December 11, 2006 / 20 Kislev 5767

Dear Friends,

Shalom,

For the past few months, The Jewish Agency for Israel, together with the World Zionist Organization, has accompanied and supported the families of the three recently kidnapped Israeli soldiers in all aspects of the struggle to obtain their release.

In continuation of the campaign for the release of Gilad Shalit that took place in 10 capital cities around the world and the mass demonstration that was organized in Brussels opposite the European Parliament, we are preparing to launch a worldwide public campaign together with the YNET website during Chanukah.

As of this coming Friday, (December 15th, 2006) and throughout the entire Chanukah period, you will be able to light a virtual candle and add your name and location in various languages on the YNET website. We are hoping to reach hundreds of thousands of "candle" lighters worldwide and through this effort, "light the darkness" of Gilad Shalit, Udi Goldwasser and Eldad Regev as well as warm the hearts of their loved ones.

I would like to request that you make your best efforts to send a message about this project to all relevant contact lists (both yours and those to which you have access within the community/movement/organization).

The website address for this project is: or.ynet.co.il

אחינו כל בית ישראל הנתונים בצרה ובשביה, העומדים בין בים ובין ביבשה, המקום ירחם עליהם, ויוציאם מצרה לרווחה, ומאפלה לאורה,ומשעבוד לגאולה, השתא בעגלא ובזמן קריב. נאמר אמן.

"Our brothers, the entire family of Israel, who are delivered into distress and captivity, whether they are on sea or dry land - may the Omnipresent One have mercy on them and remove them from distress to relief, from darkness to light, from subjugation to redemption, now, speedily, and soon - and let us say: Amen."

With Blessings for a Happy Chanukah

Amos Hermon