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An e-newsletter delivering updates and analysis on current issues about Israel and the Middle East conflict

January 12, 2016

If anti-Semitism and Israel haters get you down, try reading this story from the Jerry Seinfeld Israel tour.

Dear Friend of FLAME:

Do you know that old Yiddish expression from the play by Shalom Aleichem—Es iz schver tzu zayn a Yid—it's hard to be a Jew?

Sometimes when I'm reading my morning pile of articles about Israel—which often report a long string of attacks on Israel from the media, terrorists, BDSers and the U.N.—I feel like those beleaguered stetl Jews, beat up from all sides.

My cure from that feeling is to take a deep breath and think about the miracle of Israel—I think about all those brave Israelis creating a secure, vibrant and happy place for Jews. It makes me proud. Then my steadfast commitment to keep that Jewish miracle growing, despite all obstacles, feels refreshingly renewed. I remember: That which doesn't kill us makes us stronger. I remember, too, that never again will we allow ourselves to be the victims.

This week's FLAME Hotline featured article not only bucked me up, but it also brought tears to my eyes. It reminded me of why we dedicate our time, energy and financial support to the Jewish state—to fighting those who would tear her down.

Please give this article—below—a read. It's an account by comedian Mark Schiff, who tells of performing as the warm-up act on the bill with Jerry Seinfeld in Tel Aviv. They were in Israel in the midst of the knife, gun and car attacks on innocent civilians in recent months (and that continue to this day).

You won't need but a few minutes to cover this article, and I guarantee it will give your day a lift. It's also nice to learn that a celebrity as renowned as Seinfeld really is a good Jewish boy who supports the State of Israel.

Please take a minute to review this brief, uplifting story. Then pass it on to your friends and colleagues who may benefit from it.

I hope you'll also review the P.S. immediately below, which describes FLAME's hasbarah campaign to explain why U.S. foreign aid to Israel is one of the best investments our country makes in the terms of our own—and the world's—security.

Best regards,

Jim Sinkinson
Executive Vice President, Facts and Logic About the Middle East (FLAME)

P.S.

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Every year, the U.S. allocates $3 billion in military aid to Israel. Enemies of Israel often criticize this investment, arguing that it's a waste of taxpayer money. Though nothing could be further from the truth, too many Western media, including a recent op-ed in the New York Times, are buying this lie! That's why FLAME is publishing a new position paper in media nationwide—which explains the inestimable strategic value the United States receives from this support of the Jewish state. I urge you to review this outspoken hasbarah message: "Why Does Israel Matter?" This inspirational piece appeared in magazines and newspapers, including college newspapers, with a combined readership of some 10 million people. In addition, it is being sent to every member of the U.S. Congress and President Obama. If you agree that this kind of public relations effort on Israel's behalf is critical, I urge you to support us. Remember: FLAME's powerful ability to influence public opinion—and U.S. aid to Israel—comes from individuals like you, one by one. I hope you'll consider giving a donation now, as you're able—with $500, $250, $100, or even $18. (Remember, your donation to FLAME is tax deductible.) To donate online, just go to donate now. Now more than ever we need your support to ensure that Israel gets the financial and political support it needs—from the U.S. Congress, from President Obama, and from the American people.

As of today, more than 15,000 Israel supporters receive the FLAME Hotline at no charge every week. If you're not yet a subscriber, won't you join us in receiving these timely updates, so you can more effectively tell the truth about Israel? Just go to free subscription.

Two Jews Walk Out of Israel

How indignation at terror can inspire bravery and defiance

by Mark Schiff, aish.com, December 26, 2015

Literally minutes after Seinfeld and I finished four great shows at The Menora Mivtachim Arena in Tel Aviv, where we played to a total of 32,000 people in two days, we stood at the stairs of the plane. We were getting ready to board and leave Israel to head back home to America. I hugged the head of our security team Amir and said goodbye. Jerry and I agreed Amir was the type of guy that either one of us could easily be friends with. He was amazing. Every minute we were out of our hotel rooms, we had 4 to 6 security people walking with us. Some walked in front, some in back and some rode in a Mercedes SUV in case we wanted to ride. Plus Jerry had two or three guards outside his hotel room door every night. It was a small dose of what it must be like to be a Prime Minister or a President or a cartel drug dealer.

Because of the recent events in Israel, I felt that almost everyone I saw walking towards us, whether it was a man, woman or anyone over 12, could be a potential killer. I never felt like that in Israel before. It was very sad to me. I also found that while walking the streets of Tel Aviv, I turning around occasionally to make sure no one was running towards me to stab me in the back. My friends, Alan and Rachel Jacoby, who came to our show made aliyah ten years ago. They told me that just that morning three people were stabbed just a few blocks from their home in Ra'anana. Rachel said to me "we certainly didn't expect this when we moved here, but then again, we're not going anywhere."

But Israelis are tough and you'd never know the terror exists when you're out and about walking in Tel Aviv. The beautiful streets and cafés were full, and people were surfing and swimming in the ocean. People were playing Matkot on the sand. Good people were walking to go visit the sick. Young couples were strolling in the park. And tourists are still flocking to the holy land.

It's hard for most people to understand that these killers who are doing the stabbing are doing it for one and one reason only: They want to kill Jews and terrorize the rest of the people of Israel. And eventually the rest of the world. And they are having some success. As my mother would say to me when I would do a bad thing, "So this makes you happy?"

One thing the world knows is that you can kill Jews with little flak from most of the world. But they also know you can't get rid of the Jews. We are not going away. Not now, not ever. Many have tried and none have succeeded. As my mother used to say, "If you're trying to get rid of me, good luck."

When we did our shows, it took longer than usual to get people into the theater. There was a more noticeable presence of security since the Paris and San Bernardino attacks. Those events have somewhat changed things. We also had a few guards around the stage and bomb sniffing dogs were brought in before the show. While I was standing in the wings waiting to be introduced, for a split second, I thought "where should I run in case there's an attack while I'm on"? Not a great thought moments before doing standup comedy. When Jerry was on, I thought "if someone goes for him, I'll run out and kick them in the face".

My opening joke at The Menora was "You know before I came here to Israel, people were saying to me, "Hey Mark, aren't you scared about going to Israel with all the problems they are having now? Aren't you frightened?" I said, "Hey, I'm married over 25 years. Nothing frightens me anymore." (Applause and laughs) And then it happened…God added a few more words for me to say that just popped in my head. After the applause died down from my opening joke, somewhere deep down in my gut I felt obliged to scream out as loud as I could, "SCREW THOSE GUYS. SCREW THEM." There was a beat and then the applause from the audience was deafening. Then even louder I screamed it again. More big applause. Everyone in the theater agreed with me, "SCREW THOSE GUYS." We are Jews and we are here to stay. Not for a while but forever.

On the way back to America, Jerry and I were talking and he asked me when I thought a good time for him to come back with his family to visit Israel. I told him a line I had heard before. "There's never a good time but for sure, there's never a bad time. No matter what's going on. Now is the always the right time to visit Israel."

The feeling I had from the second I landed in Israel until the flight home as I wrote this is "Yes I'm going home to Los Angeles. But yes, I left my real home and my people back in Israel." God bless Israel and the Jewish people.

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