A Day in Infamy Watch the Obama Administrations Refusal to Condemn the Palestinians

Yesterday, Tuesday October 13th, 2015 – a date which will live in infamy – the United States of America achieved one of its greatest moral failings ever in a press release or interview.

There is nothing that can be said after seeing this video.

There is no greater moral failure on the part of the United States.There are no words that can justify the words not said.

Mark Toner, spokesman for the Obama administration, was interviewed by AP reporter, Matt Lee on Tuesday.

Watch how the dozens of Israelis that are dead and wounded in the past two weeks means nothing.

Watch how this is not terrorism.

Watch how the President looks upon both sides.

Watch how the administration delivers the same message to both sides.

Watch how President Obama’s administration will refuse to identify Palestinians as the perpetrators of a wave of horrific violence.

Watch our country’s moral failure. “Does the United States believe–does the administration believe–that Israel is inciting or not condemning violence?” Lee asks.

Mark Toner’s amoral and immoral response? “I think what we’ve been very clear about saying is that we want to see both sides take affirmative steps.”

The Ap Reporter, in disbelief, presses further, “So the U.S. – the administration sees both sides at fault here, is that correct?” Lee asked.

“Both sides need to, as their leaders need to express the fact that both sides need to decrease the tensions that are leading to ongoing incidence of violence. But you know, you’re asking me to assign blame and I don’t think that’s the case,” Toner responds.

“I’m just trying to figure out what is it you would want the Israelis to do more in condemning the violence,” Lee questions.

“For one thing, upholding–for one thing, as I said upholding the status quo in Haram al-Sharif and Temple Mount,” Toner said.

“But has there been suggestion that the status quo is going to be changed?” Lee asks in disbelief.

In further disbelief, Lee asks, he begs, “Do you think the Palestinian Authority, President Abbas, needs to do more to combat incitement and condemn violence?”

Toner replies, “I think that both leaders need to – need to convey that message.”

This is “We’ve got your back?”

This day shall go down in infamy.

Has the Biblical city of Sodom been found? 'Monstrous' site in Jordan matches the descriptions of the area destroyed by G-d

After decades of excavations, researchers believe they have finally found the ruins of the Biblical city of Sodom.

Experts investigating the region of Tall el-Hammam in Jordan believe the remains of a 'monstrous' Bronze Age city match the Biblical description of the city destroyed by G-d.

Not only would the site have been the largest city in the region, as described in the Bible, it is situated to the east of the River Jordan, dates back to between 3500 and 1540 BC and is thought to have been suddenly abandoned

The majority of references made about Sodom and Gomorah appear in the Book of Genesis. 

The two locations were kingdoms situated on the Jordan River plain, just north of where the Dead Sea is now located, and are described in the bible as being plush, green and well-watered. 

In particular, Sodom is one of the largest cities east of the Jordan referred to throughout the Book of Genesis.

It is described as being situated on a common trade route, and due to its size, it was said to have been heavily fortified with towers and tall, thick walls.

In the Bible, Sodom was said to have been destroyed by G-d after his angels failed to find righteous men within its walls.

By comparison, the site, at Tall el-Hamaam, dates back to between 3500 and 1540 BC.

It is said to be the largest city that would have existed in the region - between five and 10 times larger than other cities in the area - making it an obvious choice for the site.

Steven Collins from Trinity Southwestern University in New Mexico, who has led the project, told Popular Archaeology it was a 'monstrous' city compared to others in the area from the same period.

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The team believes the city they have discovered must be Sodom because evidence suggests it thrives on the banks of the river Jordan (location marked) and was an important trade route, as described in the Bible.

Little was known about the Bronze Age in the south of the Jordan River Valley, before excavations began in 2005, but the huge city points to a sophisticated society. 

His team claim to have found evidence of a city that was expanded and given defences of thick walls and ramparts, including a 5.2-metre thick mudbrick wall of 10 metres high.

