JERUSALEM, Nov. 19, 2012 /PRNewswire-iReach/ -- As the IDF continues to defend against an ongoing barrage of missiles and rockets being fired by Hamas into Israel, the country is facing an increasingly difficult economic challenge.  Under the almost constant threat of attack, hundreds of small businesses have been forced closed and tens of thousands of workers are unable to leave their homes, required to remain within seconds of protected rooms.  While it is too early to quantify the exact economic toll from this military campaign, initial estimates figure in the many tens of millions of shekels. 

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Hardest hurt are the small businesses and manufacturers who have limited insurance to cope with the multiplying losses – many of which would be forced to close if the violence continues.  Commercial entities like small shops and vendors are also being hit as consumers are simply unable to go out and shop.  Malls in typically bustling urban areas like Ashkelon, Ashdod and Beersheba are almost empty of shoppers.

While the course of the fighting is unknown and could continue for some time, many observers are counting on online shopping clearing houses to counter the downturn and give shoppers interested in supporting Israel an easy way to help the Jewish State in this unique time of need.  Online marketplaces like the Judaica Webstore have proven themselves to be leading centers of pro-Israel activity, giving people a pro-active way to show their support while directly investing in the Israeli economy.

Earlier in 2012, Judaica Webstore launched a creative initiative called Shop-A-Fada designed to counteract the growing anti-Israel boycott.  Chaired by American-Israeli Basketball Legend and Israel's Goodwill Ambassador Tal Brody, the campaign succeeded in attracting thousands of new shoppers to support Israeli manufacturers.

"While not every supporter of Israel can go to the Gaza border and help defend our beloved nation, anyone who really loves Israel can go to their computers and make a modest investment that will contribute to her future," says Arik Barel, CEO of the JudaicaWebstore and one of the developers of Shop-A-Fada.  "The holidays are an ideal time to go out and buy blue and white and give the people of Israel some much needed financial support."

JudaicaWebstore is one of the world's leading clearinghouses for Israeli and Jewish-themed products offering over 8,000 items, the large majority of which are produced by small businesses located in Israel.  "The IDF is fighting a brave war on the battlefront but the best way we can show Israel we care at this time is defending our economy," Barel says.  "Every single purchase will make a difference towards helping out our nation at this time."

To find out more about the JudaicaWebstore and Shop-A-Fada, please visit JudaicaWebStore's Israeli Tallit and Jewish Jewelry & www.shop-a-fada.com

Media Contact: Arik Barel JWG, 972-2-652-7178, arikbarel@gmail.com

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SOURCE JudaicaWebstore