A PLEDGE TO HELP ISRAEL BY TRYING TO REDUCE MY USE OF GASOLINE
I, _____________________ know these are difficult times for our Jewish brothers and sisters Israel. In addition to Palestinian terror attacks Israelis have endured in recent years, they are now experiencing unprovoked incursions and missiles from both Gaza and Lebanon. The streets in northern cities and towns have been emptied as tens of thousands of families go south or sleep in bomb shelters. They feel isolated and alone.
As Jews and Americans, I feel it is incumbent on me to find ways to help, whether through religious acts or through more earthly efforts. I understand that:
• America imports almost a billion barrels of oil yearly from Persian Gulf states, several which seek the destruction of Israel. At prices over $70 per barrel, we supply these nations with tens of billion of dollars in revenues. These revenues – and Western dependence on Persian Gulf oil – further embolden Israel’s enemies.
• Of the $3 that I now pay per gallon of gasoline, 20 cents go to Persian Gulf states: $150 yearly for most Americans. We can’t know how many of these dollars pay for rockets or bombs that Hebollah and Hamas use to kill Jews in Israel, or support religious schools that teach hatred throughout the Moslem world. We know, however, that Persian Gulf states finance Hezbollah and Hamas with hundreds of millions of dollars yearly. Each time I burn a gallon of gas, part of my money is being used to promote or implement the destruction of Israel and of Jews.
• Dependence on oil imports restricts America’s options in its Middle East policies. By using a third of global oil production, America indirectly makes Europe and Japan more dependent on Persian Gulf oil and thereby influences their policies towards Israel as well.
• I can make choices to reduce gas consumption (see
http://www.fueleconomy.gov). Sometimes I can:
─ Combine shopping trips and errands, car pool to work or to events
─ Walk, bicycle, or use mass transit
─ When buying a vehicle I can make choices to reduce consumption
─ Maintain my car:
http://www.manningmedia.net/Clients/MMS/MMS23/factsheet_saveFuel.php
• THEREFORE, I PLEDGE TO CONSIDER THE IMPACTS OF MY CHOICES EACH TIME I THINK OF DRIVING AND ANY TIME I PURCHASE A VEHICLE, AND WILL DO THE BEST THAT I CAN TO REDUCE MY GASOLINE CONSUMPTION.
I realize my actions are unlikely to influence our enemies. Just the same, such efforts have been endorsed by religious leaders (
http://www.rabbis.org/news/article.cfm?id=100766 ). Furthermore, as part of a communal effort, my actions could not be more important:
─ As a way to show solidarity, to boost morale, to help Israelis feel they are not alone.
─ It boosts our own morale, reminding ourselves there are steps we can take
─ It builds cohesion by involving all streams and political views in our diverse community
─ It reduces smog and reduces impacts on the broader environment
─ Who knows where our local initiative can lead?
Finally, we should all take action to help Israel in its time of need, whether via prayer, chesed & charity, adherence to mitzvot, patient explanations to friends & colleagues, donations to Israel and Israeli causes, or political action. For God helps those who help themselves: how can we hope for divine assistance for our brothers and sisters in Israel if we are unwilling to take steps ourselves?