The city was continuously expanded and fortified, with evidence for thick walls and ramparts, including one wall that was a 17ft (5.2-metre) thick and 32ft (10 metres) high. 

This wall featured gates, watchtowers and at least one roadway.

During the middle Bronze Age, this wall was replaced by a huge, 23ft-wide (7 metre) rampart with a flat top that doubled as a ring road around the city. 

The team believes the city they have discovered must be Sodom because evidence suggests it thrives on the banks of the river Jordan and was an important trade route, as described in the Bible.

Further evidence to support the claims is that Tall el-Hamaam was suddenly deserted at some point time towards the end of the middle Bronze Age. 

'What we've got on our hands is an important city-state, major city-state that was, for all practical purposes, unknown to scholars before we started our project,' said Collins.

Some of the pottery fragments recovered from the site in February, where the dig was hampered by high winds

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Researchers also found pestles around the area believed to have been used for cooking

'Tall el-Hammam matches the description of the area where Sodom was located according to the Bible' as the largest city of the fertile east Kikkar area.

'So, I came to the conclusion that if one wanted to find Sodom, one should seek the largest city that existed in this area during the Bronze Age, in the time of Abraham. 

'When we explored the region, Tall el-Hammam was an obvious choice, as it was five to 10 times larger than the other Bronze Age cities throughout the region, even those found beyond Jordan.'

Mr Collins said: 'We know very little about the Bronze Age in the south of the Jordan River Valley.

Most archaeological maps of the area were blank.

  

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Steven Collins from Trinity Southwestern University in New Mexico, who has led the project , standing inside one of the large walls found at the site.

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His team claim to have found evidence of a city that was expanded and given defences of thick walls and ramparts, including a 5.2-metre thick mudbrick wall of 10 metres high.

'It became an uninhabited wasteland for over 700 years but then, after those seven centuries, it started to flourish again – as indicated by the huge iron gate that leads into the city.'

This has been suggested because the researchers have found few artefacts from the late phase of the period in comparison to other settlements in the region. 

WHY DO ARCHAEOLOGISTS BELIEVE TALL EL-HAMMAM IS SODOM?

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The Old Testament story describes how God destroyed the 'wicked sinners' of Sodom but allowed Lot (shown) the city's one good man, to flee

The majority of references made about Sodom and Gomorah appear in the Book of Genesis. 

The two locations were kingdoms situated on the Jordan River plain, just north of where the Dead Sea is now located, and are described in the bible as being plush, green and well-watered. 

In particular, Sodom is one of the largest cities east of the Jordan referred to throughout the Book of Genesis and the New Testament. 

It is described as being situated on a common trade route, and due to its size, it was said to have been heavily fortified with towers and tall, thick walls.

By comparison, the site, at Tall el-Hamaam, dates back to between 3500 and 1540 BC.

It is said to be the largest city that would have existed in the region - between five and 10 times larger than other cities in the area - making it an obvious choice. 

The city was continuously expanded and fortified, with evidence for thick walls and ramparts, including one wall that was a 17ft (5.2-metre) thick and 32ft (10 metres) high.

This wall featured gates, watchtowers and at least one roadway. 

During the middle Bronze Age, this wall was replaced by a huge, 23ft-wide (7 metre) rampart with a flat top that doubled as a ring road around the city.

The team believes the city they have discovered must be Sodom, because evidence suggests it thrives on the banks of the river Jordan and was an important trade route, as described in the Bible.

Further evidence to support the claims is that Tall el-Hamaam was suddenly deserted at some point time towards the end of the middle Bronze Age. 

This has been suggested because the researchers have found few artefacts from the late phase of the period in comparison to other settlements in the region. 

The area remained deserted for around 700 years, after which the city was repopulated, evidenced by artefacts and remains of an Iron Age settlement. 

The area remained deserted for around 700 years, after which the city was repopulated, evidenced by artifacts and remains of an Iron Age settlement.

Archaeologists involved in the project, led by Steven Collins from Trinity Southwestern University in Albuquerque, New Mexico, believe this evidence, when taken with the city's prime location, makes it the best candidate for Sodom.

