Dear NFTY,

The kidnapping of three soldiers from Israel’s borders shook Jewish communities from around the world. In devastation, our congregations, schools, friends, and families, stood in solidarity behind these young men. Even the United Nations chose to take a stance in UN Resolution 1701, by urging the Hezbollah and Hamas to release the captive soldiers immediately. How then is it possible that Gilad Shalit, Ehud Goldwasser, and Eldad Regev are still missing? This egregious infringement on international law and basic human rights must not go unpunished and neither must we forget about these soldiers that have been missing for more than a year.

Friends, here is our opportunity to act. Here is our opportunity to show our support for the captured soldiers, their families, and Israel. My fellow NFTYites, here is our opportunity to demand the adherence of international law and the upholding of basic humanitarian rights.

As said by Martin Luther King Jr., “we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.” NFTY, here is our chance to speak up. Here is our chance to act. And here is our chance to bring these men home.

L'Shalom,

Zach Newburgh, NFTY President 5767-5768

Gabrielle Flaum, Founder S.O.S.