| Erev Shabbat - Parashat Noach 5784 | 5 Cheshvan 5784 - October 20, 2023 | | We at Mizrachi - Religious Zionists of Chicago
send our love, tefillot and gratitude to Chayalei Tzahal
as they defend our beautiful homeland.
We are so proud of the many of our own current and past
Chicago Chayalim Bodedim who have been called up,
or voluntarily returned to Eretz Yisrael,
to defend and protect our Medina.
|  | | Join World Mizrachi's "Tzevet Perez" Emergency Campaign
Help raise life-saving funds to protect and care for our soldiers, for the merit of the speedy return of Daniel Shimon ben Sharon and the members of his tank crew.
mizrachi.org/tzevetperez |  | | Sacrifice and Salvation Rabbi Stewart Weiss  Our Sedra of Noach is another one of those "cliff-hangers." At the end of Parshat Bereisheit, Hashem decided that the world was so evil - perhaps, even worse than the Nazis, ISIS and the Palestinians - such that G-d decided the world had to be destroyed and there would be a cosmic "re-boot." And so, the birth of Noach is announced. Then, in our Sedra, the Great Flood commences, as Noach leads his family into the Ark, along with the animal kingdom, and they will start life as we know it today.
But why is this story divided into two? Why not start with Noach's birth in our Sedra and just continue from there? And another question that must be addressed: In Bereisheit, Hashem declares that Humanity is evil and deserving of destruction. The Flood comes and a New World begins. But almost immediately, Hashem declares, "Yetzer lev ha-adam ra min'urav – Man's heart is evil from his youth." And so it appears that nothing has changed; Humanity is no less evil than before the Flood! So what was accomplished?!
True all this. But something has happened in between these "two evils." Noach has built a Mizbeyach and he has brought an offering, a sacrifice. And in response, says the pasuk, "Vayarech Hashem et rayach ha-nichoach, G-d smelled the pleasing aroma." Says the Medrash on this: "G-d smelled the fragrance of those who, in the future, would dedicate themselves to their Divine mission, even to the point of self-sacrifice. This would include Avraham, Chananya, Mishael and Azarya, who would choose a fiery furnace rather than accept idolatry (and who would miraculously survive); and it would also include the Jews of the pre-Messianic generation, who would remain committed to Judaism despite suffering terrible persecution and calamities.
This generation would live through such abominable horror and cruelty, and could understandably ask, "Where is G-d?! Why is Hashem concealed?! Do we not deserve Divine assistance?" Yet, despite our anguish, we would maintain our faith and not desert our path. Says the Midrash: When Moshe foresaw the stamina of this generation, he was humbled.
When G-d saw the Jewish People continuing to engage in spiritual life, and when G-d saw the self-sacrifice, the "Mesirat Nefesh" of this nation and the unabated enthusiasm we maintained even during times of Divine concealment, G-d was inspired to promise that, in their merit, life would continue. If OUR devotion was stable and unchanging, Hashem concludes, then nature would be equally unchanging and stable, and day and night would never cease from the Earth.
This is why our story is split into 2 distinctparts: one is pre-sacrifice and the other post-sacrifice. And yes, it is correct that evil was there before the Flood, and is still, tragically, rampant in our own times. But the trait of self-sacrifice that we see today is what allows life to go on, even when evil rears its ugly head.
Friends, we are all living through Biblically-dramatic times. We are facing abominable, almost unimaginable evil emanating from Gaza and the Palestinians. This evil is compounded by an evil world wherein millions of misguided people actually march IN FAVOR of the evil! We may be understandably filled with despair and hopelessness by all this. But then, we witness the unbelievable Mesirat Nefesh of our holy chayalim and the nation as a whole - millions of acts of heroism and courage that will be told to every generation to come - and we must be filled with admiration, pride, hope and love. We suffer, but we survive.
WE WILL OVERCOME THE ENEMIES AT OUR DOOR AND, WITH HASHEM'S MIGHT AT OUR SIDE, WE WILL PREVAIL AND GO ON FOREVER. | | 
Creating Unity
Rabbi Yosef Zvi Rimon  The two episodes in Parashat Noach – the annihilation of the world by the Flood and the destruction of the Tower of Babel – end on a similar theme. A theme that seems to be the reason for the two catastrophes.
