January 6th, 2009 by Justin Oberman
As the conflict in the Middle East continues rockets fired by Hamas continue to fall into the Israeli city of Sederot where countless of innocent victims have 15 seconds to find shelter and or find their children and loved ones. Mobile Technology is now being used to rally people around the world during those 15 seconds.
The city is paralyzed as Terrorist Hamas groups target children’s schools and places of public gathering like supermarkets and stores. The economy is in ruins and besides worrying for their lives teh people of Sederot are beginning to worry about their economic stability and putting food on the table.
Jews all over the world are sending aid. But there is little that they can do (physically) to help anyone in Sederot during the 15 seconds after the sirens go off.
For this reason The National Council of Young Israel has set up a service called SMS SEDEROT or (Solidarity Message For Sederot). When the Tzeva Adom (Code Red) siren in sounded in Sederot (or any Israeli City) SMSSEDEROT will send you a text message that will read:
A Kassam Rocket has just been launched at Sderot. You have: 15 seconds to read Psalm 130. 15 seconds to give to charity 15 seconds to call the UN , the WHite House, your Senetors and Congressman 15 Seconds to pause and pray for the people of Sderot.(WHen you sign up you get to choose which reminder you want)
Whether you are religious or not it is not hard to imagine the power of such a text message. Wherever I am I know that at that moment people in Sederot are fearing for their lives. And I can pray with them or feel solidarity with them. Either way, I am with them.
To hear an interview with SMSederots founder click here.
Click here to sign up.
Technorati Tags: israel, sms, sederot, gaza
January 8th, 2009 at 11:29 pm
I emphatically support Israel\’s right to defend itself. However, text messages generated in association with an armed conflict strikes me as very tasteless… innocent people, often children, on both sides die. It is unfortunate for Justin Oberman to promote \”SMS Sederot\”. I am not surprised that Sara Feigenholtz is beating him soundly in donations. Her web site also makes Justin look like he is living in 1998.
January 8th, 2009 at 11:31 pm
I emphatically support Israel’s right to defend itself. However, text messages generated in association with an armed conflict strikes me as very tasteless. During one, innocent people, often children, on both sides die. It is unfortunate for Justin Oberman to promote “SMS Sederot”. I am not surprised that Sara Feigenholtz is beating him soundly in donations. Her web site also makes Justin look like he is living in 1998.
January 9th, 2009 at 12:36 pm
Thomas, I think you may have misunderstood the purpose of receiving these updates.
The fact that innocents die is *exactly* why people want to be informed before the rockets make impact. These SMS alerts are coming from the defense alert sirens which give residents of Sederot about 15 seconds before the rockets make contact. People receiving those messages want to recite a prayer, etc., that innocents and children should be spared.
What exactly is tasteless about that?
January 9th, 2009 at 12:41 pm
Thomas. I do not understand the Sara Feigenholtz comment? Nor the 1998 comment. I just wrote the post cause it has to do with mobile and my interest is in mobile uses in political situations (tasteless or not).
In this case, if you are on the side of Israel, I think the text message are very powerful precisely because children are dying. It gives a person the ability to be with the victims of the rocket fire in solidarity or prayer (which you may or may not find meaningful).
The only way you could find this tasteless is if you where not on the side of Israel. But this is not a political forum.
January 9th, 2009 at 3:48 pm
Personally, I think that even if you’re NOT on the side of Israel, this is still relevant, interesting, and even tasteful.
People are concerned that innocents are being sacrificed on either side of the battle. This SMS alert allows people who are concerned to know about a rocket attack before it hits a populated area with the potential to harm innocent people. It doesn’t really matter if it is in Israel or Gaza.
January 20th, 2010 at 5:06 pm
To the people of Israel. You are in my families prayers and may god sheild you from the wicked. I support your right to defend your great country and as a christian,I thank you for defending the holy land. And if I had to, I would stand beside you in your time of need till death. Thank you, people of Israel. Texans have a big spot in our hearts for you. God bless