January 24, 2005
Here is an opportunity for American Jews to demonstrate their solidarity with soldiers who are on the front lines in defense of the State of Israel.

Just for a moment, picture a young Israeli soldier in an isolated outpost far from family and home. It's Purim, and he's serving under extremely trying conditions. Understandably, his spirits are pretty low. Then, out of the blue, he's handed a traditional mishloach manot Purim gift basket filled with goodies. The card bears the name of someone he's never met - a caring American who could be you.

Even a small donation will help a lonely soldier feel cared for and remembered. The more money you send, the more soldiers who will receive packages. Each package will have a card attached with Purim greetings, personalized with a contributor's name.

Mishloach manot will also be brought to the children of Sderot and other towns in the south of Israel. Citizens there suffer from the terror of ongoing mortar and missile attacks, and where there has also been an increase in local terror attacks.

In Israel, the mishloach manot packages will be assembled by young Jews - members of Zionist youth movements, students on year programs, and new olim. They will also participate in the delivery of the packages to IDF bases around the country and to children in Sderot and the surrounding areas. This is one more way we are building the connections between our young people and the brave defenders of Israel, our homeland.

And remember - a donation from you will brighten the day of a soldier serving on the holiday - it is a gesture that will long be remembered.

Bright idea: in addition to sending mishloach manot in your own name consider making an extra gift on behalf of family members, your friends and neighbors. We will send out a card telling them of your gift.

Teachers and principals …. This is an excellent program to connect your students with the meaning of tsedakah. Make it a class or school project!

To participate in the "Purim Connection," we ask you to make a donation to AZM, to help cover the cost of Purim baskets filled with sweets and other gift items. Contributions must be received by February 25, 2004 in time for the packages to be prepared and delivered on Purim, March 7th. Please visit the following site to make a contribution http://azm.org/purim2005.shtml .

Sincerely,
 
W. James Schiller, President
 
Karen J. Rubinstein, Executive Director

P.S. Your mishloach manot basket will tell an Israeli soldier that you care. It's a gesture that will long be remembered. But please act quickly. The deadline is coming up fast!