J U N E / T A M M U Z / N o. 1 6

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "J U N E / T A M M U Z / N o. 1 6"

Camron Arnold
6 years ago
Views:

NEWSZAK A J U N E 2 0 1 0 / T A M M U Z 5 7 7 0 / N

1 NEWSZAK A J U N E / T A M M U Z / N o. 1 6 ZAKA DIVERS AND MARINE UNITS LEAD FLOTILLA OF SUPPORT FOR THE ISRAELI NAVY ALONG THE TEL AVIV COASTLINE To donate:

ZAKA DIVERS AND MARINE UNITS LEAD FLOTILLA OF SUPPORT FOR THE ISRAELI NAVY ALONG THE TEL AVIV COASTLINE Yehuda

regardless of religion, race or creed, represents the consensus in Israel.

ZAKA often work with the Navy in search and rescue missions at sea.

Freedom Flotilla, the ZAKA Rescue and Recovery humanitarian volunteer organization organized a flotilla of support along

amateur divers, as well as jet-ski owners, who have received specialist ZAKA training in search, rescue and life-saving

These units offer yet another example of ZAKA s initiative in ensuring a swift response to any search and rescue

2 ZAKA DIVERS AND MARINE UNITS LEAD FLOTILLA OF SUPPORT FOR THE ISRAELI NAVY ALONG THE TEL AVIV COASTLINE Yehuda Meshi-Zahav, ZAKA Chairman and Founder, noted that ZAKA, as an apolitical volunteer organization that helps everyone, regardless of religion, race or creed, represents the consensus in Israel. We were proud to offer the public another expression of support for the Navy commandos and IDF soldiers who risk their lives in missions to ensure our safety. According to Haim Outmezgine, Head of the ZAKA Divers Unit, the volunteer divers and jet-ski owners who volunteer with ZAKA often work with the Navy in search and rescue missions at sea. In a show of solidarity, support and gratitude to the Israeli Navy a few days after the IDF raid on the so-called Freedom Flotilla, the ZAKA Rescue and Recovery humanitarian volunteer organization organized a flotilla of support along the Tel Aviv coastline under the slogan: We love the Navy The two ZAKA maritime units are made up of professional and amateur divers, as well as jet-ski owners, who have received specialist ZAKA training in search, rescue and life-saving techniques. These units offer yet another example of ZAKA s initiative in ensuring a swift response to any search and rescue mission, even at sea or in lakes. With a largely secular volunteer base, the units also serve to underline ZAKA s ability to appeal to all sectors of the community in their mission to save lives at sea as well as on land. Tens of motor boats and jet skis from the ZAKA Divers Unit and Marine Unit led the flotilla of dozens of private boats along the Tel Aviv coastline, as onlookers cheered from the shoreline. 2 NEWSZAK A NEWSZAK A 3

Druze, Bedouin & Moslem To Join ZAKA leading the ZAKA Bedouin unit in the Negev for the past 13 years, told JTA: It gives me faith

In the end we are all people -- Jews, Moslems, Christians -- and we all must be taken care of the same way.

to know that there are Moslems dealing with the victims from the start.

recruiting and operating thousands of volunteers from all sectors of Israeli society and integrating them as volunteers who work

ZAKA Chairman and Founder Yehuda Meshi-Zahav: Our The ZAKA Minorities Unit, started about five years ago to serve Israel s

units, following a recent meeting with Deputy Minister for the Development of the Galilee scriptures tell us that Man was created

This is the motto of the ZAKA organization to help and offer assistance to everyone, regardless of religion, race or creed.

