IDF Returns From the Philippines for Chanukah

The IDF Operation “Islands of Hope” delegation left Israel with approximately 100 tons of supplies and medical aid along with 150 trained staff to supply aid to the people of the Philippines after the horrors of Typhoon Haiyan. 

They remained for twelve days. During that time they saw 2,686 patients, performed 60 surgeries, treated 848 children and helped with 36 births. They did much more as the clip below shows. The IDF aid delegation to the Philippines returned to Israel on 27 November 2013, the first night of Chanukah.

These professionals do their best and give their all to help anyone in need. At home, in Israel, we take in all who are in need of help, like the tiny granddaughter of  Hamas Leader Ismail Haniyeh (whose agenda is to destroy us), and increasing numbers Syrian citizens who approach our borders looking for medical treatment. We also treat citizens of the PA on a daily basis, just walk through our hospitals and look around. For those with inquiring minds~in almost all cases Israel foots the bill for Palestinians seeking treatment.

Yet, anytime Israel is mentioned it is to criticize, claiming that we are "exploiting" a disaster, trying to "whitewash" ourselves, or even the old blood-libel of "organ theft". Why is it that every other country is praised for sending aid and we are condemned?

I always have been proud of the IDF! Although Israel is a tiny country, reviled around the word, whenever disaster strikes IDF Without Borders is ready to lend a hand. To get an idea of where they have deployed to help over the years, follow this LINK to a scrolling world map showing all the places the IDF has visited. On the side you can read descriptions of each mission. It is interesting, inspiring and educational. 

It is my prayer that people will try to view Israel and our citizens with the same "eye" that they see other countries. There are certainly a lot of scoundrels (like in every country), but the heart of the Jewish people is full of giving and the desire to care for our fellow man.

For More Information on the Delegation to the Philippines Go To the IDF Blog

Chanukah Songs for All...

Happy Chanukah~I Must Start off With Matisyahu~Enjoy

Eight Nights by Stand Four (Former Maccabeats) I Like This One!

Burn~New Song by the Maccabeats

Maoz Tzur~Something Different from Israel Technion Faculty of Chemistry!

Maoz Tzur~Morrocan Version (How Many of You Are Familiar With This Version?)

8 Nights of Chanukah by Pella Productions

An Oldie But Goodie from Matisyahu...Miracle

Candlelight~One of My Favorite Chanukah Songs by the Maccabeats...

Chanukah: The Hasmonean Revolt Againts the Greeks

Jewish History from From the Time of the Second Temple

Chanukah Will Fall Out on Thanksgiving This Year...

For the First Time Ever Chanukah will be on Thanksgiving this year~and it will Never happen again!

Of  the many emails that are making the rounds, I decided this was interesting enough to share it via a post.

This year, we will be celebrating the first night of Chanukah on Thanksgiving, so you can expect to see turkey and latkes on the table.

This is the only time it will ever happen. Unbelievable? Read on to see the explanation!! Mathoholics will love this one...

I can now share the answer for which you have seen searching for all these years (to a problem for which no one gave one second of brain energy before now). Thanksgiving is set as the fourth Thursday in November, meaning the latest it can be is 28 November. As it happens, 28 November is also the earliest Chanukah can be. The Jewish calendar repeats on a nineteen year cycle, and Thanksgiving repeats on a seven year cycle. You would therefore expect them to coincide roughly every 19 x 7 = 133 years.

Looking back, this is approximately correct~the last time it would have happened is 1861.

However, Thanksgiving was only formally established by President Lincoln in 1863. So, in reality, it has never happened before. 

Why won't it ever happen again? The reason is because the Jewish calendar is very slowly getting out of sync with the solar calendar, at a rate of four days per one thousand years. This means that while presently Chanukah can be as early as 28 November, over the years the calendar will drift forward, such that the earliest Chanukah can be is 29 November. The next time Chanukah falls on 28 November is 2146, which is a Monday. Therefore, 2013 is the only time Chanukah will ever overlap with Thanksgiving.

Of course, if the Jewish calendar is never modified in any way, then it will slowly move forward through the Gregorian calendar, until it loops all the way back to where it is now.

This would mean that Chanukah would again fall on Thursday, 28 November...in the year 79,811.

Given all the odds for global disaster, including comets, meteors, nuclear wars and the sun just burning out there is a pretty good chance there will be no humans left on earth. And if there are no humans~the holidays will be cancelled!

So on 28 November 2013, 
Enjoy your Turkey and your Latkes.

