For those who may not be aware of it, Rabbi Shlomo Amar, Sefardic Chief Rabbi of Israel, has distributed a letter asking for community Tehillim to be recited on behalf of captured Israeli Soldier, Gilad Shalit (Gilad ben Aviva), including a special Tefillah.

You can read Rav Amar's letter (in Hebrew) at:
http://www.aishdas.org/avodah/faxes/giladShavit.pdf
The prayer for praying for Gilad's safe return appears at:
http://www.lookstein.org/resources/gilad_shalit.pdf

Please also keep in mind and pray for the captured 18 year old Yeshiva student Eliyahu Asheri of Itamar, Israel. His name for prayers: Eliyahu Pinchas ben Miriam.

Baruch Dayan Emes. On Wednesday night, IDF troops found Eliyahu Asheri's body near Ramallah. Please keep praying for the release of the captive soldier Gilad ben Aviva.

Boruch Dayan HaEmes, this is terrible news. HY"D

I just received the full names of the two most recently kidnapped soldiers for use in our
prayers and Tehilim:

Ehud ben Malka

Eldad ben Tova

Of course, we must not forget to keep praying for the soldier previously kidnapped:

Gilad ben Aviva

I also want to share the following important message from Rav Zev Shandalov of Chicago:

-----Original Message-----
From: Ravkj@aol.com [mailto:Ravkj@aol.com]
Sent: Thursday, July 13, 2006 8:10 AM
To: congkjbs@yahoo.com
Subject: As the situation in Israel deteriorates...

As I write to you, the situation in Israel on the northern border continues to worsen. With katyushas raining down on Nahariya (killing one woman), the striking against Tzefat with katyushas and the threat by Hizzbullah to hit Haifa, the dozens injured...all of these add up to a very difficult time ahead for our fellow Jews in Israel. While we walk safely down our street, thousands of Jews spend this Shiva Asar B'Tammuz in bomb shelters protected (please G-d!) from katyushas.

At the same time, we can not forget that IDF forces are in Gaza attempting to rescue Gilad Shalit and are themselves in constant danger.

So, what course of action can WE take at this troubling time? I would suggest a number of things:

* For those of you with friends/relatives in Israel...call them! Tell them you are thinking about them and just be a source of comfort, at least via long distance.

* Whatever learning you would normally do, INCREASE the amount..no matter how small. If you learn a half hour, learn for 45 minutes, etc. The point is that if worldwide we can increase the amount of Torah learning, we can make a difference in Shamayim!

* When you learn, say out loud that you are learning for the Zechut (benefit) of those in danger in Israel.

* Say Tehillim! This is a long-standing action among Jews for centuries. The words of David HaMelech have helped us withstand calamity for 1000's of years.

* A special note to those shuls that do not recite the Mi Sheberach for the IDF: Whatever your reasons for not saying this Mi Sheberach...I urge you to look beyond politics! Take note of the fact that our soldiers (yes, they are OUR soldiers) are in grave danger. They need all of the Tefillot we can arrange for them. PLEASE...say this special Mi Sheberach! For those who daven where it is not said, URGE your rabbi to say it.

* For those who will be traveling to Israel in the near future, GIVE BLOOD at Magen David Adom

* In your tefillot, keep in mind Gilad ben Aviva Shalit and the two other soldiers whose names have just been released: Ehud Goldwasser, 31, from Nahariya and Eldad Regev, 26, from Kiryat Motzkin. (Their mothers' Hebrew names have not been published).

Share this email with others in order to encourage as many people to take whatever action that they may be able to take!

Finally, at Congregation KJBS, we will be saying an extended Tehillim today (Shiva Asar B'Tammuz) right after Mincha (which is at 8pm). Please make every attempt to be at KJBS (or any other place saying Tehillim) this evening.

Rabbi Zev M Shandalov
Cong KJBS
Chicago, IL

Please note everyone

Last year 10th of Av brought in the retreat from our precious land in Gazza. This year the three weeks begins this way. Hashem's call to T'shuva has never been stonger.

I think, that it might be a good idea to carry a Tehillim [Book of Psalms] around and read from it when one has some time to do so.