Prayers for Prime Minister Ariel Sharon
As this report is being prepared, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon remains in critical condition. We are filled with concern for his health and pray for his recovery. The Jewish Agency has created an email address, thoughtsandprayers@jewishagency.org.il, through which you can express your personal thoughts and wishes to the Prime Minister. Your message will be delivered to his office and family.
The United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism (USCJ) has posted the following prayer on their web site: http://www.uscj.org/We_pray_for_the_reco6918.html
We join with others all over the world as we pray for the recovery of Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, whose courage and determination in leading Israel in the direction he has felt it must go has brought us closer to peace. We pray that he recover from his illness, both in spirit and in body.
We pray as well for Acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, for the Israeli government, and for the people of Israel, whose sturdy democracy we are sure will weather this crisis. May they in wisdom seek the vision of peace and in our lifetime may we realize Isaiah’s hope of a world in which nation shall not lift up sword against nation.
May God who blessed our ancestors, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel, and Leah, bring blessing and healing to Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, Ariel ben Vera. May the Holy One mercifully restore him to health and vigor, granting him physical and spiritual well being, together with others who are ill.
Amen.
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World Zionist Congress Election News
W
e are getting closer to the critical election period. For information about registering to become a MERCAZ member and making your voice count, contact the MERCAZ office in your country. See the list of MERCAZ contacts at: http://www.masortiworld.org/about/contacts.htm
The following is an announcement from MERCAZ USA:
MERCAZ USA — Slate #9
VOTER REGISTRATION: Deadlines for voter registration are now approaching. Mail-in registration ends as of January 15th, while online registration continues to February 15th. If you have not yet registered to vote, go to www.mercazusa.org. Click "Register" to start online process. Click "Learn", scroll down to #8 to download and print out a mail-in form.
PAPER BALLOTS: A second mailing of paper ballots for those who registered after November 15th were mailed at the end of December while a third and final mailing will be going out in the third week of January. Those who register by January 15th and ask to receive a paper ballot (either initial ballot or duplicate/replacement ballot) will be included in this final mailing. Mail-in ballots must be returned to Election Services Corporation postmarked no later than February 28, 2006. Remember to place a stamp on the envelope and put only one ballot per envelope.
EMAIL BALLOTS: Voters who register online after January 15th or those who request a duplicate email ballot will be sent a ballot to the email address provided in their registration. The email ballot will arrive with the words "AMERICAN ZIONIST MOVEMENT" in the "FROM" line. The email address from which the ballot is sent is azmelections@electionservicescorp.com. Email ballots are sent out "bulk", so depending on how your email account is set up, you may find your ballot in your Spam or Junk Mail folder.
CASTING AN EMAIL BALLOT: For the internet ballot to be counted, you need two sets of numbers: a 10-digit Election Validation Number, which is supplied by the American Zionist Movement and is indicated in the message accompanying the ballot, and one's Personal ID Number (the last 6-digits of the registrant's SSN or your DATE OF BIRTH, whichever number was provided at the time of registration). The deadline for casting a ballot is 12:00 midnight, PST, February 28, 2006.
QUESTIONS: Registration problems should be addressed to the American Zionist Movement at (888) 657-8850. Voting issues, including requests for an email ballot or changes of email address should be addressed to the AZM Help Line at azmhelp@electionservicescorp.com or (866) 720-HELP (4357), 8:30 am - 5:30 pm, EST. Please allow up to 3 days for an answer.
VOTE MERCAZ USA — SLATE #9
Click here to read the MERCAZ Platform and Slate of Candidates.
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Register Now for the World Wide Wrap!
6th Annual World Wide Wrap
It’s almost that time of year again…the World Wide Wrap is just a few weeks away. Sponsored by the Federation of Jewish Men’s Clubs, the goal of the Wrap is to have all Jews everywhere put on tefillin on the same day. This year’s World Wide Wrap will take place on February 5, 2006.
