Attempting to annul the expulsion

On August 10 at approximately 9:15pm, Rabbi Y.Y. Jacobson took the stand on the podium in the synagogue at 770 eastern pkwy, to explain to those present, in practical terms and in many different perspectives, the insanity and dangers involved in disengaging from Gush-Katif.

After being given a clear and practical perspective on the situation, the volunteers were ready to meet up at a designated location as they began to dial the numbers of those actual soldiers assigned to the duty of expelling Jews from their homes, to convince them to do what it takes to serve justice by not wrongdoing the Jewish families of Gush-Katif.

At 1:00am – the time when in Israel most people are already awaken and before having left their homes to work – the first shift of volunteers began to scroll through an arranged list of 30,000 police-men, soldiers and army personnel. The goal was to reach every individual on this list, and to explain to them the severity and resulting consequences which will occur in the event of disengagement.

The list of 30,000 phone numbers alongside the names of police and army men was divided amongst the volunteers, every one of whom was given three stapled papers, listing some one hundred and fifty police and army men’s phone numbers, whom he were to contact.

There were numerous volunteers, each of whom approached the conversation in a differing manner from that of his fellow volunteer. The responses varied dramatically. Some conversations were quickly concluded, while others transpired into lengthy and philosophical discussions, at times lasting up to twenty-minutes. When there was no answer, a message was left with the answering-machine, making sure not to leave a single soldier or policeman untouched. There were many police and army men who were touched, learning that there exist Jews from over seas that spend their nights –not sleeping, but rather – making efforts to distract a planned expulsion of Jews, occurring literally thousands of miles away.

It has been a few months since the expulsion plan has initially been announced and it is truly frightening that the plan still exists. There are now, only a few days to the date slated for the expulsion. We’ve been taught that “even if the blade of a sword is placed against a person’s throat, one should not despair from G-d’s mercy”. And as we know, “There is not a thing which stands in the way of ones will”. Therefore, if every individual will produce from his will a practical action, then surely and undoubtedly – not withstanding the odds – the decree of expulsion will be annulled.

We are guaranteed that a campaign of effort does not return unproductive. What more can we ask for?