One cannot think rationally in such situations - one must act like a robot, doing whatever could be done as quickly as possible. First, I called for backup on my MIRS, and then I started CPR. Even with all of the expensive equipment that we have, there are times that the only thing you can use is a simple pocket mask. Using a bag valve mask on a trauma patient that you are having trouble opening an airway for is a waste of time. It is close to impossible to use on your own on such a patient. I took out my trusty face mask, and started mouth to mouth resuscitation. I felt his lungs fill up with air, and I was slightly encouraged. One of the police officers started chest compressions (as well as he could), and we continued basic CPR for a minute or two. At this point, an ambulance with a paramedic - Aryeh Yaffe - arrived at the scene, along with Rafi Herbst and another volunteer. We now had four sets of hands instead of one, and could now start to try to save the young Jewish man's life. We immediately searched for the wounds and tried to stop the bleeding. At the same time we tried to start an IV, but were having difficulty due to the massive amounts of blood that he lost. We continued CPR, this time with a bag valve mask and good compressions, and in the meantime, more volunteers from the Jewish Quarter arrived on foot, and quickly took my place. Shortly thereafter a MDA Mobile ICU arrived and continued to work on the patient - the Doctor I saw on their crew was one of the best I have ever seen working under pressure and keeping his cool - as well as giving fantastic care to the patient. Soon, we had three IV's running, and we were trying to restart the young man's heart using drugs. Atropine, Sodium Bicarbonate were used among other drugs, and soon we had a heart rhythm on the EKG, although we did not have a pulse. We moved the patient to the mobile ICU who transferred him to the trauma center at Haddassah Ein Karem, but the young man was pronounced dead in the operating room - he had a massive gash in the veins and arteries in his stomach, and we could not save him. When I had arrived at the scene previously - he was no longer with us, yet we tried everything that we could to bring him back - to no avail.

What was the young man's crime? What did he do wrong? Why was he murdered by our 'peace partners'? To us, the residents of the Old City, these answers are clear. The arabs want us out of Israel - out of Jerusalem. They see clearly that violence and terrorism against Jews works, as witnessed in Gaza and Gush Katif - five years of violence culminated in the surrender of the Jews. Now, they clearly say that they want Jerusalem - and the way for them to get it is through blood - our blood. A friend of mine commented tonight, "Jewish blood is not cheap. It's free." The terrorism will continue - and will get much worse in Jerusalem. One thing I can tell you - we won't run. We will stand firm, and remain here until one side wins - us or them. The battle is for the soul of the Land of Israel - let no one think otherwise. In the meantime, I'm sure you are asking yourselves - what can be done? The answer, as I see it, is threefold. Physical help: This includes writing to congressmen, senators, politicians; trying to influence the viewpoint of others around you; visiting Israel; helping us in our struggle.

After tonight, I've realized that every volunteer EMT in the Old City should have a gun with him - we need to raise money for that as well (I can be reached at moshe@hatzolah.org.il for more information as to how to donate). I never thought that as an EMT I'd be trying to raise money for guns - the instruments of death, but times have changed. There are also other medical items that we need - reach me at the email address above. More importantly, we must realize that our fate is decided in Heaven. When a decree comes from before G-d, we must take a deeper look at ourselves and try to find what is wrong spiritually. Each of us must make additional effort in the spiritual realm to do more mitzvot and study Torah, and through that may we merit the rescinding of the terrible sword that hangs above our heads. Let us cry together. Let us understand that a Jew murdered in Jerusalem must have an impact upon the entire Jewish nation - we must realize the depths that we have reached.

We are a splintered, fragmented nation - each of us finding fault with the other. At the very least, let us join together in sorrow, and cry as one for the blood of a young man, murdered in Jerusalem simply because he was a Jew. Please pass this message on. We must wake up and realize where this is leading. We must arise to the challenge given to us and join together to be victorious. Written in sorrow by Moshe Simons, EMT Hatzolah & MDA Volunteer Hatzolah Newsletter Editor Jewish Quarter, Jerusalem moshe@hatzolah.org.il..From: Save The Gush.com.Newsletter. shlomo@savethegush.com  and grasiela1@bezeqint.net
 

PONZI MAN IS TERRIFIC!

Dear Editor: I just read the review of the play Ponzi Man. What a coincidence! What a lovely surprise because I saw it too, yesterday. It is terrific. Those folks need a great review. The actors were right on. The story is touching. It was fun and a great learning experience for me. David Goldfarb, New York. USA.