3 Druze, Bedouin & Moslem To Join ZAKA leading the ZAKA Bedouin unit in the Negev for the past 13 years, told JTA: It gives me faith and pride that the Jews depend on me. In the end we are all people -- Jews, Moslems, Christians -- and we all must be taken care of the same way. Gadi Kellermann, ZAKA chief of operations in the Negev, notes that, from an emotional point of view, it's good for Moslem families to know that there are Moslems dealing with the victims from the start. According to Deputy Minister Ayoub, the ZAKA organization has proved its rare abilities, given its unique position as an NGO, in recruiting and operating thousands of volunteers from all sectors of Israeli society and integrating them as volunteers who work for the benefit of all Israeli citizens in times of emergency. ZAKA Chairman and Founder Yehuda Meshi-Zahav: Our The ZAKA Minorities Unit, started about five years ago to serve Israel s non-jewish communities, primarily Bedouin in the Negev and Druze in the Galilee, is about to expand to 125 volunteers in five units, following a recent meeting with Deputy Minister for the Development of the Galilee scriptures tell us that Man was created in the image of God. This is the motto of the ZAKA organization to help and offer assistance to everyone, regardless of religion, race or creed. ZAKA is an organization that not only works for the benefit of all, both in Israel and overseas, but also brings together volunteers from all sectors of Israeli society, religious and secular, Jew and Arab, Druze and Bedouin. and Negev MK Ayoob Kara. In both Jewish and Moslem law it is important to treat the dead respectfully, whether it be covering the bodies so that others cannot see them or collecting every last body part for burial, including blood. Sheik Jaffal Abu Sabet, who has been 4 NEWSZAK A NEWSZAK A 5

ZAKA S SACRED WORK IN THE UKRAINE BAPTISM BY FIRE FOR MEXICO ZAKA INTERNATIONAL RESCUE UNIT Following the brutal murder of yeshiva student Aryeh Leib Misinzov in Kiev on 20 April, the

assist with the recovery of all body parts and to help speed up the release of his body for burial in Israel.

The painstaking search, which took many hours, covered a wide stretch of forest.

its first mission. In early June, the commander of the Mexico ZAKA International Rescue Unit Jose Masri received a call about an incident of unnatural death in the Jewish community.

4 ZAKA S SACRED WORK IN THE UKRAINE BAPTISM BY FIRE FOR MEXICO ZAKA INTERNATIONAL RESCUE UNIT Following the brutal murder of yeshiva student Aryeh Leib Misinzov in Kiev on 20 April, the anniversary of Adolf Hitler s death, and the discovery of his mutilated body in the Kiev forest, ZAKA Chairman Yehuda Meshi-Zahav and ZAKA volunteer Shimi Grossman flew to the Ukraine to assist with the recovery of all body parts and to help speed up the release of his body for burial in Israel. The ZAKA volunteers from Israel were joined in the search by the head of ZAKA in the Ukraine Rabbi Yaakov Zilberman and Ukraine's Chief Rabbi, Rabbi Moshe Reuven Asman. The painstaking search, which took many hours, covered a wide stretch of forest. Just one month after 40 volunteers in the Mexico City Jewish community graduated from an intensive ZAKA International Rescue Unit training workshop, the unit was called upon to perform its first mission. In early June, the commander of the Mexico ZAKA International Rescue Unit Jose Masri received a call about an incident of unnatural death in the Jewish community. Four members of the unit immediately went to the site of the incident and completed their sacred work after four hours of painstaking work, ensuring that the deceased would have a full Jewish burial. Given that this was the first incident the volunteers had experienced after their training course, they received counseling on completion of their work from a local psychologist who had also received specialist training within the framework of the recent ZAKA International Rescue Unit workshop. The Mexico ZAKA International Rescue Unit joins other units around the world, ready and equipped to save lives and honor the dead. The next member of the international ZAKA family will be Hong Kong, where a training workshop will take place in June. 6 NEWSZAK A NEWSZAK A 7

TURNING POINT 4 When all of Israel took part in Turning Point 4, a nationwide emergency civil defense

Over 1500 ZAKA volunteers from all six ZAKA commands throughout Israel took part in exercises and drills

Approved by the Defense Minister as a volunteer emergency organization, ZAKA played an integral part in

National Emergency Authority and in the field.

