Before anything else I wish to condemn any acts of terror no matter what the excuse is. We believe in the importance of protecting and saving lives and my symapthies to the families of the victims and prayers for a recovery of the injured.
I just returned from another mission of Public Relations for Israel. The conference was in Norway and it is run by two remarkable and exeptional people, Gro and Bruno Wenske, both of whom are following a long line of support and defense for the Jewish people and the Land of Israel.
Gros’ late father, Per Faye- Hansen (z”l) was a righteous Gentile who saved at great risk of himself and his wife and two small daughters many of our people by taking and hiding them and crossing them over to safety out of Norway.
Gro and Bruno continue to fulfill her late Fathers’ mission in protecting our Land and people and this annual conference in Norway is all about that .
Hundreds of Gentiles came from all over Norway and Europe to support Israel. The conference began with all standing attention and singing (me in Hebrew) the Israeli National Anthem, “Hatikva” in Norwegian. It was so moving and touching, as was the entire three day conference.
After “Hatikva- the hope” a heartbreaking film was shown portraying the expulsion of our families from Gush Katif, the removal of our loved ones graves z”l the destruction and heartbreak.
I was very grateful for a brief respite following our tears and pain when a lovely group of dancers, “Menorah Group” came to dance before I spoke.
I spoke about Jerusalem and the eternal bond for the Jewish people, and about this season of the year with the Ninth of Av and our historical mourning on this date. In one of the lectures I explained as a combat soldier the moving privilege that the Israeli Defense Forces have as we receive a Bible and our rifle in Jerusalem our eternal capital at the Kotel, the Western Wall. I also explained that the only army in the world that is known as Defense Forces is the IDF.
I told and sang the prayers “If I forget thee oh Jerusalem, Shema Yisrael (Hear Oh Israel) explained about the portion of the Torah that we study on Shabbat that week, and many personal and national experiences during this season.
Gro spoke about Israel and had invited speakers from the Office against anti-semitism in Norway, and an expert in the misinformation regarding Israel that is released.
In one of my lectures before I began to speak I asked the participants to stand and said the “prayer for the safety of the IDF soldiers”, the people were so moved and so thankful for the privilege to do so.
Many people came up to me each time and thanked me for allowing them to hear the truth about Israel because as they said, “we never hear anything positive about Israel. We are with you always and bless Israel.”
It is an enormous privilege to represent our Nation and Land and it is an integral part of protecting our heritage and relating the truth in the face of all the hatred aimed against us. All in all it is a time for love. amen