Israeli news during the past week has been upsetting (at least to me). Wimpy officials gave in to the terrorists’ hunger strike,  civilians attacked at Rachel’s Tomb, and more rocket and  rock-throwing attacks as Arabs “celebrate” their Nakba day.

What other country in the world would continue to allow their citizens to be subjected to terrorism at all? What is wrong with this country?  I’ll tell you… What’s wrong with Israel is the fact that millions of Jews choose to remain in exile and that sends a message to the world that either this country was never really ours or that Hashem isn’t powerful enough (G-d forbid!) to draw and maintain us here.

In a recent Jewish Press article, Tzvi Fishman wrote the following:

“And when they came to the nations into which they came, they profaned My Holy Name, in that men said of them: These are the people of the Lord, and they are gone out of His land” (Ezekiel, 36:20).

This prophecy informs us that the unnatural situation of Jews living outside the Land of Israel is a desecration of God. Why? Because in the eyes of the gentiles, our presence in the Diaspora proclaims that God lacks the power to keep us in His Land. That was back then in Ezekiel’s days. Now, in our time, when God has returned the Land of Israel to the Jews, the situation is even worse, for it seems, in the eyes of the gentiles, that in clinging to our Diaspora communities, we prefer foreign lands to His.

The truth is that the current Israeli government is not what it should be because many of you aren’t here to vote in the change required to bring in the type of government this land and our people were meant to have.

I’ve heard that there are many reasons why some people can’t or won’t make Aliyah. If you’re not currently living in Israel, I’d appreciate it if you’d share your reasons in the comment section below.  There are many of us here waiting to assist those whose hearts are here but bodies are elsewhere.  And just for my own sanity, I’d like to know why others refuse to perform this most important mitzvah.

Whether you’ve been on-the-fence about making Aliyah, have already moved to Israel or are completely ignorant of what Israel is all about, I highly recommend this informative and inspiring film – Israel Inside – that makes me proud to call myself an Israeli.

The film is hosted by Dr. Tal Ben Shahar, who gave up the unique distinction of being Harvard University’s most popular lecturer to return to his native country, Israel. In the film, Ben Shahar explores the core character strengths – called “actualizers” – that enable Israelis to succeed against incredible odds. Through Tal’s eyes we explore the deep-seated values such as education, family, and responsibility for the world (a Jewish concept known as “tikkun olam”), which directly contribute to Israel’s accomplishments in the economic, technological and humanitarian spheres. And while none of these actualizers are in and of themselves unique to Israel, in combination they are bringing about unparalleled progress and achievement.

Israel Inside features interviews with leading entrepreneurs, academics, and politicians including Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat, Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks, Sir Martin Gilbert, Prof. Alan Dershowitz, Prof. Jacob Frankel, Tamar Jehuda-Cohen, and Shai Agassi.

At the end of the film, you can play a flight simulation game where you’ll be challenged to land an El Al plane.

Here are a few short teasers – but don’t miss out on viewing the whole film – Israel Inside - it’s worth the 38 minutes!

For English Speaking Boys aged 10 to 13 in Ma’ale Adumim

Create a Digital Game  *  Learn Torah
Swim  *  Play Sports & Games
Eat  *  Blog & More!

Full Details & Registration information at http://almosteden.co.il/camp

REGISTRATION Deadline is May 22^nd

Earlier this week I watched a brief AISH video by Lori Palatnik about the song we sing at the end of the seder – Le Shana Haba b’Yerushalayim (Next Year in Jerusalem). In this message, Lori asks how many people really mean those words. I found this surprising since she doesn’t live in Israel and this is a question most often used when challenging Jews to come home.

Many of the comments on the AISH page under the video are sad and surprising.  I wonder how some people can be so blind to the dangers and negativity in their own surroundings; they look at their galut through rose colored glasses while viewing Israel (the unknown!) through the lens of the worst media propaganda available to them. Some have even visited Israel and had negative experiences during a vacation that has solidified their resolve to never live here!  Imagine making a life-changing decision based on a few unpleasant experiences because you weren’t open to exploring and appreciating a different culture (or traveling to the communities in Israel that are densely populated by Americans)  while on vacation!  I wonder how many of their ancestors ran away from the US because their early experiences left a bad taste in their mouths (very few, I’m sure).

And then at the other extreme, there’s the convert who said “I am a convert. A year after I said these words the first time, I was in Jerusalem (without all the helps and money a jew can get for his aliya). It’s true: Whoever really means it can make it.”  Why is it that a convert “gets it”, but someone who has spent their entire life immersed in Torah life and culture doesn’t?

I was saddened by the story of the Israeli who moved to Lori’s North American community to escape the problems of Israel! And again I wonder, is there one Jewish community anywhere in the world devoid of problems? In my view, many galut Jews perceive problems in Israel in order to conveniently excuse themselves from making Aliyah (a positive Torah mitzvah). Why are they willing to fix problems in foreign countries but not participate in rebuilding their God-given home? Pointing fingers at a secular Israeli government while refusing to come home and vote it out isn’t the answer. If you refuse, God will send others (e.g., the many converts who enter these gates every year).

My friend Rivkah posted a link on Facebook today to a video that helped me better understand this upsetting phenomenon – Secret of the Matzah, Liberate Yourself. The bottom line is that change is hard and requires courage, the ability to turn from something known to something unknown. People fear that they might fail on the new path they are contemplating and because of that some people will remain stuck in the same location, job, relationships, habits, etc. for the rest of their lives without having realized their potential – or their mission in this world.

So as we sing Le Shana Haba b’Yerushalayim tonight, let’s keep our fearful brothers and sisters in mind and pray that they be liberated with an extra dose of courage this year! And let’s try to alleviate some of their fear by educating them about the real Israel.  If any of you are interested in participating in a “buddy system” to hand-hold galut Jews through Aliyah, please let me know and I’ll start building a resource database.

Chag Kasher v’Sameach!

Tehillah

Nefesh B’Nefesh announced today the launch of a series of mega Aliyah events in the following major cities throughout North America:

• Toronto – Sunday, March 18, 1:00pm – 5:00pm
• Montreal – Monday, 19, 6:30pm-10:00pm
• Baltimore – Wednesday, March 21, 6:30pm-10:00pm
• South Florida—Thursday, March 22, 6:30pm-10:00pm
• New York City – Sunday, March 25, 12:30pm-5:30pm

The Aliyah-related seminars and workshops will include information on:

• The Aliyah Process
• Financial Planning & Taxes
• Employment in Israel
• Retiring to Israel
• Real Estate & Mortgages
• Communities & Education
• Israeli Healthcare
• Go North Program

Attendees can request personal consultations with staff from Nefesh B’Nefesh, Israel’s Ministry of Immigrant Absorption and the Jewish Agency. Representatives from various other Israeli ministries, health funds and shippers will also be present.

For more information and to register, please visit http://www.nbn.org.il/megaevent.

I just received the following e-mail solicitation from an American organization that will remain nameless:

Looking for a thriving, centrally located, modern orthodox community?

Spend a Shabbos at the xxxxx and experience our warmth and hospitality for yourself.
• Over 180 orthodox families and growing
• New Family Initiative – $25,000 interest-free loan
• Free membership first year and $10,000 savings in shul dues
• Hebrew Elementary School – $7,500 per student discount over 3 years (Grades K-6)
• Convenient Eruv and beautiful Mikveh
• Kosher Butcher/Takeout/Bakery/Pizza and more
• Easy Access to major highways and train

Having lived in Israel for close to 4 years now, I was a bit shocked at the escalation in the cost of Jewish American life! In the interest of educating those who may not yet have considered the benefits of life in Israel, here’s Israel’s counter-offer for you:

• A thriving Jewish community of over 6 million with a growing percentage of Modern Orthodox, Chardal, Chassidic & Chareidi – some living in seclusion, others living in mixed religious neighborhoods, and many people involved in kiruv living in mixed religious/secular neighborhoods.
• Free airline ticket to Israel for each family member.
• Nefesh B’Nefesh assistance with all required paperwork and processing.
• Sal Klita absorption basket financial benefits based on family size and ages.
• Modern and inexpensive health care
  (e.g., we paid over $12,000 in co-pays and premiums during our last year in the US for our family of three – and have averaged less than $2,000 per year for the same services with superior care in Israel).
• Free shul membership (in most Anglo communities) during your first year of Aliyah – which translates into approximately NIS 250/$65 to NIS 1800/$475 per year depending on shul (compared to $10,000 per year from the advertisement above!)
• Tuition-Free Public Hebrew Elementary Schools or discounted Private Elementary School costing 2500 shekels (under $700)  to 10,000 shekels (approx. $2700) per year depending on your choice of school.
  In addition to free tuition, we have spent an average of 2000 shekels (approx. $525) per year for books, school shirts and class trips to Holy places.
• Eruvim in all communities with religious citizens and a beautiful selection of Mikvehs.
• Kosher Food everywhere! Choose your neighborhood and you’ll be sure to find butchers, grocery stores, restaurants, take-out shops, bakeries, pizzerias and more meeting your particular hechsher preference.
• Great public transportation and easy access to major highways.
• Top Notch Security
• Strong Economy – including Housing that’s increasing in value every day.
• Jewish history around every corner and under every stone
• Jewish culture
• Jewish holidays
• The home of the future Beit HaMikdash
• A community waiting to welcome you home! The only home for the future-thinking Jewish family.

If you’ve already made Aliyah, please feel free to add more comparisons below.

Last week while reading through some business news on LinkedIn, I came across Stick Around– language stickers for the home that can help us become more fluent in Hebrew.  Being a 3-time Hebrew ulpan drop-out, I was thrilled to see a product that better addresses my learning style and at a very reasonable price.  I’m anxiously awaiting my order’s arrival and will try to remember to report back to you soon on my impressions.

In the meantime, I spoke with the creator of Stick Around and after enjoying hearing the story of how this product came about, I asked him to share it with you too. So, here is a guest post by Amit Turkenitz, owner of Gingerhood.com

I spent my childhood being sent to private English teachers by my parents to perfect my English and give me an obvious edge in a world that is clearly turning more and more global. Little did I know of the downsides that perfect English can cause.

I met my wife, Jo, while I was traveling in Vietnam. We clicked and a year later she found herself packing up her life in Australia and moving to Israel. Israel was a great deal of fun for her at first, and we were definitely having a good time, but as time slowly passed, her “100 days of grace” started fading away and she started facing the hard fact of life: She is not a tourist – she needs to blend in.

Many people in Israel speak great English, so tourists get by easily. This was perfect for my wife, seeing as she didn’t have to struggle when going to a café, taking a taxi or asking for directions on the street. Whenever we met with friends, the conversations were mainly held in English. And of course there was me: I spoke English to my wife, because we met in English and we knew each other in English. All of the above left no incentive for my wife to learn Hebrew.

It all seemed peachy at first, but once you scratched the surface – you could see that her lack of Hebrew skills was problematic. Finding a job for my wife was difficult and limited her options only to the English-speaking job market. Any peripheral service she needed turned out to be handled only in Hebrew – health services, banking, authorities, etc… and finally – even the closest friends started getting tired of “working hard” to have English conversations and drifted to speaking Hebrew amongst themselves in big social situations. My wife couldn’t avoid it any more: she needed to acquire Hebrew skills.

Ulpan was a good start, and definitely pumped her up with the energy to learn. But as grammar kicked in and learning became more complicated, Hebrew became hard work. And with hard work comes excuses… “the teacher is boring!”, “why do I need to learn these ridiculous texts?” and so on. I tried thinking of ways to engage my wife into the Hebrew language. I didn’t mind the grammar mistakes as that can come later, I just wanted her to be able to follow conversations. I realized that more than anything else she needed vocabulary. That’s when I started filling our apartment with translation labels.

I made a long document of useful words for the things around us. Each word I wrote in English for her to understand the meaning and in Hebrew for her to recognize when she would see it. Then I added the link between them – a transliteration, a phonetic spelling in Latin characters to demonstrate the Hebrew pronunciation. Something like this:

I printed these labels and sticky-taped them to the actual objects that they describe. Every day I noticed more words that were missing (having fallen off), so I printed them, cut them, and taped them as well. It was a long process, but proved to be a rather helpful one. The labels were small enough not to overtake the space we live in, yet noticeable by those who needed them for learning.

Two years later, I introduced our product Stick Around – language stickers for home.

Stick Around contains 529 stickers to cover objects in five different living spaces: living room, bedroom, kitchen, bathroom and office. The stickers are made of high quality vinyl, so they do not leave any sticky residue behind. They arrive in a nicely designed recycled cardboard package, ready to peel and label and – most important  – they are a frustration-free product for people struggling with Hebrew.

The product is designed and manufactured in Israel and can be purchased online (with free shipping) at www.gingerhood.com (which is our website, both my wife and I are gingers…) and also in a growing list of retail stores that appear in detail on our website. This is all to help you… stick around!

If you’ve used Stick Around, please tell us (in the comments below) if and how the product helped you.

Sharing this beautiful “I Am Jewish” video written and performed by Andrew Lustig.

Please take a minute to sign this petition – especially if you want to be able to continue using Facebook & Twitter without risk of a 5 year prison sentence! This bill would make it illegal for you to copy/paste anything into your Facebook, Google+ or Twitter status, comments on a blog or news site that “might” be perceived as a copyright infringement.

