Israel's Chief Rabbi Yona Metzger called to place charity boxes in synagogues throughout the country to help raise funds for Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit. Metzger who initiated the idea ruled that all funds collected will assist the Shalit family members in their struggle to secure the soldier's release. The boxes are to be installed in the synagogues ahead of the High Holidays. The funds will cover the costs of protest rallies and also the tent erected outside the Prime Minister's residence in Jerusalem over a year ago. Shalit was on operational duty near the border with Gaza when he was kidnapped and taken to the Gaza Strip where he has been held incommunicado since June 2006.
