Dear Friends:

It has been 1356 days since Gilad Shalit has been kidnapped! Despite relentless efforts from his family, friends and support from politicians and friends around the world he still remains in captivity.

This Chanukah we will join together as a world wide community to show our solidarity for Gilad forming a unbreakable light that will remind the world that we have not forgotten our soldier, our son Gilad. We ask you to join us at our Website FreetheSoldiers.org to Light One Candle for Gilad.

This Chanukah we are asking everyone to photograph or video, yourselves, friends, families, etc. lighting a candle for Gilad. The videos and photos should be sent to avip@standwithus.com and they will be uploaded to our site. All will be compiled and sent to Gilad's family.

We hope that over 1 million people will help us shine the light on this call for freedom. We have not forgotten Gilad, We will not forget him and we will not stop praying for his freedom.

Please send this letter to your communities, to your friends and post it on facebook.

We are also partnering with the "Gilad is Still Alive" photo campaign and are asking everyone to send us photos with some kind of sign or image that says Gilad is Still Alive. These photos and photos of everyone lighting a candle will all be put on our website and sent to Gilad's family.

Gilad Shalit was born in Nahariya raised in Mitzpe Hilla in the Western Galilee. He is the son of Aviva and Noam Shalit and brother of Yoel and Hadas.

Gilad began his military service about a year ago – at the end of July 2005. He preferred to serve in a combat unit despite the fact that he could have avoided combat duty due to a low medical profile. Gilad was highly motivated. He overcame all the obstacles facing a combat recruit of the armored forces and successfully ended his training a few months ago. For the last couple of months he has been on duty guarding and ensuring the security of the settlements around Gaza.
Gilad is a well-mannered, quiet and introverted young man. An almost permanent shy and hesitant smile light up his face. Gilad is always volunteering to help everyone; even on his short vacations from the army he helped his parents run their "Bed & Breakfast".
Since the attack at Kerem Shalom on Sunday, 06/25/2006, Gilad has been held in the Gaza Strip by Hamas.

Join us in lighting a candle for Gilad.

Shalom!