Authority, search and rescue forces, local Israeli authorities, government offices, security

The scenarios in which ZAKA volunteers operated included: establishing five stations around the country

leaflets in ultra- Orthodox neighborhoods where residents do not generally have access to the media;

transforming tens of schools and yeshivot into improvised morgues.

system and recruiting and operating volunteers using other communications means.

everyone was meant to head for the nearest shelter, ZAKA volunteers had to contact the local coordinator

ZAKA volunteers also participated in large field exercises that included, among others, rescue drills

During a visit to the ZAKA command centre, Deputy Defense Minister Matan Vilnai expressed his gratitude

5 TURNING POINT 4 When all of Israel took part in Turning Point 4, a nationwide emergency civil defense drill that took place in late May, the ZAKA organization played a central role in the simulations. Over 1500 ZAKA volunteers from all six ZAKA commands throughout Israel took part in exercises and drills simulating many different emergency scenarios, based on hundreds of missile hits and thousands of rockets on three fronts. These scenarios included working with particular segments of the population including the ultra-orthodox. Approved by the Defense Minister as a volunteer emergency organization, ZAKA played an integral part in the complex and wide-ranging drill, including a presence both in the central command center of the National Emergency Authority and in the field. All ZAKA units, including the specialist Search and Rescue Unit, the Divers Unit and the Canine Search Unit were active during the drill. Those taking part in the week-long drill included the IDF Home Front Command, the National Emergency Authority, search and rescue forces, local Israeli authorities, government offices, security organizations, the education system as well as public and private organizations. The scenarios in which ZAKA volunteers operated included: establishing five stations around the country to recruit yeshiva students to assist in mass burials; mobilizing vehicles and distributing information leaflets in ultra- Orthodox neighborhoods where residents do not generally have access to the media; sending the ZAKA Divers Unit into shelters that had been flooded with water to search for survivors and transforming tens of schools and yeshivot into improvised morgues. In addition, all ZAKA volunteers drilled a scenario that included the collapse of their communications system and recruiting and operating volunteers using other communications means. On Wednesday at TURNING POINT 4 11:00, with the sound of the 45 second siren that signaled the time when everyone was meant to head for the nearest shelter, ZAKA volunteers had to contact the local coordinator and go to the central meeting point for their city. ZAKA volunteers also participated in large field exercises that included, among others, rescue drills from destroyed buildings, non-conventional warfare and cumulative terror attacks. During a visit to the ZAKA command centre, Deputy Defense Minister Matan Vilnai expressed his gratitude and praise for the efficient and professional manner in which the ZAKA volunteers carried out their tasks. ZAKA Chairman and Founder Yehuda Meshi- Zahav: "It is very important to exercise and improve our emergency preparedness during periods of quiet and ZAKA's participation in this nationwide drill is of the utmost importance. ZAKA, with its unique professional capability to deal with all possible scenarios in today's reality, stands ready and able to assist at all times." 8 NEWSZAK A NEWSZAK A 9

ZAKA COMPLETES FIRST TRAINING WORKSHOP FOR HONG KONG-BASED ZAKA INTERNATIONAL RESCUE UNIT Levy, Hon.

According to ZAKA Chairman and Founder Yehuda Meshi Zahav, ZAKA is proud to share its expertise with others around the world: We bring different sectors of the community together to help others,

Nowhere was this more apparent than at the training Kong, Macau and China Mati Goldstein and Dovie workshop, where representatives from the Hong Kong police, in March 2010, the Israelbased,

International Rescue brought in from Israel.

terrorism and first training workshop in includes, among others, the frequency of natural disasters in Asia, ZAKA is expanding emergency preparedness, Haiti, Mumbai, the tsunami its operations across

Hong Kong, with its excellent disaster management and and Hurricane Katrina, led infrastructure and well organized services is a natural choice medical first response for the intensive four-day

The training course is just a first step in 25 local volunteers from the HK Jewish and non-jewish took place in the Ohel Leah center in Hong Kong to serve the East Asia region and train communities.

now serve as members of the casualty drill.

