Wednesday, July 23, 2014 / 25th of Tamuz, 5774 / כ״דבְּתָּמוּזתשע״ד

To MEMBERS OF THE MACCABI MOVEMENT WORLDWIDE

Re 'PROTECTIVE EDGE' MACCABI WORLD UNION (MWU) AID CAMPAIGN

Dear Chaverim:

IDF operations against Hamas in Gaza and defense of the citizens of Israel within the borders of the State continue. The families, wives, children and parents of over 50,000 IDF soldiers and reservists engaged in the difficult ground battle now cope with the anxiety of their loved ones being in harm's way.

There is no doubt that this situation will take time, but even if it ends soon, most of the soldiers and reservists will remain along the Gaza frontier. In response to numerous calls and emails to MWU from our members in Diaspora, and from IDF commanders and support associations, we now ask you to help us provide $40 care packages for soldiers in the field, especially lone soldiers that are in Israel with no family, and also to assist the elderly in the South near the Gaza strip. Contents of the packages are being assembled according to IDF commanders' and welfare authorities requests.

We emphasize that our entire Nation is enduring this difficult period in unity and solidarity, and we appeal to you to mobilize and rally your leaders and members to help our Movement to ease the harsh burdens of our soldiers and reservists in the field.

Our Goal is to send 3,750 parcels ($150,000). Due to the immediate needs, MWU launched the campaign and has already contributed 700 parcels ($28,000). 

We share with you the astonishing and deeply moving story of a funeral in Haifa last night.  21-year old Sergeant Sean Carmeli, a lone soldier of the IDF Golani Brigade from the small town of South Padre Island in Texas, USA was killed in battle three days ago. He was an avid fan of Maccabi Haifa Football Club, attending every match.  Some friends posted the sad news and funeral details on the Club's website. Within minutes, this information reached a torrent of humanity: in the evening,over 20,000 people, Israelis of all ages and every walk of life, flooded the city's roads and streets out of deep respect for a young man that virtually none had ever heard of before.

Amidst all the anxiety, pain and anguish of this time, it was an intensely Jewish and Israeli moment of profound dignity and pride in our living heritage, tradition and values.

Should you wish to contribute, wire transfer details are: Maccabi World Union; Mizrahi Bank; 1 Arlozerov St, Ramat Gan Israel; acct. no : 122665; SWIFT - MIZBILIT; IBAN - IL28-0204-1300-0000-0122-665. If you wish to pay by credit card please either fax your information to: +972 3 677 2426 or email ilana@maccabi.org.

Thanking you in advance for your solidarity and generosity, AM YISRAEL CHAI!!!

Chazak ve'Amatz!

 Sincerely,

David Korenfeld                 Moshe Goldstein                              Eyal Tiberger      

Hon. Secretary                    Hon. Treasurer                         Executive Director