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This main city wall featured gates, watchtowers and at least one roadway.

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The city was continuously expanded and fortified, with evidence for thick walls and ramparts, including one wall that was a 17ft (5.2-metre) thick and 32ft (10 metres) high.

'Tall el-Hammam seemed to match every Sodom criterion demanded by the text,' he told Popular Archaeology. 

The destruction of Sodom, along with Gomorrah was recorded in numerous parts of the Bible, including Genesis and the New Testament, as well as in the Qur'an.

THE JUDGEMENT OF SODOM

In Genesis 18, three angels appearing as men are said to have gone to Abraham in the plains of Mamre. 

After these angels received the hospitality of Abraham and his wife, Sarah, God told Abraham he would destroy Sodom and Gomorrah, because their 'sin is very grievous'.

Abraham asked if God would spare the city if 50 righteous people were found in it, to which God agreed. 

The angels were then sent to Sodom to find the righteous men and were met by Abraham's nephew Lot. 

Men of the city later surrounded Lot's house and said: 'Where [are] the men which came in to thee this night? Bring them out unto us, that we may know them.'

Lot refused and, instead, offered them his two virgin daughters which had 'not known man'. 

The men refused and the angels warned Lot that the city would be destroyed, advising his family to leave. 

God is then said to have destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah with 'brimstone and fire'.

Archaeologists involved in the project believe this evidence, when taken with the city's prime location, makes it the best candidate for Sodom. A painting of the Biblical city is pictured

The Old Testament story describes how G-d destroyed the 'wicked sinners' of Sodom with fire and brimstone but allowed Lot, the city's one good man, to flee with his family. 

Both cities have been used as metaphors for vice and homosexuality. 

Dr Collins set his sights on finding the largest city that existed in Kikkar during the Bronze Age and he said Tall el-Hammam was the obvious choice, being significantly larger than other cities from the time of Abraham in the area. 

Even if the location is not Sodom, the researchers said the discovery is still important because it has shed light on a vast lower and upper city.

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The area remained deserted for around 700 years, after which the city was repopulated, evidenced by artefacts and remains of an Iron Age settlement.

The rampart system would have required millions of bricks and hundreds of workers, showing a demonstration or organisation and technology.

Evidence also suggests the ruined city had gates, towers, a main road and squares.

Dr Collins said the city was abandoned at the end of the Bronze Age, perhaps following an earthquake, but other experts have suggested an asteroid may have been to blame.

The lack of inhabitants is suggested by the presence of hardly any artefacts from the Late Bronze Age.

'It became an uninhabited wasteland for over 700 years but then, after those seven centuries, it started to flourish again – as indicated by the huge iron gate that leads into the city,' he said.

The city was rebuilt in the Iron Age, between 1,000 and 332BC, including a lavish gateway, city wall, and houses which may have made up a cultic centre.

THE CLAY TABLET ACCOUNT OF THE DESTRUCTION OF SODOM 

In 2008, a mysterious circular clay tablet was identified as a witness's account of an asteroid that destroyed the Biblical cities of Sodom and Gomorrah 5,000 years ago.

It is worth noting that some experts believe an earthquake was to blame.

Two rocket scientists -Alan Bond and Mark Hempsell who spent eight years trying to solve the mystery - believe that the tablet's symbols give a detailed account of how a mile-long asteroid hit the region, causing thousands of deaths and devastating more than 386,000 square miles (one million km).

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In 2008, a mysterious circular clay tablet (pictured) was identified as a witness's account of an asteroid that destroyed the Biblical cities of Sodom and Gomorrah 5,000 years ago

The impact, equivalent to more than 1,000 tons of TNT exploding, would have created one of the world's biggest-ever landslides.

The clay tablet, called the Planisphere, was discovered by the Victorian archaeologist Henry Layard in the remains of the library of the Royal Palace at Nineveh.