For example, you see a video on YouTube – you know, the kind where someone uploaded an audio from an LP of a band from 1985 along with slideshow of photos they copied from a fan site or even worse, the lyrics!- and you post a link from YouTube to Facebook, Google+ or Twitter. According to the SOPA bill you have broken the law and can be imprisoned!

Post a video link or embed it into your blog

- or if someone else posts a link in a comment on your blog – that “might” be considered copyright infringement and SOPA opens the door for your domain name to be shut down and your PayPal account frozen!

The original purpose – or at least what they’re telling us – was to stop Internet piracy of movies and music. Domain names aren’t used for those purposes. It is the BitTorrent peer-to-peer file sharing protocol that’s used for distributing large amounts of data over the Internet that’s being used for pirating movies/music. Which raises the question – what is the REAL GOAL of this bill? American-imposed US and International (because the US government seems to think it “owns” the Internet) censorship!

It won’t take more than a minute or two of your time to sign and share this petition! If you are so inclined, this site also provides more information on political activism against SOPA.

Continued from yesterday…

Har Sadom

Later in the day I received a call from Yisrael’s 5^th grade teacher asking why he hadn’t gone on the class trip. From the permission slip that was sent home on paper (we’ve yet to receive the electronic communications we’ve been requesting for 3+ years) we determined that the 5^th & 6^th grade boys and girls would be going together on this full day (8:30 am – 6:30 pm) trip to Har Sodom where they would see Lot’s pillar of salt wife, and Ayin Bodek Nature Reserve where they’d be hiking a moderate to difficult level trail through water and needed to bring:

• Comfortable shoes for walking in water
• Breakfast, lunch & snacks
• 3 Liters water
• Hat & change of clothes

We (along with Yisrael) decided that he would not go on this trip for the following reasons:

1) Yisrael suffers from allergies and asthma (usually triggered by plants, trees, and new environments) and has already missed about 3 weeks of school this year due to illness. And I’m not confident that the few (unknown to me) adults on the trip would be equipped to respond correctly and quickly enough if he were to have an asthmatic episode.

Ayin Bodek Nature Reserve

2) Had this trip been scheduled for May or June, a pair of Crocs might have sufficed for the water part of the hike; however, the trails still appear to require at least good pair of hiking quality sneakers. And just to keep this in perspective for those who still (are able to) buy American, in Israel a pair of men’s Nike type sneakers (which is what my 11-year-old wears) cost about 400 shekels (over $100), so the option of him ruining his in water just wasn’t acceptable to us.

3) The trip took place on a day when temperatures that morning were around 15 C (in the low 60s) – and because we couldn’t afford to go out and buy him a new pair of waterproof hiking boots – we thought it irresponsible to send him out where he would get wet and remain that way for an unpredictable period of time. (When and where the boys and girls would have an opportunity to change their clothes was another unknown to us.)

It is completely possible that all these issues would be covered appropriately by the responsible adults, however, since the quality of communication leaves us in the dark – we have never been afforded the opportunity to have any of these plans explained to us, and don’t know any of these unnamed adults, I have some trust issues over sending my precious child out into a potentially dangerous (for him) situation with them.

I expressed my concerns in a Facebook wall post exchange between several other local parents and one veteran (who is a high school teacher and gets to go on these trips) responded:

“… they don’t have to have special hiking shoes or anything like that, but good tennis shoes, not all star, crocs or keds. Most hikes are in or around a river. From Sept. until about March, the rivers are still pretty low and the kids can jump from rock to rock and not get their feet wet…”

Ayin Bodek Nature Reserve

Believe me, my son doesn’t possess that level of coordination, he was going to get wet! And then she suggests:

“Source sandals are fine for this or just an old pair of tennis shoes that you don’t care get wet or ruined will also be okay…”

First of all, Source hiking sandals in my son’s size cost between 300 & 400 shekels. Then there’s the challenge that at his age and growth rate, there is no such thing as an old pair of shoes of any kind that still fit him. Plus the fact that it’s too cold to be walking around in sandals this time of year! His classmates later reported that the “water was freezing!” She goes on to explain:

“… these trips are designed to teach group skills and love of the land so that the kids will want to defend it later in the Army! … They don’t let parents go because it defeats the purpose of the trip. It is supposed to toughen the kids up and build their self-confidence and their reliance on each other.”

Wow. I don’t agree that 9- to 11-year-olds should be toughened up and taught to become independent of their parents and dependent on other kids their age. Pushing children to grow up too fast results in the “I just don’t know what’s wrong with kids these days” statement from the older generations. What’s wrong is that parents allow schools to replace them – some viewing the parenting role as burdensome, some not having the time to devote to their kids because they’re too busy working to buy all the things “needed” to accommodate peer pressure, and others just to make ends meet. This may be the root of the disrespect we witness in our communities and some homes. Children in this age group – in my opinion – should be allowed to be children and enjoy those short years that many adults later long to return to. I don’t believe that it’s healthy or safe for children to be pushed into becoming “independent” of their parents. Most don’t possess the maturity to cope with difficult decisions and situations that they may be thrown into – this is why Hashem gave them parents! I also don’t agree that a public school system has the right to mold our children’s lives beyond teaching academics and an approved religious curriculum. Nor is it appropriate for a democratic state to interfere in or undermine the parent-child relationship, regardless of how socialist that democracy’s roots may be.

Ayin Bodek Nature Reserve

She goes on to admit:

“… I was in shock at the difficult level of hiking that was expected out of fairly out-of-shape teenagers.”

This is exactly why my asthma sufferer isn’t being sent on these hiking trips. And then on to another challenge facing American olim:

“… I am never worried about my kids going on a school trip, but a Bnei Akiva trip however is a different story…”

New olim please beware! Sending children to clubs like Bnei Akiva, Ariel, etc. is a parental decision that should be based on knowledge of the values and goals of those clubs (which may have American branches, but do not always operate in a similar fashion), as well as the background and credentials of the leaders. If you don’t agree, don’t cave in to peer-pressure and send your child just because “everyone else” does. Guess what? Not everyone does. Some of us do encourage our children to participate on a certain level, but don’t allow the full “program”. For example, my son goes to Ariel events but must be home by 8 pm at the latest on a school night – and in time for Havdala on Shabbat. I have friends whose 10-year-old daughters return from these clubs after 9:30 pm on a school night because that’s how the program is run. Well, guess what – that’s tough, I don’t buy into the program and you don’t have to either. If enough parents oppose these 9:30 PM – 1 AM programs, one of two things will happen:

1) The programs will change to accommodate a more responsible schedule.

2) The programs will refuse to change and demand that if we want our children to participate, they must conform. In which case we do have the freedom to form our own clubs!  It’s a matter of being willing to put forth the effort for the sake of our kids.

Bnei Akiva 2 am - most finally went home

During my first year in Israel, I lived in an apartment with a mirpeset that overlooked a Bnei Akiva building and bonfire pit. Our sleep was interrupted almost every Shabbat, Motzei Shabbat and Tuesday night (and sometimes other nights) until 1 or 2 AM by what we thought were junior high and high school boys and girls hanging out together unsupervised, blasting music, singing, dancing, burning things (food and whatever noxious trash they could get their hands on) and leaving broken glass scattered around the neighborhood. Learning later that some 8-year-olds in my son’s class were included in that group (some out as late as midnight), was quite unsettling. If this is not what you want for your children then JUST SAY NO!

I don’t like to be the bearer of bad news but in case you haven’t noticed, evil in the physical realm seems to be escalating in our era. I know three men who were molested and/or raped between the ages of 8 and 12. More than 10 years later, they remain traumatized – in their words, their lives were ruined at the hands of respected rabbis and/or classmates and after years of therapy they still haven’t been able to overcome the devastation. Two of the three violent attacks occurred in Hebrew day schools in New York and Ohio (and happened more than once because adults didn’t believe the boy). The third occurred as the boy was on his way home from a Christian school and a group of bullies from his school beat him up and dragged him behind a garage and took turns raping him.

I also know a young woman who was raped at 14 in the youth center of her shul in Ohio by the son of a wealthy family. The young man was scolded, but not allowed to be prosecuted because his family had money and hers didn’t. I’ve known this girl since she was 5 or 6; she was raised in a very modest home and was the most shy and timid among her six siblings. The family was driven out of town in shame as the boy’s family spread lashon hara about her, and the long-time locals were forced by the wealthy family to choose their loyalties (continued funding or righteousness). This family is still suffering from the devastation of that evil act; the family has broken up and all seven children (now young adults) have left the derech because their view of Judaism is now through the lens of the violation and community abandonment of their family.

On Sunday I learned from someone who monitors the police band that around 11 pm Motzei Shabbat the police were trying to catch a kidnapper, who had grabbed a girl in Ma’ale Adumim, before he could enter Azaria (the neighboring Arab village – FYI, Arabs like to take young virgin wives and if they can have a Jew they consider her a big prize because their custom bases a child’s religion on the paternal lineage). Why was this child out on the street that late at night? My guess is she may have been walking home alone from Bnei Akiva. Use common sense and protect your precious children. This is not an isolated Israeli incident; evil is being perpetrated against innocent children worldwide in our own communities by “respected” people (e.g., the horrific murder of Leiby Kletzky).

If your intuition is nagging at you, it’s better to cope with a whining child or upset school teacher than to risk the unthinkable. As parents, God has entrusted us – not the Israeli government, not a classroom teacher and not a madrich/a at a youth club – with the safety and proper chinuch of our children. And therefore, the final decision is ours to make.

Olim parents of young children sometimes feel overwhelmed by the education system in Israel. Don’t worry, this is normal because it is different like most experiences in a new society, but because it can be emotionally difficult for our children it can become very stressful.

I know that I have preached in the past that one should not make Aliyah with the idea that they will cling to the customs of the society from which they came forever fighting those of the Jewish homeland. However, the following situation is an exception (in my opinion) because just like in the US (and I suspect other countries) future generations will benefit from positive improvements to the education system.

Yesterday, I found myself in two upsetting situations related to education.  The first occurred during ulpan when our morah (teacher) asked if anyone knew why Sarah (not her real name) had been missing class. A few of her friends explained that Sarah’s 1^st grader was refusing to go back to school because of a bullying situation and the administration’s lack of response to it. My stomach knotted because I instinctively knew which school this boy must be attending based on our experience there 3 years ago.  Our morah knew of my experience and suggested that I contact Sarah and encourage her to fight the system as I had done – and added that if a group of parents got together and petitioned the school, things could improve.

I suggested to Sarah’s friend that this far into the school year without reasonable resolution from the school, perhaps moving the child to the state religious school that my son attends would be a good solution. She responded that Sarah’s husband would never allow it since (the perception in their neighborhood is that) my son’s school isn’t frum enough. Here we go again with the lashon hara from a neighborhood that applies pressure on new olim to attend a school that they all know has serious discipline problems, while condemning the other school they have no experience with.

We had the same experience in Cleveland, which makes me wonder why? – what motivates this negative speech and why do they keep the problem hushed?  I meet several olim families every year who have suffered through this experience. I think sometimes new olim feel isolated and it’s important to reach out to the rest of us for support, then carefully weigh the varying opinions and make a more educated decision.

Since this particular school is partially state-funded, and partially tuition-based, it is possible to apply pressure financially (i.e., if a group of parents threaten to withdraw their sons from the school, the pain to the budget might just cause the school to do something about the physical and emotional pain the child has been forced to endure).

What happened next when the mother of a young child mentioned the term “homeschooling” – hurling the ulpan class into a 20-minute frenzy – caused me to realize that the melting pot we live in is filled with some extreme differences of opinion from varying cultures that may not be reconciled for several generations!  At first the Russians across from me didn’t understand the term. While the teacher explained it to them in simple Hebrew terms (beit sefer b’bayit), a French woman on the other side of the room was insistent that such activity is socially harmful to the child!

In defense of the young mother, I attempted to describe my daughter’s junior and senior high homeschooling experience in New York, West Virginia & Tennessee but was interrupted by the Russian lady who seemed furious with me as she viewed the concept of homeschooling to be antagonistic toward the government and insisted that it just couldn’t and shouldn’t be done!  Imagine mothers and fathers teaching their children – what were we thinking?!

Eventually I was allowed to describe the environment of 20+ homeschooling families joining together for social, physical fitness, science and music events periodically, and the rest of the time parents teaching math, economics, science, agriculture, horticulture, languages, history, cooking, carpentry, mechanics, engineering, etc. in a computer-based and hands-on home learning environment.  Some had trouble believing that American children are able to receive valid high school diplomas through private schools that supervise and test during the senior year, or that they are allowed to take state GED exams to earn diplomas. I explained that all students, regardless of schooling have the opportunity to take SATs for college acceptance. Despite my frustration over trying to describe this using my limited Hebrew skills, I think I got the point across as the French lady gave me a thumbs up and the teacher suggested that our homeschooling environment had been a mini-school.

