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The
residents of the Shomron Regional District have over the years
combined the essence of Zionist idealism in partnership with the best
of modern life creating a dynamic community boasting an open and
tolerant atmosphere who take pride in their Judaism and the
settlement of modern Eretz Israel. Our communities blending veteran
Israeli’s with a constant stream of newcomers from a variety of
backgrounds and countries has enabled the residents of the Shomron to
retain our communal spirit over the difficult formative years until
today. With God’s help and blessings, we will continue to
strengthen our communities in the Shomron and deepen our roots here
in Israel, the home of the Jewish nation.
The
current head of the Shomron Regional District, Mr. Gershon Mesika,
established the Shomron Liaison Office (SLO). The primary mission of
the Shomron Liaison Office is to reach out to our supporters
throughout the world, Jews and Christians. In reaching out, we have
created successful partnerships with our supporters enabling
implementation of programs that have empowered us to remain
steadfast. To compliment these efforts with our supporters, the
S.L.O. has brought local and international media representatives to
tour in the Shomron, meet face to face with our residents, countering
the delegitimization and anti-Israel reporting commonly found among
media representatives, including networks representing Arab
communities and countries. This effort is especially important and
results are very impressive, however these efforts must be augmented.
Over
recent months, we in the Shomron region have had to counter an
incessant campaign against the legitimacy of our communities to lead
normal lives.
This
campaign has been assisted by the recent increase in terror attacks
against our residents, a political environment that attempts to
de-legitimize our biblical right to
live
in Judea and Samaria, and finally the construction freeze. This
reality has created an impossible situation creating unnecessary
daily hardships and financial ruin for many of our
residents
who have complied with building regulations and who are law-abiding
citizens, but to no avail.
The
Shomron Regional District, geographically, the largest regional
authority in Israel boasts a population of 26,000 residents living
among 40 communities. The annual operating budget of the Shomron
Regional District must ear mark an unproportional level of funding
for security and anti-terror activities, and due to the need to
transport every day thousands of pupils in armored buses to area
schools, 900 bus lines are operated every school day of the year. The
result being almost nonexistent funding for non-security related
activities and one of the lowest per capita budgetary rates in
Israel. The S.L.O. was established to reach out to our supporters and
create partnerships that will enable creative, effective and quality
programs. The goal of the S.L.O. for the year 2010 is to raise One
million dollars from our supporters; 600,000 dollars for programs
including population groups at risk and 400,000 dollars for capital
projects.
A
few examples of current projects being developed:
Jewish
Heritage Center for
sharing our heritage and Zionistic values
- based on a proud and vibrant community steeped in our heritage and
Jewish culture out of a love of Zion and strengthening Eretz
Yisrael.
Foreign
Arabic speaking news media networks reporting from Israel –
Mr. Ayoob Kara, Deputy Minister for the Development of the Galilee
and Negev has authorized the S.L.O. to organize visits of Arab
networks to the Shomron personally lead by the Deputy Minister.
The
Samaritans of Mt. Grizim – The
head of the Samaritan has invited the S.L.O. to develop partnerships
with their small community in a whole area of mutual projects.
Ariel
University and the Shomron Regional District are developing an extra
curriculum program for high school students to be given college
credits and a 50 + learning program for adults living in the Shomron
Twinning
schools
- from the Shomron and schools in communities abroad
I
truly hope that this brief introduction has kindled your interest to
support and create partnerships with out communities .
As always, your visit to the
Shomron is highly appreciated and we welcome you.
With
Respect,
David
Ha’ivri , Executive Director
Shomron
Liaison Office
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