The duo used computers to recreate the night sky thousands of years ago and pinpointed the sighting described on the tablet - a 700BC copy of notes of the night sky as seen by a Sumerian astrologer in one of the world's earliest-known civilisations - to shortly before dawn on June 29 in the year 3,123 BC.

Half the tablet records planet positions and clouds, while the other half describes the movement of an object looking like a 'stone bowl' travelling quickly across the sky, they said.

Rebbitzen Jungreis In Serious Condition Needs Tefilos

The Rebbitzen was taken to Cornell University hospital and her condition is quite serious. She needs lots of yeshuos and Rachamim. She has an infection as well.

Rebbetzin Esther Jungreis was born in Hungary. She came to the United Starebbetzintes after surviving the Nazi’s Bergen Belsen concentration camp. Determined to devote her life to fighting the spiritual holocaust among Jews in the U.S. and around the world, the Rebbetzin founded Hineni. She writes a weekly column for the Jewish Press, the largest Anglo-Jewish paper in the world, teaches Torah on TV and over the Internet, and has authored four best selling books, “The Jewish Soul on Fire”; “The Committed Life”; “The Committed Marriage” and her latest release “Life Is A Test”. The Rebbetzin lectures across the globe, has been featured in numerous publications, and has been given formal recognition for her accomplishments by major religious and civic organizations in the U.S. and Israel.

She has inspired tens of thousands of people and her Hinei organization is one of the elading Kiruv organizations in the country.

Please learn and say Tehillim for Rebbitzen Esther Jungreiss. Her Tehillim name is Esther Bas Miriam.

Geula attack on video

Jerusalem: Three Killed in Two Attacks; First Victim Identified

Rabbi Yeshiyahu Krishevsky first victim to be identified; was run over by terrorist in Geula neighborhood. Funeral to commence shortly.

Three people have been killed and as many as 17 others injured - some of them seriously - in two near-simultaneous terrorist attacks in Jerusalem.


In the first incident, a 60-year-old man was killed and 15 others wounded, eight seriously, in a shooting attack on a Number 78 bus traveling along Gallows Street in Armon Hanatziv.


Magen David Adom and United Hatzalah paramedics at the scene described chaos and multiple severe casualties. 
A second, critically wounded victim succumbed to his wounds nearly two hours later, bringing the death toll in that attack up to two.


The attack involved two terrorists, one of whom was shot dead by police. The second terrorist was shot and wounded, and has been taken into custody.


Early investigations indicate that the terrorists intended to hijack the bus, along with its passengers. It is not yet clear what they intended to do with the vehicle or their hostages afterwards.


Minutes after that attack, a car and knife attack took place on Malchei Yisrael street.
The terrorist in that attack reportedly plowed his car into a bus stop and then emerged brandishing a knife, stabbing several passersby.


One person, later named as Rabbi Yeshiyahu Krishevsky, was killed in that attack, and another person was wounded. Paramedics treated the injured victim at the scene before transporting him to hospital in light condition.

The terrorist was himself killed after being shot by a security guard, as well as several border police who arrived on the scene shortly afterwards.

He has been identified as Jerusalem resident and Bezeq telephone company employee Alaa Abu Jamal. Abu Jamal carried out the attack with his company car and was even wearing his uniform at the time.
Arutz Sheva spoke to Jerusalem Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld shortly after the attack (note the casualty figures he gives are not accurate, but based on initial reports.)
Bezeq released a statement following the attack, saying: "Bezeq would like to express its deep outrage over the attack on Jerusalem's Malchei Yisrael Street, and over the terrorist action of one of its workers (who was killed during the attack). We are stunned and repulsed by the criminal act, and the deep hurt he has caused to the families of those killed. We are praying for the quick recovery of the wounded victims."
The statement continued, "We emphasize that there were no warning signs, and there were no clear changes in the worker's conduct that could have prevented the act of terror. We will continue to follow the developments, and our hearts cry out with the victims and their families."

Following the attacks, police have closed off all roads into Jerusalem.

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu has called an emergency security cabinet meeting.