The next challenge was to convince them that homeschooling is legal and actually does take place in Israel and that there is a Jerusalem homeschooling group (refer to http://israelhomeschool.org/ for more details) of which several Ma’ale Adumim families are members.  Somehow this led into a discussion on whether or not Stalin and Lenin were crazy! Don’t ask, because I don’t know where that came from. The discussion became heated and our sweet morah decided it was time for a quiet writing assignment.

To be continued…

Parents of children in sixth grade are invited to learn about the city’s Junior High school options at upcoming presentations on January 15th (boys) and January 23rd (girls).

Boys

Date: Sunday, January 15, 2012

Time: 8:30 p.m.

Location: Eshkol HaPais Building ( behind the pool).

Principals of  the following schools will give presentations:

AMIT Junior and Senior High School for Boys

Address: 40 Derech Kedem Street
Telephone: 02-590-2910
Email Address: maale_adumim@amit.org.il
Principal: Rabbi Avigdor Weizman

Students come from a variety of backgrounds and together foster a love of learning and commitment to Judaism. The school emphasizes both academic excellence and values-based education. Students are expected to be actively involved in their communities through engagement in volunteer work, which covers a wide variety of community programs and projects. Matriculation tracks offered include biology, biotechnology, art, theater and geography.

Yeshiva Tichonit

Address:    95 Mitzpe Nevo St.
Telephone:    02-590-0448
Email Address:    ytma03@walla.co.il
Principal:    Rabbi Shai Peretz

The Yeshiva strives to inculcate in the students a serious commitment to Torah study and observance as well as to the people, the Land, and the State of Israel.  There is a rigorous academic program in both Judaic and general studies.  A variety of Bagrut majors are offered, including: biology, physics, and computer science.  There is a special interdisciplinary program in which the students explore the relationships between halacha, biology, computer science, and physics.

Registration will take place at the schools:

• AMIT  Boys:
  Feb 5th – 10th, 8:30-14:00, Fridays 8:30-11:30
• Yeshiva Tichonit:
  Feb 5th – 10th,  8:30-15:00, Fri 8:30-11:30

Parents must bring a 500 shekel-non-refundable tuition advance fee and update-to-date teudat zehut.

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Girls

Date: Monday, January 23, 2012

Time: 8:30 p.m.

Location: The Matnas

Principals of  the following schools will give presentations:

AMIT Wasserman Torah, Arts and Sciences Junior and Senior High School for Girls

Address: 40 Derech Kedem Street
Phone:  02-535-2104
Email Address: maale_adumim@amit.org.il
Principal:  Brenda Horwitz

The student body is characterized by a broad spectrum of ethnic backgrounds and socio-economic levels. Run on the principles of egalitarianism and integration, diversity in the students’ backgrounds is considered a key value. The school’s educational philosophy is based on a dynamic vision of Jewish women’s leadership, with an aspiration of instilling community values in all students while equipping them with leadership capabilities. The school strongly encourages women’s leadership within a Modern Orthodox context in every aspect of Israeli society. Students are expected to be actively involved in their communities through engagement in volunteer work, which covers a wide variety of community programs and projects. Matriculation tracks offered include biology, biotechnology, art, theater and geography.

Tzvia Maale Adumim – Ulpana

Address: 30 Derech Kedem St.
Phone:    02-535-4845
Email Address:    tzviama5@gmail.com (secretary – Miri)
Principal: Racheli Kaplan

In the spirit of the philosophy of Rav Kook, the ulpana strives to inculcate in the students a love for Torah and Israel as well as the acquirement of good midot. Extracurricular activities are an intrinsic part of the educational programming. An example of such is the monthly in-school shabbaton. Bagrut majors offered, include: biology, chemistry, art, Hebrew literature, and Land of Israel studies.

There is an optional dorm, three times a week.

Registration will take place at the schools:

• AMIT Girls School
  Feb 5th – 10th, 8:30-15:00, Fri 8:30-11:30
• Ulpana Tzvia
  Feb 5th – 10th, 8:30-15:00, Fri 8-11

Parents must bring a 500 shekel-non-refundable tuition advance fee and update-to-date teudat zehut.

Note: these presentations will take place in Hebrew.  If you are the parent of a student who will be entering one of these schools for the 2012-13 school year and would like an English translator present at one or both of the presentations, please contact Shelley Brinn. If there are enough interested English speakers, it is possible that they will be able to make arrangements.

The following is a message I received (author unknown) that should go viral in my opinion.

Imagine the following scenes throughout Shmueli’s life in the thriving religious community of Goshen, Indiana…

Scene 1.

Little Shmeuli is 7 years old and just finished examining a big picture book of Israel and it’s holy sites.

Shmueli: Mommy, I want to move to Israel. It looks really fun there! Can we move mommy?

Mommy: No, sorry sweetie. Abba has a good job here in Goshen, and anyway the Israeli kids are really too rough. You might get hurt. Maybe someday, but not now.

Scene 2.

Years later, Shmueli is now 16 and just finished viewing the Goshen Yeshiva senior class trip pictures of Israel.

Shmueli: Abba, looking at all those picture of Israel really makes we want to go there. The Cohen’s made aliyah, why don’t we?

Abba: It’s not a good idea to disrupt your yeshiva learning, Shmueli. Learning in Israel is a lot different and it might be hard on you. And anyway, Mashiach will come some day soon and we will all go there!

Scene 3.

Shmueli is now 21 and in his third year of Goshen Yeshiva Beit Medrash. After learning the halachot of Sheviit he feels the desire to move to Israel and consults with his Rebbi.

Shmueli: Learning the halachot of sheviit has stirred up my feelings to make aliyah, and get land of my own so I can fulfill those mitzvot. What do you think?

Rebbi: Now is not a good time. You’re still young, and anyway, your father has got college plans for you starting next year, right? You have your whole life to make aliyah – don’t get all worked up about it now. Think of your future.

Scene 4.

Shmueli is now 28 years old, married with four kids and a degree in programming. After the Shabbat drasha about the meraglim, Shmueli approaches Rabbi Greenberg with a nagging question.

Shmueli: Rabbi, I have been thinking about making aliyah lately. The kids are still young, my wife is interested and I can support the family as a programmer. I think it would work out fine! What do you think?

Rabbi Greenberg: Bad idea. The government is filled with wicked people, Israeli children will be hard on your kids, your standard of living won’t be nearly the same. Stay here. You have a nice home, cars, a night seder – what more could you ask for? Wait a few more years – until your kids are older.

Scene 5.

At age 35 Shmueli has a couple more kids and has advanced in his programming. His oldest is 14 years old and is doing well in school. After looking at another Nefesh B’Nefesh charter flight arrival on Arutz Sheva he calls the Rosh Yeshiva of Goshen Yeshiva to speak about making aliyah.

Shmueli: …we would like to make aliyah. We can support ourselves financially, my kids are doing well in school. I would like to pursue the idea further. What does the Rosh Yeshiva think?

Rosh Yeshiva: Shmueli, I have know you a long time and have seen you grow to be quite a talmid chacham and a baal hesid. But, you have to know that your son my not “find himself” in Israel. You may find him doing “other things” – things that you don’t want to think about. You have to think about your kids, and what is best for them. Goshen is good for you and you are good for Goshen. You have plenty of time to make aliyah.

Scene 6.

Ten years later, two kids are married and his other children are in school, some are doing poorly and some are doing well. After finding that an old friend has moved to Israel, Shmueli turns to Yaakov, his chavruta of 13 years for his opinion.

Shmueli: I just got an email from an old friend who made aliyah. He says ‘It’s the best thing he has done and his family loves it there.’ !

Yaakov: Man, I would put that on the back burner if I were you. A lot of kids go off the derech. It’s a big problem. Maybe you should move when all your kids are grown and on their own.

Scene 7.

At age 61 Shmeuli is making plans for retirement with his friend and accountant, Hillel Ash.

Shmueli: I think the time has come for me to retire and make aliyah, you are my accountant – what do you think?

Hillel: You have a lot of people relying upon your support, both financial and personal. You’ve got grandchildren who love to come visit you. How can you leave all this behind? Work for another eight to ten years and then go. Stick around, your needed here in Goshen!

Scene 8.

Shmueli dies at age 79 leaving behind his wife, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. After the hespedim, Shmueli’s body and his closest family members board the next El Al flight to Israel for his burial place on Har HaZiytim. As the plane taxis to the runway Shmueli’s wife converses with their oldest son.

Wife: You know, your father always wanted to live in Israel….

Shmueli never fulfilled his dream to make aliyah and live in the Holy Land. Don’t wait until it’s too late for you!

Mere words can’t do justice to the refreshing and enriching experience of Jewish holidays (and life) spent in the Jewish land.

Still stuck in the galut? Maybe it’s time to come home…

by Don Shrensky, CPA

On December 5th, 2011, the Knesset passed the first of the Trachtenberg committee recommendations. The new law is entitled “The Bill to Change the Tax Burden”. The goal of this law is to lower the income tax for the middle classes, starting from 2012.

Some components of the law are as follows:

• Lowering the ceiling for income subject to Bituach Leumi to NIS 41,000 per month (from NIS 73,422 per month in 2011).
• Increasing by 50% the refund from negative income tax for working mothers and single parent fathers.
• An additional two credit points for working men with children under the age of 3, which can add around NIS 400 net to a monthly salary.
• Interest exemption for seniors (over 67 years of age) will increase to NIS 13,000 for individuals or NIS16,000 for couples where both are over 67.
• Company tax rates are 24% in 2011 and were scheduled to decrease by 1% every year until it reached 18%. In 2012 it will increase to 25% and remain at that rate.
• Tax rates on dividends, interest, and capital gains will increase for shareholders of private companies from 25% to 30%.
• Tax rates on dividends, interest, and capital gains from publically traded securities will increase for individuals from 20% to 25%.
• Individual annual tax rates for 2012 (changes are in bold):
• Up to NIS 60,840 – 10%
• NIS 60,841 to 103,920 – 14%
• NIS 103,921 to 168,840 – 21% (Instead of 23%. This will mean NIS 80-120 decrease in your monthly tax bill)
• NIS 168,841 to 254,880 – 30%
• NIS 254,881 to 489,480 – 33% (Instead of up to NIS 482,760)
• For every additional NIS over 489,480 – 48% (Instead of 44%)

These changes present tax planning opportunities for the end of 2011. Please call the office to speak with one of our Israeli tax experts if you feel that you would benefit from some year-end tax planning.

For Example:

1) Shareholders of private companies (Israeli or foreign) should consider distributing dividends before 31 December 2011.

2) If you hold publically traded securities, and were planning on selling soon, consider selling them before 31 December 2011 (but only if at a gain) to take advantage of the 2011 lower tax rate.

3) However, for non-publically traded assets (e.g. real estate, privately held companies), the future gain on the sale after 31 December 2011 will be proportioned to the

1. a. Gain up to 2011 (taxed @ lower rates) and
2. b. Gain from 2012 taxed @ 25%

In all cases, speak to us before you do anything!

Don Shrensky, CPA (Israel, USA) is affiliated with the Institute of Certified Public Accountants in Israel, American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants.

Don Shrensky & Co., CPAs (Israel)
Phone: 02-6294272 EXT. 277
E-mail: don@dscpa-israel.com
Website: www.dscpa-israel.com

Frustration and anger are part of the early Aliyah experience of many olim – it’s just a fact of life when one leaves behind one culture for another. Especially when one makes a physical move into a foreign culture but insists that the “new” culture change to accommodate their “old” culture.

Pre-Aliyah I was all psyched up and made the bold statement that “I want to become Israeli, not live in ‘little America’  in Israel”.  I can look back with amusement at that statement because I now live in a neighborhood & community that’s a healthy mix of Israelis and Anglos from foreign countries (including the US). With my total lack of functional Hebrew at that time I would not have survived socially in an all Israeli community.

From time to time I receive letters from new olim overwhelmed and sometimes (heaven forbid) planning to leave Israel due to an unpleasant experience or offense that some “Israeli”  (verbally) committed against them. I do my best to point them in the direction of  helpful information or someone who can assist, but the letter I read today was not a tangible problem I could pass on to someone else because I had “been there”.

The letter was from a young woman named “Rose”, who had been gouged by UPS for Customs fees on school books she ordered from Barnes & Noble – a problem many of us have encountered but haven’t been able to resolve for lack of connections in the mafia here (which, I must add, is no different than some experiences I had while living on American soil).

Rose’s “I’m leaving Israel” problem was the result of one inconsiderate Jew’s behavior during her attempt to obtain financial assistance so she could attend the University of Haifa. This klita experience was further aggravated by “bureaucracy” (she didn’t provide details) and disillusionment over the Zionistic expectations she had of Israel. Since Rose is young, I’ll give her the benefit of assuming she hasn’t had to deal with American bureaucracy much – I have, and the only difference here is the barrier of my poor Hebrew skills causing additional frustration (probably for the clerk as much as for me)

My response to Rose, and all the other olim who arrive with high expectations and are disappointed is:

I’m sorry to learn of your bad cultural experiences here. Mine have been totally opposite yours – both here (where total strangers have treated me like loving family) and in the US (where I had loving family & friends, but was also subjected to – burnt out by – back stabbers, unethical business people, lazy government workers and dishonest politicians – regardless of their religious affiliation – throughout my 50 years there). That’s not to say that I haven’t had frustrating experiences in Israel too, or that everyone I’ve encountered has been nice or honest.

