Join a live international Hanukkah party and interact with everybody!  

Hanukkah is here again, but have we yet got its full message? How many can truly celebrate an event that has its very roots in the abandoning of foreign customs? Fortunately, this year Chanukkah will be a time for healing rifts between Jewish communities embedded in the most assimilated customs found in the Diaspora, with Jewish communities in Israel, often facing its own challenges in trying to maintain a life based on Torah Judaism. 

Aliyah Magazine is joining forces with Arutz Sheva, the Orthodox Union of America, Nefesh b Nefesh, and many more, to promote an amazing new event called the Hanukkah Revival.   

However one looks at it, there is no denying that the outcome of the Macabean revolt against estranged Judaism, led to the rededication of our Temple in Jerusalem, and that's firmly placed in Israel, center of the Jewish world. Therefore, this year it behoves us all to rekindle some of that original flame from the Temple, when we light our our own individual candles. But is there even more we can do?

On Sunday 9th December at 9pm Israel time (7pm GMT / 2pm EST) we invite all to attend a pilot event that could literally light up all of our candles to shed its glow around the whole Jewish world. Utilizing the latest media technology, this event will not only allow you to see a live broadcast from your homes, but also to directly interact with some of your favorite personalities.

The event will include serious thought provoking discussions, live music, and above all some serious fun! 

Hanukkah Revival is presented by Israel Vibes, interactive broadcasting event producers, and that is a name designed to travel far & wide!

Stay tuned in by seeing Aliyah Magazine or Israel National News for regular updates about how to get your free invite into this awesome event. Maybe, you want to also invite us to join your own individual party on that night, or play a song live? Just contact us here. Jews know how to party, and this is one ocassion when we'll do plenty of that.  

Happy Hanukkah!  

Sure, I can almost hear the thoughts twittering inside your brain. "How can any sane and rational Jew even consider making Aliyah at a time like this?'" And guess what, on one level you are right! But, deep down inside every Jew there is buried the DNA of truth, which when properly activated reveals the innermost reality. Jews are connected to Israel as a heart is connected to a body.

I know that caring Jews are also suffering with the plight of their people living in Israel. The very fact of tuning into the latest news is akin to feeling the need to be closeby, isn't that like the heart circulating the essense of life around its host?  

Is it hard being in Israel right now, aren't the dangers real? Of course. After all, we are also sane and rational people. However, over here the heart and body are better connected. The heart of course is Hashem and the body is Am Israel. Yet bodily limbs and organs work best in close proximity to each other. Jews stretched out across the vast Diaspora are also further away from the heart & soul of their people. We know from our Torah that the eyes of Hashem is constantly upon Israel. Nothing is beyond the reach of Hashem, but is the same true of those who extend the reach themselves to Israel by remaining so far away?

Many Jews can also reasonably question our leadership challenges during times of war. In my opinion, even this has something to do with Jews remaining in the Diaspora. Even amongst the most secular Jews in Israel, there is a feeling of absolute strength and righteousness. This sensation permeates through the ranks of our IDF and security forces. We are less afraid then those outside of Israel to act accordingly. Brakes are needed on military vehicles because we are so driven to forging ahead in war! So what holds us back to carry out some actions, outside of military strategy?

Sadly, there is a vicious cycle at play. World leaders are often subject between two voices representing the Children of Israel, either local Jews, or those based in Israel. Usually Jews placed closer to the local seat of government win out. They in turn have to be mindul of a PR war, which Israel lost decades ago. Therefore, while Israel would seek to use such Jews as representatives, this conduit can also serve the interests of foreign governments, often concerned about local PR already in the hands of Israel's enemies. What a doomed task! Hence, Israeli policy can sometimes be subject to a foreign idealogy, with Jews in the Diaspora playing an active part.          

Other prominent Jewish voices raise self-righteous moral concerns and willingly join in their adopted nations' chorus of condemnation against any Israeli act that is based upon strength. Sure we get support when we're kicked on the ground, but the body doesn't survive very long under such continous blows. So what can you do, maybe cry out against injustice? Let's face it dear readers, Internet forums are as close as many ever get towards doing something for Israel. 

Contrary to popular belief that Israel's well being depends upon Jewish supporters in the Diaspora, I would offer a counter claim. Israel's weakness stems from an over exposure to the Diaspora mentality. This holds true from both Israelis concerned about our standing abroad, as well as Jews living overseas...themselves torn between divided loyalties.

For every Jew making a decision to come home at this hour of need, certain after-effects will surely happen. First and foremost, that individual Jew will find more inner comfort and peace of mind being closer to his people. Next, his very action creates an impression that Jews belong in Israel, and in doing so endorse our right to be here. Third, even one single Jew being with his people serves to strengthen us. Such a move sends a message that viewing Israel's fate from the Diaspora, and through their eyes, is no longer acceptable.

