Boston Rabbi Heads to Israel

By Debra Glidden / The Daily Item

SWAMPSCOTT – As he prepares to enter what is a war zone, Rabbi Yossi Lipsker is praying for peace.

Lipsker, of Chabad Lubavitch of the North Shore, is departing Wednesday for a week in Israel to visit his son, who is studying at a Rabbinical school in Jerusalem, and to offer a little comfort to those in war stricken areas.

“I have a two-fold purpose for going,” he said. “I am going to show solidarity with the people of Israel. I hope and pray for peace very, very soon. I hope by the time I get there or get back this war is over. I hope there is peace so citizens are allowed to live without fear and little children allowed to sleep at night without worrying about rockets crashing into their living room.”

Lipsker, who is making the trip alone, said he is taking gifts from the North Shore community to those most affected by the violence.

“We are collecting new small toys for the children in bomb shelters in those areas that are most vulnerable right now,” he said. “We are also purchasing new iPods for the wounded soldiers with donations we have received.”

Lipsker, who grew up in Philadelphia and moved to Swampscott in 1992, said he also plans on visiting some children who spent the summer with families in Swampscott. Israel withdrew from Gaza in 2005, only to come under frequent rocket attacks from militants there. Hamas, whose charter calls for Israel’s destruction, won Palestinian parliamentary elections in 2006 before seizing control of the seaside enclave from the rival Fatah group in June 2007. In response to the ongoing attacks, Israel imposed a blockade on Gaza with Egypt’s backing, but that failed to stop the rockets. A truce brokered by Egypt last June broke down in November and Hamas let it lapse Dec. 19.

Israel’s airstrikes began eight days later, followed by a ground offensive. The Israeli military said its military operations, which began Dec. 27, are aimed at halting the firing of rockets into southern Israel by Hamas. But militants have continued to fire rockets and mortar shells into Israel.

Lipsker said The Jewish Federation of the North Shore is sponsoring a rally in support of Israel. The event will be held this Sunday at Temple Ner Tamid, 368 Lowell St. in Peabody at 5 p.m. and the guest speaker will be Nadav Tamir, consul general of Israel to New England. The event is free and open to people of all faiths.

“The community will come together to support Israel’s right to exist in peace and security,” he said. “We encourage everyone to attend.”

Lipsker said participants are encouraged to donate a small handheld game or toy so Israeli children can entertain themselves during the long hours in bomb shelters and iPods for wounded soldiers.

Lipsker said he would personally deliver all of the donated items to Israel. Anyone unable to attend who would like to make a donation can do so online at www.nsjewish.com, by calling 781-581-3833 or sending an email to [email protected].

The solidarity rally is sponsored in partnership with Anti Defamation League, Chabad of the North Shore, Cohen Hillel Academy, Congregation Ahabat Sholom, Congregation Shirat Hayam, Congregation Sons of Israel, Congregation Tifereth Israel, Holocaust Center Boston North, Jewish Community Center of the North Shore, Jewish Family Service of the North Shore, Jewish Historical Society of the North Shore, Jewish Journal Boston North, LSM Hadassah, Mikvat B’not Ysrael, North Shore Rabbinic Council, North Suburban Jewish Community Center, Temple Ahavat Achim, Temple B’nai Abraham, Temple Beth Shalom, Temple Emanu-El, Temple Ner Tamid, Temple Shalom and Temple Sinai.