Shalom,

Wednesday afternoon, and the conflict between Israel and our self-called Moslem neighbors seems no closer to an end than for any of the past week. I feel less and less inclined to accept any of the titles which the hizballah (army of God) or Hamas take for themselves. As they misbehave in the name of their warped reading of Islam, they give a very bad name to all of their co-religionists everywhere. I wish I was hearing voices from Moslems around the world plading for restraint of the fanatics, and acceptance of Israel as a land of the Jews here to stay- rther than messages of hatred or goading to exterminate us. I am uplifted at hearing that many demonstrations are being held in our support, and that demonstrating supporters of Lebanon or of hizballah are few world-wide. The mostly Christian nations of this world may one day realize that the war of the religions includes them, and will ever moreso, and that the current struggle to restrain religious "Islamic" vigilantes is the struggle of all people everywhere- which should be waged first of all by those who love islam, and then by those of other faiths who defend themselves against aggressions.  We each have the responsibility to rein in our own fanatics...

I had clinic this morning and most patients, not all, arrived. Being usefully occupied, helping people get through whatever ills they have, helps me keep focus, keeps my mind on better things, and seems healthy. Noga and Michal have been pretty much housebound. We considered advancing the date of Michal's trip to the USA, but there are no unreserved seats on any flights leaving Israel anytime over this next coming week.

As I started to write this letter, sirens went off, and missiles fell again in Haifa - as happens several times daily. It becomes ever more difficult to sit back and somberly focus, or to write a letter, or to stay sane. I did manage to take a nice nap, and to change rental movies at nearby Horev center.  I was to show our Toyota to someone who wants to buy it, including going to a car-testing garage, but the national home guard recommends staying off the streets, and traffic is extremely light in Haifa, and I figured I'll put off the car dealings until a quieter time.

Liat is home, her jobs and school are on freeze for now.

Tomorrow after going to work in Rambam, we plan to drive, with Rami driving, to near Jerusalem where a cousin will have a bar mitzvah. It'll be a chance to meet other people, and to get out of the range of missiles for a while, and to do something happy and positive.

Some friends have written, and/or called. I understand that the US community is trying to mobilize support. Our synagogue community is organizing support for the housebound and new olim. Michal cleaned out her closet of toys ready to be re-cycled to smaller kids. I may end up cleaning out my closets too.

Although the time at home seems like a great opportunity to write articles for publications, I haven't had the focus or peace of mind to get to doing this. If the "situation" persists, maybe I'll be able to use the time better.

Overall our mood is not bad. Israel is doing what seems to need to be done, not much more or much less. The price of the current conflict is high, but unavoidable. There seems to be a strong national consensus on the diplomatic and military actions. Personally I feel well-enough to do to be able to weather the financial hit which is here and which is coming in terms of paying for current events. Israel is running up high bills quickly- about a billion shekels daily, and is running lower on international good will daily.

I hope to have better news soon.

So much for now. Do stay in touch, and do what you can to be supportive. You may forward any part of my letters to anyone to whom you'd like, and I enjoy hearing back from you when you can.

Dr. Jesse Lachter, Rambam Hospital Haifa
Or Chadash Synagogue Activist and Steering Committee Member