yourself informed from many perspectives. If you only read books and listen to analysis by the people with whom you already agree, you will remain a well-informed savant.  If for no other reason than you need to know your opponents, you must educate yourself with information and misinformation from the right and the left, from the Arabs and the Israelis, from the Muslims and the Jews, from fundamentalist Christians who love Israel but dismiss Judaism, and from liberal Christians who love Judaism but dismiss Israel. Go to their websites – it’s free and it’s an education.
12. Pray. Maybe a Rabbi has to say it, but it is as necessary as any of the other steps. Prayer in our tradition is not magic.  We have no contest with other religions as to who can flood God’s office with the most signatures on a petition.  Prayer serves to reinforce our values, our connection with God and the strength we need to do what is right, even when what is right isn’t always comfortable.    Without a grounding in religious life, we are nothing but another nation vying for a piece of the world’s power.  And likewise, if we rely only on our religion, we become nothing but narrow-minded partisans.  Prayer keeps us balanced and mindful of the need to honor our Creator in everything we do.  And our prayers daily include prayers for peace, harmony and well-being of Israel.