For every American who cares about a safe and secure Israel... 

Americans for a Safe Israel

Americans for a Safe Israel (AFSI) supports a policy of "peace for peace" between the Arab states and Israel, and rejects "peace for territory."  We believe the Arabs when they call for the destruction of Israel.  Therefore, the giveaway of any areas would simply mean that Israel would be feeding into the enemy's plan.  AFSI opposes spending US tax dollars, estimated to be in the billions, to fund a phantom "peace" plan.
 
 
 
Photo Gallery
from recent trips to Israel: 

 
Kotel
Chapter presidents

 
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Helen and Karen experiencing the shooting range
 
AFSI women travelers with Anita Tucker
AFSI women Travelers
 
 
US taxpayer money funding terrorist projects
US money funding terrorists
 

AFSI planting trees in the Shomron.
Planting in Shomron

 

 

Americans for a Safe Israel
May 2010 Newsletter
Americans For a Safe Israel
1751 Second Avenue (91st Street)
New York, NY 10128
Tel: 212-828-2424; 800-235-3658; Fax: 212-828-1717
 
 
 
A Message from the Director :
Helen Freedman
We're on the road again. The AFSI semi-annual Chizuk Mission to Israel, May 9 to May 16, celebrates Yom Yerushalayim. In addition to ascending the Temple Mount, walking through the Old City, touring through all of Jerusalem, and participating in the Beit Orot celebration, as well as the Moskowitz Awards ceremony in Ir David, the itinerary includes much more. 
Ami: AFSI's friendly and fearless bus driver
Chapter presidents
We'll be driving through the Shomron communities, visiting the threatened homes of IDF heroes Majors Ro'i Klein and Elizar Peretz, visiting ancient Shilo, Beth-El, Hebron, Netzer, Lachish, the Shai Dromi farm, Sderot, Nitzan, and Ashkelon. In addition, we'll be paying home visits to friends and former Chizuk participants who have made aliyah, and participating in a shower for a new bride from the Gush Katif expellees.
 

I'm pleased to say that among our 23 participants, at least 3/4 are members of AFSI who are regulars on these trips. Many of them travel with us each time, and others join on and off as time permits. The result is a tightly knit group of good friends who look forward to being together and also to the strengthening of already strong ties with our beloved Israel. Watch for a full report and fabulous photos, once we return.

 

Helen Freedman, speaking at rally
Helen at Rally
AFSI was a strong supporter of the SOLIDARITY WITH ISRAEL demonstration outside the Israeli Consulate on Sunday, April 25. Over 2000 people stood for three hours in the rain listening to an array of speakers who were all grass roots people. We had no celebrities with us, but the representatives from the small activist organizations, along with bloggers, web-site editors, rabbis, and radio talk show hosts. Curtis Sliwa, who wowed the crowd with his straight from the heart talk, was probably the most well known figure there, but everyone received enthusiastic applause and full attention. I had the honor of being one of the speakers, and drove home the message that AFSI stands for a whole Israel. Our 'Shalom' is a version of 'Shalaym' (whole). - Therefore, there can be no expulsions, no destruction of Jewish homes, no construction freezes of Jewish homes, no off-limits to Jews of Jewish holy places and NO PA State slicing Israel into pieces.

 

Curtis Sliwa speaking at rally.
Curtis Sliwa at Rally
I was so pleased to see so many AFSI members in the crowd, and was touched that Jack Ross was there, all the way from Rochester. Igor Chernin and twenty Bostonians chartered a bus to bring them to the rally.  I thought that was terrific. Also, in the crowd, standing in the rain with her walker, was our own Charlotte, who had recovered from her injuries and was back on the job. The following Monday morning, she actually appeared at the AFSI office, ready to resume her volunteer efforts on behalf of AFSI and Israel. We're so pleased that she has had a refuah shlayma.

 

Herbert Zweibon, AFSI Chairman
Chapter presidents
Other good news is that AFSI's Chairman, Herbert Zweibon, who has been in Israel this past month, was interviewed by Mark Rebacz of the Jerusalem Post on April 22, 2010. The interview focused on the cash award that AFSI is offering students for winning essays on Ze'ev Jabotinsky. All our members have received complimentary copies of the wonderful pamphlet written by Bill Mehlman, AFSI's Jerusalem Chairman, entitled, JABOTINSKY...THE MAN AND THE VISION. This publication is only part of the AFSI program to make this 70th anniversary year of Jabotinsky's death, the year of Jabotinsky.
Jabotinsky, WWI
Chapter presidents
In addition to the essay contest in Israel, we are offering copies of the pamphlet to libraries, schools, organizations, and community centers throughout the U.S. So far the response has been remarkable. People remember Jabotinsky as a true hero of the Jewish people. And those who don't know about him, are enjoying learning the amazing facts of his too short life. We have other plans in the works, and will announce them as they develop. The annual memorial service for Jabotinsky will be held on August 1, 2010. Mark your calendars. Details will follow.

 
From l to r, Israel Danziger, Gary and Sharon Goldner, and Henry Jentes.
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Israel Danziger Shakes Up Central NJ Community
On Sunday, April 18, Israel Danziger, Director of Operations for Mishmeret YESHA, addressed an audience of over 40 people at the Union County Torah Center (a Chabad house) in Westfield, NJ.  It was a diverse crowd of AFSI members from New Jersey, as well as members of several congregations in the area. Gary and Sharon Goldner, participants on the November, 2009 AFSI Chizuk Mission, hosted the event.  Israel reviewed the history of the first and second intifadas, as well as his personal experiences during these periods.  It was sobering and shocking information to most of the audience.  However, everyone was grateful for Israel's commitment and heroism in working to help protect the citizens of YESHA.
 