For more information, click on: www.worldwidewrap.org
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UN Holocaust Day - January 27
UN ADOPTS HOLOCAUST DAY: Remember the Survivors
Herb Keinon
Originally published in Jerusalem Post
It took 56 years, but the UN General Assembly on November 1 finally passed an Israeli-initiated resolution.
After 10 months of preparatory work, two days of discussion and an impassioned speech by Ambassador to the UN Dan Gillerman, the General Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution declaring January 27 – the day in 1945 when Auschwitz-Birkenau was liberated – as a worldwide day to commemorate the Holocaust. "I feel moved and privileged to present this historic resolution today, as an Israeli, a Jew, a human being and a child of a family of Holocaust victims," Gillerman said.
"The United Nations was founded on the ashes of the Holocaust," he said. "The UN bears a special responsibility to ensure that the Holocaust and its lessons are never forgotten and that this tragedy will forever stand as a warning to all people of the dangers of hatred, bigotry, racism and prejudice."
The resolution urges individual countries to develop educational programs to try to prevent future acts of genocide. It also rejects any denial of the Holocaust, condemns discrimination and violence based on religion or ethnicity, and calls for the UN to establish an outreach program to encourage the public to engage in Holocaust remembrance activities.
Roni Leshno Ya'ar, the Foreign Ministry's deputy director-general for the UN and international organization, said the UN would budget some $350,000 for this purpose over the next two years.
This was the first time an Israeli-initiated resolution ever even made it to the floor of the General Assembly for a vote, let alone won resounding approval.
Announcements from our Representatives at the UN
By Gloria Landy and Judy Horowitz
Gloria Landy and co-chair Judy Horowitz provide outstanding leadership for the World Council of Conservative/Masorti Synagogues as our representatives of an NGO (non-governmental organization) in the United Nations.
Dear Friends,
On January 26, there will be a candlelight vigil and solemn ceremony from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in the United Nations Visitors Lobby. The program will include remarks by United Nations officials, recitation of the Kaddish by a Cantor, reading of names of Holocaust victims by members of the audience and participation of Holocaust survivors. Candles will be available for those who wish to hold them during the vigil. Because this is being held in the Visitors Lobby space is extremely limited. It is therefore requested that each NGO send only 1 - 2 representatives of their choice, and who must pre-register in advance with me if they do not have a valid United Nations Grounds Pass. To Register please submit name, affiliation and contact number to me as soon as possible: EWL33@aol.com
There will be a special event on Friday, January 27th from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon in the United Nations General Assembly Hall. This will be a memorial ceremony and the launching of the first lecture in a proposed annual theme "Remembrance and Beyond". This will include remarks from a Holocaust survivor, a screening of photos with commentary from Yad Vashem Holocaust History Museum and a choral performance. It is imperative that we help to fill the General Assembly Hall to capacity. Please inform your colleagues about this event and help us publicize it. Guests should arrive at 9:00 a.m. at the UN Visitors Entrance at 46th Street and First Avenue to pass through security. Those in possession of a valid United Nations grounds pass need not pre-register. Visitors not holding a valid UN grounds pass must pre-register through me. Please submit name, affiliation and contact number to me: EWL33@aol.com
L'shalom,
Gloria Landy
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AMS Spring Study Weekend
Friday, 5th May – Sunday, 7th May 2006
Get away from it all for a few days and join us in the beauty and peace of the Welsh countryside for a weekend of study, community and relaxation. The venue is Caer Llan, a country house study centre a few miles south of Monmouth with fine rambling grounds and stunning views. This year’s theme is ‘The Challenges of Love’ and the program of study reflecting on the many dimensions of love in Jewish tradition is created and led by Rabbi Jonathan Wittenberg.
Shabbat services and the program of study will be balanced with time to enjoy walks or rest. Full board is provided from Friday evening until Sunday lunch with Kashrut under Masorti supervision. This is a deliberately small-scale, friendly event so numbers are limited. To avoid disappointment make your reservation soon by contacting Tony Feldman at tony@tonyfeldman.com.
Fully inclusive prices -Adults: £155 Children 4 – 15: £60 Children 3 and under: free
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