Today, while the world watches Israel under attack 24/7 by stabbings, car rammings, fire-bombs, stonings, drive-by shootings and more, it has somehow become “regular” and “accepted” to many. Sadly, it is barely newsworthy.
Recently, the community of West Orange got involved in a huge way to help protect our brethren on the frontlines. Bryan and Andrea Bier and Ethan and Mady Kra bought special bulletproof vests for the civilian security chiefs in Samaria this past summer. Then, in October, the Biers hosted over 60 people in their home for a security briefing by One Israel Fund Security Projects Director Marc Provisor, and Director of Community Projects Natalie Sopinsky, who both explained the importance of the vest project in Judea and Samaria. Provisor gave a talk on the facts regarding Operation Protective Edge and how One Israel Fund was instrumental in supplying the local civilian security personnel with equipment along the Gaza border. He discussed the current situation throughout Israel, and focused on security challenges in the 150 communities of Judea and Samaria. Incursions are being detected daily by the security teams using the equipment One Israel Fund supplies—surveillance cameras, tactical lighting, et al. Often, these are items NOT reported in the news headlines, for as Provisor remarked, “we are saving lives by thwarting terror attacks, but it’s terrible PR.”
An intense Question and Answer session followed the briefing and lots of concerns were voiced, as parents with children currently in Israel expressed their fear of the stabbings, car rammings and other forms of violence being thrust upon our people. The evening culminated with the participants donating $50,000 to One Israel Fund to provide bulletproof vests and additional emergency equipment for the communities of Judea and Samaria.
If you are interested in having a security briefing in your home or community, please contact One Israel Fund at 516.239.9202 or email [email protected]. There is still much work to do and we need your help.
One Israel Fund is a recognized 501(c)(3) not-for-profit charity organization and is the premier North American charity whose efforts are dedicated but not exclusive to the citizens and communities of Judea and Samaria as well as those communities impacted by the disengagement from Gaza. The fund provides all forms of humanitarian aid including medical, social, educational, recreational and preventive security services which are conspicuously lacking in this important part of Israel.
By Natalie Sopinsky, Sussya, One Israel Fund
