The Australasian Union of Jewish Students (AUJS) has launched an online campaign to support the one million residents of southern Israel currently living under rocket fire. The campaign asks people around the world to send in photographs wearing red clothing to match the Tzeva Adom (‘Code Red’) warnings that citizens receive when a rocket is about to fall in their area. The Campaign was the joint initiative of AUJS students and Leora Golomb, The Jewish Agency for Israel National Shaliach to AUJS.
The campaign, which was launched on Tuesday, November 13, has already received strong support – with photos coming in from Australia and around the world including the US, Canada and Israel, along with thank you messages from Israelis. Jewish organizations such as the Zionist Federation of Australia have also replaced their logos on Facebookwith a red version in support.
The Jewish Agency sends young shlichim (Israel Fellows to Hillel) to work with university students on over 70 campuses across the United States. In addition, shlichim in Uruguay and Australia work with university students.
Leora Golomb, The Jewish Agency for Israel National Shaliach to AUJS said: “As a formerstudent at Ben Gurion University, who lived for three years in Beer Sheva, I explained to the students how difficult it was for the residents of the South. I felt that we needed to do something, no matter how small to show our support and solidarity The students agreed and immediately began working on the campaign.”
AUJS Campaign coordinator Dean Sherr said the sudden escalation in attacks on Israel had motivated supporters around the world to action: “AUJS’s intention for this campaign was to send a strong, unified message of support to the one million southern Israelis currently living under a barrage of rocket attacks. That message has been overwhelmingly taken up, with photos coming in from around the world – showing that people truly do care.”