 
 
Chapter Report: Albany 
Chairman: Jack Lauber, jlpe@nyccap.rr.com

On Chapter presidentsWednesday, May 12, 2010, Albany AFSI will be participating in THE FIRST CAPITAL DISTRICT COMMUNITY COMMEMORATION OF YOM YERUSHALAYIM - JERUSALEM DAY. It will be held at Temple Israel in Albany. An Israel Heroes dinner will take place in the late afternoon, followed by a Rally for the Peace of Jerusalem and a Unity Celebration. This special day, sponsored by the Jewish Educational Resources of New York (www.JERNY.org), is in partnership with more than 25 organizations. The Mayor of Jerusalem will deliver special video greetings. In order for AFSI to have a strong presence at this special day, AFSI NY shipped a giant carton of books, banners, T-shirts, DVD's, and assorted Israeli items to be displayed and sold at the event.

 
  
 
Chapter Report:   Orange County, CA
Chairman: Dr. Howard Garber, dhgarber1@aol.com 
 

On May 2 the Orange County chapter of Americans For a Safe Israel stressed the need for Judeo-Christian solidarity at our AFSI information booth at the 2010 ISRAEL EXPO, in celebration of Israel's 62nd Birthday.

 

AFSI Information Booth at Orange County 2010 Israel Expo; Dr. Howard Garber at left.
Booth in Orange County
Our message:  Judeo-Christian unity & solidarity is essential in this extremely critical year in Israel's history, considering past futile US, EU and UN sanctions against "soon-to-be Nuclear Iran" and its threatened "second Holocaust."

  AFSI has openly condemned anti-West Iran, and fanatical, suicidal, tyrannical Islam and its terrorist factions dedicated to sharia Muslim law & the extinction of Judeo-Christian morality.  AFSI has been critical of President Obama's anti-Israel policies and his failure to deal with the existential menace to the West by Iran and Islamic terrorism in this atomic age.  We distributed copies of Outpost article, "Obama's Anti-Israel Strategy", and my media commentary, "Democracy vs Islamic Tyranny". 
 
  
 
Chapter Report:  Portland, OR 
Chairwoman:  Inez Weissman
Protland, ORIn preparation for the AFSI Oregon May 13 meeting, the following message was sent out to the members: Israel is indeed having difficult times. The rockets shot from Gaza now,  and the nuclear bomb from Iran, threaten our days to come. We stand with Israel, sharing her fears. She must do what she must to protect herself, and we must do all we can in her defense. At our meeting May 13, at 7 PM, at Congregation Shaarie Torah, we will develop necessary action. We will turn to Congress asking that it do what is needed since our President has made clear his lack of support for the Jewish state. We will develop our efforts to have the U.S. Embassy moved to Jerusalem, along with other actions. Please be with us.
 
   
 
Chapter Report: Philadelphia
Executive Committe member: Moshe Phillips, phillyafsi@gmail.com
 

Chapter presidentsOn April 30 Israel National News / Arutz Sheva published an op-ed titled "Are There Terrorists out There?" by Philadelphia AFSI executive committee member Moshe Phillips. Here is the link to the article: http://www.israelnationalnews.com/Articles/Article.aspx/9470. The article also appeared on www.familysecuritymatters.org and many other websites.

The AFSI Group on linkedin.com sponsored by the Philadelphia Chapters now has over 70 members.

 
Chapter Report:  Chicago
Chapter Chairpeople:  Cheryl Jacobs Lewin cjlpr@yahoo.com and Blanche Keno blanchekeno@sbcglobal.net
Cheryl Lewin and Rachel Saperstein in Nitzan 11/09.
Cheryl and Rachel
Cheryl is traveling to Israel again this week on AFSI's Chizuk Mission. Stay tuned for photos and stories from Cheryl and all the other devoted travelers in the next newsletter.
 
On Sunday, June 13, Cheryl and Blanche will be working the AFSI table at the Greater Chicago Jewish Festival
www.jewishfestival.org. The table will be overflowing with educational materials, books, and t-shirts. The goal for the festival event is to increase awareness of AFSI and build a new email/support list. Over the summer Cheryl and Blanche will be reaching out to Jewish High School principals and synagogues with the materials created by AFSI on Jabotinsky.
  
 
Chapter Report:  Seattle
Chapter presidentsJack Greenberg

Jack has made it his special mission to order 100 extra copies of OUTPOST each month and distribute them to the schools in his community. He believes the publication is outstanding and has the power to win over those who are uninformed about the truths in the Israeli/Arab conflict.

 
 

 The best way to send a message to the detractors of Israel in the media, the Administration, and the public is by joining AFSI and becoming active with AFSI's work.  As a member, you will also receive our renowned monthly publication, The Outpost.  See past editions.  

 
 
  
 
Americans for a Safe IsraelA special thanks...
 
to Sharon Goldner, a particpant on the November 2009 mission, who has volunteered to create this newsletter each month.  "I am passionate about supporting AFSI's mission to educate and empower Americans about what is really going on in Israel, and to spotlight the many citizen heroes in Israel who are working to keep our Jewish state strong and vibrant."
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