Dear Everyone, It’s a sad day, best summed up by Golda Meir’s statement that she is most upset at the Arabs because they force us to turn our children into killers.  This was a necessary attack, after eight years of missiles and a unilateral withdrawl.  But it is a very sad statement on the human condition and on Hamas that their desire to fire missiles at Israeli civilians is greater than their desire for life or independence, both of which was in reach.  A sign of Peoplehood is when a large majority of Jews follow the news and take it personally as Jews. 

 A small footnote on Gaza:  Yesterday the Israeli cabinet was supposed to vote–after two years of work by yours truly and team–to declare the Negev and Arava a renewable energy zone, with lots of benefits.  The cabinet instead had to focus on Gaza and voted to call up 7,000 reservists, including Anat, one of our regulation lawyers.  For the Jerusalem Post story from today on the delay on the solar vote, click here.

So you’ve had a tough year financially and want to recoup some of your losses.  You’re giving less tzeddakah because you are feeling poorer but still want to do good things for the world and the Jewish people.  What’s your next move?Invest in the Arava Power Company, Israel’s leading solar development enterprise.  We will shortly be announcing a second private placement investment round, ahead of the final government decisions that will accelerate the solar market here in Israel.  If you are interested in receiving more information, please email me at Yosef@AravaPower.com.   Click here for the Page One Jerusalem Post story on the Arava Power Company and what we have accomplished to date.   

The Forward’s Rebecca Spence behind the scenes story of Rabbi Sara Paasche-Orlow’s family and attempt to kill the bad guy in the WWII story is a remarkable example of how history can evolve.  Click here and see how changing notions of Peoplehood play themselves out.  Go Sara!

I hope the membership of the Green Movement on friday approves the vote, since it brings together key natural constituencies in israel and beyond. Go for it! click here for story.

What a wonderful peice in the Forward by JBooks.com super-star editor Ken Gordon, about the collaborative spirit of the 10 non profits on the fourth floor of Jewish Family & Life!’s HQ.  “Non-profit peoplehood” is the term Gordon uses:-) Click here for a good time.

For list of the candidates and the place, click here. By the way, Ed Hofland, APC chairman, predicted around 20th place out of 40. Mazel tov to Ed, who’se instincts are always great. Back to business! 

First, I want to thank our campaign team, especially Jacob Ner David, our campaign director.  Also thanks to Hallel, Adin, Amit Romano (Kol Dor), Aryeh Green (Kol Dor), Einat Wilf (Kol Dor), Arieh O’Sullivan, Stephanie, Yonit and others. Also thanks to Lisa Barkan for managing the campaign flyer, which was excellent.

 Second, the 600+ voters of the Israel Green Movement elected a great top 10 list of Knesset candidates.  I’m not sure where I placed since they have not announced more than the top vote getters.  (Susan is relieved!)  Mazel tov to Eran Ben Yemini, who was elected chair of the Party.  Read more

Ehud Zion Waldoks strikes again, this time capturing the Young Judaean spirit that motivates Alon Tal, Gershon Baskin and Captain Sunshine. Click here for his profile.  I’m running for the 4th spot. Results will be around 4pm Israel time on Friday at www.yeruca.org.il  

 
> השאלות
> למה בחרת להגיש מועמדות לכנסת?

** Why have you chosen to submit your nomination for Knesset?
>  Since renewable energy should be at the top of the
> national agenda, the Israel Green Movement needs someone who
> is an expert in this field toward the top of the Knesset
> list.  I look around and see many excellent candiates, but
> no one else who can bring the experience
> and sensibilities of green business to our election and
> legislative agenda. That’s why I am asking to be
> everyone’s choice for the #4 place on our Knesset list.
> מהו דבר אחד שיעשה אותך ח”כ טוב,
> במידה ותיבחר\י?

** What is the one thing that will make you a good MK should you be chosen?
> Expertise on how to make Israel quickly become a solar
> super power, free of the need to build any more polluting
> coal or gas power plants
>
> למה הגשת מועמדות דווקא
> ל”התנועה הירוקה”?

**  Why have you specifically submitted your candidacy for the Israel Green Movement Party?
> Because I felt that for the movement to credibly speak to
> the large number of people who want Israel to go solar, the
> movement needed someone who has fought for solar at every
> level of government and someone who has actually done the
> hard work of creating a 500 MW solar pipeline in the Arava
> and Negev.  
> מנה תחום אחד שבו הנהגת וחוללת
> שינוי חברתי אמיתי?

**  What areas/arenas have you already made real change?

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למה בחרת להגיש מועמדות לכנסת?
האנרגיה המתחדשת צריכה לעמוד בראש סדר היום הלאומי, ולכן התנועת הירוקה לישראל צריכה להציב מומחה בתחום זה במקום טוב בראש סולם המועמדים לכנסת. אני מביט סביבי ורואה מועמדים מצוינים רבים, אך אף אחד מהם לא יכול להביא לבחירות שלנו ולסדר היום של החקיקה את הניסיון ואת הרגישויות בכל הנוגע לעניין הירוק. זו הסיבה לכך שאני מבקש להיות המועמד המועדף על ידי כולם למקום הרביעי ברשימתנו לכנסת.

מהו דבר אחד שיעשה אותך ח”כ טוב, אם תיבחר\י?
המומחיות בתחום הפיכתה המהירה של ישראל למעצמת-על סולרית חופשייה מהצורך לבנות תחנות כוח חדשות על בסיס פחם או גאז.

למה הגשת מועמדות דווקא ל”התנועה הירוקה“?

כי הרגשתי שלצורך אמינותה של התנועה בפנייתה למספר גדול של אנשים שרוצים שישראל תהפוך ליצרנית ולצרכנית של אנרגיה סולרית, התנועה זקוקה למישהו שכבר לחם למען האנרגיה הסולרית בכל דרגי הממשלה וכבר עשה בשטח את העבודה הקשה של יצירת מערך ייצור עם פוטנציאל של 500 מגה-ואט בערבה ובנגב.

מנה תחום אחד שבו הנהגת וחוללת שינוי חברתי אמיתי
• הובלתי קמפייין להסבת ייעוד הקצאת 7 מיליארדי דולרים מהתקציב הפדרלי האמריקני ב-1997 לסיוע למהגרים חוקיים קשישים, רבים מהם מברית-המועצות

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