Shemittah Rediscovered: Fwd: G-d is Back in the Conversation AFSI newsletter Feb 22, 2018

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--------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "AFSI Americans for A Safe Israel/AFSI" <info@afsi.org>
Date: Feb 22, 2018 10:12 PM
Subject: G-d is Back in the Conversation
To: <faigerayzel@gmail.com>
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Thursday - February 22, 2018

AFSI Looks Forward to Celebrating Israel's 70th Birthday in Israel with the AFSI Chizuk Mission from April 17-25, 2018.

CLICK HERE FOR THE ITINERARY AND TO REGISTER

G-d is Back in the Conversation

The confluence of events, the horrible massacre in Parkland, Florida, followed by the death at age 99 of Reverend Billy Graham, brings many issues to mind. Yes, there should be no sales of automatic weapons to anyone whose specific job or responsibility doesn't require it. Yes, there should be background checks and ID requirements for gun purchases. Yes, the FBI cannot continue dropping the ball and allowing horrific events to occur in the U.S., from the 9/11 horror to the too many school killings - all of innocents. Yes, people who are clearly suffering from mental illnesses must be identified and treated. But the question was asked by many of the victims of the Parkland massacre, "Why would G-d allow such a thing to happen in our school?" The answer came back from G-d, "I'm not allowed in your school."

Reverend Billy Graham's death, at this particular time, reminds us that prayer has been banished from the schools. The pledge of allegiance, in many instances, leaves out the phrase, "under G-d". President Trump called together parents and survivors of the school killings on Wednesday to hear their cries. They prayed together.

The time has come to put G-d back into our value system. Morals, ethics, decency, respect for peoples' lives, and for oneself, are all life sustaining. Graham's message that "G-d loves you," is one that is nourishing to each and every one of us. If G-d loves us, we must have some value. That value does not prove itself in the murder of others who are also loved.

With Iran beating the drums, Rev Graham's passing and the universal reaction to it is a timely reminder about very important Evangelical Christian support for Israel in the US. It's strong and it's growing.

Helen Freedman

Nikki Haley at the UN: "I will not shut up"

United States Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley had strong words for top Palestinian Negotiator Saeb Erekat on Monday: "I will not shut up."

Her remarks, made at a meeting of the UN Security Council in New York, were a firm response to comments made by Erekat earlier this month, in which he called her "impudent" and told her to "shut up" regarding her criticisms of Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.

More HERE from the Jerusalem Post.

Rank Fools! It's 2018, Not 1967

AFSI Chairman Mark Langfan writes in today's Arutz Sheva OpEd that while leftist Israeli generals still tout the Two-State Solution, and despite all evidence to the contrary, they think that they have the silver bullet. In reality, the Two-State Solution "bullet" is aimed at the State of Israel and its 6 million Jewish inhabitants.

Mark further points out that Israeli security clearance is not needed to monitor what Palestinian leaders are saying about their sincere desire to murder every Israeli in Tel Aviv. "They don't want Judea, Samaria and Gaza, they want Tel Aviv and Netanya and they want to murder every last Jew who dares to remain when, as they hope, they begin their Jihad murder spree."

Are these leftists Israeli generals facing reality in 2018? Or are they living in the past as if it were 1967 thinking that if their "solution" does not work they can just invade Judea and Samaria?

Mark thinks they look like "rank fools" and that no leftist Israeli general would ever debate him. We agree.

Danny Ayalon - The Truth About Apartheid

Danny Ayalon, Founder of "The Truth About Israel", former Deputy Foreign Minister of Israel, and former Ambassador of Israel to the United States explains why the comparison of Israel to an apartheid state is not only false, but also insulting to real victims of apartheid in South Africa, and why apartheid is actually more similar to the discriminatory policies of the Palestinian Authority.

Focus on Holocaust Denial

MK Eytan Broshi (Zionist Union) on Monday sent a letter to Education Minister Naftali Bennett (Jewish Home), asking that this year's Holocaust Remembrance Day studies focus on the issue of Holocaust denial and how to deal with it.

In light of the recent law Poland passed making it a crime to mention Poland's part in the Holocaust, we think the study of Holocaust denial and how to deal with it is a very good move and an idea whose time has come.

Arutz Sheva story HERE.

Trump's Focus: Fixing the Iran Nuclear "Deal" and Downgrading the Palestinians

The United States has sketched out a path under which "three key European allies would simply commit to try to improve the 2015 Iran nuclear deal over time." In return, U.S. President Donald Trump would keep the pact alive by renewing U.S. sanctions relief in May, Reuters reported Sunday, citing a State Department cable it obtained. One wonders whether such a feeble effort as the Europeans promise can really result in anything positive.

Trump's deeds prove his intention to punish those entities which take America's money and then show hostile intent towards the USA - like Abbas. A recently announced funding increase for Jordan seems certain that it's coming from the UNRWA decrease. David Singer's Arutz Sheva OpEd explains.

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AFSI CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Find More Events at Israel Advocacy Calendar

Thursday - February 15 to Monday - February 26, 2018

Ateret Cohanim Executive Director, Daniel Luria, will be in the US to raise funds and awareness for Jerusalem and Ateret Cohanim

For a Jerusalem evening or meeting. Contact Daniel Luria direct.