YOU ARE DISTORTING THE TRUTH

Your series of article on the disengagement and giving away lands to the rightful people of Palestine is a misrepresentation of history. Obviously you are a Zionist and on the side of the Israelis. Go back to the old books of history and learn that Palestine or Falestine was always a Palestinian land longtime before the Jews settle on our lands. We lived there for the past 5000 years. So don't tell me you are giving away Israeli lands to Palestinians. This  historical fact is documented by tablets found in Cyprus and Rhodes written in Greek, 3000 years ago. Originally, the Palestinians or Philistines came from Greece and the Greek Islands. Read and teach yourself! Khalil Bakri, Manamah, Bahrain.

THEY WILL TAKE JERUSALEM TOO!

 Dear Editor: The Israelis gave more than enough to the Palestinians. The whole Gaza. It seems not enough for the Palestinians. So hell with them because they will ask for more.

I read Daniel Pipes article on the subject and it is clear from reading the article that the Arabs want every inch of Israel. When Sharon is going to understand that? Emanuel Levitt, London, UK.

THE ISRAELIS ARE ARROGANT.

Hello: With great interest and curiosity I read your front page article on the Iranian spying plane that flew over Israel.

Two of our guests are Christa and Johan Rhodius, a Christian couple from Holland. Johan is a lawyer, and together we have drafted a press release covering the legal ramifications of this government’s abuse of the human rights of its citizens. I have appeared on radio and television, including CNN, Sky News, American ABC, telling the world of our plight. We are holding tight! At least ten thousand people have streamed into Gush Katif.

Every available home, schoolroom and public shelter is occupied, as are most lawns. Last night at a town hall meeting held on the grass because no hall was large enough to accommodate the crowd we were told the army will deliver formal letters of expulsion Monday morning giving us 48 hours to leave or be forcibly expelled. I see my friends and neighbors. We hug, we kiss, we weep, we comfort each other. We see the moving vans at peoples homes. Some have broken. They can’t stand the pressure any longer. Few come to see them off. Both those leaving and those remaining are ashamed at their departure. I understand them. Some who have already left have yet to receive the government compensation promised. There is always one more paper to sign. We have not signed anything. We can’t bring ourselves to grovel before the government. We have put our paperwork in the hands of the legal representatives of Gush Katif. It has begun. From midnight to eight am this morning, the 9^th of Av, the day of our major Jewish calamities, all electricity in Gush Katif was turned off. I am in despair. Is this our last week in Gush Katif? Please, G-d, let the miracle happen. Please, G-d, let me see it. Rachel Saperstein, Israel

HAVALIGHT IN NEW YORK

I wanted to announce to you the creation of our Group. It was 6 months ago  actually but maybe you could be interested in talking about HavaLight.
 

 It's an invitation-only Group that gathers Jewish internationals once or twice a week.  Average attendance is 2500-300 people, just word of mouth. And members are  selected with their profiles. OF course membership is free. Have a look: www.havalight.com We had some press already we it could be great if you could tell a few word or an article about us. Looking forward to hearing from you Best Georges Benoliel, New York. USA.

Dr. Ilil Arbel: "Morgenstein's play is innovative, original, and entirely free of stereotypes."

ADL CALLS ON POLISH CHURCH TO BAR ANTI-SEMITIC PRIEST

The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) has urged the Catholic Church in Poland to bar Father Henryk Jankowski, a vitriolic anti-Semite, from further public preaching following anti-Jewish remarks he made at a rally on August 14 to mark the 25^th anniversary of the "Solidarity" trade union. At the rally, Jankowski went into a tirade against "Jewish bankers" whom he claimed were threatening Poland. Jankowski is well-known for his obsessive anti-Semitism. In 1997, the Church banned him from preaching for a year after he stated that Jews had no place in the Polish government. In 2004, he reacted to allegations of involvement in the sexual abuse of children by alleging a "Judeo-communist plot". In a letter to Archbishop Stanislaw Dziwisz, ADL National Director, Abraham H. Foxman called on the Church "to officially sanction Father Jankowski and bar him from public preaching."  Mr. Foxman said, "An event that was intended to mark a key moment in Poland's courageous struggle for democracy was sullied by Father Jankowski's contemptible statement about 'Jewish bankers' threatening Poland.  Mr. Foxman went on to say, "It should now be clear that Father Jankowski is a vicious anti-Semite who has no intention of changing his ways or expressing remorse. It is also clear that he is out of step with the modern Catholic Church which, particularly under the inspired leadership of the late Pope John Paul II, has made such important strides in the reconciliation between Catholics and Jews. Myrna Shinbaum (ADL), New York, USA.

The Anti-Defamation League, founded in 1913, is the world's leading organization fighting anti-Semitism through programs and services that counteract hatred, prejudice and bigotry.