צילום: שמואל דריי ופלאש 90

צילום: חזקי עזרא

צילום: חזקי עזרא

The latest attacks in Jerusalem came just over an hour after a terrorist stabbed and wounded a 32-year-old man in the central city of Ra'anana, before being overcome and beaten by other pedestrians.

The injured victim has been hospitalized in light condition, with multiple stab wounds to his upper body, while the terrorist is currently in serious condition.

Shortly after the Jerusalem attacks a second stabbing took place in Ra'anana, leaving four people injured. The terrorist was likewise subdued by passersby and arrested by police.

Obama will be the only person sticking to Iran deal

By Amir Taheri

Sometime this week, President Obama is scheduled to sign an executive order to meet the Oct. 15 “adoption day” he has set for the nuclear deal he says he has made with Iran. According to the president’s timetable the next step would be “the start day of implementation,” fixed for Dec. 15.

But as things now stand, Obama may end up being the only person in the world to sign his much-wanted deal, in effect making a treaty with himself.

The Iranians have signed nothing and have no plans for doing so. The so-called Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) has not even been discussed at the Islamic Republic’s Council of Ministers. Nor has the Tehran government bothered to even provide an official Persian translation of the 159-page text.

The Islamic Majlis, the ersatz parliament, is examining an unofficial text and is due to express its views at an unspecified date in a document “running into more than 1,000 pages,” according to Mohsen Zakani, who heads the “examining committee.”

“The changes we seek would require substantial rewriting of the text,” he adds enigmatically.

Nor have Britain, China, Germany, France and Russia, who were involved in the so-called P5+1 talks that produced the JCPOA, deemed it necessary to provide the Obama “deal” with any legal basis of their own. Obama’s partners have simply decided that the deal he is promoting is really about lifting sanctions against Iran and nothing else.

So they have started doing just that without bothering about JCPOA’s other provisions. Britain has lifted the ban on 22 Iranian banks and companies blacklisted because of alleged involvement in deals linked to the nuclear issue.

German trade with Iran has risen by 33 percent, making it the Islamic Republic’s third-largest partner after China.

China has signed preliminary accords to help Iran build five more nuclear reactors. Russia has started delivering S300 anti-aircraft missile systems and is engaged in talks to sell Sukhoi planes to the Islamic Republic.

France has sent its foreign minister and a 100-man delegation to negotiate big business deals, including projects to double Iran’s crude oil exports.

Other nations have also interpreted JCPOA as a green light for dropping sanctions. Indian trade with Iran has risen by 17 percent, and New Delhi is negotiating massive investment in a rail-and-sea hub in the Iranian port of Chah-Bahar on the Gulf of Oman. With help from Austrian, Turkish and United Arab Emirates banks, the many banking restrictions imposed on Iran because of its nuclear program have been pushed aside.

“The structures of sanctions built over decades is crumbling,” boasts Iranian President Hassan Rouhani.

Meanwhile, the nuclear project is and shall remain “fully intact,” says the head of Iran’s Atomic Energy Agency, Ali Akbar Salehi.

“We have started working on a process of nuclear fusion that will be cutting-edge technology for the next 50 years,” he adds.

Even before Obama’s “implementation day,” the mullahs are receiving an average of $400 million a month, no big sum, but enough to ease the regime’s cash-flow problems and increase pay for its repressive forces by around 21 percent.

Last month, Iran and the P5+1 created a joint commission to establish the modalities of implementation of an accord, a process they wish to complete by December 2017 when the first two-year review of JCPOA is scheduled to take place and when Obama will no longer be in the White House. (If things go awry Obama could always blame his successor or even George W Bush.)

Both Obama and his Secretary of State John Kerry have often claimed that, its obvious shortcomings notwithstanding, their nuke deal with the “moderate faction” in Tehran might encourage positive changes in Iran’s behavior.

That hasn’t happened.

The mullahs see the “deal” as a means with which Obama would oppose any suggestion of trying to curb Iran.

