Shalom ZOA Members, Friends and Supporters of Israel,

Next Thursday is Greater Philadelphia ZOA’s special event with Sgt. Benjamin Anthony of Our Soldiers Speak.

Sgt. Anthony is not only a gifted speaker, but his solid pro-Israel message is one that everybody who cares about Israel can benefit from. He pulls no punches when he speaks, and he offers the perspective of a battle-hardened soldier who truly loves his country.

Sgt. Anthony’s topic is particularly timely: “The Two-State Solution As Is: A Concession of Land, Hope and the Israeli Future.”

It is particularly important for students in high school and college to hear Sgt. Anthony. His are viewpoints that are rare today. To that end — thanks to several sponsors – we have a limited number of free tickets for students, but they must pre-register by calling the ZOA Office at 610-660-9466.

Please let your friends, contacts, fellow congregants and social media know about this event, and encourage them to attend.

We are grateful that the Israel Advocacy Committee of Temple Beth Hillel-Beth El is joining with us to present this opportunity to hear and learn from a top-flight speaker.

General admission is $10. Sponsorships are $200 and include four tickets.

We look forward to seeing you on Dec. 8 at 7 p.m. at the synagogue.

Tickets are available online at:  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/an-evening-with-sgt-benjamin-anthony-tickets-29117370840

You can also register by phone at 610-660-9466.

Please see and share the flyer below.

We are still looking for volunteers to help at this event, and we have someone in Center City who is in need of a ride. To volunteer or offer a ride, please call the number above.

Thank you.

Check out this video with Sgt. Anthony:

 

The Zionist Organization of America is having a special 120^th Anniversary Mission to Israel this coming Purim, and it promises to be an exceptional trip.

While many of you have been to israel many times, you likely have not experienced Israel like this. In addition to visiting towns and areas most missions to Israel omit, and in addition to special briefings that ZOA has arranged, ZOA Purim Mission participants will spend two days visiting IDF installations and personally thanking the men and women of the IDF by hand-delivering Mishloach Manot bags and hand-written letters and cards to thousands of soldiers.

The Mission takes place March 5-14 2017.

During the mission, the Israeli government will issue a new postage stamp commemorating ZOA’s 120^th anniversary. Mission participants will have an opportunity to attend the ceremony.

See full details including itinerary, pricing, registration and other information at: http://zoa.org/zoa-israel-mission-2017/

You can also call the Greater Philadelphia ZOA Office at 610-660-9466.

Be sure to register right away!

One of the highlights of the Purim Israel Mission noted above is hand-delivering to Israeli soldiers thousands of “thank you” letters and cards from students throughout the country – including right here in the Greater Philadelphia area. We have contacted a number of schools to seek their participation, but it can also be an activity for the family. The cards and letters can be as fancy or as simple as your kids or grandkids care to make them, as it is the message that counts. We are told by past Purim Mission participants how much the Israeli soldiers love and appreciate these personally-crafted notes and cards.

Letters are due by January 15 so that we can get them to Israel in advance of the ZOA Purim Mission. Letters can be sent to ZOA, PO Box 56, Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004. If you have any questions, please call our Office at 610-660-9466.

See a couple examples below:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Greater Philadelphia ZOA needs volunteers for two upcoming events:

We are looking for people to help out at our special program on December 8: “An Evening With Sgt. Benjamin Anthony” at Temple Beth Hillel-Beth El in Wynnewood. We are looking for people to arrive early to help us set up, and also to staff the registration desk.

We also have a Center City resident who is looking for a ride to this presentation.

We are also looking for volunteers for a special phone-athon we are having on December 14. For that event, we are looking for people to make calls for a national ZOA fundraising drive. We will provide you with information you will need to make the calls. Calls can be made from your home or office.

It is our volunteers who make all of our activities successful.

If you are able to help out at one or both of these events, please call the Greater Philadelphia ZOA Office at 610-660-9466.

Thank you in advance for your help.

“Buy Israel” Festival Postponed

Greater Philadelphia ZOA’s “Buy Israel” Israel Food, Crafts and Judaica Festival has been postponed from its original date of Dec. 4 so that we can have an even bigger and better event to support our brothers and sisters in Israel, and counter the “B” portion of the BDS movement. We will soon announce the new date. Meanwhile, if you would like to be involved in the planning and execution of this event to help make it a great success, please contact our Office at 610-660-9466.

Your Input Requested

The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia will be holding a series of “Town Hall” meetings seeking input for events celebrating upcoming Israeli milestones. It is important that pro-Israel advocacy be a part of these events, and that they be staunchly pro-Israel. Therefore, it is important for ZOA members and friends to attend these planning meetings and to respectfully provide your input.

From the Federation: “The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia wants to hear from you! We are beginning a planning process around our community’s observance and celebration of Israel’s upcoming 70th “birthday” (2018) as well as Israel’s 75th (2023). We want to ensure that as many voices as possible are heard regarding the goals the Philadelphia community should aim for, as well as programming ideas to make those goals come alive. This is the time to brainstorm!”

See the meeting schedule below, and register for and attend at least one meeting:

December 5 (Mon)	Reform Congregation Keneseth Israel, 8339 Old York Road, Elkins Park 19027	7 pm
December 12 (Mon)	Kohelet Yeshiva High School, 223 North Highland Avenue, Merion Station 19066	7 pm
December 18 (Sun)	Temple Brith Achim, 481 South Gulph Road, King of Prussia 19406	5 pm
December 19 (Mon)	Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia, Jewish Community Services Building, 2100 Arch St, Philadelphia 19103	7 pm

“Those interested in attending one of the town halls can register HERE. All town halls are open to all community members regardless of place of residence. The only thing we request is creative ideas and a strong measure of civility to allow all ideas to be entertained and discussed.”

https://www.jewishphilly.org/brainstorm-7075

Out & About

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Please also let us know if you have changed your email address or your phone number!

It’s Your Greater Philadelphia ZOA – Let’s Grow Together

Invite Your Friends to Join

You can also invite your friends or relatives to join Philadelphia ZOA, and additionally, you can purchase a gift membership for a loved one.
You can join or renew online by clicking the donate/join tab above. Or you can call us at: 610-660-9466.
We value each and every member!

Help Your Fellow Congregants and Community Be Informed:

Prefer a More Informal Gathering to Discuss Israel and the Middle East?