My point is, don’t throw the baby out with the dirty bathwater. I was once told by a wise man, “don’t judge Judaism based on the behavior of a Jew. Judge it on what the Torah says, because people are only human and not every Jew – even if they claim to be Torah observant – is a good representative for God.”

So I ask you to please not judge the entire country of Israel based on some jerk’s behavior at __________ (fill in the blank). I’ve learned that there is really no such thing as “no” in this country and that many Israelis who have had rough lives are jealous of Americans and will give us a difficult time just because of where we came from (they look down on us for being “soft”). You have to assert yourself when someone declines your reasonable request, don’t take “no” for an answer the 1st, 2nd or 3rd time! Go above their head if necessary – or ask someone else to help you get there.

Native Israelis can be harsh at times and sometimes it takes getting to know the person in order to soften them to the point of wanting to help you – and when they want to help you, look out because they’ll barrel ahead like a freight train once they view you as mishpacha.

Example: I recently had the unfortunate need to obtain assistance at the Israeli IRS office. The first two times I went there, I was met with disinterest and annoyance over my poor communication skills. The third (and last!) time I went, I was given a list of hoops I’d have to jump through and then told that I’d have to go to a different office in another town (more than an hour away). I snapped and explained that this wasn’t going to happen, and they would need to resolve the issue while I was there, and that I wasn’t coming back again (I did this in a combination of Hebrew and English).

At the sound of my raised and assertive tone, a manager came out and invited me into her office. She asked me about my family, how long I had been in Israel, what type of work I do… and I complimented her on the photo of her children and flowers on her desk. She didn’t speak English but between the forms I had completed and my elementary Hebrew skills, she got the picture and got on the phone. During the 10 minutes I was in her office, she began a friendly phone conversation asking about the other woman’s children, etc. and then went into the details of my case. As the other woman resisted making things easy, this manager became my advocate and aggressively pursued (and obtained) the results I needed. Then she called a younger Israeli with passable English skills into her office to explain to me what had transpired and what I could expect.  And as I was leaving her office (it was a Thursday), she wished me “Shabbat Shalom” and pronounced blessings for an easy klita, good health and prosperity upon me and my family.

I’ve also been on buses where I wish I had had the foresight to video the events that transpired – they’d make great TV. I’ve witnessed strangers in heated arguments (politics, child-rearing, clothing color choices…) later help their “victim” with  packages, stroller, etc. as they’re getting off the bus and wish them “Shabbat Shalom” as they climb back to their seat! It’s difficult for those of us who have come from the American “mind your own business”, “equal rights” (which is a fantasy even there) & “freedom for all” culture to understand, but when I recall my mother retelling my grandmother’s stories from the “old country”, I realize that things in Israel are pretty normal and it’s the US that isn’t.

Another point worth considering is the “absence makes the heart grow fonder” syndrome whereby we tend to only remember the best, most comfortable, heart-warming things about the land of our birth when we’re experiencing difficulties in Israel. It’s best not to make snap judgments and decisions during a moment of emotional upheaval – give it time and do a fair reality check on both sides of the ocean (including verifying the current employment, housing, education and cost of living conditions there) before throwing in the towel and leaving your Jewish family in Israel.

And remember that they don’t owe us anything, they’re the ones whose families built this country with their hard work, blood and prayers. Our Israel experience is what we make it!

Shabbat Shalom!

Recall these words from Mordechai in Chapter 4, verse 14 of Megillat Esther:

…relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place

Yesterday was a roller-coaster, strange day in the realm of health and parnassah that caused me to experience the words of Mordechai.

Health

If we don’t have it, quality of life suffers.  I’ve been suffering with breathing difficulties and sharp back pain for about 6 weeks. My medical doctor sent me for tests of the blood, heart Eco, stress test, x-ray, pulmonary function test variety. About 3 weeks ago I asked him to refer me to a chiropractor and he bluntly told me that he felt the tests were enough. The stress test resulted in a knee injury (excruciating pain – imagine bone rubbing against bone) that my doctor feels will take 3 to 4 weeks to heal – on the upside, that allowed me to cancel the 4 hour bone density scan he wanted me to have done.  

Between the back and knee injury I haven’t been working or sleeping much because sitting, lying down, walking, etc. are all painful, and by yesterday morning I couldn’t turn my head more than two inches in either direction without pain.  Feeling this was unreasonable, I decided to make an appointment with a different, more progressive thinking (my perception) doctor at my clinic with the goal of being referred to a chiropractor. No dice! He told me that “chiropractors do more harm than good when it comes to neck problems” and gave me a referral for physical therapy. This was after I told him of the success I’ve had with chiropractic care in the past.  I went to the front desk to schedule the PT and the next opening was OCTOBER 5^th! I couldn’t turn my head in either direction and would have to remain that way for 6 weeks?

Resigned to the fact that I would have to pay out-of-pocket (despite a month with no income), and knowing I couldn’t afford the one that a friend referred me to, I came home and did a web search for chiropractors in the Jerusalem area. One of the 6 or 7 listed online actually had a website and email address and is American born. So I sent him an email giving him a brief history that led up to my current issues and the lack of doctor referral, and asked what he charges.

He called me 15 minutes later and told me that he’s been contemplating hiring someone to create a real website for him (his teenage son did the one he has…), he had checked out my online profile and samples, and asked if I’d be interested in bartering – no upfront money needed! I agreed and he told me to come right in (it was his day off and he was in the office taking care of a few things)! I jumped on a bus and was there in an hour. I am happy to report that I can now turn my head in both directions without pain, I was able to go up and down the stairs in his office without pain, AND he manipulated something in my back that seemed to open up breathing passages so I can now take deep breaths without pain! He taught me a few exercises and told me to come back in a couple days for more treatment.

From there I went to the lung specialist appointment that took 6 weeks to obtain. I was running too late to catch a bus, so I hailed a taxi and asked the kippah-less driver if he thought he could get me there by 6 pm. His response, “b’ezrat Hashem”! (With God’s help – only in Israel) He got me there with 5 minutes to spare

The lung doctor looked at my previous test results and put me through another pulmonary function test. I scored 94% (as opposed to the 69% I maxed out at a few weeks ago at the hospital). He said I don’t need to come back, he sees nothing wrong with my lungs.  I wonder how I would have scored if I went there BEFORE the chiropractor. When I told him that my lung function was only 70% when I left the US, he responded that it has improved due to “Avir HaKodesh” (Holy air).

So after all that, all of my test results have turned out “normal, for a woman your age” (according to my medical doctor) and I have confidence in my new chiropractor who is also going to help me try to improve my immune system and lose weight.

Parnassah

Many of my clients went on vacation in July and August leaving me with little or no work. It turned out to be a blessing because I wasn’t feeling well, however, there was still the small issue of paying the bills.  A discussion took place yesterday morning with someone (who will remain nameless here) who should have risen to a previous commitment that would have increased our income, but that person wasn’t willing. This left us disappointed and discouraged. But Hashem is always watching over us and between yesterday morning and this morning, I received email and phone calls for 3 new projects – 1 was a referral from an existing client, the other two were completely “out of the blue” (found me with a Google search)!

Only in Israel do I experience the Hand of God in both important and “everyday” matters.  We are truly home with a “Parent” watching over us, Baruch Hashem!

According to Adina Schwartz of Nefesh B’Nefesh, the Ministry of Absorption has launched two new Community Aliyah Programs: one geared toward Olim settling in the Negev and Galil, and the other geared toward Olim settling in specific communities located in other parts of Israel.

Criteria for Participation:

• Make Aliyah from North America (i.e., not Guided from within Israel) between August 1, 2011 and December 31, 2011
• Have one spouse between the ages of 21 and 55 (Note: programs are not open to singles)
• Commit to living in one of the targeted communities for a period of at least 12 months

The targeted communities are as follows:

• Acco
• Ariel
• Ashdod
• Ashkelon
• Bayit B’Rishon Program
• Beer Sheva
• Carmiel
• Dimona
• Eilat
• Emek HaYarden Region
• Emek Yizrael Region
• Eshkol Region
• Upper Galil Region
• Hadera
• Haifa
• Jerusalem
• Katzrin
• Kfar Saba
• Maale Adumim
• Mate Binyamin Region
• Migdal HaEmek
• Modiin
• Nahariya
• Netanya
• Netzrat Ilit
• Ramat HaNegev Region
•  Ramle
• Rishon LeTzion
• Sha’ar HaNegev Region
• Tzfat

Benefits
The benefits offered to participants in the two programs differ slightly, but they include:

• Rental assistance up to:
• 1200 NIS per month for Negev and Galil
•  583 NIS per month for the other targeted communities

• Ulpan completion grant:
• 3000 NIS for Negev and Galil
• 2000 NIS for other targeted communities

• Educational activies: funding available for private tutoring, testing, and special educational needs

Procedure
Qualified Olim who arrived in August (i.e. those who meet age and geographical requirements), will be sent a letter from NBN, informing them that they have been recommended for acceptance into one of the two Community Aliyah programs.

NBN will be publicizing the program on its website and sending information about it to potential 2011 Olim who have indicated one of the targeted communities as their “tentative city” or “Israel city”.  Soon after booking their tickets (whether on a group or individual flight), qualified Olim will receive an email from NBN indicating that they are being recommended for the program.

The relevant Aliyah coordinators and Misrad HaKlita will be copied on the letters.
Acceptance into this program will be awarded on a first come-first-served basis. NBN will continue to recommend families to the program as long as the funds remain available.

Three American men: a Baptist Pastor, a Seventh Day Adventist Minister and an Orthodox Jewish Rabbi – what do they have in common?

No, this is not a riddle or joke, there’s story.

During my quest for truth and purpose in life, I ventured through a few of America’s religions (actually the truth is that there were many if you consider the various forms of idol worship that the average American participates in – materialism, musical artists, actors, “must watch” TV shows, etc.) and this is my account of conversations I had with these three particular religious men.

The Baptist Pastor
Pastor America was the youth leader of a large congregation. Everyone adored the young, selfless, compassionate man. One Sunday morning I was in a discussion with him about the Sabbath being on Saturday, not Sunday. He agreed as he had also studied this topic in-depth and understood that the “old testament” did in fact refer to sunset on Friday until sunset on Saturday as the Sabbath. So the logical question then was, “why do you hold worship services on Sunday?” To which he responded, “if I held them on Saturday, then I’d be working on the Sabbath and that would be a sin”. But what about all the fund-raising youth activities he ran on Saturday, like car washes and flea market type sales? He explained that this was his job and he had to do what the old congregation pastor instructed if he wanted to continue to receive a pay check.

Note: Non-Jews are not required to keep the Jewish Sabbath, but at that time neither of us understood that.

The Seventh Day Adventist Minister
Minister America led an SDA congregation of more than 1,000 people in a city with a population exceeding 600,000 that had 5 competing SDA churches. In the midst of a fund raising campaign to expand the building, I sat in his office discussing the foundations of his chosen religion. As I questioned the concept of the trinity, he uncomfortably shifted in his over-sized leather swivel chair. Rather than go on the defensive, as I had anticipated, Minister America leaned forward and confessed that he did not believe the words he preached every Saturday morning for many years, he was well aware that there is only One God and that nowhere in the “old testament” can one find a reference to a “son of God” being half human/half god born of a virgin human! Then why not tell the congregation the truth?

Settling back into the plush upholstery, he blissfully smiled and described his luxurious home overlooking the golf course where he planned to spend his retirement that was coming up in just a few years. He explained that he was not about to throw away his SDA pension in exchange for sharing a truth with his congregation – a truth that they wouldn’t want to hear anyway. His financial security was dependent upon the SDA World Church’s perception of his performance.

The Orthodox Jewish Rabbi
Rabbi America seems to never sleep as he coordinates the various daily minyamim, shiurim and classes (several of which he teaches) in his 300+ family-strong modern Orthodox congregation (1 of 19 Orthodox synagogues in his city). He selflessly assists congregants with their personal crises and simchas, collects and distributes tzedakah, heads the community’s vaad kasruth, sits on the eruv committee and chevra kadisha society, and somehow finds time to write inspiring Shabbat drashot in addition to being a husband and fathering his many children and grandchildren.

I sit with him discussing my distress over the cold shoulder I’ve received from the majority of the community now that they know I’m making Aliyah, and ask why more people aren’t doing it. He kindly admits that he can’t explain the behavior of others or their passionate attachment to life in exile, but he assures me that I’m doing the right thing. If so, then why doesn’t he set the example and make Aliyah like the Rabbi he recently invited to speak to our congregation? His response, “In Israel, rabbis are a dime a dozen. What would I do for parnassah (to earn a living)?”

I found myself at a loss to respond at that moment because I had spent a sum total of 2 weeks in Israel out of my 50 years of life and didn’t know the job market or the details of his many qualifications.

In Retrospect
After three years of LIFE (and I emphasize that because I was never truly alive until I came here) in Israel, I can unequivocally answer his question (which may be the same question running through the minds of many people afraid to make Aliyah): YOUR PARNASSAH WILL COME FROM THE SAME SOURCE IT HAS ALWAYS COME – HASHEM. I’m not suggesting it will be easy, but from what I hear there is no financial security in exile anymore either.