In the Tower of Babel episode, at the end of the parasha (11:1–9), the key phrase is "vena'aseh lanu sheim – let us make a name for ourselves."
The first time this idea appears is actually at the end of Bereishit (6:1–5), in the prelude to the Flood. There, the phrase is anshei hasheim.
The phrase in the second story shines light on the meaning of the first.
These were people engaged in making a name for themselves – self-aggrandization and self-promotion. The expression vena'aseh lanu sheim captures the essence of the Babel generation's sin – humanity joining forces to 'create a name for itself,' for purely egotistical purposes.
In both cases, the Torah talks about giborim – "the mighty." In Bereishit, hagiborim asher me'olam anshei hasheim, while in Noach we're told first of Nimrod who was a gibor and then about the Tower of Babel. The simple meaning of the text, as supported by Chazal, is that Nimrod was the king in charge of the Babel project.
We can pinpoint three errors in humanity setting itself the goal of making a name for itself:
1. The aim was negative. Rather than increasing Hashem's Name in the world, they wanted to make a name for themselves, to extol human greatness and ignore Divinity.
2. Those involved in the Tower of Babel used the great gift G-d gave to humankind – the unity of humanity – and turned it into a tool to achieve an undesirable goal – making a name for themselves.
They thought anything was permitted to achieve their lofty aim. For the sake of their own personal honor, they were prepared to nullify the honor of other individuals. One must be very careful that the ends do not justify the means. Even if the aim is important, one cannot crush other important things – especially other people – on the way.
3. They focused only on this aim and rejected every other method, scared of spreading and losing their uniqueness. Even if we are passionately involved in a crucial mission, we should remember there are other aims and other people engaged in other worthy pursuits in the world.
Those involved in building the Tower of Babel forgot G-d's command of "be fruitful and multiply…" (Bereishit 1:28). A message that indicates there are many aims in the world, and the more people and the more diverse people there are, the more of G-d's aims they can achieve. Anyone who minimizes the multiplicity of humanity's goals in the world is rebelling against G-d's Will.
The Jewish people is comprised of different individuals and groups. Currently, this reality is creating separation. We don't need to think in the same way to be united, to be loved and loving. The Jewish people rises higher precisely because of its human mosaic.
We can compare it to an army. If all army units merge into one, that army will crumble. A strong, united army, needs different units, specialized separate forces, each one with its own role.
Am Yisrael is characterized by its unity particularly when there is diversity, when there are many different ways of thinking.
Let us make the effort to see the good in each other, to see the good in Am Yisrael, and to love those who are not like us as well as those who are.
Rabbi Yosef Zvi Rimon is Head of Mizrachi's Educational Advisory Board and Rabbinic Council. He serves as the Chief Rabbi of Gush Etzion, Rosh Yeshivah of the Jerusalem College of Technology and is the Founder and Chairman of Sulamot and La'Ofek. | |  Hope in the Face of Devastation | Noach 5784
Rav Doron Perez
Executive Chairman of Mizrachi World Movement After the Flood, Noach was in a world of decimation. But the first thing he did led to his downfall. He planted a vineyard, made wine, and debased himself. He profaned himself, and was somehow unable to rise to the occasion, to bring holiness to this decimated world when it was needed, and brought a sense of debasement instead.
The Perez family, along with thousands of other families in Israel, have been facing tremendously difficult situations. But to be part of the Jewish people is to be part of a nation which has endured such suffering, but has always brought themselves out of the darkness and into the light.
We pray to Hashem to look after all those families who need help at this time, and B'Ezrat Hashem from this worst day since the Shoah will emanate the greatest days of Jewish history, ushering in a new era of redemption.
Praying for the safe return of Daniel Shimon ben Sharon. | |
Noach 5784
Rabbi Binny Freedman,
Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivat Orayta | | |  | | We wish to thank our members, friends and supporters who have helped us to continue to rejuvenate the Religious Zionist movement in the Chicago area.
Click here to view the Mizrachi-RZC Sefer Berachot
Rosh HaShana Greeting Book 5784 (2023-2024)
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| |  | Rabbi Doron Peretz: This is how I married off my son, while his brother is missing Daniel Peretz has been unaccounted for since the Hamas attack on 10/7. His brother Yonatan decided to get married despite the pain. Rabbi Doron Peretz, the Chairman of the World Mizrachi Movement, married off his oldest son, Yonatan, while another son, Daniel, is still considered missing since the war against Hamas broke out on October 7th. Rabbi Peretz spoke with Arutz Sheva-Israel National News about the feelings that he and his family are feeling.
