7 Ways to
Help Israel Today
By
Haskell Nussbaum
For those of us who live outside the
battle zone but want to contribute to Israel’s survival and success, there
have long been obvious ways of helping the Jewish State: sending funds,
writing letters to the editor and to politicians, praying – to name but a
few. I’ve collected hundreds more in my book 101+ Ways to Help Israel, A
Guide to Doing Small Things that Can Make Big Differences; here
are a few ideas you might want to consider:
- Decide
to become a spokesperson for Israel’s rights within your circle of
influence.
Okay, so you’re not a Cabinet
member. Or even a special envoy to the Middle East. But you have more power than you think.
Make sure you have the latest news and tell people around you. Be vocal at
work (in a non-irritating way, of course). Provide context. Once you make
the active decision to put yourself on the line for your beliefs, every
person you interact with is a person you can influence and the message can
then spread exponentially. You never know who your friend’s friend knows.
- Loan
out books and movies.
Good books and movies about Israel are
probably sitting on your shelves at home right now being forlornly ignored.
Liberate them from their dusty prisons and loan them to colleagues and
acquaintances, bosses and employees, students and teachers – anyone you
think might conceivably give them back to you when they’re done.
- Give
your doctor an article about the latest medical breakthrough in Israel
(Or: Distribute articles that highlight Israel as an innovative
democracy).
Never mind the political articles that we
all read to spike our blood pressure. Send your friends and colleagues
positive articles that highlight the real differences between Israel and her
enemies: the ones showcasing technological achievements, freedom of the
press, a working legal system and multi-racial and ethnic Israelis living in
the same area code. It’s all about who you identify with more.
- Draft
travelling Israelis to the cause.
Call the nearest Israeli consulate or
Israeli Chamber of Commerce today and ask to meet with visiting Israelis who
are in your industry. Invite them to speak to your boss or to your employees
(appeal to their self-interest, such as nurturing potential business
opportunities). Bring them to your office parties and events. Let all the
people who have never spoken to a real Israeli learn firsthand what it’s
really like to live, work and serve in the army of the Jewish State.
- Listen
at least as much as you talk.
This is a hard one. If you’re the pro-active
type who wants to help you’re probably an extrovert who wants to share. But
rein it in! Ironically, the more you listen to your audience the more highly
he or she will value your opinion when you do speak up. If someone wants to
be sympathetic to the pain of Palestinian civilian casualties, for instance,
it’s far more effective – and humane – to listen first and bring context
later.
- Create
an Israel Day at your local schools, synagogues or churches.
Get the kids involved! Hold a contest for
the best essay, photo, website or painting relating to Israel. Send blue and
white cookies as snacks in their lunch boxes. Put Israeli flags on the
walls. Discuss and debate the news as it happens. This can be as organized
as a dress parade or as impromptu as a pick-up game of hockey. As long as
it’s both educational and fun.
- Send a
letter or package to an Israeli soldier. Or even a pizza.
This one is so good you might want to do it
twice, since a little love (and a little pizza) can go a long way. Two
websites worth checking out are
www.apackagefromhome.org, and
www.pizzaidf.org.
