American Friends of Ateret Cohanim: Read JRP Contents

Statement on the tragic fires in Israel

The following statement was issued by Americn Friends of Ateret Cohanim/Jerusalem Chai

The Executive Council of American Friends of Ateret Cohanim/Jerusalem Chai extends its heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families of those killed in the line of duty. The tragic loss of sons and daughters in the devastating fire that engulfed the Carmel Forest, south of Haifa, is a tragedy of immense proportions. We also pray for a speedy recovery to the many Israelis who were injured.

"The entire family of the Jewish people has been affected by this monumental tragedy, and we encourage our members and friends to donate generously to the JNF and others, whose job it will be to replant the forest" said Shani Hikind, Executive Vice President.

The 5 million trees and over 12000 acres of forest destroyed is difficult to comprehend. Yet, at Ateret Cohanim, we have been witness to renewal after two thousand years of destruction in our holy city of Jerusalem. We hope and pray that the volunteers and organizations who will be responsible to rebuild and rededicate the forest will take strength and comfort from our experiences and we join in solidarity with them as they restore the forest and people.

We encourage you to donate generously. The following list provided by the Council of Presidents of Major Jewish Organizations

ORGANIZATION	LINK TO WEBSITE	ADDITIONAL DETAILS
AJC	http://www.ajc.org/	Established AJC Israel Emergency Assistance Fund.
Ameinu	http://www.ameinu.net/newsalert.php?newsalertid=60	Contributions fund direct efforts by Dror Israel.
AMIT	www.Amitchildren.org
B’nai B’rith International	www.bnaibrith.org	Israel Emergency Fund
Conservative/ Masorti Movement in North America	www.masorti.org, click on ‘Chesed Projects’	-Checks can be mailed to the Masorti Foundation, 475 Riverside Drive, Suite 832, New York, NY 10115, with the notation “Fire Emergency Fund” -Telephone contributions: 212-870-2216
JCC Association		Local JCCs are working with their local Federations on this campaign.
JDC	www.jdc.org Israeli teams working to provide urgent resources and relief to victims.	Has established Jewish Coalition for Israel Fire Relief to serve an educational and coordinating role, see where efforts and funds are being directed, and avoid duplication in offers of assistance.
Jewish Agency for Israel	https://www3.jafi.org.il/Donations/Default.aspx?Project=24&Language=en-US&AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1	Israel Fire Disaster Relief
Jewish National Fund	www.jnf.org/carmelrenewal	Operation Carmel Renewal: From Black to Green, raising funds for firefighting equipment, beautification of kibbutzim that were affected, and reforestation of the Carmel Forest.
JFNA	https://secure.ujcfederations.org/ft2/form.html?__id=21144 or connect at their main page at http://www.jewishfederations.org/page.aspx?id=234891	JFNA has opened an emergency mailbox, as have about 40 Federations.
National Council of Young Israel	https://www.youngisrael.org/securecontent/donate.cfm?dt=Israel%20Trauma%20Coalition	Israel Trauma Coalition
ORT America		ORT schools provide special activities for the young students who were affected by the fire.
Orthodox Union	http://www.ou.org/fire	Israel Emergency Forest Fire Fund
Reform Movement	http://www.arza.org/news/israel/fund/index.cfm http://www.arzacanada.org/	Carmel Fire-Israel Emergency Fund
WIZO USA	www.wizousa.organd www.wizo.org	Launched “WIZO is Lighting the Road to Hope on the Carmel Mountain Slope”
World ORT	http://www.ort.org/asp/article.asp?ID=1004.	Video of the damaged area from Tirat HaCarmel: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BqLsq8ztjZw&feature=player_embedded.

List of those who were killed in the fire:

Shimon Dayan, 28, of Karmiel, is survived by his wife. He served in the Nachshon unit.

Derman Kiril, 28, of Afula, is survived by his wife. He served at the Gilboa Prison.

Tanya Lansky, 23, of Ashdod, served in an unidentified prison.

Avi Noach, 34, of Jerusalem, is survived by his wife and two children.

Elad Riven, 16, a volunteer in the Fire Service, the only child of his parents,

Tafash A'adel, 33, of Beit Jan, is survived by a wife and two children.

Wassim Abu-Reish, 28, of Yarkha, is survived by a wife and three children.

Wasim Abu Rish, 32, of Kfar Yarka, served in the Rimonim Prison.

Warden Rafi Alkalai, 54, of Lapid, is survived by his wife and five children. He served at the “Nir” school as a commander of the Officers' Course.

Inbal Amoyal, 26, of Dimona, is survived by her parents and four siblings. She had just finished a Master's degree in Criminology and looked forward to serving in the nation's security force like her brothers. She served in various prison facilities.

Anonymous, at the request of the family.

Ayala Yifrach, 23, of Kiryat Bialik, served in the Kishon Prison.

Yaron Bermi, 31, of Mevuim is survived by his wife and one child. He served at the Dekel Prison

Ro'i Biton, 28, of Kiryat Gat, is survived by his wife who is eight months pregnant and a young son.

Warden Faviola Bohadana, 48, mother of two, of Ness Ziona. She served as company commander of the Officers' Course in the “Nir” school.

Police Dep.-Comdr. Lior Boker, 57, Northern District Operations Branch commander, promoted posthumously to Assistant-Commander.

Maor Ganon, 27, of Gan Yavne, married with one child, was a member of the Nachson unit.

Dimitry Gerstein, 27, of Tel Aviv, served in the Nachshon unit.

Hagai Jorno, 28, of Kiryat Gat, survived by his wife and young daughter.

Calai Chen Kefir, 35, of Gan Yavne, is survived by his wife and three children. He served in the Logistics Department at Israel Prisons Service Headquarters.

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