Operation Lifeshield Briefing

Song For Israel is working with Operation Lifeshield to build a bomb shelter in Israel.  Here is their "Operation Lifeshield Briefing:"

The real challenge with philanthropy is identifying the gaps in our communities, and recognizing where the "overlooked" and "missed" needs exist. Thus, I am in such deep appreciation and awe when donors step forward and help the most vulnerable - the forgotten in our midst. And so, this past week was a busy one, as it took me across the length and breadth of our Land. At Moshav Alma, 2 miles from the Lebanon border, in Israel's most northern region, I met with 120 teenagers from Canada Young Judaea's Biluim Program, where we visited one of the first Lifeshield shelters, deployed in 2007 following the Second Lebanon War, and offered moral support to the small community that now faces a new and very serious threat from Hezbollah.

To the south of Israel, Operation Lifeshield deployed a Bell shelter at the Center for Prevention and Treatment of Domestic Violence in Ashkelon. Edward & Lisa Houstoun and their son Alexander from Orlando, Florida represented the anonymous donor at the delivery & dedication. The Center is a safe space for women escaping abuse & seeking solutions for themselves and their children. The Center also counsels violent men, and teaches them new strategies for relating with their partners. Well, this critical place was without any form of protective shelter, and yet they are situated a few miles from Gaza.

Edward Houstoun & Shmuel

 And yesterday, two Lifeshield Bell Shelters brought to two kindergartens in Nitzan Bet - a "temporary" community of former residents of Gush Katif, located just north of Ashkelon, and in Grad rocket firing range of Gaza. The new Bell shelters were donated byUnited With Israel, and yesterday's event included mural painting of the shelters and refreshments. (See picture at top of Briefing.)

Blessings from Israel. I hope to see you at the CUFI Summit in DC!

Yours truly,

Shmuel Bowman, Executive Director

Operation Lifeshield