Moving to Israel

As the Jewish new year approaches and we prepare for it by doing teshuvah/repenting with prayers, charity, etc. we should be extra careful this year to do all of these activities with Gilad Shalit, the captured soldier, in mind.

As many of you are aware, Gilad Shalit was kidnapped more than three years ago by Gaza terrorists affiliated with Hamas as he served in the army protecting the land of Israel. Aviva Shalit, the mother of the kidnapped soldier, made an emotional speech Thursday in honor of her son’s 23rd birthday. It is truly heart wrenching words she delivers and should remind us to keep him in mind and do whatever necessary to secure his release as soon as possible.

Gilad is one of many who have made the ultimate sacrifice for us to be able to miraculously live and pray in the land of Israel. Not too long ago the very idea of such a possiblility seemed absurd. Let’s ask Hashem this Rosh Hashanah to provide us with yet another miracle and have Gilad return home for the coming year.

Ari

As the Jewish new year is upon us over here in Israel and throughout the world, we would like to wish all our readers and their families a happy and healthy new year. May the coming year bring only joy and bring more of us back to our homeland in Israel.

To sign off on the year, here is a cute video that was sent to me by Michal Moreno that I thought you might like. It’s a new video by the Israeli Ministry of Tourism and the Municipality of Jerusalem aiming to introduce Jerusalem to new crowds and to keep the city fresh in the minds of people who have already visited and might plan another trip in the future. Please pass it around to whomever you think might enjoy and let’s try to keep the visitors and Olim coming all year long and making the move to Israel.

Have the most wonderful year.

Ari