It has Never happened before, 
...and it will Never happen again!

Facts Always Anger the Pro-Palestine Crowd...

I have to admire anyone who goes up against the "BDS~All Israelis are Evil" crowd. I say this because these people do not listen to argument, rather, they will shout you down, push you away and generally use the same type of "intimidation" to shut you up as terrorists do~they only difference is they don't use physical bombs. They spout the lies from organizations funded by the terror-groups and, yes, anti-semites. Lies, that, having been told over and over again for years are now accepted as "facts"...

One of their key arguments is "have you been to Israel", or "have you been to the West Bank". As if taking a tour sponsored by the PA to demonize Israel is any example! These "tourists" are only shown the facade, in a well-planned tour to empty pockets, garner sympathy for the PA and hatred for Jews. Well, to those with small minds and large PA flags, I can answer~Yes, I have been to Israel, and Yes, I have been to Judea and Samaria (there is no "West Bank"). I live here, and you are totally misguided!

It is a fact that in Judea and Samaria, the companies that these people want to Boycott, such as SodaStream, provide well paid jobs with great benefits for the Arabs as well as the Jews! If the company is boycotted, it will be the Arabs who will lose all! The Arabs under Israeli rule live better lives, have more freedom, higher paid jobs and standard of living than in any Arab country in the world.

This despite the constant attacks and instigation. A few years back when a bus in Jerusalem was bombed, I was in Malcha Mall, and noted that Israelis, (Jews, Arabs, etc.) were shopping, eating, and most importantly, enjoying the evening. Nobody cared if the women were in hijabs or the men wore kippot. We were all Israelis.

Arabs walk freely all over Israel, work, shop, and socialize in all areas. The truth is, it is only Jews who face danger if they mistakenly enter a majority Arab area.

Israel is far from perfect. We have problems and then some, however, we are not trying to establish a world caliphate, we do not force anyone "convert" to our religion (in fact, the opposite is true), and we sure don't go into other countries, commandeer the streets and demand that those countries throw out their own rule of law in favour of ours. I could go on, but speaking to the choir is a bit redundant, and trying to get the BDS'rs to listen to truth and reason is like pissing on a forest fire. If you take the D out of BDS you know what these people are full of!

That being said, when I see someone who does make an effort to bring out the truth, they deserve support. I don't have this young man's name, but he describes himself as an Arab-Zionist, and you can find his videos on YouTube under the name Oranjee1089. It is worthwhile to click over and have a look at his efforts~he is really fearless! I also found a LINK to a page where this young man tells a bit about himself. Hashem should watch over him and keep him strong!

This Young Man is Truly Fearless! The Audience Has Already Taken the Kool-Aide

Iraqi~Iranian And He Supports Israel With FACTS~Heads Exploding in 3-2-1...

Here He Is At A Lecture~This Guy is Good!

* I first read the Story at Daphne Anson Blog

Dr. Mordechai Kedar Presents: THE Obstacle to Peace...

Here Is Israel~A Collection of Facts from Dr. Kedar~Great Stuff!

Canada! Better Wake Up~These People Play For Keeps...

Jamal Badawi~One of the Most Influential Muslims in the West~Be Warned!

Pat Condell Asks~How Gay Is Islam?

Please Listen Carefully~This Is Truth That Few Are Bold Enough to Speak!

Leftist Protesters Need to Speak to this Negev Bedouin

Kamel Jum'a Abu Nadi is a 45-year-old Bedouin from the Negev, in southern Israel. He has a family and a means to support them by raising camels and selling their high-quality milk to distributors all over Israel. 

In this interview he states that there are many who do not have the best interests of the Bedouin in mind~for sixty years nobody bothered with the Bedouin, so why now?

 

Abu Nadi has called for change in the Bedouin society of the Negev and he is hoping for progress. He is one who believes that the Israeli government's new plan of community and economic development in the Bedouin community~if implemented correctly~could bring about a dramatic change in the quality of life of the Negev's Bedouin population. He sees that this will lay the foundation for a better future for all of their children.

There is no mention of "stealing" land. In fact he points out that he was compensated and helped to re-settle. I think it is time that we listened to the people who are actually on the ground and affected by policy. This is one man who is thinking of the future for himself, and his children. 

The Bedouin in the Negev: Hoping for Change

Silent Conquest Wins An Award in London...

Much of What This Film Reveals is Now Considered Illegal...Watch and Learn!!

* Thanks to  Vlad Tepes  for posting this