Rabbi Peretz explains that his son, a tank commander, was classified as missing in action after his name did not appear on the list of the fallen, was not among the wounded, nor was he seen in any footage being kidnapped. "Daniel and his team were positioned in Nachal Oz that Saturday. We know that his tank was involved; it was a base that was overrun by Hamas, and many infantry were killed. He and his crew managed to enter the tank, and a number of other tanks were involved in tank battles," he explained. Days later, Daniel's tank was found with one body in it, which did not belong to Daniel. The tank was hit by an RPG.
"We are hoping that he was only lightly wounded, and wherever he is, he's well and strong along with his crew", Rabbi Peretz says.
When the attack started, Rabbi Peretz's son, Yonatan, who is a company commander in the Paratroopers Brigade, was with his then-fiancee, Galia, and his family. When his battalion commander sent out a call for anyone who could come to Sderot, he left immediately. For the next six hours, Yonatan fought in gun battles against terrorists in various locations near the Gaza border. During the battle, he was shot in the leg, miraculously, the bullet did not leave significant damage. This Tuesday, Yonatan married Galia.
Rabbi Peretz explains what gave him the strength to go through with the planned wedding despite the circumstances. "If you would have told me that this is a scenario we, or any family, would have to deal with, and can deal with in a so to speak normal way, I wouldn't have believed it, but we were somehow able to do it. I think for me, the thing that gave me the strength to do it was the fact that Yonatan himself fought in the battles on the border and himself could have been killed, time and time again, and the fact that he was only wounded lightly, is an unbelievable miracle."
He added: "The fact that Yonatan could be hopping on one leg at his wedding, in that state, was an unbelievable miracle, so that's something we're incredibly grateful for."
Rabbi Peretz spoke about his personal feelings about the wedding: "When I reflect on it, I think we are an unbelievable people. The people who may have suffered more than anyone else. Perhaps, as a people who, even in the horrendous suffering in Egypt, the sages tell us how Yoheved and Amram brought children and Moses was born. We know that during the Holocaust, there were heroic stories of people who had children, and therefore, we come from a family of Jewish people who have faced much bigger things than our family is facing. We move on; we believe in life, I think our people believe in life more than anyone else on earth." israelnationalnews.com | | Rav Doron Perez Discusses the Wedding of One Son and Disappearance of Another
"When we are united, very little can stand in our way, and we hope and pray that's how it remains."
In his first radio interview in English since the beginning of the war, Rabbi Doron Perez spoke to Nachum Segal about his son's wedding last night and his other son's unknown whereabouts.
To listen to the interview: https://nachumsegal.com/nachum-and-rav-doron-perez-discuss-the-wedding-of-one-son-and-disappearance-of-another | | | A message from Rabbi Yogi and Shu Rimel
Dear friends and family,
 Hard and terrible days like we have never known until now are passing over the people of Israel. The immense pain, the terrible news that doesn't stop pouring in.
The IDF recruited many reserve soldiers: to the north, to the south, and to the whole country. Fathers, sons, and brothers - nearly everyone was called to serve and showed up quickly, with a fighting spirit and a desire to defend the homeland.
We, in Neve Tsuf, are taking care of our soldiers that are here to protect us. There are soldiers here from all over the country. They all left their jobs, their homes, their children and wives at a moment's notice. They came to protect all the residents and to ensure our safety.
The residents here in Neve Tsuf have stepped up to cook meals, bake cakes, and make sure our fighters have everything that they need while here. It is important to us that our soldiers receive all the best conditions.
Many people have been asking how can I help and contribute? We started this fundraising campaign. 100% of the donations here will go towards helping fund meals for the soldiers, buying them supplies that they might be missing, and ensuring that they get everything that they need while they are serving and protecting our country.
| | | 
Episode #1 of the Spirit of Our Nation
Featuring: Sivan Rahav Meir
The first episode of a series of true Zionists and motivational speakers to spread the hope and belief in the righteousness of the Am Yisrael in the Land of Israel under the State of Israel.
