PRESS RELEASE - November 13, 2006

American Cantors visit interrupted by Qassam rocket attack in Israel
Thursday afternoon, October 19, 2006 at approximately 3:30 PM Israel time
For immediate dissemination

Cantors Kepecs, Montefiore and Rossler examine a still warm Qassam 10/19/06

In a stark revelation of the facts on the ground in Israel, Cantor David Montefiore revealed, in his President’s Report 10/25/06 to the Jewish Ministers Cantors Association of America & Canada [JMCA] regarding their Mission: Mivtzah Emunah - Operation Faith [October 13 -19, 2006], that while having discussions at Sderot with Mayor Eli Moyal, that they had come under rocket attack.

“The Qassams used to land occasionally, but the situation has become intolerable. The ritual repeats itself. Every summer, government representatives come to see us and increase the budget so we will not complain. As if it is possible to sell our suffering for money. This will not continue - we will not be bought for money. We demand military action to restore the sense of peace and serenity to this city to give the people and the Negev a chance to continue to develop. They don’t want to hear this in Jerusalem but we don’t care – we want to live in peace. "Two things are flying now in Israel - Prime Minister Olmert and the Qassams. We asked Olmert to come down from the Olympus and look at what is happening here.”

“….in the middle of our meeting with Moyal, a prophetic thing happened: two Qassam rockets landed right near where we were talking in the village. Moyal called his son on his cell immediately and Cantors Kepecs, Rossler and Montefiore darted from Moyal’s office with their driver Yishay Avital and cameraman and went to where the bomb squad had just arrived to disarm the Qassams. With a camera rolling and our guide and hosts in tow, we recorded the truth of what Israelis have been telling the world – land for peace is a very bad deal. The reality of possibly not returning home to our loved ones, slammed into our faces as we looked at each other in disbelief.”

The Cantors traveled from four continents to their spiritual home – Jerusalem. Their journey of faith and music culminated with a Concert of Thanksgiving at Yeshurun Central Synagogue in Jerusalem, Wednesday evening, October 18, 2006 and was sponsored by the Jerusalem Municipality. In a show of overwhelming support for the State of Israel and those who have suffered the winds of war this past summer – the Jewish Ministers Cantors Association of America & Canada [established 1897] [JMCA] www.thejmca.com in New York City in partnership with The Cantors Conservatory, Inc of Tucson, Arizona www.CantorsConservatory.org and the Government of Israel - Ministry of Tourism, World Zionist Organization, American Zionist Movement and the Israel Center of Tucson traveled to Israel. They also met with the wounded IDF soldiers in Tel HaShomer Hospital, former residents and refugees from Gush Katif and Moshav Yad Binyamin. Some of the renowned cantors participating are: Elie Kepecs, Alex Stein, Michael Trachtenberg, Moshe Schulhof, Asher Hainowitz, Israel Rand and David Montefiore.

http://english.katif.net/index.php?id=2241&sub=1

http://www.jewishtucson.org/content_display.html?ArticleID=193623

http://masoret.hevre.co.il/hydepark/topic.asp?topic_id=2047798

For further details please go to our websites and click on Events or Support.

UNITED STATES CONTACT: Cantor David Montefiore MontefioreD@aol.com

520.444.5795 520.887.3587 800.977.JMCA [5622]

CANADA CONTACT: Cantor Alex Stein cantor@bethtzedec.ca

Calgary, Alberta Canada 403-252-7444 / 403-255-8688 /Fax: 403-252-8319

Jewish Ministers Cantors Association of America & Canada
A New York State 501 (c) 3 corporation

244 Fifth Avenue Suite G 274 New York, New York 10001
Tel: 800.977.JMCA [5622] 520.444.5795 520.887.3587
MontefioreD@aol.com
www.theJMCA.com

The Cantors’ Conservatory, Inc. – an Arizona not-for-profit corporation

P. O. Box 64981 Tucson, Arizona 85728
Conservato@aol.com
www.CantorsConservatory.org

Psalm 27: 1-7
“Though a host of men were laid against me,
Yet, shall not my heart be afraid.
And though there rose up war against me,
Yet, will I put my trust in Him.”

August 20, 2006                                                                                               26 Av 5766 

Dear Friends: 

The Israeli soldier is much like a King David in battle: courageous – yet weary and wounded and in some cases he or she has embarked on their final journey. Some will never see the orchards of their beloved kibbutzim nor their nets in the Galilee. They are Israel’s children thrown into a war not of their choosing. As in the time of King David, it is a time for Tefilah, for prayer; for song and to take from beneath the armour, the lyre – the Kinor and give thanks to God - a time to ask the Almighty for guidance and mercy.  

Sh’lichei Tzibur - Messengers of Prayer – Cantors, in the Davidic tradition, have filled their prayers with Tehilim – Psalms for millennia. It is in this spirit that we look to Jerusalem to support Israeli soldiers and mothers and fathers of these Children of Israel as we engage in our mission: Mivtzah Emunah – Operation Faith. 

In response to the Chief Rabbinate of Israel’s call to prayer and after much thought given to becoming a part of this prayer vigil – it has been decided that there is the greater need and that is at the center of the heart and soul of the Jewish People – Eretz Yisrael - the Land of Israel. Therefore, The Cantors’ Conservatory in partnership with the Jewish Ministers Cantors Association of America & Canada [JMCA] have decided that for the Yamim Noraim 5767, that we have accepted an invitation from the Ministry of Tourism to participate in Mivtzah Emunah. This project has the support of the Jewish Federation of Southern Arizona. I have the distinct honor of leading this mission, personally – God willing.  

Hazzanim of The Conservatory and the JMCA will travel to Israel to perform services for the IDF at various locations during the months of Elul and Tishrei [commencing Monday, September 18^th]. Also, a concert of Thanksgiving is planned directly following the Yamim Noraim – the High Holy Days. Those Hazzanim and lay persons wishing to participate in our mission: Mivtzah Emunah are urged to contact:
Cantor Alex Stein of Beth Tzedec Congregation, Calgary, Alberta, Canada   cantor@bethtzedec.ca   403-252-7444 / 403-255-8688 Fax: 403-252-7444  

Israel needs our help now. Your gift will enable a Cantor to bring tefiloth - prayers of hope to our young soldiers of the IDF. $1,800 will help to defray a plane fare or accommodations while in Israel. Of course any amount is welcome and appreciated. Please go directly to the our websites: www.thejmca.com or www.CantorsConservatory.org  and click on Support: Here you will be able to make a secure donation. Or send your check to the addresses listed below. 

Please join with us in our urgent mission – Mivtzah Emunah – Operation Faith.  

Wishing all of our friends a Happy and a Healthy New Year 5767 – a year of Peace and Prosperity for Israel and the entire World – Shanah Tovah!  

I am most sincerely yours,

Cantor David Montefiore, Director
JMCA, President 

Jewish Ministers Cantors Association of America & Canada
A New York State 501 (c) 3 corporation
244 Fifth Avenue Suite G 274   New York, New York 10001
Tel: 800.977.JMCA [5622] 520.444.5795  520.887.3587
MontefioreD@aol.com   www.theJMCA.com

 The Cantors’ Conservatory, Inc.
an Arizona not-for-profit corporation
P. O. Box   64981   Tucson, Arizona 85728   
Conservato@aol.com   www.CantorsConservatory.org