JOSH, THE JEWISH BULL RIDER EXTRAORDINAIRE

Dear Max" Josh Peter here, author of the forthcoming book, "Fried Twinkies, Buckle Bunnies and Bull Riders: A Year Inside the Professional Bull Riders.'' First, thanks again for running the blurb about my book in the letters-to-the-editor section. It was the first publicity I got, and for that I'm very grateful. But now I got something new for you -- perhaps something you'd like to follow-up with closer to the book's official Oct. 14 release. After completing the book, I discovered what I now refer to as The Only Jewish Bull Rider on Planet Earth. Believe me, I scoured the country and found only one -- and unfortunately too late to get him in the book, but not too late to share his story. His name is Jonathan Hochman, a native of Philadelphia who relocated to Austin, where he picked up bull riding and became very easy to spot. He was the guy riding with the Israeli flag stitched to his protective vest. No joke. "A tallis would be a bit much, although it may go well with the fringe on my chaps,'' he joked during our first e-mail exchange. "It's funny but a lot of folks at these rodeos have never met a Jew before. You would think that they were expecting me to have horns or something.'' Nine years ago, after moving to Austin, Hochman attended a rodeo and found himself mesmerized by the bull riders. So he decided he had to climb aboard one of the beasts himself. Nine years later, he's still at it. In his own words, "At the ripe old age of 37, I'm still riding but have now become much more active is helping to teach, coach and mentor teen rodeo cowboys. I am working with former bull-riding superstar Gary Richard to develop Young Guns Productions -- a youth rodeo association focused on giving children and teens a shot to compete for educational and vocational scholarships, as well as cash, prizes and buckles.'' But his Judaism isn't the only thing that distinguishes from perhaps any other rider on Planet Earth. "I am pretty sure I am the only bull rider in MENSA,'' he said. "Go figure.''  Go figure, indeed.  Meanwhile, I look forward to hearing about your interest in a possible story -- and hope all is well with you. Best regards, Josh Peter, Texas, USA

P.S. You can now find more information about the book at www.friedtwinkies.com, and Kirkus Review had this to stay about the book: “"A buzzing introduction to the world of bull riding, from New Orleans Times-Picayune sportswriter Josh Peter. ...He focuses on the 2004 season, a hotly contested series populated by a number of very different personalities, each smartly profiled. ...action keeps the writing spirited throughout. A portrait of a sport boasting tremendous ferocity and mayhem that may soon give NASCAR a run for the money.''



 

YOUR AGENCY CAN HELP THE ISRAELI REFUGEES! ISRAELI MEDIA ARE AFRAID OF SHARON.

Dear editor: You have a powerful tool. Your news and your contacts. Please use them to bring the message of the Israeli families who lost their homes to complete strangers. Let the world outside Israel know how we are suffering. Sharon had no plans after evacuation. We were thrown in the streets. The police was brutal with us, with our children. Army officers were nice to us but their hands are tied up. Nothing they can do. They are following orders. We lost our synagogues, homes, lands and business.  Do not believe what the Israeli Ministry of Information is telling you. Sharon has no plans for the Israeli refugees. The media is taken by our government, the television too. You are the ONLY news and media organization who is not under the influence and spell of Sharon. We know that. Because you are powerful, people listen to you. PLEASE HELP THE ISRAELI REFUGEES. Why don't you open a FORUM CHAT Page, like this we can tell you everyday what is happening here. Please make something like MESSAGE BOARD. Like this, all of us will write to you and give you our messages. If you do not help us now, it will be too late tomorrow. The Jerusalem Post does not care much. They do a little. But they are afraid of Sharon. You are not. We trust you. Eleizar Myers. Tel Aviv, Israel.

WHERE ARE THE JEWISH PHILANTHROPISTS IN NEW YORK? THEY ARE FULL OF HOT AIR AND BUL....T!

Dear sir: Do you want a hot piece of journalism? Then get this. Sheltered Israeli families from 7 evacuated communities appealed to rich Jewish organizations in New York and some in California. Myself and two other victims wrote to Bn'..........., Rose........., Jewish C..........., Dar C........,Viv................, Jewish M......, and to at least 500 philanthropists and wealth Jewish families in America to help us. You know what? Nobody had the courtesy to reply. You know what, they don't care. We wrote articles and sent them to Jewish newspapers in New York city. But the newspapers refuse to publish them. We sent videos to TV stations, same thing. The World Jewish News Agency is doing a lot for us. I see all the appeals, messages and free advertisements you are giving to Jewish charitable organizations. Nobody is doing this except you. This is very honourable. In my final words,  I tell you the rich Jewish people in New York are full of hot air. They are not helping at all. G-d bless you. You are the best. Nat Tovia.  Jerusalem, Israel.