Going on line we find different ways to help Israel. ...Buy Israeli products ... boycott CNN.... Say Psalms....buy bulletproof vests.....write to President Bush....report media bias.. The Talmud tells us that "Jews are responsible for one another." We accept the responsibility and want to help, but how? Aliza Karp (no relation) writes clear, upbeat and informative, and combines interviews with famous personalities, little-known history, the Lubavitcher Rebbe's perspective on defending Israel, with special focus on the much maligned and misunderstood settlers of Hebron. Clearly, this lady has found "her voice" using her talent to advocate for our land and people.

Growing up in Winnipeg, Canada, Aliza excelled in math and analytical skills. "I couldn't read or write well, but somehow graduated in business from Queens University with little skills in this area. Only after college did I start to really read. Maybe I outgrew a learning disability, I don't know. Now I always have a book in hand."

Aliza's literary skills may have been late blooming, but the seeds of her love of Israel were implanted, nurtured and cultivated from her youth. "I grew up in a fine, non-observant family. My father was proud to be Jewish and supported Zionist groups and Israeli projects. I visited Israel with my family when I was 14 and 16- before and after the Six-Day War. Standing at the Kotel in '68 I had a strange 'ah-hah' experience. An internal voice startled me, whispering, 'I'm home.' What was this? Home was Winnipeg- not Israel? I'd only been there one week!"

After college Aliza did the usual post-sixties thing- traveled and searched. She didn't see herself as philosophical, but came to realize that there was a "very real spiritual reality." India, or Indian ashrams, were the places of choice to pursue spiritual reality in those days, but her pragmatic bent and clear mind kept her from flocking to the eastern path like her peers. "At that time, Indian religion was a far-out thing that the average person wouldn't take the time to pursue. I figured the instructions for life would be more accessible." Aliza concedes that she was at least a bit off the beaten path when she came to this decision advocating practical real world spirituality. The thought came to her in a little hut near Bogota, Columbia!

Then, at a Shabbaton in Sioux City, Iowa, Rabbi Moshe Feller, the squeaky, enthusiastic and bubbly Chabad Rabbi of S. Paul was a speaker. He invited Aliza to "come visit us in S. Paul" where he directs Bais Chana, a dynamic school for women exploring Judaism and Chassidic thought. "Hey, I've traveled to South America- why not spend a few days," thought Aliza.

From there she found her way to Crown Heights to "find the loopholes." The more she studied, the more her commitment grew. The concept of a Rebbe, an outstanding spiritual leader may be difficult for independent minded folks to accept. Aliza found it a natural outgrowth of her relationship with her father, who passed away when she was 19. "I was used to a role model- a paternal figure I could look up to with good values and a strong personality." Aliza and her husband lived twice in Jerusalem, first for a year, and later for 5 years. "I loved raising my children, absorbing everything in the warm community."

Aliza's writing career started by "a fluke." Living in Montreal, she once visited with the editor of a Jewish women's magazine in Brooklyn. "She asked me to write an article. I composed it during the long drive home. That was the beginning and I developed writing skills as I went along."

"At first, I wasn't particularly focused on Israel. I eventually wrote about Donny Cohen, a Hebron activist. I heard Sara Nachshon speak." Wife of the famous artist Baruch, she is one of the dynamic brave founders of the post '67 Hebron settlement."

"When the intifada started I followed it closely. It became more personal and critical to me when a dear former neighbor, Tzachi Sasson was murdered. I was asked to report when Elisheva Federman came to speak in Brooklyn. This lovely young mother lives in Hebron under fire. I had many unanswered questions. I had no time- but great passion for the topic- and quickly did lots of research, translating Hebrew books and documents and compiling the background on Lubavitch's historic involvement with Hebron."

"The settlers need to be better understood. They undergo tremendous danger- their every day life expresses their beliefs. They have undertaken a difficult task and do it with joy, self-sacrifice and love for their fellow Jews."

"Anat Cohen, a settler, explained the belief of many Israelis. 'Every bullet has a name on it' - what's meant to be will be. This is what Jews lived through for generations. I felt this was an experience you don't let pass by. There are certain times you can really experience life on a different level. For that experience, Aliza sent her daughter to Hebron for two weeks last summer to volunteer with seven other teenagers. The warmth and unity of the families inspired the eight young women.

"Gap Kids was a million miles away. These families were not concerned with fads, but with a wholesome lifestyle based on family and mutual support, the girls learned. The young women volunteered to help out large families, assisting the local day camp and making arts and crafts programs for the children.

Showing respect for previous generations, the girls cleaned up the ancient Ashkenazi cemetery. Restored in 1998, the unguarded cemetery has been desecrated 17 times since the Hebron agreement. At the end of the restoration the girls found themselves in under Arab assault, experiencing both the beauty and harsh reality in this holy city. "Living in Hebron strengthens faith."

"My latest writing assignment was a summary on the Rebbe's timely points on fighting terrorism.. Thousands of copies were distributed at the massive rally for Israel in Washington DC." Aliza's clarifying and positive words are crucial to fortify our faith, deepen our understanding of the issues, and help clarify the truth to people of good will.