What if the Diaspora demanded something in return for the financial aid they deliver each and every year to Israeli society? The worst fire in the history of the State of Israel is behind us and the process of assessing needs and rebuilding has begun. Residents have returned to their homes, the emergency command headquarters at the University of Haifa has been dismantled and the immediate crisis has passed. In between the recriminations, the government has begun a needs assessment. And so have most players in the global Jewish world. As of today, 44 have lost their lives in the fire - 36 Israel Prison Service members, police officers and fire service members and one teen-age fire volunteer. According to the Jewish National Fund (JNF), 25,000 were evacuated, homes were lost and more than … [Read more...]
