Around the dinner table....

From Minneapolis, Boston, Las Vegas, Washington DC, Maine, Detroit, Philadelphia, Miami and even Birmingham Alabama. From across the sea we all came, tonight we became a family, together for 48 hours to make as much of a difference in the world as we can. We are here because we care, because we feel drawn, because we know we had to come. Amongst the group a doctor, a stock broker, a couple computer geeks, and so much else. We come from different lives, backgrounds, careers, but for this 48 hours we are humans first and Jews second, here to help in any way we can.

Are we brave? Are we crazy? Are we doing something unwise? If you ask many in our lives we probably are, but we all know that we have made the right choice to be here. We have come home when our family needs us the most. Are we taking a chance, yes, we know that too. Today more rockets fell during the supposed cease fire. But that just reminds us again why we are here. It is not about risk, we know we have the best security available, it is about helping those who live at risk.

One of the things that always strikes me on these trips, is how many times people thank us for coming. As if we are the heroes, as if we are doing something extraordinary. How can those that live here not know they are the heroes? They are the brave ones. They choose not to run, even when given the chance. They choose to stand their ground even when that ground shakes around them. In the US we revere our soldiers, who go off to war to protect our country, they are brave volunteers and due our thanks. Here you don't get to volunteer, you are born into the war, just the mere fact of living. To choose that life for you and your family merely to protect and sustain the country you love is braver than I will probably ever be. What I am doing for 3 days is nothing, please stop thanking me, you are the ones who deserve thanks.