For the Rabbi, I would also add that others have come before him and paved the way. A sterling example is Rabbi Shlomo Riskin of Efrat, who inspired a large number of congregants from his NYC shul to make Aliyah with him – thus creating not only a source of parnassah for himself, but also the merit of leading those people home.  Another great example is Rabbi Stewart Weiss, Director of the Jewish Outreach Center of Ra’anana. There are many, many more.

Another important point for those Rabbis who remain in exile for the purpose of kiruv (Jewish outreach) is that there are millions of unaffiliated Jews in Israel equally deserving of your time and energy. And for those Rabbis living in exile who think there are already too many Rabbis in Israel, did you know that there are Christian organizations like the Baptists, Catholics, Jews for Jesus, Messianic, Seventh Day Adventist and more, planted here ready and willing to evangelize and draw in Jews seeking to fill the spiritual void in their lives? These Christians are too often successful (e.g., Adventist Church Ordains First Jewish Pastors in Israel) just because they were in the right place at the right time. Shouldn’t you be here for your Jewish brothers and sisters?

Answer to the Original Question
What they all had in common was lack of sufficient faith in the One Who provides all financial security, good health, and the myriad of blessings in this world.

Begin your Aliyah application now.

After reflection, this is my post-Tisha B’Av message

Example of Results of NYC Melting Pot

Emigration/Immigration
Back in the late 1800s/early 1900s my family emigrated from Italy to New York City, the then “promised land”. A land they perceived as the place they would make their fortune and provide a better life for their offspring. They were correct in some aspects as their hard work paid off in financial terms with successful restaurants, bars and bakeries.

New York City became a melting pot for many, many cultures in a relatively short period of time. Despite separation into neighborhoods (sometimes referred to as ghettos), eventually many areas became mixed with colors and cultures – some enhancing, and others degrading, the quality and fabric of family life.

My parents, both the youngest in their families, were the first generation born in America and (along with 2 out of 4 other siblings) the first to stray from the religion and traditions of the Old (-fashioned) Country.

I don’t know what went through the minds of my grandparents during these changes because unfortunately they had all left this world by the time I was a year old. But I do suspect that if they had lived to see just how far my generation in the 70s (and my daughter’s in the 90s) strayed from their values, that they may have seriously questioned the sanity of their decision to move to the USA.

Sinat Chinam – Baseless Hatred
In 2008 I emigrated from the USA to Israel, along with my husband and then 7-year-old son. Many (too many) American Jews tried to convince us that moving our son from an insulated frum community to what they perceived to be a secular Israel would damage his Yiras Shamayim (fear of God) – chas v’chalilah! Judgments along those lines destroyed the Beit HaMikdash. Their fears were baseless and today we are happy and proud to call ourselves Israelis, united with our diverse family.

Eretz Yisrael is what we make it – with God’s help. We have a mission to complete here. Tell me what is the purpose of life in exile?

I’m not a Torah scholar, but it is my understanding that before we (Jews) can accomplish tikun olam, we must first unite as one. As long as we harbor baseless hatred toward other Jews who we perceive to be different, we are delaying Moshiach’s arrival.

This video popped into my email today and the timing couldn’t be better because I think Lori touches on the problem quite well.

Loving Jews from Afar – Lori Palatnik

View at AISH.com

My neighborhood is a mix of Israelis, British, Canadians, Ethiopians, French, Russians and Americans – we are all Jews. And the differences enrich us.

Fear of the Unknown
I understand fear of the unknown and exposing your children to different cultures. But I’ll bet most of your ancestors experienced it during some move that eventually brought you to your current country of exile. And that place is not Jewish, no matter how comfortable your section of town seems right now. At the first sign of trouble in your society, who will receive the blame? (History easily answers that question.)

Melting Pot of Jewish Culture
Israel is the new melting pot of our Jewish universe. We have Jews from all over the world, with all levels of observance and a wide variety of traditions. If you’re worried about living in a country with non-religious people, take a look around you right now! And remember that if Israel’s demographics are in favor of the secular population, then it’s your fault for not being here. Consider the possibility that you might make a positive impact here – for yourself and your children and others.

I know I’m going way out on the limb here, but also consider the possibility that you and your way might not be the only/best way and perhaps your lives can be enhanced through exposure to another Jewish culture. Is anyone in exile so sure of their traditions and minhags – especially the ones that cause separation among fellow Jews – that he will not tremble before Moshiach if he’s questioned why he has chosen this or that minhag to the exclusion of his fellow man?

The world seems to be on the verge of calamity. I think it’s time to remember why we exist.

B’lev Echad

View on YouTube

Commitment
I recently read a post on the Nefesh B’Nefesh list from a young woman considering making Aliyah to Israel with the plan of staying 6 months to see if it works out. My response (which I kept to myself) was don’t bother coming. It takes most people two to three years to adapt to a different society – and Israel is different (Baruch Hashem)!

The State of Israel makes a major investment (financial and service-related) in each and every new oleh/olah – we don’t need people not committed to the long haul coming here and then going back into exile and bad-mouthing the Holy Land because they had unrealistic expectations (recall the sin of the spies). My request to such people is to either grow up and make it work, or allow the resources to be spent on someone who is serious and interested in contributing to our society.

I fear what will happen in the galut when Hashem loses His patience over Jewish communities around the world valuing their exile more than His Holy Land.

Tikun Olam Begins at Home
I understand that certain Kiruv families feel that they are needed in exile to bring home the lost. I get it. What I don’t get is entire congregations of hundreds or thousands of families remaining in exile to support one Rabbinic family’s kiruv work. Or people who feel Eretz Yisrael tugging at their hearts but remain because their “Rav” tells them it’s not time. I’m sorry, but that’s a weak excuse in my book because I was taught that we each have the responsibility to have an intimate relationship with our Creator, and unlike other religions, we don’t get to Him via an intermediary human.

Please remember that we can’t perfect the outside world before we’ve perfected ourselves as a nation – Am Israel Chai in Eretz Israel!

One Day – Mattisyahu

View on YouTube

I hope to welcome you home One Day soon.

by Moshe Egel-Tal, CSPP & CEO Israpay

Havra’a is a mandatory payment by law. It is paid annually to all employees who have at least one year’s tenure with their current employer. There are several rates (for private and public sector) and they are updated each year in June.

The current rate (June 2011) in the private sector is 365 shekels per day. Employees are allotted days according to their tenure as follows:

1 year = 5 days

2 – 3 years = 6 days

4 – 10 years = 7 days

11 – 15 years = 8 days

16 – 19 years = 9 days

20 and onwards = 10 days

The amounts are gross and subject to income tax, social security and health tax.

They are usually paid in July’s salary, however some employer’s break it up into 2 or 3 payments during the course of the year and in Hi-tech they usually divide it by 12 paying 1/12th each month.

by Moshe Egel-Tal, CSPP & CEO Israpay

Just in time for the summer vacation!  Make sure your teenage kids who found a summer-time job are paid according to the law. Effective July 2011, the new minimum wages for youth are as follows:

apprentices = 14.22 shekels per hour
up to age 16 = 16.59 shekels per hour
up to age 17 = 17.77 shekels per hour
up to age 18 = 19.67 shekels per hour
from age 18 and up = 22.04 shekels per hour

There are special regulations in effect for employing youth:

1. They can not be under 14 years old.
2. They need to have an employment booklet, available for free from the government employment service (Sherut Hata’asuka). In order to get the booklet a youth needs to bring 2 passport pictures and a doctor’s note that he/she is healthy and fit to work.
3. The maximum amount of hours that youth can be employed is 8 hours per day and not more than 40 hours per week. Overtime is not allowed ! Youth can not be employed on the weekly rest day (for Jews – Shabbat)
4. After 6 hours of work, youth must be granted 45 minutes break, of which at least 30 minutes must be consecutively.
5. Between 8 p.m. and 8 a.m. the following day it is forbidden to employ youth under 16.
   Between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. the following day it is forbidden to employ youth between age 16 and age 18, unless approved by special permission and even then not later than 11 p.m.
   Requests for permits should be applied for by phone 03-734-7440 (Ministry of Industry, Trade and Employment)
6. The employer is required to keep a log of all hours worked by youth. If it is not done by a computer, electronic or manual time-clock, it needs to be signed daily by both the youth employee and the employer. Youth should be encouraged to keep a separate log of their hours as well.
7. Travel expenses are mandatory for youth – up to 23.70 shekels per day.
8. Training hours and preparatory meetings, as well as trial periods are all mandatory paid hours.
9. It is totally forbidden to deduct money from youth’s salary for damages or fines.
10. Employers are required (the same as with adult employees) to issue a notification of employment within 7  days from the start of employment to each youth employee.

Does one find an army that concerns itself with the happiness of its soldiers to the point that it connects them with families to make them feel at home when they’re away from their own families?

Imagine an army…

• where the commanding officer phones and interviews families to ensure a good match is made and her soldiers’ specific needs will be met (e.g., cat allergies, loves chicken soup, aversion to fish, interested in shidduchim, etc.)
• that understands the importance of educating immigrant soldiers in the history of, and their heritage in, the land they’re defending.
• that sends young men and women home on a regular basis to spend time with their families for emotional reinforcement (of both the family and the soldier), and arranges for them to attend family life cycle events whenever possible.
• that sends lone soldiers into communities to meet and make a connection with the people they’re protecting.
• that invests the time and money necessary to match each soldier with a customized program to provide him/her with the skills needed to be successful in society and career beyond the military.

Imagine Israel – it’s real, and it’s happening right now. I love this country!

We had the triple pleasure of hosting 3 fine young men this Shabbat and I must tell you that for all the soldiers get out of the program, their host families gain even more.  The manners and behavior of every IDF soldier we have met have been impeccable – wonderful young people who enrich our lives and give us hope for the future of this Holy Land.

So what’s it like to host soldiers?  This was a typical Shabbat for us, here’s how it unfolded:

Jonathan, Joshua and Baruch arrived in our parking lot Friday afternoon ready to experience Shabbat with our family and Michael went out to meet them.  They quickly settled in to playing Wii with Yisrael, and checking e-mail and Facebook while I finished in the kitchen.   I put out cookies, melon and drinks to hold them over until our late dinner, and we took turns showering and getting dressed for Shabbat . As I lit candles, the men (including Yisrael ) went to Beit Knesset Musar Avicha for Kabbalat Shabbat.

They arrived home with our other guests – Yosef, Marcia & Kayla – and we enjoyed a wonderful Shabbat meal together, the food was secondary to the enlightening and entertaining conversation.  Many hours later, everyone settled into bed for a few hours sleep before Michael knocked on their door and yelled “okay ladies, it’s time to get up and go to shul!”

Yisrael slept until 8:30 and Josh came down a few hours later because he hadn’t been feeling so great.  A few minutes later they all returned for lunch (around 10:30 AM – something I’m still not accustomed to) and we enjoyed another couple of hours of great conversation and fun.  As soon as the table was cleared, Michael, Yisrael, Jonathan & Baruch gathered around to play Risk while Josh curled up with a good book.  A little while later 4 of Yisrael’s school friends joined in the fun. Followed by the arrival of our friends Shoshana & Ezra and their children Mandy, Jordana & Boaz.  We had a houseful!

A little before 5 pm, armed with water and a map, our soldiers left for a communal seudat shlishit where they were treated to a nice meal and a shiur.  They returned a few hours later with their mefakedet (the sweet young woman who had carefully made the arrangements for them to stay with us – I have a feeling she’s going to be a great ‘mommy’ some day) and a game of Set was taught and played through lots of laughter. Being polite and courteous young men, when it was time for Galia to depart they walked her back to the central meeting place.  In the meantime, Yisrael returned from Ariel (religious scout troop) and Michael said Havdala.

Our soldiers returned to collect their packs, exchange information and pose for some photos with Yisrael.  And then a cell phone rang and it was time for them to leave – it all went by so quickly!

And as they grabbed the kitchen trash (which they insisted on taking out – after they made their beds!) and headed down the stairs, I whispered a prayer for our dear IDF soldiers: May Hashem bless and keep you all safe, healthy and spiritually uplifted as you fulfill the mitzva of guarding and protecting Eretz Yisrael.

I’d like to send the IDF a BIG THANK YOU! for including us in this program. We, who left our entire family behind to make Aliyah, are enriched with new family every time we open our door to another soldier.

False..

Although Israel is defined as a Jewish country, and even though the overwhelming majority of its residents are Jewish, most of them are not religious.

• 44% of the Jewish population in Israel defines itself as secular-nonreligious
• 27% as traditional-nonreligious
• 12% as traditional-religious
• 9% as religious
• and 8% as ultra-Orthodox. [source]

Disturbing statistics – at least from my perspective. I’ve heard from many of you in the past that you won’t make Aliyah because of all the secular people here. Another group has told me they must remain in the US to do important kiruv work. I’ve been biting my tongue for a long time over this but I just have to tell you… If you and your family and friends, community and shul members were all to make Aliyah and bring your professions and businesses with you, don’t you realize that the demographics would change in the direction you would prefer? And for you kiruv people, what about the 71% non-religious population in Israel?

