It's been several months since the last update and I'm happy to inform you that we've formed a founding board and submitted our application to the registrar of non-profit organizations in the Ministry of Justice. Hopefully, within two months, our application will be approved. We will then begin our fundraising and organize activities.

Our organization's Hebrew name is now "ונרובע ,ונתיאמ ,ונלש" (Shelanu, Me'itanu, Avureinu), which translates into "Of Us, By Us, For Us." The name takes its inspiration from Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address. "...government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth."

The Jerusalem Post's Gil Hoffman wrote a piece about us on September 17 titled, "New electoral reform movement Shelanu launches plan to directly elect 120 MKs." You can still read it at http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1188392576615&pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull. Shelanu was also profiled in HaGefen, the local newspaper of Zichron Yaakov. You can download an image of the article at http://www.directrepisrael.org/Images/20070810Geffen.jpg.

Also, check out my Direct Rep blog at http://directrepisrael.blogspot.com

Once we become accredited as a non-profit organization, we will need to raise funds immediately. So, if you have fundraising or membership recruiting experience, please let us know. We will be forming strategies to recruit members throughout the country, plan events to publicize Shelanu (Direct Representation), and reach out to schools and social groups with our message. If you are connected with any group (e.g., club, school, service organization) that hosts guest speakers, consider helping us arrange a lecture on the topic of direct representation.

Thank you for your ongoing interest and patience in this initiative. This change will take its lead from the public, not from those currently empowered by the status quo. We have alot of political leverage waiting for us in the Israeli public, waiting to hear our message, waiting to be organized. I especially want to thank those who have committed the time, effort, and money which enabled us to submit our application to become a recognized and official non-profit organization. This is an exciting time and the active involvement of many volunteers will be crucial.

Michael Jaffe