Click Here | | | Israel agrees food, water and medicine can enter Gaza via Egypt The PMO stressed that it could not provide assistance to the Palestinians as long as Hamas was holding over 200 people hostage. Tovah Lazaroff  Israel acquiesced on Wednesday to US demands that it won't stop basic humanitarian aid such as food, water and medicine can enter the Gaza Strip through Egypt's Rafah Crossing.
"In light of President Biden's demand, Israel will not thwart humanitarian supplies from Egypt as long as it is only food, water and medicine for the civilian population located in the southern Gaza Strip," the Prime Minister's Office said at the end of Biden's visit to Tel Aviv.
It warned, however, that it would only allow these supplies in, as long as it did not reach Hamas.
"Any supplies that reach Hamas – will be prevented," the PMO stated.
The war cabinet took this step, it explained, "In light of the sweeping and vital American support for the war effort, as well as US President Biden's request for basic humanitarian assistance."
Assistance in the interim
The PMO stressed, however, that it could not provide assistance to the Palestinians as long as Hamas was holding over 200 people hostage.
"Israel will not allow any humanitarian aid from its territory to the Gaza Strip as long as the hostages are not returned," the PMO said.
"Israel demands that the Red Cross visits to the captives and is working to mobilize extensive international support for this demand," the PMO said. Biden arrived in Israel on the 12th day of the Gaza war, which began when Hamas assaulted southern Israel on October 7th, killing over 1,400 civilians and soldiers and taking an additional 200 people captive. He spent the better part of the visit promoting his support for Israel, but he also underscored his commitment to the Palestinian people and announced a $100 million humanitarian aid package for Gaza and the West Bank." This money will support more than 1 million displaced and conflict-affected Palestinians, including emergency needs in Gaza," he said. Israeli aerial strikes as well as failed Palestinian rocket launches, however, have claimed some 3,500 Palestinian lives. Some one million Palestinians, out of the 2.3 million that live in the Strip, have fled their homes in northern Gaza to escape the bombings.
Israel's decision to stop the flow of food, fuel and electricity from Israel into Gaza, however, has created a humanitarian crisis.
During Biden's trip, Netanyahu assured the President that "During this war Israel will do everything it can to keep civilians out of harm's way. We have asked them and will continue to ask them to move to safer areas.
"We will continue to work with you to ensure that the minimal requirements are met," he said.
Biden said that it was important not to confuse Palestinians in Gaza with ISIS like Hamas terrorists who brutally killed Israelis, in some cases burning them alive.
"The vast majority of Palestinians are not Hamas. Hamas does not represent the Palestinian people," Biden said.
"Hamas uses innocents — innocent families in Gaza as human shields, putting their command centers, their weapons, their communications tunnels in residential areas," Biden explained.
He understood, Biden said, that for Israel this was reminiscent of the Holocaust and was larger in scope for Israel than the September 11th attack in 2001 against the Twin Towers.
"For a nation the size of Israel, it was like 15 9/11s. The scale may be different, but I'm sure those horrors have tapped into so- — some kind of primal feeling in Israel, just like it did and felt in the United States," Biden said.
"Shock, pain, rage — an all-consuming rage. I understand, and many Americans understand," he said.
But he cautioned, "While you feel that rage, don't be consumed by it."
Israel has an obligation as a Jewish state and a democracy to value human life, he said.
"You are a Jewish state, but you're also a democracy. And like the United States, you don't live by the rules of terrorists. You live by the rule of law. And when conflicts flare, you live by the ru- — law of wars.
"What sets us apart from the terrorists is we believe in the fundamental dignity of every human life — Israeli, Palestinian, Arab, Jew, Muslim, Christian — everyone."
The world is "looking to see what you are going to do," he said. jpost.com | | Hamas attempting to fan flames of conflict in Judea and Samaria Terror group at war with Israel in Gaza calla on PA residents to confront 'occupation,' Arab world and left to support them. Dalit Halevi  The Hamas terrorist movement published today (Wednesday) a statement calling on the Palestinian Arabs in Judea and Samaria to resist Israeli "aggression" and continue to clash with Jews and security forces as much as possible.
"We praise our people in the occupied West Bank who revolted in the face of the ongoing Zionist aggression against the Gaza Strip, and who confronted the occupation forces and its settlers at various points while rejecting all attempts at pacification," the Hamas statement said.