“Obama won’t do anything that might jeopardize the deal,” says Ziba Kalam, a Rouhani adviser. “This is his biggest, if not the only, foreign policy success.”

If there have been changes in Tehran’s behavior they have been for the worst. Iran has teamed up with Russia to keep Bashar al-Assad in power in Syria, mocking Obama’s “Assad must go” rhetoric. More importantly, Iran has built its direct military presence in Syria to 7,000 men. (One of Iran’s most senior generals was killed in Aleppo on Wednesday.)

Tehran has also pressured Iraqi Premier Haidar al-Abadi’s weak government to distance itself from Washington and join a dubious coalition with Iran, Russia and Syria.

Certain that Obama is paralyzed by his fear of undermining the non-existent “deal” the mullahs have intensified their backing for Houthi rebels in Yemen. Last week a delegation was in Tehran with a long shopping list for arms.

In Lebanon, the mullahs have toughened their stance on choosing the country’s next president. And in Bahrain, Tehran is working on a plan to “ensure an early victory” of the Shiite revolution in the archipelago.

Confident that Obama is determined to abandon traditional allies of the United States, Tehran has also heightened propaganda war against Saudi Arabia, now openly calling for the overthrow of the monarchy there.

The mullahs are also heightening contacts with Palestinian groups in the hope of unleashing a new “Intifada.”

“Palestine is thirsty for a third Intifada,” Supreme Guide Khamenei’s mouthpiece Kayhan said in an editorial last Thursday. “It is the duty of every Muslim to help start it as soon as possible.”

Obama’s hopes of engaging Iran on other issues were dashed last week when Khamenei declared “any dialogue with the American Great Satan” to be” forbidden.”

“We have no need of America” his adviser Ali-Akbar Velayati added later. “Iran is the region’s big power in its own right.”

Obama had hoped that by sucking up to the mullahs he would at least persuade them to moderate their “hate-America campaign.” Not a bit of that.

“Death to America” slogans, adoring official buildings in Tehran have been painted afresh along with US flags, painted at the entrance of offices so that they could be trampled underfoot. None of the US citizens still held hostages in Iran has been released, and one, Washington Post stringer Jason Rezai, is branded as “head of a spy ring “in Tehran. Paralyzed by his fear of undermining the non-existent deal, Obama doesn’t even call for their release.

Government-sponsored anti-American nationwide events are announced for November, anniversary of the seizure of the US Embassy in Tehran. The annual “End of America” week-long conference is planned for February and is to focus on “African-American victims of US police” and the possibility of “self-determination for blacks.”

According to official sources “families of Black American victims” and a number of “black American revolutionaries” have been invited.

Inside Iran, Obama’s “moderate partners” have doubled the number of executions and political prisoners. Last week they crushed marches by teachers calling for release of their leaders. Hundreds of trade unionists have been arrested and a new “anti-insurrection” brigade paraded in Tehran to terrorize possible protestors.

The Obama deal may end up as the biggest diplomatic scam in recent history.

Ami Encourages Frum Organizations to Lobby For Israel's Security

I give credit where credit is due! Ami has taken the bull by the horn and posted this beautifully thought out editorial!
It speaks for itself!

Gerson Family Message

Dear Family, Friends, Neighbors, and Complete Strangers Who Are Now Our Friends, AMUSH:

One of Yossi’s most passionately held ideals is Achdus. It’s a concept that he lives; a concept that he’s discussed with us countless times, particularly over recent weeks.Over the course of these harrowing days, thousands of people have shared our plight in the most personal way. Now that this episode has been so swiftly and miraculously resolved, we’d like to share some of the background behind the story.

These past few months have been difficult for Yossi on a personal level. The challenging life circumstances he’d been facing, coupled with the pain that he was exposed to in the lives of others, led to an emotional crisis. 

He set out of the house on Shmini Atzeres determined to visit and help a homeless friend who was alone for Yom Tov. This is the kind of caring that characterizes Yossi. We sent him off with food, and with hugs, and with the expectation that he would be home by Wednesday morning.

