Answering the question, ‘what can I do?’

Increased awareness and support for Israel are the primary goals of the newly formed Israel Action Committee being established by members of the Hewlett-East Rockaway Jewish Centre.

Bill Lucas, a Hewlett resident and member of the Jewish Centre in East Rockaway, is heavily involved in the American-Israel Public Affairs Committee that works to strengthen the United States-Israel relationship. After seeing how many synagogue members there are locally and nationally he thinks more people should be involved with and know how to support Israel.

Lucas decided to spearhead the Israel Action Committee at the Hewlett-East Rockaway Centre, a committee that seeks to get people involved in specific actions that support the United States-Israel relationship and answer the question, ‘what can I do?’ The committee, according to Lucas, will serve as an educational outlet to inform people about they can do since many people don’t know.

“We as a group want to create a climate of advocacy,” Lucas said. “Each program we hold will have an element followed by telling people what they can do as an average citizen besides just giving money.”

The first program entitled, “Stop Apologizing,” will feature Political Correspondent for Israel Radio David Ze’ev who will discuss Israel’s need for having to defend itself, literally and figuratively.

“I hope people listen to the speaker and get a better appreciation for the Israeli situation,” Lucas said. “I also hope they also understand that there is a way for them to get involved such as influencing their congress people here at home to make them aware of various issues and promoting Israel’s position with the Untied States.”

When Jewish Centre member Arty Mintz learned about the committee he knew it was something he had to help with and he is now in charge of spreading the word for the committee.