Elana,
I was really shocked to hear about Yochai (Z'L). He was a fantastic Madrich, and really friendly, and I'm sure he left a lot of people who's lives he touched, grieving for him. It's strange that you don't really realize how bad one life can be when you hear about it on the news, until you know one of the people affected.

I know this is probably an irrelevance in the circumstances, but I was sure that Haaretz announced that Yochai Porat from Kfar Saba was killed near Rammalah which would be in the West Bank, not Gaza. They also announced that it was on Sunday which I know is true, as I got the e-mail Sunday.

I realize that it won't make a difference, but do you know which is true?

And lastly, I was speaking to Sam Pannick last night, and he was wondering if there is going to be an advanced MDA course this summer. I still don't know what my plans are, but he definitely wants to do it, and I think that after this week, there may be many others who also want to help.

Gratefully

Aaron