HISTORY:

Helping Israel.com is an outgrowth of Vaad LeMa'an Zion (Organization For the Sake of Zion), a grassroots organization that was founded shortly after the signing of the Oslo accords in 1993. The Vaad was formed by a group of concerned citizens of Jerusalem who had the foresight to realize that the accords would create a security nightmare for the State of Israel. Once the communities of Judea, Samaria and Gaza began to feel the tragic consequences of Oslo in the form of stonings, firebombings, drive by shootings, and suicide attacks, the Vaad began to receive requests for 2-way radios and emergency medical equipment. Vaad LeMa'an Zion quickly reorganized from a protest movement into a public service organization which raised funds to purchase this desperately needed equipment.

Today, we in Israel unfortunately find ourselves facing our worst-case scenario. The mistakes of Oslo are being tragically felt throughout the country. However, those Israelis living in Judea, Samaria and Gaza are feeling especially isolated and vulnerable. Under these circumstances, Vaad Lema'an Zion decided to widen its appeal and direct its efforts toward the international online community. Helping Israel.com is the realization of those efforts.

PURPOSE:

HelpingIsrael.com was established to facilitate the matching of needs of specific Settlements and towns in Judea, Samaria and Gaza with others who can supply those needs. A wide variety of services and equipment are urgently needed at this time. Everything from communications, medical, and civil defense equipment to baby formula and blankets are being requested on a daily basis.

PLEASE NOTE! We are not a fundraising body. All transactions take place directly between those donating and the settlement. Helping Israel.com is a forum through which the settlement can voice their needs and establish contact with interested parties. Once this contact has been established, our job has been completed. We only ask that both the donor and recipient keep us abreast of their activities so we can keep this website dynamic and up to date.

THE FUTURE:

Helping Israel.com would like to evolve into a comprehensive news, information and public service site. In addition to our current services, we would like to expand our content to include editorial commentary, public discussion forums, political cartoons, and polls and surveys. We are currently working with an all volunteer staff and we ask that you be patient while we build and improve this site. We welcome your comments and ideas. Please write to us at feedback@helpingisrael.com

THANK YOU:

Helping Israel.com would like to thank the following companies for donating their time, efforts and services in bringing this project to fruition:
Virtual Jerusalem
Israel wire
Konnektus
I-De@sNOW
IMT Net-Booth
Moked LeMachshev