"An Evening with Yehudah and Shomron" - Video - Part 3

An Evening with Yehudah and Shomron, Part 3 from josephinejosephine on Vimeo.

Part 3 of Dutch's video features the conclusion of Marc Prowisor's excellent speech and includes the question and answer period.

Watch the beginning of Marc's speech here.

One of the most gripping moments of his speech, for me, was when he referred to, "These gallows that people call peace." He also dismisses the notion of a Palestinian ethnicity.

I'm still awaiting approval to post Part 4 with the concluding remarks by a member of the community.

"An Evening with Yehudah and Shomron" - Video - Part 2

An Evening with Yehudah and Shomron, Part 2 from josephinejosephine on Vimeo.

In Part 2 of Dutch's video, Marc Prowisor talks about his life and work in Judea and Samaria.

From 1996-2006, Marc was head of security in Shilo, Israel. During that time, he responded to more than 100 terrorist attacks. He works now as a consultant and adviser on security and terrorism issues around the world.

This man knows what he's talking about. He has a unique perspective and he's not a politician, so he doesn't pull any punches: he tells you what he really thinks.

Marc's speech concludes in Part 3, which I will post as soon as it is uploaded.

Note: Although it says Part 2 of 3, there might be a Part 4. I realized I hadn't obtained permission from the man who made the concluding remarks of the evening, so I'm waiting for that before I upload his speech.

"An Evening with Yehudah and Shomron" - Video - Part 1

An Evening with Yehudah and Shomron, Part 1 from josephinejosephine on Vimeo.

Marc Prowisor, director of security projects for the One Israel Fund and former head of security for Shilo, Israel, was the featured speaker at "An Evening with Yehudah and Shomron" at Shaarei Tefillah Synagogue, Toronto, on October 18, 2009.

In Part 1 of Dutch's video, Rabbi Moshe Stern and Rabbi Gary Zweig introduce Marc Prowisor.

Note: Although it says Part 1 of 3, there might be a Part 4. I realized I hadn't obtained permission from the man who made the concluding remarks of the evening, so I'm waiting for that before I upload his speech.

"An Evening with Yehudah and Shomron"

Dutch and I had the pleasure and privilege of hearing Marc Prowisor speak at the Shaarei Tefillah Synagogue last night about his experiences as the Chief Army Security Coordinator for Shilo, Israel from 1996-2006 and his current work as Director of Security Projects for the One Israel Fund. He spoke of the thriving Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria (a.k.a. the West Bank), the fact of Jewish ownership of the land of Israel and the challenges and joys of living there.

Marc has a blog called Yesha Views. I'll be reading it.

Before Marc spoke, we were treated to a lovely photo presentation by Ezra Ridgley. It was interesting and refreshing to see photos of the homes, neighbourhoods and residents of so many towns in Judea and Samaria. The people we saw depicted were not religious zealots: they were normal people. They are not "settlers". The homes, neighourhoods and beautiful terrain reminded Dutch of a city in California. They are not "settlements".

I was expecting to see overcrowded areas with houses or shanties at least as close together as they are in the old city of Toronto. And homeless Muslim people forced to live in cardboard boxes. But no: it looks like there is a lot of room for growth in the area. I don't know what all the fuss is about over allowing young Jewish couples to build homes near their parents so they can keep their families together.

Ezra has written a book called, Judea and Samaria; The Land of G-d. We bought a copy (part of the proceeds of his book sales last night went to the One Israel Fund) and I am looking forward to reading it.

I was not familiar with the One Israel Fund before last night. They are doing good work.

I'm pretty sure I was told that Marc was interviewed by the Jewish Tribune, so I'll be looking for it in this week's issue.

Correction: Marc's interview with the Jewish Tribune has already appeared and you can read it here.

Dutch videotaped the speeches. We'll put the video up as soon as we can. Marc is a dynamic speaker; I know you'll enjoy it.