Tuesday night, when Yossi’s homeless friend called asking for him, we realized that something was very wrong. Yossi was lost and in potential grave danger. If he was ok, he would certainly have come home or called us. We were frightened and worried. 

With the help of Rabbi Boruch Ber Bender, we contacted the police and our friends in the community for help.

By Wednesday night, Yossi’s disappearance was made public. Hundreds of people combed the neighborhood for clues. 

On Thursday night, over 1,000 people came to search: Yossi’s Rebbeim and classmates, my own former students and their parents, relatives, friends, neighbors, colleagues, acquaintances, and total strangers. The diversity was astounding; the unity was overwhelming. They were out until 5:00 AM, with no results.

When dear friends told us about the Motzaei Shabbos Tehillim gathering that they planned to arrange at Yeshiva Darchei Torah on Yossi’s behalf, we were sure that nobody would come. After all, how could we expect anyone to extend themselves night after night, especially after Thursday’s incredible showing?

1200 people showed up at Darchei on Motzaei Shabbos. The building was filled to capacity, and still more people crowded together outside. 

As we listened in to the Tehillim from our home phone, friends sent us pictures of the scene: Jews of every stripe and Shul affiliation, praying together with fervor. Women in pants stood alongside women in Sheitels; Young Israel rabbis next to Agudah rabbis.

Forty minutes after the Tehillim gathering, incredibly, Yossi walked through the door, alive. He was lost and disoriented all this time, and was in dire need of help. 
Amazingly, in Manhattan, just as we were all saying Tehillim, an unknown man in a wheelchair put Yossi in a cab and sent him home. Chasdei Hashem!!

We share these thoughts at about 12:30 AM, only a couple of hours after Yossi’s return. We feel like we have to say something – we have to do something – right now. We have no words in our vocabulary to express the depth of gratitude that we have to the entire community, to the thousands of friends and community members who gave their time and their hearts. We wish we could hug every single person who went searching, who said Tehillim, who just texted us to let me know that they were concerned. Each and every one of you treated this crisis like your own, and our family is completely overcome with the depth of your caring.

To the thousand plus volunteers who tirelessly searched for Yossi: 
His safe return is in your merit. Those hours of upheaval were critical ones, and we have no doubt that your selfless determination and Mesiras Nefesh played a crucial role in keeping him safe. The police detective expressed admiration and amazement for our community. In his 18 years in the missing persons unit he has never seen anything remotely resembling the outpouring of support and help that was given us.

To the community organizations, leaders and elected officials who stood at our side during these trying times: 
Specifically to Achiezer and Rabbi Boruch Ber Bender we have no words; Shomrim; Hatzalah; the Nassau County Police Department; Assemblyman Todd Kaminsky; Councilman Bruce Blakeman and his assistant Anthony; Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder; and of course HaRav Mordechai Stern; ‘heartfelt appreciation’ is a pale shadow of the emotion that we feel.

Most of all, to the Ribono Shel Olam, who answered our Tefillos in the most obvious, astounding way, just 40 minutes after they were offered. Yossi had literally began his journey home minutes after we all united together in Tefillah. 

For us, the most incredible part of this entire episode is the remarkable Hashgacha in the fact that Yossi, a regular guy who was never on medication or ‘at risk’ in any way, merited a Yeshua just when he needed it, thanks to the Achdus that he always strives to promote.

Ashreichem Yisrael. Truly, there is no nation like ours – one nation, with one heart – exactly how Yossi wants us to be.

The biggest Zechus for us all would be to have this incredible sense of Achdus continue on in our community and in all of Klal Yisroel!

May we share in many Simchos together !

Wendy and Alan Gerson

Yossi Gerson Missing For 6 Days Has Been Found

Bichasdei Hashem, Yossi Gerson who has been missing from Lawrence, NY since Shmini Atzeres, has been found. He is in good condition.

he family thanks the outpouring of support, Tefillos and the hundreds of volunteers who searched for the past few days.