Tonight I attended a special Summer Kickoff Event for English speakers in Ma’ale Adumim organized by Shelley Brinn, our incredibly talented and dedicated Community Aliyah Coordinator. I was expecting a garden party type event, and I wasn’t disappointed but rather pleasantly surprised by an encouraging and inspiring speech from our Deputy Mayor Boris Grossman and Mayor Benny Kashriel, followed by the presentation of our City Medallion to Dr. Zeev Dashevsky, President of the Machanaim Organization (responsible for providing a Torah learning to Russian immigrants), and the icing on the cake was a presentation by Yuli Edelstein, Minister of Public Diplomacy and Diaspora Affairs. Listening to Yuli’s story about his encounter with a foreign diplomat who believes that our thriving city of Ma’ale Adumim is a “settlement” responsible for lack of peace in the Middle East (!) made me wonder what my American friends think of when they hear “Israel”. How do you envision Israel? (Please use the comment form below to share your thoughts before watching this short video.)

Photo courtesy of Aliyah Lift Shipping

It’s that time of year again when all the new olim are in high stress mode of packing, shipping, landing and acclimating into Israeli society! It’s an exciting time for them and for those of us who’ve already experienced the roller coaster ride and want to help ease the transition as much as possible. So with that in mind, today I’d like to share with you some wonderful resources that are now available – and were not when I needed them.

Yitzchak & Tikva Sasson of Aliyah Lift Shipping (a company owned and operated by new olim) have published an informative and very nice Your Shipment e-Guide designed to answer questions, and help pave the way for a smooth and intelligent shipment. In the guide they stress the importance that you completely understand the many facets involved in shipping to ensure smooth sailing

Neil Kummer of KEF International Shipping recently sent me this very comprehensive guide detailing which 220 Volt Appliances are worth importing vs. buying in Israel, along with their Tax-Free Privileges and Shipping Guide.

Ed Singer from Sonigo Worldwide Moving recently shared with me (and the readers of the Voleh blog) their Shipping Rights Guide for people making Aliya from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, United Kingdom, United States, and other (but not all) Western countries, as well as their Aliya Shipping Guide which provides basic information about preparing your shipment.

Once all of your worldly goods have left your possession and are in the care of a professional shipping company, I highly recommend that you take a few days to vacation and say goodbye to the old world and prepare for your new life in the Holy Land! I wish you an uneventful and peaceful transition.

Congratulations! Mazal Tov! You’ve come to the conclusion that you have a strong desire to make Aliyah and now you need to take care of the logistics. I’ve been hearing from a lot of you lately and although I’d like to be able to respond to each of your needs individually I just don’t have the capacity to do so.

I want to help you, so I suggest you begin with an excellent article NBN has published about choosing a community, follow their instructions and then contact me with specific questions and I will do my best to research and respond as quickly and thoroughly as possible.

Wishing you all the best! Shavua Tov!

NBN just launched a really cute new video called Aliyah Down the Line

And it made me think of all my friends back in the U.S. who dream of Aliyah “sometime” in the future, but first they need to ____________(fill in the blank).

Many of us are here waiting to welcome you with open arms. Please share in the comments below what is preventing you from making Aliyah now. We’d all like to help you overcome those hurdles and speed up the process because we need you here!

Shabbat Shalom!

Thanks to A Soldier’s Mother I have the pleasure of sharing this video with you today.  Please join us in the prayer Hu Yivarech – A Song for the IDF Soldiers by Dov Hoschander who says:

“As they defend the rights of the Jewish people within our homeland, we must always keep the brave men and women of the IDF in our hearts and minds. This song, a prayer for their safety, and the well being of all mankind, should serve to inspire each of us to give them support and remain strong.”

Shabbat Shalom!

Max Playing with Kong

We had an unusual, fun and only-in-Israel day today - and brought our newest family member home. He’s sleeping now, so deeply that he’s snoring next to my desk.

About a year ago I contacted DogSense in Hod HaSharon about adopting one of their K-9 security dogs when they were ready to be retired (usually at around 7 or 8 years old). This was after our Ra’anana apartment had been broken into and robbed.

For those of you who don’t already know, we owned Shalom Kennels in Hermitage, TN before moving to Cleveland in 2004. We bred and trained German Shepherd Dogs in Schutzhund and for police service. Our last girl – Bonni vom Wilknitzkoff, a gorgeous sable GSD that we imported from Germany – was sold to Saffore Kennels in 2005 due to some circumstances that were beyond our control at the time and we have sorely missed having canine companionship and protection since then.

Fast forward 6 years and we are now living in the “West Bank” of Israel and I felt the time was right for Yisrael to learn how to handle a working dog.

After the terrorist attack in Itamar in which 5 members of the Fogel family were brutally murdered, the desire to have a protection dog in the house resurfaced. I couldn’t help wondering if that family had had a dog whether they might still be alive today – well trained dogs serve as early warning systems, as well as deterrents and protectors. So last Wednesday morning I sent a message to Avi at DogSense with our updated address and contact information and asked that he let us know when a dog became available.

To my surprise, Avi phoned me within a few hours to say that Max was available and we could come to meet him and bring him home at our convenience. Max is a Dutch Shepherd Dog – very similar to, but a bit smaller than, German Shepherds. He served in the Israel Security Service as an explosives expert (sniffing) at the Erez Border Crossing for four years and then joined the teaching program at the DogSense Training Ranch where he worked with children for a few years under the direction of his handler, Eran.  It’s unfortunate that he wasn’t in Jerusalem checking the bus stop areas before the terrorist set off a bomb last Thursday.

DogSense in Kanot

We don’t have a car these days, so we rented one and drove out to the DogSense Ranch this morning and I’ve gotta tell you I am VERY impressed with their facilities, but even more so with the people who run the place and work there. Over the years I’ve dealt with many breeders and trainers in the US (and I can count on three fingers the ones I trust and have respect for), but never have I met a group of people as committed to excellence and compassion as I did today. It was obvious from the moment we arrived that the staff cares deeply for all the dogs in their kennel and that they are extremely conscientious about every aspect of dog care and training.

In the few hours we were there, they casually interviewed (it was obvious to me that they wanted to be sure we could handle and properly care for Max) and introduced us to Max’s personality, training and skills. It was a relaxed and pleasuarble experience. Here are a few clips from Yisrael’s first exposure to dog handling.

Part II

Part III

Part IV I can’t show you because we learned about Max’s history and secret work. Along the path to the training field we passed cows and horses (the horses actually watched some of the training) and beautiful fields – a very relaxing environment. 

Horses

Cows

One of the Training fields

Max after washing his paws

When we were finished with our training session, Max played in the water pail – we were told he’s very particular about having clean water and if it’s not then he washes his paws in it first! We met Avi and he gave me Max’s paperwork while a very nice young man, whose name I unfortunately didn’t get, arranged for us to pick up a crate from their supplier near Modiin – this was a huge help because every pet shop I had contacted told me that this particular crate was out of stock in the entire country!  Avi even printed out a map and directions to guide us to the warehouse.

While the guys stayed outside and played with Max, I went into the DogSense Shop to pick up the essentials: leash, bowls, food, a few toys, heartworm prevention, etc. Their prices were very good and I felt I received wholesale prices on a few items (at least compared to the kennel prices I paid in the US). I was happy to learn that I can continue to buy from them via their web site and they’ll have my orders delivered to my door.

The nice young man then took me into the whelping room to meet a litter of Belgian Malinois puppies (sorry I didn’t think to take a photo) and we compared notes on whelping (dogs giving birth) and puppy care.  I was starting to get the feeling that these people didn’t want us to leave, and I think the reason was that none of them wanted to part with Max!  They each had a few “good-bye” moments with him and the young man who helped me in the shop stuffed a bunch of treats and a bottle of shampoo into the bag as his gift to Max

Thanks to the GPS in our smart phone we didn’t get too lost along the way. While we were sitting at an intersection trying to figure out which way to go, one of the men from DogSense phoned to ask if we made it to our destination safely and provided additional directions!  Then when we arrived at the warehouse, 3 men helped Michael load the crate into the trunk safely and we headed home. 

The many experiences today have taught me that THERE REALLY IS CUSTOMER SERVICE IN ISRAEL!  You just have to look hard for it

Max was very well behaved in the car and went right into his new crate and fell fast asleep upon arrival in his new home.  A few hours later he (and Michael) walked Yisrael to his music lessons and when I returned from shopping he greeted me with wagging tail.  I gave him water and food on the mirpeset, took him “out” and then came in and sat down to check e-mail.  Max had a different plan… he wanted to PLAY!  He walked into his crate, picked up his Kong toy and dropped it at my feet  

I went out onto the mirpeset and tossed it for him to fetch and each time he obediently dropped it at my feet and stood completely focused on it waiting for me to toss it again.  He won – I had to stop playing before he did  

He walked me to the conservatory and walked Yisrael back and then fell fast asleep in his crate – and I think it’s now time for me to do the same (but in my bed!)

I’ve received a lot of great feedback from yesterday’s post (Are you Too Old to Make Aliyah?), thanks to all of you who wrote to me offline.

Since you’re already in that change state of mind (if you’re considering Aliyah, that is), another useful exercise to consider is that of carefully assessing your skills, hobbies and passions to determine if there is something else you’d rather be doing to make a living – something that could work here.

Go ahead and give it a try for maybe ten minutes, or a few hours – or a few days!

…

……

…………

Got it?  Okay, now:

1) Research the Israeli business directories (e.g., Israel Science & Technology, NBN, etc.) email lists (there are many at Yahoo) and online discussions (e.g., LinkedIn and industry-specific sites) - and don’t forget Google – to determine if anyone else is already doing it.   Are they? If so, could there be room for another similar business (consider different angles and niches). 

2) Will this be a “one-wo/man show or would it be beneficial to partner with others?  Consider teaming up with other new olim by surveying olim-related email lists and online discussion forums (are you registered at the Anglo Aliyah Exchange yet?) 

3) Survey some lists and websites for Israeli pricing of whatever supplies (if applicable) you’ll need vs. what it would cost for you to pack and ship them in your lift.

4) Explore MATI,  NBN  and Voleh for resources for funding, business plans, legal and accounting services, etc.

5) Will you need to maintain a bank account and/or mailing address in the country you’re emigrating from?  If so, establish the services before your Aliyah flight.

6) Will you require the services of someone remaining in the “old country” to handle that end of the business? If so, consider meeting with and contracting with that person before leaving.

And remember to keep thinking outside the box!

Shabbat Shalom!

There has been a very popular discussion thread taking place on the Nefesh B’Nefesh LinkedIn group for more than 2 weeks regarding older olim, employment and living in the northern part of Israel.

There were more than 100 comments when I logged in tonight and I became concerned about an air of negativity that was rising.

Let’s put things in perspective shall we? How is the IT job market in the US for the over-50 crowd right now? Yeah, I thought so… we made Aliyah when I was 50 and my husband 52. During the 10 years prior to that in NY, WV, TN and OH he (a senior level DBA and Chemical Process Engineer) was unemployed for a sum total of approximately 3.5 years. My very secure Internet Content Editor position with Deloitte and Touche was moved to a different state at a time I wasn’t in a position to relocate and my Senior Technical Writer position with a mortgage bank went away when they fell on hard times.

Lesson learned: there is no such thing as job security. Senior level people can make a good living as Consultants. We learned that my husband could do trouble-shooting contracting to a variety of companies (thru outsourcing firms) and earn $50 to $75 per hour – this made up for the down-time.

We came to Israel not knowing exactly how we would earn a living and we exhausted our savings during the first 13 months that he was still unemployed. Then he landed an “employee” position with a big company here – decent money and great benefits. Guess what – the same thing happened to him here that happened when he was an employee in the US… he fixed everything that was broken, automated tasks and worked himself out of a job!

Consulting in Israel can be a challenge if you aren’t fluent in Hebrew, however, there is a niche market of mainly English-speaking companies and non-profits – AND they’ll pay 200 to 300+ NIS per hour to consultants to solve their problems.  If consulting isn’t for you, don’t fret – there are many possibilities here.

I worked as an employee for an Israeli hi tech start-up for 6 months and learned all about their thought processes (fyi – many Israelis think “planning” is a 4-letter word) – they (and many others like them from what I’m hearing from other olim) are short-sighted and foolish in their goals. This presents a tremendous opportunity for Americans (or people from anywhere, really) who have good solid work ethic and rich experience. If you want to know more write to me.

There is grant money available for new olim to start businesses and if a group were to pool resources, a solid business or two (or twenty…) could be formed and many older olim who feel the need to be employees could realize that dream. There are lawyers and accountants in Israel who provide pro-bono or highly discounted assistance to olim to help get them on their feet. The first one who comes to mind is Attorney Tzvi Szajnbrum – read his blog at http://voleh.org.

The government also subsidizes vocational training for those who decide they’d like to retrain to improve their skillset or do something different.

I found myself needing to do a skills assessment and put on my marketing hat to find clients who need a variety of hi tech and marketing services and in doing so I’ve gained valuable skills in the latest marketing medium – social media marketing – as a result.