"In addition, we call on our people to be ready to support us in the town squares and to participate in all popular demonstrations after the evening prayers in the various regions and cities of the West Bank and in Jerusalem, out of support for Gaza and opposition to the criminal Zionist aggression, and to emphasize our unity of blood and destiny and the continuation of the struggle in all regions of our occupied land until the removal of the occupation and the liberation of Jerusalem and the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque.
In an earlier announcement today (Wednesday), the residents of the Palestinian Authority and all Arab and Muslim countries were called on to come out this Friday to demonstrate in support of "Palestine" and in opposition to the supposed "genocide" against the Palestinian Arabs.
In addition, Hamas asked the "free people" (a nickname for left-wing organizations) in the world to demonstrate on Sunday in support of the realization of their cause. israelnationalnews.com | | Protesters across Middle East blame Israel for Gaza hospital blast, despite evidence Rallies held in numerous locations amid calls for 'day of rage' over explosion that Israel insists was caused by Palestinian rocket; embassies in Egypt, Morocco evacuated  An explosion at a Gaza Strip hospital that allegedly killed at least 200 people has unleashed a torrent of protest across the Arab world, with even allies blaming Israel for the attack, despite Jerusalem presenting what it says is compelling evidence that the blast was caused by a failed rocket launch by Palestinian terrorists inside the enclave.
Denunciations were voiced and angry rallies took place in Lebanon, Jordan, Libya, Yemen, Tunisia, Turkey, Morocco, Iran, and the West Bank, with more planned following calls for a "day of rage" across the region.
The unrest has prompted Israel to evacuate its embassies in Morocco and Egypt. In addition, security readiness at Israel's embassies around the world has been raised to its highest level. Envoys have been told to stay at home as much as possible. In some sensitive locations, envoys have been moved to safer countries, the Ynet outlet reported, without specifying which envoys.
The Tuesday night incident at the Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital came amid a war that erupted on October 7 when the Hamas terror group abruptly attacked Israel with thousands of rockets while over 1,500 of its gunmen launched a ground incursion through the border, slaughtering 1,400 people, the vast majority of them civilians. Some 200 people were abducted and taken hostage in Gaza and Hamas has continued to rain rockets on southern and central Israel. Israel has responded with intensive strikes in the Gaza Strip and has announced its intention of toppling Hamas, which rules the Strip, and eradicating it.
Israel and Palestinian terror groups have been trading blame for the hospital blast. Hamas immediately claimed it was an Israeli strike while Israel in the ensuing hours began to provide mounting evidence showing that a rocket launched at Israel by another terror group, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, misfired and hit the hospital parking lot. Islamic Jihad denied it caused the explosion. Visiting Israel, US President Joe Biden endorsed the Israeli account, saying his conclusion was based on US Defense Department data.
The IDF has accused global media outlets of accepting Hamas's "lies" about the incident. Hamas swiftly claimed 500 people were killed in the blast and that a strike had directly hit the hospital, flattening the building. Israel has noted the group could not have tallied that number of deaths so quickly after the explosion. Video of the aftermath of the incident shows the explosion happened in the parking lot, scorching cars, but no large crater as would be expected from the kind of munitions Israel has been dropping on targets. Surrounding buildings also appeared to show no structural damage.
 Iraq, which blamed Israeli authorities, demanded an "immediate and urgent resolution" from the UN Security Council to stop Israel's attacks on Gaza, as hundreds protested in the capital Baghdad, brandishing Palestinian flags.
Libya's Tripoli-based internationally recognized government called the hospital explosion a "despicable crime" as several hundred people protested in the capital and other Libyan cities.
Lebanon's Iran-backed Hezbollah terror movement called for a "day of rage" against Israel, with hundreds rallying at the US and French embassies overnight, where they scuffled with security forces.
More protests were planned for Wednesday, with Lebanon joining other Arab states in declaring a day of national mourning.
In Tunisia, thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters rallied outside the French embassy, condemning Western support for Israel. Some protesters were waving Palestinian flags while others demanded the ambassador be expelled, accusing France of being among the Western "allies of the Zionists," AFP journalists reported.
A second protest was due to be held outside the US embassy in Tunis later in the day, with rallies also expected in provincial towns and cities, organizers said.
 Speaking at an overnight meeting of his National Security Council, Tunisian President Kais Saied condemned the "international silence" about the "genocide" he said was being perpetrated by Israel against the Palestinian people.
