Shalom again to all the friends in St Louis and Atlanta

Thanks again for yr warm response. Thanks to the 2000 people of St Louis who gathered at a rally of support. Thanks to the heads of the federation for supporting us, and for the letters of support which you sent to our mayors over here.

This is a personal report.

I know you are all following the news reports. You all know that yesterday (June 19) was severe. Over 130 Katyushas were fired at Haifa, Tveria, Carmiel, Naharia, Safed and many settlements near the northern border.

Hezbollah murderers do not discern between Jews and non Jews. Rockets are falling on Arab villages as well. In the town of Nazareth - a holy town for Christians - 2 children were killed. Over 60 different settlements were hit by Katyushas, 14 soldiers were killed and 15 civilians. Of 260 wounded, 11 are considered sever wounds, 31 are medium and the rest mildly wounded.

Over 900 rockets were fired at our homes since last Wednesday. Today (July 20) "only" 36 rockets were fired, none of them at Haifa. (Its 8:30 pm now, lets hope it stays quiet).

Terrorists are still entrenched in bunkers, not just in Beirut but right on the border north of Avivim. Severe fighting is going ob between Israeli troops and the terrorists. Reports are still coming in. Lets hope in ends quickly with no casualties.

We live in Yokneam. We are near, but not in the line of fire. The supermarket at the local mall is full to capacity from all the people from Haifa, Nesher etc. coming to buy food an supplies here. All the shops in Haifa area are closed.

Yesterday the murdering terrorists tried to fire a rocket at one of the cities Near Tel Aviv. A human rocket, a suicide bomber. I was  in Tel Aviv yesterday. At 11:00 I went from TLV to Rosh Ha-Ayin for an additional meeting. I and 100,000 drivers were stopped for 2 hours as security forces went after the terrorist, and at 1:30 PM apprehended him.

I give thanks to HaShem for giving the Intelligence forces the ability to know this on time, and for giving our security forces the speed, agility and ability to capture the killers before they can fulfill their plans to  intentionally kill innocent women and children.

Perhaps the world doesn't understand. Perhaps we were to slow in explaining it. A kassam missile fired at Shderot, a katyusha fired at Nahariya, kidnapped soldiers, these are all considered a violation of our borders, an invasion to our homes, and - seeing as its targeted intentionally at civilians - it is murder. It should not and will not be tolerated.

So we are 9 days at war. 50% of the businesses in Haifa are closed. 70% in the north of the country. While the population is strong and enduring, there is concern for the industry and economy. If ever there was a time to "buy Israel" it is now. This should be a preferred method of support, from individuals and corporations alike. Insisting on buying Israeli products, Israeli technology, Israeli services. The industry of the north needs you. Our well being depends on it, so do our jobs. "Buy Israel".

But this is a personal report.

Tomorrow we will go spend the weekend with our son and grandson in Alon Shevut in Gush Etzion. Another son of ours is doing reserve duty nearby as well. Our own home in Yokneam will be populated by a family from Safed, coming to spend a quiet Shabbat away from the rockets.

Meanwhile I continue to recommend Tehilim.

One of my favorites is psalm 121:

A song of ascents

I lift up my eyes to the hills

where does my help come from?

My help comes from the LORD,

the Maker of heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot slip

he who watches over you will not slumber;

indeed, he who watches over Israel

will neither slumber nor sleep.

The LORD watches over you

the LORD is your shade at your right hand;

the sun will not harm you by day,

nor the moon by night.

The LORD will keep you from all harm

he will watch over your life;

the LORD will watch over your coming and going

both now and forevermore.

Amen

Best Regards

Hanan Caspi

He who makes peace in the heavens, shall bring peace onto us and unto all of Israel, Amen