Sunday - February 25, 2018 @ 5 PM - MIAMI, FLORIDA

AFSI IS PROUD TO SPONSOR Time for the Heart - An Evening of Spirituality to Benefit Makor Chaim

Experience the next stage of Geulah with Rav Dov Singer, Rosh Yeshiva; Yossi Baumol, Director of Development and Makor Chaim Exchange Students. Learn more about Makor Chaim. At the home of Laurie Moskowitz Hirsch 2440 NE 202nd Street, Miami, FL

Monday - February 26, 2018 - 6:45 PM - 9:30 PM

The KJ/Ramaz Community invites you to a panel discussion responding to rising levels of anti-Israel activity on our US campuses.

Opening Remarks by Ambassador Dani Dayan, Consul General of Israel in New York

Israeli Wine and sushi will be served. Doors open 6:45 pm. Panel discussion 7:30 pm. Admission free. RSVP HERE.

Ramaz Middle School 114 East 85th Street, NYC

Saturday - March 3, 2018 - 8 PM

KJ Conversations: Winning the Jewish Future Means Engaging Millenials with Rabbi Daniel Kaus and Aliza Kline

Aliza Kline is founding executive director of OneTable, an online and in-person community that helps people in their 20's and 30's create a weekly, intentional Shabbat ritual. Rabbi Daniel Kraus is Director of Community Education at KJ. Admission free.

Congregation Kehilath Jeshurun 125 East 85th Street, NYC (between Lexington and Park Avenues)

Wednesday - March 7, 2018 @ 7:30 PM

UNRWA: Breeding Ground for Terror

UNRWA stands for the United Nations Relief and Work Agency. It operates in Gaza, the

West Bank, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon. Its official mission is to deliver primary and vocational education. The reality is quite different. Arabic speaking experts, who work for The Center for the Near East Policy and Research, will discuss the Hamas infiltration of UNRWA refugee facilities and how it has affected the books and films shown to children attending UNRWA schools. Free but requires registration. Register HERE

Lincoln Square Synagogue 180 Amsterdam Avenue @ 68^th Street, NYC

Thursday - March 8, 2018 @ 8 PM

Ambassador Ron Dermer in Conversation with Thane Rosenbaum

Ron Dermer, the Israeli Ambassador to the United States, has risen to the challenge as an articulate and passionate defender of the Jewish state. Join FOLCS director Thane Rosenbaum for a wide-ranging and timely conversation with Ambassador Dermer. At the 92^nd Street Y, 1395 Lexington Avenue, NYC. Tickets from $35. Purchase tickets here.

Tuesday - March 13, 2018 @ 7:30 PM - PHILADELPHIA, PA

AFSI Is Proud to Sponsor Marc Prowisor "Beyond the Headlines...Behind the Scenes: An Insider View on the Security Situation on the ground in Israel. Mark is a security expert from Israel's Shilo Region and speaks throughout the US. His primary focus is on the strategic and biblicaly significant Judea and Samaria regions that have been a hotbed of terrorist acts of violence against Jews. Free admission. Contact phillyafsi@gmail.com for more info. Held at Kehillas B'nai Shalom / Bensalem Jewish Outreach Center 2446 Bristol Road | Bensalem, PA 19020

Wednesday - March 14, 2018 @ 7 PM

Ben Gurion's Epilogue: The Lost Interview

See the critically acclaimed film Ben Gurion, Epilogue and hear its improbable backstory. With Dr. Clinton Bailey, prominent anthropologist and interviewer of David Ben Gurion; Alon Ben Gurion, grandson of David Ben Gurion; Yariv Mozer and Yael Perlov, filmmakers Moderated by Ambassador Ido Aharoni. Admission Free. Register Here. For more information contact info@emanuelstreickernyc.org

The Temple Emanu-El Streicker Center - 1 East 65^th Street, NYC

** Thursday - March 15, 2018 @ 6 PM **

Helen Freedman Receives Aishes Chayil Award at National Council of Young Israel Dinner - Celebrating Israel's 70th Year

Guest of Honor Anthony Scaramucci

6 PM - Elegant Buffet Dinner. 7:30 PM Program. Lavish Viennese Dessert.

Very Special Rates for AFSI members. AFSI tables are being arranged. Let us know you plan to be with us.

Call AFSI 212-828-2424 or email judy@afsi.org

Terrace on the Park, Flushing Meadows Park, NY

Tuesday - March 20, 2018 @ 6:30 PM

The Unlikely Nazi Hunters: A Rare Conversation with Serge and Beate Klarsfeld

Together, they tracked down Klaus Barbie—the "Butcher of Lyon"—and orchestrated his extradition to France, helped clinch the convictions of former Nazis and their collaborators and documented all 76,000 Jews deported from France. $36 General Admission; $18 Temple Members. Register Here.

The Temple Emanu-El Streicker Center - 1 East 65^th Street, NYC

Wednesday - March 21, 2018 @ 7:30 PM

AFSI Sponsors Israel at 70 Lecture Series. Speaker and location to be announced.

Sunday - April 15, 2018 from 10:30 PM - 8:00 PM

Upper West Side Celebrates Israel. Congregation Shearith Israel invites you to celebrate Israel's 70th Yom Ha'Atzmaut with a festival featuring indoor and outdoor activities. For more info contact Hai Piasezky haip@jafi.org

Symphony Space 2537 Broadway, 95th Street, NYC