Are we living up to the economic standards we enjoyed in the US? No, not yet – we don’t have 3 vehicles in the garage or a huge house, BUT WE’RE LIVING IN ISRAEL!!! Baruch Hashem! And with one child still in school we’re saving more than $10k / year in US private school tuition. But best of all I can see Jerusalem from my home office!

There are tradeoffs in every situation – and trade ups. Sure, it can be unsettling and even frightening at times, however, where else in the world can we live as Jews according to our own calendar and our traditions without having to apologize for who we are? We are making history! We are pioneers fulfilling prophecy and a most important mitzvah and there is a ton of work to be done here to make this the place it should be.

Create a profile at Job Shuk and start marketing yourself there. I landed a great client – and friend – from Finland via JobShuk. I think my San Francisco client also found me there.

If possible, learn a little bit of Hebrew every week – even if it’s just one word. There are many online resources available, and some that are even free like those offered by Jacob Richman.

YOU MUST THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX to survive anywhere these days!

One final piece of advice: always indicate “English: native tongue” on any application or profile – you’d be amazed at how many English editing jobs I receive after American companies pay someone in India to do work for them!

B’Hatzlacha!

Having trouble finding work in your field?  If so, I have good news for you!

Misrad HaKlita currently has funding available for a retraining program – you can get up to an 80% grant (maximum 7000 NIS) for vocational retraining.  You might consider advancing your current knowledge in your previous profession or choosing a different field of work if you have a hobby or other interests that could be turned into a parnassah. 

You must to apply via your Misrad HaKlita employment counselor (ask to speak with a “Yoetzet Taasuka”) prior to enrollment in a course of study.  

1. Decide what you want to study.
2. Locate a training program and ask the administrator to provide you with documentation of: 
   • Ishur HaTamat
   • Course Program  ( Tochnit Limudim)
   • Dates of course
   • Cost of course
   • Total number of hours
3.  With that in hand make an appointment with your advisor at Misrad HaKlita  and submit the documentation to her/him.

Throughout your training and travels, be sure to follow THE most important rule in pursuit of your career in Israel: NETWORK, NETWORK, NETWORK!

While reading a great post by my friend Rivkah, I was reminded of something that happened in our home on Sunday…

Yisrael was frantic because the HOT (cable) box seemed to be malfunctioning and he was being deprived of an American cartoon he likes to watch (in Hebrew).  I suggested that he might need to change the batteries in the remote.  He snapped back “I’ve already done that, Mom!” (in that ‘what do you think I am, an idiot?’ tone).

Because I can already visualize the eyes of some friends back in the “old country” rolling and the judgments forming… we have cable TV in Israel to help us improve our “ear” for Hebrew and to gain a better understanding of the news and culture here (e.g., I love watching cooking shows in Hebrew). We are also able to block channels we feel are inappropriate.

Feeling a tad bit less alarmed than Yisrael by this latest catastrophe, after taking him to school I promptly forgot about my parental responsibility to phone HOT – a call that I dread making because it seems that only their sales people speak English.  This results in my attentive listening to the voice system offerings of Arabic, Hebrew or Russian, and selecting Hebrew;  then the game begins – will I select the correct sequence of numbers to reach a live person?  If not I have to hang up (unless their system has already disconnected me for making the wrong choices), redial and try again.  The process can literally swallow up my entire morning because sometimes when I do finally get through to a human being, they don’t understand my Google-translated Hebrew and offer to have an English speaker call me back (which sometimes doesn’t happen for a few days)! 

You can imagine Yisrael’s utter disappointment (i.e., disgust and anger) upon arriving home at 3:45 p.m. to a screen without Sponge Bob (or whatever Israeli “Yeladim” program it was that he was hoping to see). So I did what any other tech-oriented parent would do – I told him that before I would phone HOT Tech Support he would have to go through the steps I knew they would ask me about on the phone:

1. Remote Batteries changed?  Check
2. Turn the thing off and on?  “No, the remote won’t turn it off!”, he cried.
    ”Hmmm… back in the old days (i.e., before remotes) we had buttons to push and knobs to turn did you try that?”
    He tried but not all the lights went out and it didn’t resolve the problem.
3. And then what I tell all my non-tech friends who contact me with computer problems popped into mind… reboot! 
   At this point Michael had to get involved because he has created a professional style cable bundling that I’m sure prevents anyone from tripping over cables, but also makes it difficult to determine which plug/cable in the maze corresponds to what device.

Within a few minutes the box was unplugged from its life source, given a moment to rest, and plugged back in. And guess what – Mom became a hero (for 10 seconds or so)!  The TV and all unblocked cable channels were available for viewing (without the need for a HOT technician service call)!

Living in Israel has caused me to become more self-sufficient

Maale Adumim-Yeshiva Tichonit

The City of Maale Adumim has just announced that it is taking steps to ensure that olim teens are provided with the tools they need for a successful Aliyah.

Following the excellent example set by Ulpana Tzvia for Girls, the Education and Absorption Departments of the Maale Adumim Municipality have worked together to develop a new and exciting first year in Israel, integrative program at the Yeshiva Junior High School in Maale Adumim.

The program offers:

• Three month intensive ulpan beginning in August ( approx. 300 hours of  professional Hebrew instruction)
• Gradual integration into the regular Hebrew courses
• Continuation of daily Hebrew instruction as well as subject tutoring throughout the year
• Participation in all social/cultural programs
• Special volunteering program in community to practice Hebrew skills

The integrative program is designed for students in seventh, eighth and ninth grades. Tenth grade candidates may be accepted although completion of full matriculation exams is not guaranteed.

Program requires 5 student minimum.

Registration is open until Pesach 2011.

For more information and registration, please contact:

Shelley Brinn, Project Manager-English Speaking Olim
Cell: 050-8296470
Office: 02-5418827
E-mail: Klita_ma@mam.org.il

A few weeks ago Yisrael began saxophone lessons at the Ma’ale Adumim Music Conservatory. Due to illness, delays in instrument delivery and instructor’s time conflicts, he had a total of 2 one-on-one lessons and one ensemble practice prior to last evening’s concert. Fortunately he has his father’s laid back personality so there wasn’t any anxiety on his part and no stage fright (unlike his mother).

His ensemble performed “London Bridge” and “Ode to Joy” (in the video below).

This being my first exposure to Israeli music education, I was rather surprised and disappointed to hear that the majority of the tunes that weren’t classical were American – no Klezmer (which I was hoping for) or Israeli music was played, at least not to my knowledge.

I was encouraged (that I’m not wasting money on lessons) as each performance demonstrated improvement which peaked (okay, remember that these are children – not professionals yet) with the finale conducted by the Conservatory’s Director, Binyamin Shapiro.

Aside from the introductions being made in Hebrew, I didn’t find this event much different from school concerts in America.

According to a post on the NBN list… day 10 of the strike and “immigration to Israel is grinding to a halt as Aliyah VISAs are no longer being issued by Israeli consulates.”

This means that no one can make Aliyah until the strike ends and the backlog of applications is resolved. These VISAs are issued a few weeks prior to your approved Aliyah date.

BUT, what if it really meant the end – no more Visas, no more Aliyah, the gates are closed? Something for Jews around the world to consider. What’s holding you back from moving to Israel now?

For those of you who have been concerned (upset) about the US Consulate in East Jerusalem catering to the Arab population, I have good news from the CHAI (Cleveland  Hometown Association in Israel) January Newsletter:

American citizens can now get all our consular services—visa, passports, social security changes, etc– in West Jerusalem—Arnona to be exact– in a great new facility. You no longer have to pay exhorbitant private parking rates in a rutted lot. Now there is a brand new parking facility under the building with a few steps up to the entrance, a security area, a large open patio area and finally a spacious hall. Yes, there may still be lines, but the day I went there was no waiting. Telephone numbers are on the website 

http://jerusalem.usconsulate.gov

Make an appointment (Central number is 02-630-4000) for Passport or visa applications (which must be filled out prior to arrival—get them on the website).  Appointment hours are 8:00 to 11:00 a.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday except for U.S. and local holidays. See other hours below.

Since Google can’t actually map the address posted on the Consulate’s site, here are DIRECTIONS:

By car:

1. Take Rehov Hevron heading south from town.
2. Turn left to Daniel Yonovsky Street (the road to the Sherover Promenade)
3. Turn right at the first light onto Betar.
4. Continue on Betar past all the Kibbutz Rachel apartment buildings
5. Turn left on Moshe Aryeh Kurtz St.
6. Turn right at the bottom of the hill to David Flusser Street and go up the hill to the building.
7. At the circle veer right and then turn left into
   the parking garage (with permission) where you should receive directions to the Entrance.

By bus:

Egged bus numbers 7A and 8 travel on Rehov Betar. Check with the bus company for further information.

During the Storm (click to enlarge)

For the past few days we’ve been assaulted by heavy winds blowing sand and people everywhere, I even found some (sand, not people) inside our “sealed” postal box this morning! 

The wind literally blowing around my bedroom Saturday night made the eeriest sounds as it found it’s way through cracks that shouldn’t exist, and kept me jumping out of my sleep as it danced chairs and tables around on our mirpesets (having “War of the Worlds” be the  choice for our motzei Shabbat family movie time didn’t help matters).

December Rain-Maale Adumim (click to enlarge)

This morning the rains began and had me complaining about feeling chilled.

Staying warm is a challenge we renters in Israel face this time of year and there is no good solution for those who will only be satisfied if  American style climate control can be emulated.  The little space heaters don’t provide comfort beyond a few feet. The big space heaters waste electricity and still don’t resolve the comfort/draft problems. 

Sealing the windows with plastic (like we used to do in the Northeast US), leads to mold & mildew growth caused by condensation. I know because this is our 3^rd winter in Israel and I’ve made these mistakes.  The first apartment we rented even had CENTRAL heat and A/C.  When I complained to the landlady about the mold problem she scolded me for not keeping the windows open a crack. Being married to an extremely frugal efficiency engineer, I replied that letting in the chill would defeat the purpose of running the heating system. Silly me, attempting to apply American common sense to Israeli reality. 

Since I haven’t been able to read Facebook or aliyah-related e-mail for days without running into complaints about the cold in Israel, I thought this would be a good time to share a few suggestions for remaining comfortable based on what has worked for us:

• Wear (and dress children in) multiple layers of clothing – I know this is a common sense issue that I shouldn’t even have to mention, but just this morning I noticed a few bare midriffs as I braved the biting rain and wind on my way to the mailbox and market in my ankle length skirt with leggings and heavy socks, cotton turtleneck, heavy sweater, head scarf, and hooded raincoat (with gloves in my pocket – just in case).
• Issue a small portable electric radiator to each family member to keep near them – this should help keep down the complaints, especially from the teens who you have now made responsible for their own comfort. I’m referring to the less expensive 6 fins or less models. Let’s face it, Israel does not have long winters and therefore there is little point in buying an expensive one with a 3-year warranty during a 3-year period you’ll only use it about 5% of the time someone in a European country would.  Buy the type that can easily be moved around the apartment as needed. Tell your family to turn it off every 30 to 60 minutes for 15-30 minutes at a time (the heat will continue to radiate from it for a while) to keep the electric bill down.
  

  Click to Enlarge

• For people who need to work at a computer for many hours, clip a reading lamp to your monitor and point it at your keyboard/mouse area – it’s amazing how well one 75 watt bulb can warm an area.
• Keep the treisim (outside blinds) and curtains closed on windy days.
• Remember that this is a great opportunity to exercise off any extra fat gained during Chanukah!
• Hot Chocolate – if you can’t find the instant mix 1 teaspoon of cocoa powder (found in just about any grocery store) with 1 or 2 teaspoons of sweetener as desired, stir in 3/4 of a mug of hot water or hot milk  and top with whipped cream or marshmallows. (This is known as comfort food, so don’t go overboard.)
• Eat hot hearty soups and stews with warmed bread to remove the inside chill.
• Sleep with multiple blankets, comforters, layers of clothing, etc.  (I even wore a stocking hat to bed last night – it was 15 C / 59 F when I entered my room at 9 pm – and it became colder during the night).
• If you’re good at visualization, try to recall the many months of extremely hot weather you complained about until recently (e.g., you’re at the beach and even the breeze feels like it’s over 100 degrees).

And most importantly, save your complaints for the politicians and thank God for the much needed rain because when it ends there is often a rainbow and the promise that represents.

Rainbow-Maale Adumim 13-Dec-2010 (click to enlarge)

Due to operator error – and impatience – on my part, I incorrectly set the remote control for the A/C-Heating units in our bedrooms.  After two nights of sleeping in multiple layers of clothing and outerwear, I decided to push some buttons and give it another try… nothing happened – again!  I left the power on and went to another room to fold and put away laundry and when I came back ten minutes later the hot air was blowing full force in my room!  Within 20 minutes the bedroom was transformed from 15C/59F to 24C/75F degrees!  My 10-year-old complained that his room was getting too hot so we agreed to turn it off until the room became uncomfortable. About 3 hours later I got up and turned it on again for another 15 minutes and both rooms were good for the rest of the night.

Today I took out the manual (ya know, the kind I write for a living?) and read the instructions   There I discovered that I can set timers to turn on and off, and also select automatic mode and it will turn on when the room drops to a specified temperature, and off when it reaches its target.  Wow, the wonders of “modern” technology!   I think next time there’s a remote control involved I’ll ask my 10-year-old to deal with it.