I can fully understand your fears. As I write this I'm waiting for my wife to find her way home after working in an office overlooking the bus which terrorists attacked today in TA. She was even stranded in the building while a hunt went on for one suspect thought to have been inside. My dear son is standing by near Gaza. I do my own part. Yet we all chose to be in Israel at this moment! There is a closeness among our people that is almost tangible and far exceeds feelings of fear & despair that can play on the minds of Jews living in the Diaspora, and caring about Israel    

You heart is here, now bring yourself over and make the ultimate connection. True peace exists when Jews are in their Jewish Homeland. G-d willing,we will prevail and totally vanquish our enemies. Am Yisrael Chai!          

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On behalf of Aliyah Magazine I applaud Nathan Sharansky's initiation of an emergency fund to assist seriously threatened communities living in the Jewish Diaspora. Nathan himself is no stranger to dire straights living in a foreign land, and is well placed to make such a venture succeed. However, current events are becoming increasingly reminiscent of the plight of European Jewry prior to WW2, whereby limitations were placed upon the extent of practical assistance Jews living in pre state Israel were able to render to those living in the Diaspora.

It appears that everyday more shocking news is heard concerning Anti-Semitic events overseas. To my mind, the question arises as to why such a fund is required in the first place? Shouldn't local authorities be the first port of call when the safety of its citizens comes into play? In launching this fund, it would appear that the answer to that simple question is a resounding no! Israel as part of a global Jewish community is obviously only too aware of the fragile existence of many Jews living beyond its own borders and accordingly far from protection by its own defense forces.

With the above concerns in mind, it would seem plausible to connect funding for Jewish protection in the Diapora, with a concerted push towards attracting these threatened Jews to make Aliyah in haste. Indeed, there is no question of making 'political' gain in undertaking such a mission of critical importance. The horrific murders in Toulouse serves to remind us that Jews face an existential threat, which requires drastic action. Hence, the mention of a likeness to WW2. Only this time we have the benefit of hindsight, to motivate us to work against the clock to bring all Jews within the umbrella of Jewish defense, and that means here in Israel.

Aliyah Magazine supports the concept of an Aliyah Community even for Jews living in the Diapora. They should always see themselves as being ready to make that special step in moving to Israel at any time. Nathan Sharansky is ringing alarm bells, and this is no fire drill. While the assembly place is in the Diaspora, there should be no question as to where the evacutaion place will be.  

Accordingly, I look forward to hearing Nathan Sharansky expand upon his excellent proposal to include helping Jews in the Diaspora to come safely home.                    

Aliyah Magazine is dedicated towards building an Aliyah Community that will replace the Jewish Diaspora, and give direction to Jews, even in the Jewish Homeland, to raise themselves in Israel.  

How many of you have ever felt frustration at the way the image of a Jew is often portrayed in this world?     

Well, the days are numbered for the downtrodden Jew. Much of the world prefers to preserve the identity of a Jew as a citizen of any nation except Israel. Indeed one's social survival in the Diaspora is often measured more in terms of conformity to local norms than to a higher calling associated with a member of the tribe of Israel. Well that is about to change.

The Aliyah Community allows Jews worldwide to regain a meaningful purpose in their lives as far as their Judaism is concerned. A Jew living in the Diaspora who does not associate with a Jewish community is simply cut off from his or her spiritual source. The Torah frequently refers to the punishment of being cut off from one's people as being a severe blow. However, by extension, a Jewish community in the Diaspora which fails to also identify with Israel, in some respects commits an even graver mistake.

The most well known Jewish prayer is the Shema, which begins 'Hear o' Israel'. In essence, it speaks to that part of every Jewish soul that is connected to a greater portion, the 'Children of Israel'. As the prayer progresses through the words stating that even Israel is considered as nothing without the oneness of our maker, the full significance of Aliyah becomes more apparent. A Jew gains an identity through belonging to Israel, and Israel finds fulfillment through belonging to Hashem, G-d. Accordingly, Aliyah, which means 'ascending' refers both to a Jew raising one's identity within Israel, and on a greater scale, Israel raising its identity with G-d.

Therefore, the Aliyah Community is a dynamic movement that serves to provide Jews in the Diaspora with a single purpose, re-unification with Israel. The first step might be finding a local Jewish community to belong to. However, the buck doesn't stop there, as an awareness of the next stop should be held in mind, an actual move to the Jewish Homeland in Israel. Without this merging of Jews in one homeland, the ultimate stage of raising our national banner under the will of Hashem cannot be fulfilled.

Each and every Jew should therefore begin to take pride and strength in becoming part of an upwardly mobile community. Only an Israel committed to its destiny will send a message to the world...the downtrodden Jew is no longer your stepping stone. An Aliyah Community will take over the Jewish Diaspora and give purpose and direction to our special people. Every non-Jew supporting this movement can also take pride as being a participant in this Aliyah Community, as they are also uplifting their own mission on our shared planet.

Israel shall rise above the nations, not as a tyrant, but as a light & blessing for all mankind. Every Jew will surely find a destined place, however it is far better to exert personal effort in raising oneself from within, to fully be deserving in sharing the destiny of the Children of Israel.

Check out of the Diaspora, and into the Aliyah Community. For further information visit Aliyah Magazine

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