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Suicide bombers terrorize Israel Chabad House responds The recent bombing in Jerusalem has shaken Jews and non-Jews throughout the world. In the aftermath of such.destruction and sorrow, many seek an avenue of expression and response. Chabad House is determined to respond with actions of goodness and kindness. "A little light dispels much darkness,' said Rabbi Mendel Katzman of Chabad House. "We need to intensify our efforts to bring more good into the world. Thus evil will ultimately be wiped out." The Omaha Chabad House is working to bring the observances and celebrations for Purim to as many Jews as possible. Volunteers will literally "comb" the states of Nebraska, Iowa, and So. Dakota, to bring joy, hamantaahen and the traditional food gifts and Purim gear. They will visit the penitentiary in Yankton, S.D., the communities of Vermillion, S.D., Sioux City, Iowa, Lincoln and Beatrice and many other towns in between.
AJC "heartsick"
The American Jewish Congress is heartsick over the suffering during the outrageous wave of bombings. It is bitterly ironic that innocent Israelis are being slaughtered for the vcgy reason that their government is engaged in a peace process that holds out so much promise. The peace process clearly remains our best hope and must be preserved. But in the light of recent events, the parties that have a stake in the success of that process must take stock of the efiTectiveness of the course they have been pursuing thus far. It is inconceivable to continue business as usual following the shock of the repeated terrorist attacks during the past few days.
Orthodox urge revaluation "The Orthodox Union joins in President Ezer Weizman's call for a strategic reevaluation of the peace process.' said Mandell I. Ganchrow, MD, president of the OU. 'In view of the fact that the terrorist bombing of Tel Aviv is the fourth murderous attack in one week, causing such horrible loss of life, it is time for the Government of Israel to take a hard look at how to proceed. "It is impossible to put into words our sense of shock and horror and nothing can dampen our sorrow and sense of loes. The Union also has called upon its congregations to respond to the grief of Jews worldwide at the ongoing terrorist murders in Israel. In echoing the call of the Israeli Chief Rabbinate the OU encourages the community to fulfill all the mitzvoth (observances) of Purim day but with a diminished sense of celebration.
Cabinet adopts plan JERUSALEM (JTA) —At an emergency session Monday, the Israeli Cabinet decided to create a new anti-terror command to combat Islamic extremists. The command will be headed by Ami Ayalon, the newly appointed head of the Shin Bet, Israel's domestic security agency, and will include top army and intelligence officials. The dedsion to create the command was accompanied by a Mcond Cabinet resolution that claimed that Israel had the right to enter Polaitinian lelfrule arsM to round up militants. In addition, the Cabinet approved the creation of a special forte of 600 security guards to protect public buses. The guards will be drawn from former membert of Israel Defense Force combat uniti. The plan ii to deploy additional police and security rsinforoements in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.
Israeli official calms Jewish community
Editorial Erase fear Shimon Peres' "New Middle East,' a Middle East of open borders and the free flow of people and ideas now Ues buried in the rubble of bus #18 in Jerusalem, and in the shards of glass and debris of DizengoffSt. in Tel Aviv. It is a casualty along with the charred and dismembered bodies so heartlessly and evilly destroyed by the "martyrs' of Hamas. For now, the Peres vision has been replaced by the decision to absolutely separate Israel from the Palestinians—a policy favored by the late Yitzhak Rabin but not shared by the dreamy idealism of Peres. But politics and policy are not what one feels on these terrible days in the life of the Jewish people. The tragedies struck at more than Israel—they were aimed at the Jewish people—^those here and those in the diaspora. Rather what one feels is a deep sadness and a great anger. An anger that not a single Islamic religious leader has seen fit to condemn these outrages committed in the name of religion. An anger at the insensitive and mindless CNN anchor who spoke of the bombings as "tit for tat' as if this were some kind of child's play on the school yard. And yes, there is anger that a peace in which we had invested so much hope was blown apart by so much venality and barbarity. Israel will defeat terror in the end as we have defeated the Arabs in the past. But I fear that we have not yet paid the full price for the victory. That price will be paid by innocent IsraeUs no matter who is prime minister and no matter who controls the government. This past Shabbat was Shabbat Zachor, when we are told to remember Amalek. The need to remember is emphasized by adding the phrase "do not forget." Why remember Amalek above all other enemies of Israel, and why is.Shabbat Zachor read before Purim? According to Midrash, Amalek was the ancestor of Haman, but we remember him firstly because he attacked the weak, the tired, the stragglers in the Israeli columns marching toward the promised land. These attacks were after he had been defeated in battle—Amalek killed for the sheer sake of killing. So, too, is it with Hamas and the Islamic Jihad. Long after they are gone, they will, like Amalek, be remembered as the incarnation of evil. These are troubling days for Israel, for Jews the world over. They are days when despite our differences, we must stand together, be together and not let fear direct our hearts and our minds.
UAHC and ARZA "horrified"
The Reform Jewish Community is horrified to learn of yet another act of terror against the people of Unel, and offer our condolences to the families of those who were killed in the latest bombing in Tel Aviv. We call upon the Congress of the United States to take immediate action on the Omnibus Antiterrorism Bill. We urge the Palestinian Authority to lake immediate and decisive action to stop these terrorist outrages and to use all meant at iti ditpotal to bring to justice the perpetrator* of theie crimM and those groups and individuals who support them.
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Arthur Avnon (left) Consul General, Consulate General of Israel, Chicago, and Bob Wolfson, ADIVCRC executive director. By Morris Maline Israel's Consul General in Chicago calmed the fears of the Omaha Jewish community this week with the assertion that "This too shall pass." In an interview with the Jewish Press and in a talk to members of the community, Arthur Avnon presented a perspective on the current wave of terrorism. He said alarming television photos and accounts of the attacks understandably should bring about a reaction of outrage and concern for safety. However, he explained that Israel had faced the bombing of airplanes, embassies, and even kidnapping of school children - overcoming all of these terrorist actions. "Israel is still the safest place to visit and those who are planning trips should understand that security measures will be in place immediately.' Meanwhile, comment also was provided by Tom Fellman, president, Jewish Federation of Omaha, and Howard Bloom, executive director: Tom Fellman: "While we were celebrating Purim, the holiday which celebrates the overthrow of Haman, our people are going about the business of living, many of our brothers and sisters are being needlessly murdered in the streets of Israel. "So many times we have watched loved ones struck down in the prime of their life, but until it is one of our own, we will never really know the pain. Our hearts cry for those who have died and for their families who have lost their loved ones Our hearts are heavy with prayer for those suffering families. Still, our people continue to endure so much! 'One must only know that, as a people, we will stand together and be there for the familip° "f this tragedy. As time passes, we must contii'uo 'ir devotion to the people and Stat« of Israel b> unveling to Israel and remaining strong in our support of Israel and Jews throughout our troubled but wonderful world.' Howard Bloom: "We Jews must now set aside our political difference* and support the Israeli government in its efforts to eradicate terrorism by whatever means necesoary. "Israeli* have bom an enormous price for continuing the peace process begun on the White House lawn in 1993. 'It remains now for Yasser Arafat to take the ini tiative and totally suppress those fanatics who would undermine the progress that has been made.*