Despite the fact that many in Israel and Lebanon are trying desperately to get away from the escalating violence, there are people in Westchester heading to Israel for support.

Laura Lewis, executive director of the Westchester chapter of the American Jewish Committee, is heading to Israel Thursday to join 50 delegates already there. The group is talking to politicians and showing support for Israel. Harriet Schleifer, of Chappaqua, has a cousin in Israel near the war zone and gets periodic updates from her over the phone. Schliefer?s cousin appreciates the support of the American Jewish Committee.

So far, more than 300 have been killed in Lebanon and at least 16 have died in Israel. The U.N. Security Council is awaiting Thursday?s briefings from Secretary-General Kofi Annan and a three-member team sent to Lebanon, Israel and Syria.