Around 5,000 Jordanians gathered outside the Israeli embassy in Amman on Wednesday to protest the hospital deaths. Security forces blocked off roads leading to the embassy but the size of the demonstration looked set to swell amid a wave of anger in Jordan, home to many Palestinian refugees.
Jordan, which has normalized ties with Israel, said the Jewish state "bears responsibility for this grave incident," while Qatar, which has close ties to Hamas, slammed the "brutal massacre."
The United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, which both established ties with Israel in the Abraham Accords of 2020, as well as Morocco, which recognized Israel in 2020, and Egypt, which became the first Arab country to normalize relations in 1979, all condemned the "Israeli" attack.
 Thousands of people demonstrated across Egypt in solidarity with Gaza, Egyptian media reported. Students rallied in Egyptian universities and a smaller protest was held near the US Embassy in Cairo on Tuesday. President Abdel Fattah al-Sissi had said that if he would call for protests in support of the Palestinian cause, "you would see millions" on the streets of Egypt — where protests are banned. Palestinian protesters took to the streets in the West Bank, also blaming Israel for the hospital explosion. Hundreds of protesters in Nablus, many draped in Palestinian flags and some holding Hamas banners, chanted slogans against Israel and its ally the United States. "Free, free Palestine," chanted the protesters.
Others derided Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, whose Fatah movement is Hamas's rival and has been criticized by Palestinians over its cooperation with Israel.
 "Down, down with Abbas," they chanted.
An AFP correspondent in Nablus said Palestinian security forces fired tear gas at protesters as they marched out of the city center.
A similar-sized protest took place in Ramallah, the seat of the Palestinian Authority, where the crowd chanted in support of Hamas and against "security coordination" with Israel.
A demonstration late Tuesday in Ramallah, a short while after the hospital blast, saw Palestinian security forces clash with protesters.
In Turkey on Tuesday, 63 people including 43 police officers were hurt during protests outside the Israeli consulate in Istanbul, the governor's office said.
Scuffles broke out between police and protesters when several demonstrators tried to overcome security barricades in order to enter the consulate building. Police detained five people.
The governor's office said a 65-year-old man had a heart attack during the protests and later died in the hospital.
Large crowds joined the demonstrations in Istanbul and the Turkish capital Ankara, shouting pro-Palestinian chants.
Israel has told its citizens to leave Turkey "as soon as possible" amid fears of reprisal attacks.
 After touching down in Tel Aviv Wednesday morning, US President Joe Biden threw his support behind Israel's account of the explosion, telling Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu "it appears as though it was done by the other team."
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said UK intelligence services were "rapidly analyzing the evidence to independently establish the facts" behind the devastating explosion at the Gaza hospital.
Sunak urged lawmakers in the House of Commons not to "rush to judgment" about the blast.
Calling it an "awful situation," Sunak said: "Every member will know that the words we say here have an impact beyond this House."
He added: "The Israeli president has made it very clear that their armed forces will operate in accordance with international law, and we will continue to urge the Israelis to take every precaution to avoid harming civilians."
Around 3,000 people have been killed in Gaza as a result of Israeli airstrikes, according to the Hamas-controlled health ministry. Israel says many of the Gaza dead were killed by terrorists' rockets falling short in the Strip. timesofisrael.com | | WATCH: Amidst war with Hamas: Dozens of new immigrants arrive in Israel Newcomers from the US touch down in Israel, undeterred by ongoing security situation.  Against the backdrop of war and increased tensions in the region, El Al flights from New York, Los Angeles, and Miami landed at Ben Gurion Airport Thursday morning, bringing 25 new olim (immigrants) to Israel.
The olim arrived through the assistance of Nefesh B'Nefesh, in partnership with Israel's Ministry of Aliyah and Integration, The Jewish Agency for Israel, Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael, and JNF-USA. Welcoming them were Co-Founder and Executive Director of Nefesh B'Nefesh, Rabbi Yehoshua Fass; Minister of Aliyah and Integration, Ofir Sofer and Director General of the Ministry, Avichai Kahana.
Ranging in age from 19 to 79, the olim hail from US states including: New York, New Jersey, Florida, California, Maryland, Michigan, and Ohio. They plan to establish their new homes across the State of Israel, from Jerusalem to Tel Aviv-Yafo, and in Haifa, Netanya, Beit Shemesh, Petah Tikva, Rosh Ha'ayin, Ma'ale Adumim, and beyond.
