As the original poster, I want to caution readers that some of the videos seem to contain false information about what the videos term "Jewish ritual slaughter." One video of the slaughter of a sheep discusses animal sacrifice as if this were still practiced by Jews. It is not. It is true that there are very specific rules for kosher slaughter, including requiring blood to drain from the body of an animal, but these rules are entirely about meat meant to be eaten as common food, and have little or nothing to do with ancient practices.

Mitchell, this is deepest call to American Jews I've read in a long time. Eretz Yisrael was founded in a burst of messianic enthusiasm, with the hope that it would be the "light to the nations." That has not happened. If we are to regain anything from that original dream, it will be because American Jews, lucky enough to be secure in our Judaism and free from true terror (aside from Bush's yellow alerts), push Israel to re-embrace the vision, and give Israelis the means to do so. I personally favor supporting the strong ecological movements in Israel, which I think hold out some hope. I despair of the politics.