Letter to the Editor by Helen Freedman on Stephen Flatow's description of Shiva Call to Shevach Family in Havat Gilad. Yael Shevach asks money for Mikvah and Sefer Torah following her husband's massacre.

Letter to the Editor - The Jewish Press

From Helen Freedman

Stephen Flatow's description of his shiva call to the Shevach family in Havat Gilad accurately describes a community, built on private Jewish land, which has experienced discrimination from the Israeli government since its creation about 15 years ago. Struggling with the label, "illegal settlement", the residents have experienced sporadic electricity and water, which they must purchase themselves. These are basic necessities, which, if denied by Israel to the Gazans, would have the world screaming about inhumanity. If it's done to Jews it seems to pass unnoticed. 

It took the murder of Rabbi Raziel Shevach, a beloved resident of Havat Gilad, for attention to be paid. My organization, Americans for a Safe Israel, as well as the Israel Independence Fund, led by Aharon Pulver, have been the few, perhaps only, organizations that have tried to help the community.

I recently paid a late condolence call to Rabbi Shevach's widow, Yael. I was introduced to her by Ilana Shimoni, an ardent spokeswoman for the community whom we have befriended over the years. I marveled at Yael's strength of character and beauty during our meeting. The one thing the women asked for was help with building their mikveh. The women of Havat Gilad, who struggle with all the hardships the community presents, are entitled to have the comfort of a mikveh. They have already raised some funds for the project and are hoping to raise more. 

Another wish expressed by Yael Shevach was for the donation of a Torah scroll in time for the shloshim for her husband. He was killed on Jan. 9 so the time is growing short. 

For information about donating to the mikveh or the Torah scroll, please contact AFSI at212-828-2424, judy@afsi.org, or the AFSI website. If using the website to make a donation, just hit the DONATE button, use your credit card, and earmark the amount for Havat Gilad. 

My Comments:

In this week's Yated Parshat Beshalach Shira. Volume 30 No. 4 Page 34 there was an article entitled "The President and  the Rebbe"  on the encounter of the Klausenberger Rebbe in Germany and General Eisenhower, the Commander of the American armed forces in Germany.  

On Yom Kippur or the year 5706, 72 years ago, the general arrived at the shul in the refugee camp of Fedafing to meet the "holy man" and the leader of the Jews, whom he had heard much about.  

The Rebbe was a survivor of the horrors and a man who had lost his entire family, became known for his superhuman strength..  The Rebbe had lost his wife and eleven children during the war, and he himself barely survived the death march. 

...The refugee population gathered at the gates of the camp to greet him (Eisenhower), and the rebbe zt"l came out as well.  He carried a braided challah and salt, which were served to the general, and he held a Sefer Torah in  his arms....The  People demanded that the Klasenberger Rebbe serve as the main speaker for the occasion...the Rebbe began speaking in an impassioned voice about the destruction and calamities aht had befallen the Jewish people, about the destiny of the Jews and our  mission in this world as Hashem's chosen people.  He gave his blessing to the visiting general, who had been granted the tremendous merit in taking part of the liberation of masses of innocent people who had been condemned to death.  However, his words were directed mainly at his Jewish brethren.

"The Rebbe adjured all the Jews who were present for the occasion not to forget what our enemies had done to us.  ...His speech made a tremendous  impact.  His listeners dissolved into tears...Adults wept like small children.. ..

"At the end of  the ceremony the general asked the Rebbe, 'How can I be of assistance now?'

"The Rebbe replied through an interpreter that his only request was for Arba Minim for Yom Tov of Sukkos, which was only a  few days away, for himself and for the other survivors.  When General Eisenhower heard that  response, he was overcome with awe, and he understood that the man standing before him was a truly holy man.  There was no other way to explain the fact that a Jew in the DP camps could hear the  commander of the American army saying that he was willing to fulfill any request, and yet could ask for nothing other than a lulav and esrog. 

This kind of greatness is found in Havat Gilad. These settlers are the salt of the earth.  May Hashem ease the sorrow and may Yael Shevach and the children know no more pain or suffering.  

תנצב״ה

-- 

Sincerely,

Robin Ticker

Activist emails sent to my list  are L'Ilui Nishmat Yisrael ben David Aryeh ob"m (Izzy - Kaplan) and Howard Chaim Grief great activists and lovers of Eretz Yisroel, Am Yisroel and the Torah. Yehi Zichronum Baruch.  May their memories serve as a blessing. 

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