Minister of Aliyah and Integration Ofir Sofer (Religious Zionism) told the new immigrants: "We will never give up on the vision of the return of the nation of Israel to their land. The new immigrants from the USA, whom I welcomed today at the airport, prove and emphasize to our enemies that the belief in the righteousness of the path that has accompanied the Jewish people for the last two thousand years of exile burns even now. The same longing for the Land of Israel burns in the Jewish people, especially in the war for the existence of the Jewish people in the State of Israel."
 "It is incredibly moving to welcome this week's olim, who despite extremely tragic and unsecure circumstances, are continuing to fulfill their Zionist dreams of moving to Israel," said Co-Founder and Chairman of Nefesh B'Nefesh, Tony Gelbart. "As always, we remain steadfast in our mission to assist all future olim, as well as veteran olim, as they continue contributing to the growth and resilience of the State of Israel, each in their own dedicated ways. There is no doubt that today's olim send an unmistakable message that the Jewish nation is united, strong and resilient, and we welcome them to their new homes."
Joshua Rosenthal, 36, from Baltimore, shared, "My aunt immigrated to Israel nearly 45 years ago in 1979. She thought I was crazy when I told her I was still sticking with my plan to make aliyah now. But as far as I'm concerned, as long as I have a seat on the plane with my name on it – I'm there! It's very important that the people of Israel know that Jews all over the world still support Israel with everything we have and we're still coming. Hope is our secret weapon and it's what will get our people through this."
"Seeing olim arrive in Israel during the most challenging days we've ever known fills our hearts and gives us strength to carry on," said Chairman of the Jewish Agency, Maj. Gen. (res.) Doron Almog. "These olim boost our resilience and will be part of rebuilding our wonderful country. I embrace each one of them."
Chairwoman of Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael, Ifat Ovadia-Luski, said, "Making aliyah to Israel at a time of war is a true testament that the spirit of Zionism and the love of the land of Israel continue to pulsate. The Jews from around the world express their deep identification by immigrating to Israel. We at KKL congratulate the new olim on their arrival to Israel at this distinct time, and we will stand by to ensure their rapid absorption."
Assisting Thursday's new olim and the hundreds of olim who are currently planning their moves to Israel in the near future, Nefesh B'Nefesh is working around the clock to support its vast community of nearly 80,000 North American olim as well as the thousands of international lone soldiers (those without immediate family in Israel) in its dedicated FIDF – Nefesh B'Nefesh Lone Soldiers Program.
 The projects include offering free therapy and counseling services to families in the South, distributing much-needed supplies for olim in problematic areas, hosting weddings at cost for northern and southern olim as well as lone soldiers, assisting to fly physicians from abroad to lend immediate support to the Israeli healthcare system, expanding the reach of its 24/6 "Answers" hotline, and allocating financial grants for olim families impacted by the war.
Nefesh B'Nefesh is also assisting thousands of lone soldier olim currently drafted (both in active duty and reservists), by offering free mental health support services; manning a dedicated hotline and information center for parents of lone soldiers; and offering informational broadcasts in multiple languages for olim and families of lone soldiers, which has reached thousands of homes to date. israelnationalnews.com | |  | WATCH: Hundreds of new armored vehicles arrive in Israel The vehicles are being transferred to the IDF to replace those damaged during the war. The Israel Ministry of Defense has received a cargo plane from the United States, carrying the initial shipment of armored vehicles designated for use by the Israel Defense Forces. The vehicles are being transferred to the IDF to replace those damaged during the war.
This delivery is part of a large-scale procurement operation led by the Israel Ministry of Defense's Directorate of Production and Procurement (DOPP) and the US Procurement Mission, aimed at bolstering the IDF's fleet of vehicles to address a range of operational scenarios.
Director General of the Ministry of Defense, Maj. Gen. (res.) Eyal Zamir has authorized procurement orders both within Israel and internationally, amounting to over 400 million NIS.
This procurement effort aligns with the specific needs of the IDF and encompasses a diverse array of specialized vehicles, including armored ambulances, operational armored vehicles, tactical trucks, and mechanical engineering equipment.
Hundreds of vehicles have already been delivered to the IDF by the Israel Ministry of Defense, with several hundred more currently en route to Israel. israelnationalnews.com | | | | |
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