6 ZAKA COMPLETES FIRST TRAINING WORKSHOP FOR HONG KONG-BASED ZAKA INTERNATIONAL RESCUE UNIT Levy, Hon. Chairman ZAKA HK, Macao & China Judge Michael Hartmann and other members of the ZAKA board also attended workshop sessions. According to ZAKA Chairman and Founder Yehuda Meshi Zahav, ZAKA is proud to share its expertise with others around the world: We bring different sectors of the community together to help others, regardless of religion, race or After launching ZAKA Hong unnatural death. creed. Nowhere was this more apparent than at the training Kong, Macau and China Mati Goldstein and Dovie workshop, where representatives from the Hong Kong police, in March 2010, the Israelbased, UN-recognized Maisel, the veteran codirectors of the ZAKA local Jewish community with rescue and recovery experts fire and hospital services trained alongside members of the ZAKA volunteer rescue International Rescue brought in from Israel. and recovery organization Unit with experience of President, ZAKA Hong Kong, Macau and China Rafael last week completed its international disasters that Aharoni: Given the increasing threat of global terrorism and first training workshop in includes, among others, the frequency of natural disasters in Asia, ZAKA is expanding emergency preparedness, Haiti, Mumbai, the tsunami its operations across this region. Hong Kong, with its excellent disaster management and and Hurricane Katrina, led infrastructure and well organized services is a natural choice medical first response for the intensive four-day handson training workshop which the local activities, as ZAKA plans to establish a fully equipped as a regional center. The training course is just a first step in 25 local volunteers from the HK Jewish and non-jewish took place in the Ohel Leah center in Hong Kong to serve the East Asia region and train communities. Jewish Community Center more volunteers in emergency preparedness, medical first The course graduates will and culminated in a mass response and disaster management. now serve as members of the casualty drill. Maisel : In Lu Siu-Wai, a company commander in Hong Kong s Civil Aid East Asia ZAKA International those first critical Service, said of the volunteer organization: ZAKA may not Rescue Unit, joining the hours, and before the ZAKA have the best equipment but their participation in a number expanding volunteer network team from Israel can arrive, of disasters is valuable. Theirs are the best cases to study. of ZAKA units around the the local ZAKA International Another course participant who had no previous experience world, all ready and equipped Rescue Unit volunteers can and grandmother of four Ketty Grossman noted: I needed to to ensure a rapid response assist the emergency services learn how to help people in trouble, whether they are involved to any regional emergency or in saving lives and stabilizing in a road accident, have fallen down in the street, or are mass casualty incident that the situation. victims of any man-made or natural disaster. In a world where may occur, as support to the Golan Lansberg, Company every minute of our lives may be at risk, I feel it is essential to local professional emergency Commander (reserves) in know the basics about helping people stay alive. services. In addition, the the IDF National Search and volunteers are trained in the Rescue Unit, gave a lecture on halachic aspects of honoring the IDF s international rescue Other ZAKA International Rescue Units around the world the dead, ensuring a full missions. Israel Ambassador include Mexico, Argentina, the Ukraine, the States and France Jewish burial for victims of Consul General Amikam 10 NEWSZAK A NEWSZAK A 11

but also bring together Jews and non-jews in tikkun olam, repairing the world. Secure donations can be made via our websites www.zaka.us (dollars); www. zaka.org.uk (sterling) or www.zaka-fr.

7 Dear Friends of ZAKA, This month we launched our new slogan, Bridging worlds to save lives. In this newsletter, you can read about how ZAKA reaches out to all the different sectors of Israeli society and how our international units not only take the ZAKA mission half-way round the world, but also bring together Jews and non-jews in tikkun olam, repairing the world. Secure donations can be made via our websites (dollars); www. zaka.org.uk (sterling) or (euros). Thank you in advance for your generosity which allows ZAKA to continue its operations. Please forward this e-newsletter to family and friends. Yehuda Meshi-Zahav ZAKA Chairman Main Office: 234 Jaffo St. P.O. Box Jerusalem ISRAEL Tel Fax USA: rd st. #170 Brooklyn N.Y USA Tel: Fax: France: 20 bis rue Louis Philippe Neuilly sur Seine Tel Fax England: 233a Golders Green Road London NW11 9ES Registered Charity No Tel: Canada: Suite 92, 2190 W. Broadway Vancouver B.C V6K 2C8 Canada HK, Macao & China c/o The Jewish Community Centre One Robinson Place 70 Robinson Road Mid Levels Hong Kong 12 NEWSZAK A

NEWSZAK A ZAKA INTERNATIONAL RESCUE UNIT CELEBRATES 10 YEARS. To donate:

NEWSZAK A ZAKA INTERNATIONAL RESCUE UNIT CELEBRATES 10 YEARS. To donate: N o v e m b e r 2 0 1 1 / C h e s h v a n 5 7 7 2 / N o 2 1 MICHAEL MIRILASVILI, Chairman, ZAKA International Board Of Directors RAFAEL AHARONI President, ZAKA, Hong Kong Macau and China YAACOV PERI Chairman,