Press Release #1: One Californian Is On A Mission To Feed & Educate Gaza’s Hungry Children

(San Francisco, California) – Gaza’s children have an unexpected ally – A Californian Jew who’s coming to the rescue. Michael Ross, the Executive Director of The Gaza Food & Education Fund (GF&EF), today unveiled a multi-pronged program to feed, educate and rebuild Gaza, while enacting the most basic of human rights.”

“I am Jewish, and grew up in an American family that supports Israel 100%,” Michael Ross, the Executive Director said. “But Gaza’s children and people who are hungry should not pay the price for a very taxing war.”  

Ross added, “People are people, and everyone deserves to be fed, housed, educated and receive the most basic of human rights – especially the right to vote and live in a terrorist free government and nation.”

“The Torah and Jewish tradition are explicit in commanding that we feed the hungry,” Ross said. “As the Torah says, if there is a destitute person amongst you … you shall not harden your heart or close your hand against your destitute brother (Deuteronomy 15:7).” 

“As an educator, I’m on a mission to educate both teachers and students, with a focus being the creation of lesson plans,” Ross said. “But you have to feed people first before you can educate them.”  

 “I am running a not for profit that wants to feed, educate and rebuild, and I am not a politician,” Ross added. “I want politics out of the feed and educate equation, and will leave the politics of peace to those in power.” 

“My investment in Gaza’s children today, is an investment in peace and will pay off in the future,” Ross said. “I will do everything I can to provide those in need with warm meals, a safe school and a roof over their head”.

Ross’ mission to help the needy is anchored in his Jewish faith. Ross explained, “The concept of Tzedakah creates a powerful operational motive. In Hebrew, Tzedakah means “righteousness,” but is commonly used to signify charity (Note: this concept of “charity” differs from the modern Western understanding of “charity).”

Ross added, “Tzedakah is a religious obligation that is performed regardless of one’s financial standing, and is mandatory even for those of limited financial means because it is one of the three main acts that can positively influence an unfavorable heavenly decree.”

Once fed, the GF&EF’s expanded “Tzedakah goal” is to turn Gaza into a prosperous and terror free economy, complete with civil and human rights through the adoption (and enactment) of a Constitution, (The Constitution is online for your review at www.WhatsNextForGaza.org/Constitution).

“Www.WhatsNextForGaza.org addresses the most difficult questions facing Gaza’s future,” Ross said. “After the war, who will rule and oversee the feeding, educating and rebuilding of Gaza? Most importantly, what type of document(s) will be used to replace the “Doctrine of Hamas and guide Gaza’s future?” Finally, how will the world recognize their most basic citizenship and human rights?”  

Ross added, “I clearly am Jewish and support Israel and what she stands for, but I am not here to decide who deserves what piece of land; rather, right now, my mission is to help people who are starving and need help, and am stepping up the only way I know how to.” 

Ross believes that a Constitution, complete with enumerated rights and the implementation of a redevelopment plan that apportions redevelopment costs to multiple nations, saves time, energy and money, while helping bring peace to a region that will allow us to feed, educate and eliminate corruption.” 

“On one hand, starving Gazan’s are asking themselves how they can feed, protect and educate themselves,” Ross said. “On the other hand, the international community must answer this question: once the war is over, how will Gaza be governed and rebuilt?” 

“I believe in the land of Israel and support it,” Ross added. “But the people of Gaza are humans who need help, something that has been denied by their own political leaders – Hamas.”

When implemented, the GFEF’s plan will feed and educate Gazans, while the fundamental concepts contained in the draft Constitution will help instill ‘inherent rights’. A Constitutional Commission that will draft, review, recommend and implement them after a series of public meetings and a plebiscite will oversee it. 

Specifically, the projects proposed by GF&EF are: 

PROJECT 1: The Gaza Food & Education Project(s): Gaza’s children need food and school supplies. We are working to supply schools with everything from food & lesson plans to pencils, paper and books. 

PROJECT 2: The Constitution: The proposed Constitution establishes governmental philosophy and operations, especially declaring the inherent rights of all Gaza citizens. They include: the freedom of speech, religion, movement and establishes dates when the vote takes place. It is hoped that a Constitutional Commission will expand these ideas as they hold in person and zoom hearings.  

PROJECT 3: The Gaza Redevelopment Project: Our “Marshall Plan” contains 3 funding tiers: The world’s economic leaders are Tier 1, with Tier 2 being Project Supporters. Tier 3 contains program participants who are hoped to contribute a matching 25% for enumerated projects.” The project’s Categories & suggested funding amounts are: Employment ($12B); Infrastructure ($16.5B); Hospitals, Libraries & Schools ($10.1B); Water & Resources ($13.5B); Energy ($16.4B); Machinery/Factories ($23.1B); Agriculture & Farming ($18.5B); Telecommunications ($18.1B); Overhead ($3.1B); Safety & Security ($8.1B); Financial ($13.1B) and the program’s Operational Overhead ($3.1B). When compared to the USA’s $13B WWII Marshall Plan investment, the price is miniscule. In today’s dollars, the USA’s 1949 price tag is equivalent to $130B

 “We’re using a modernized version of the Marshall Plan to feed, educate and rebuild Gaza,” The Director said. “Our plan is in writing (and online) so it can be read, discussed and commented on, publically.”  

“The Marshall Plan that rebuilt Europe after WWII was expensive,” Ross said. “Our is also, but with people dying from hunger and the possibility of disease spreading, not rebuilding Gaza will cost more in the long run when compared to how much we spend fighting terrorism, and terrorists are allowed to stay in control of Gaza.”  

“In the name of Tzadakah, everyone needs to step up and become partners in this cause,” Ross added. “Feeding those found in war torn areas, and rebuilding those areas will create a vibrant regional economy that will defeat the staggering unemployment and poverty that leads to frustration, anger and terrorism.” 

“People the world over simply want to protect their families, have a future, a job, and the ability to put food on the table and toys in their kid’s hands,” Ross continued. “Our Constitution ensures that Hamas’ leaders can’t continue to live in luxury and steal and lie to their own people.”

When compared to the USA’s $13B WWII Marshall Plan investment, the price is miniscule. In today’s dollars, the USA’s 1949 price tag is equivalent to $130B. The GF&EF’s plan’s price tag over 10 years is over $153 B, a fraction of what it would cost to rebuild the Middle East later if the situation is left as is today.

#     #     #