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19 Shevat 5763 - January 22, 2003 | Mordecai Plaut, director Published Weekly
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NEWS
UTJ National Headquarters Working in High Gear
by Y. Ariel

Following a visit by Staff Organization Chairman MK Rabbi Moshe Gafni and Election Day Chairman MK Rabbi Meir Porush, the National Volunteers Headquarters, headed by Rabbi Mordechai Blau, began vigorous efforts to help provide local branches across the country with extra manpower until Election Day. The Volunteers Headquarters is running a campaign called, "Lehikohel vela'amod al nafshom," which has received the blessings of gedolei Yisroel.

Avreichim from all parts of the country will be sent to the homes of thousands of voters designated as potential UTJ supporters. The campaign has been carefully planned to allow quick departures from established meeting points. Transportation, food and information kits are also being arranged.

A carefully prepared information sheet recommending modes of operation and persuasion techniques has received the approval of maranan verabonon. The volunteer's task does not end upon leaving the home. He must then complete a questionnaire and report to local campaign workers on continuing contact. The information sheet provides models of clear responses to all of the questions currently on the national agenda.

During the past few weeks a large hall at Beit Degel Hatorah on Ben Yaakov Street in Bnei Brak has been prepared to accommodate the National Volunteers Center, which operates as a logistical support base for bnei Torah and other suitable volunteers who want to promote the UTJ campaign.

A special section has also been set up to handle requests from urban branches to arrange a fleet of vehicles available to provide transportation for volunteers in all parts of the country, and to distribute and process forms for volunteers and organizers to fill out. Five local volunteer centers around the country also operate under the direction of the National Headquarters, whose directors have a clear, singular goal: to bring every volunteer to the center closest to his home and to dispatch him to the field without unnecessary delay.

Last week the heads of the volunteer centers visited and received the blessings of maranan verabonon who said, "In every place where it is feasible to operate and everyone who is able to take part certainly must set out to exert his influence, particularly at this time when all haters of religion are rearing their heads . . . Not only is every vote important, but every additional vote for Gimmel is an act of kiddush sheim Shomayim."

Rabbi Blau has contacted all of the urban, district and regional centers to present them with an accurate list of potential supporters who may need a home visit to persuade them further. These lists focus the work done by volunteers to ensure no Torah time will be lost for naught.

Late last Thursday night an attempt was made to damage one of the huge signs posted at the National Headquarters. Firefighting teams from Bnei Brak, including a crane and fire and rescue trucks, arrived at the scene. Miraculously no one was injured. Workers at the National Headquarters said efforts to sabotage their important work will not deter them and they intend to continue working even harder.

 

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