Alto Saxophone

Due to my limited Hebrew skills I wasn’t exactly sure why I was invited to meet with the Director of the Music Conservatory in Ma’ale Adumim this afternoon. It turns out that he heard Yisrael playing saxophone in the school orchestra and wanted to test his musical abilities. 

I was entertained as Yisrael sang the notes and scales he was instructed to (he never listens to me that closely), banged his fist on the desk to a beat, and patted his head & rubbed his stomach in circular motion to demonstrate his coordination - but was disappointed when he opened the saxophone case and discovered there was no reed so he couldn’t play (I’ve never heard him play). 

Sax Reed

The Director searched through all the music rooms for a reed and came back frustrated, then looked through his file to determine which teacher had recommended Yisrael so he could perhaps contact him/her for further details. I watched as a huge smile crossed his face and he announced that it was HE who had heard Yisrael play and recommended him!

After the exam he asked us to wait outside while he discussed the results with another teacher who took part in it.  Then he came out and invited us to his office where he announced that Yisrael scored 100 in pitch recognition and rhythm and he wanted him to learn under his direction at the Conservatory!

Oboe

I explained that we’re very honored by his offer, but that with both Michael & I currently unemployed we’ll have to delay his registration for a while  (I had prepared Yisrael in advance for this possibility).  An interrogation ensued as to when I thought that issue might be resolved.  B’ezrat Hashem it will be soon, but…  Dr. Shapiro insisted that it would hurt a child with such talent to be forced to wait and therefore he will enroll him now and we’ll deal with the money later! (I’m to check in with him monthly until we are able to pay.)

While he keyed our data into his computer, we learned that he lived in the US for about 20 years; graduated from Yale & Rutgers, taught in Wisconsin and finished his doctorate while teaching in Tennessee during the same time we lived there back in 2003 – small world!  He praised Yisrael for his talent and asked if he is certain that he wants to play the Saxophone because with his natural abilities Dr. Shapiro feels that the Sax might be too easy and suggested Yisrael consider the Clarinet or Oboe (the latter being the more difficult).  For now Yisrael is sticking with the Sax because he likes the sound – this is what he has in mind 

I was thinking more along the lines of Kenny G, but either way I’m thrilled that a drum set (in our limited space with no attic, basement or garage to set it up in) wasn’t an option!  And again I am very impressed with the quality of education in Ma’ale Adumim. Did I mention that Yisrael’s school recently won the AMIT Award for Educational Acheivement (English |  Hebrew)?

I never thought I’d be as happy to see rain as I was this morning!  We were scheduled to go on a Nefesh B’Nefesh tiyul (trip) to Neot Kedumim and the event was rained out – but the announcement came after we were already en route to Jerusalem to catch the bus. 

Rained out of Chanukah trip

Our friend Judy suggested that she drop us off at the Israel Museum so that the trip wouldn’t be a complete wash out, but when we arrived we learned that they don’t open until 10:00 and it was 8:30. Around the corner the Bible Lands Museum sign indicated that they open at 9:30.  We had an hour to invest somewhere so Judy dropped us off to enjoy a morning stroll around the Rose Gardens.  Within minutes of arrival, before we topped the first set of stairs, the drizzle turned into rain and – despite the fact that we saw a rainbow over Jerusalem and it was drizzling in Ma’ale Adumim when we were getting ready to leave, and I strongly suggested that Michael bring a jacket and at least wear a hat to keep the sun out of his eyes - not all of us had come prepared for rain!  I, of course, was already wearing my raincoat and quickly pulled Yisrael’s out of my pocket and slipped it on him while his friend Eliad donned a jacket without a hood or hat.

As the wind picked up we searched for shelter but all the gates were locked and we only had trees to partially block the rain – I thought of all those trees destroyed up north during the past few days by fires – those carelessly and intentionally sparked – and felt both a twinge of sadness for the loss (of life and forests) and appreciation for what we do have.  We made our way back down to the street and under a shelter to wait for a bus to take us to the Central station where we planned to regroup and dry off. Many questions crowded my mind during our 15 minute wait… why didn’t God bring the rain days ago to put out the fire? Why did He allow us to reach the point where Israel had to be dependent on other nations (some that are outward enemies, others that are two-faced) to resolve this disaster?  In Birkat Hamazon we pray:

from Birkat Hamazon

Have mercy, Lord our God, on Israel Your people, on Jerusalem, Your city, on Zion the home of Your glory, on the kingdom of the house of David Your anointed one, and on the great and Holy House which is called by Your name. Our God, our Father – look after us and feed us, give us a livelihood and support us, and provide a respite for us – a respite for us, Lord our God, soon, from all our troubles. And please, let us not be dependent, Lord our God, neither on a gift, nor on a loan from a human being, but rather on Your full, open, holy and generous hand, so that we should never feel embarrassed or ashamed.

Yet our government allowed itself to be in a position to not only accept aid from foreign countries, but to also become indebted to the tune of $200,000 per HOUR to the US government for a fire fighting super plane.  Why does the US give billions of dollars to our enemies every year, yet charge us for the use of a plane, staff and chemicals to fight a deadly fire raging out of control? Do you think they cared that our fake “peace” partners (the ones they support financially) took full advantage of our dilemma and set off 20+ additional blazes across Israel while we were paying the US by the hour to stop the inferno?  

Unfortunately I don’t have the answers to many of these questions, but I do believe that part of the problem stems from the misinformation and venomous lies being spewed and repeated around the world about Israel.

Powerful Israel Fire Story in Photos

I know only 2 things for certain: 1) our enemies will continue their destruction as long as the Israeli government, self-hating Jews, and Jews who choose to remain in the galut allow them to; and 2) we will continue to plant and rebuild.

I have asked many times for people to stop believing the lies about Israel that the media is shoving down the throats of the Western world. Stop believing the lashon hara in your neighborhood as Jews speak out against Israel. Unless you live here, you really don’t know what’s going on – you only receive the edited propaganda and have no right to judge Israel. 

I live in Ma’ale Adumim about 5 miles east of Jerusalem and across the highway from us is the Arab settlement of Al `Eizariya.  If you look it up at WikiPedia (and a few Christian sites that believe their religion has a history in that community) you might come to the conclusion that the city is oppressed and poverty stricken and it’s all the fault of those ‘wicked Israelis’!  I read claims today that Ma’ale Adumim enjoys “unlimited water” supply while the people across the road (the ones who hate and want to drive us into the sea) are suffering from water rationing.  One even reported that the black tanks seen on the roof of Arab homes are for storage of the rationed water - we have the same tanks on our side of the road but they’re white, and guess what they are…  solar water heater tanks to help us conserve electricity. I don’t know about water rationing on their side of the road, but on ours we do it voluntarily.  

Al `Eizariya (click to enlarge)

Lies, lies and more lies from the many enemies of Israel.  The photo on the left is of the real Al ‘Eizariya taken from my mirpeset today – click on it and look carefully at the enlarged photo.  The Arabs over there live in homes nicer and newer than ours and I suspect many were built with US funding.  They entertain us many evenings with huge fireworks displays which, according to an Arab co-worker (in a highly paid hi-tech job, not hard labor as you are led to believe by the press) of my husband, are set off during wedding and other life cycle celebrations.  They sure do a lot of partying over there.

Back to our tiyul… Despite our Chanukah outing being rained out there were no disappointed murmurs from our crowd.  It was an amazing morning as we (including the children) expressed our thanks to Hashem for bringing the much needed rain. It was only natural for the boys since their class has been begging Hashem for rain every morning during Shacharit they saw this rain as an answer to prayer – it was quite real for them.  I think it’s safe to say that had we remained in the US, my son would not have been happy about rain during Chanukah vacation – this was an Only in Israel moment.  Thank You Hashem.

Eliad & Yisrael on the bus coming home

For the past 7 years Leibel Cohen (Writer, Director, Producer at Reel Jewish Entertainment) has been enhancing our lives with wholesome Jewish entertainment that I think is meant for the kids but we sure do get a kick out of it as well!

Last night we enjoyed watching “Agent Emes and the Happy Chanukah” for the 2nd or 3rd – or maybe 4th – time since we bought it a few years ago. Here’s a link to my favorite clip – I had Yisrael advance the DVD to this scene right after we lit the first Chanukiah because I love the way they sing “Al Hanisim”.

The movie isn’t a music video, I just like that part   It’s an exciting adventure of good vs. evil and faith in Hashem. I highly recommend it for children over 5 as little ones might find it frightening. Your family could be enjoying it tonight – it’s available at most Judaica stores and online here for rental or purchase.

Motzei Shabbat is Family Movie Night in our home and we’ll be watching the latest Agent Emes video this week – but don’t tell Yisrael because he doesn’t know I ordered it, it’s a surprise! – Agent Emes In Shushan Shpittsburgh. I’ll report back on that one soon.

I just learned that if you order the latest video you can buy the Chanukah video for half price! Why do I always miss out on these sales? I would have bought the Chanukah video too and given it as a gift.

In his November 29th post declaring that Hanukkah is not the Jewish Christmas, Dr. David Yeagley (an American Indian Christian supporter of Israel and Judaism) has some interesting insights into our holiday’s history and purpose.

Here are a few quotes I found inspiring:

There is always something, some line, which, when crossed, will activate the Collective Conscious of the patriots. While the Jewish international difficulties generally were focused on preserving Sabbath keeping, at this point, the point of the Maccabean Defense, it was the defilement of the very Temple that provoked the Jewish military action.

…It was associated with the victory of religious forces, the triumph of the soul of the nation.

Notice his use of the term “Defense” instead of “Revolt” – what insight he has! Why haven’t our own people referred to it in those terms? I think it’s time we do – both change the reference and collectively work on defending our nation.

If Passover celebrates the deliverance and birth of Israel as a nation, then Hannukah celebrates those willing to die to preserve that nation.

…Hannukah celebrates Jewish nationhood, Jewish religion, Jewish people, and all things extant and related.

Inspiring! I wonder, does this hold true for Jews living outside the land? I invite you to share with us in the comment section below what Chanukah means to you and your family.

Jews have been making the same kinds of sacrifices from the beginning. Yes, there have always been the weaker, compromising traitors among them.

And boy do we have a lot of those today! Perhaps it’s time to learn from our history and awaken that Judah Maccabee within us.

Think about national pride when you think about Hannukah! Think about all you hold dear about your people, your nation, and your religion.

Think of Washington, DC. It has become a den of theives. It is defiled by non-American ideology. It is abandoned. Our national “temple” enshrines foreign values now.

DC needs Hannukah! America needs Hannukah. We need national heroes, not careerists. We need those who will defy the odds, stand up against vast hordes, against the seeming majority of weak, compromising traitors.

HaTikvah! We need HaTikvah.

Now this raises a few big questions for Jews still living in America…

• If an American Indian - whose people were murdered and raped of their land by the early American settlers - can hold pride for America and make a battle cry for it’s salvation, how much more so should American Jews be longing and striving for return to their own homeland (especially during the Santa season)?
  
• Is Washington, D.C. your “temple”?
• “Weak, compromising traitors” can be found throughout the US and Israeli political machines – in which country can you really make a difference and turn the tide?
• In which land can you honestly place your “Tikvah” (hope)?

Every Bible-toting Christian American understands:

“For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and dense darkness all peoples, but the Lord shall arise upon you, O Jerusalem, and His glory shall be seen in you.
And nations shall come to your light, and the kings to the brightness of your rising.” Isaiah 60:2-3

Will you wait for the nations to come to Hashem’s light in His Holy Land, or will you come home now and take your ancestral lead?

Cute video – that I believe parallels some places in our world today.

נ – ג – ה – ש A Great Miracle Happened There נ – ג – ה – פ A Great Miracle Happened HERE

Since the young man was playing dreidel in Modi’in I guess the SHIN on it was okay, if he was in Jerusalem it would have had a PEH (stands for “PO” = HERE). What letters are on your dreidel this year and do your children understand their significance?

Chanukah Sameach!

It’s tempting to buy another pretty dreidel and chocolate coins (that later lead to more dental fillings), or give in to the kids’ pleading for secular toys screaming out at them from the shelves of every type of store this time of year, or dollar/shekel store toys that break before the holiday is over (either because they weren’t made well or because you later questioned your sanity over buying yet another annoying spinning musical top – or Maccabee swords that lead to endless fighting that makes you want to tear your hair out – and “oops” you crush it by mistake, of course!)

In the interest of Shalom Bayit (or Bayis, if you prefer) and future generations, I highly recommend (and own) the following as great inspirational and educational Chanukah gifts the whole family will enjoy throughout the year.

*** Agent Emes In Shushan Shpittsburgh ***

If you’re not familiar with the Agent Emes video/DVD series, your children have been missing out on some special wholesome Jewish entertainment! We’ve been following the series since it began 10 episodes ago and are delighted with the metamorphosis of the characters and the improved quality of both scripts and technology.

In this latest episode Agent Emes finds himself and his fellow residents of “Shpittsburgh” to be the victims of harsh and incomprehensible decrees, against all the Jews, threatening their future in the city. What will Agent Emes and the righteous Jews of the city do to reverse the decrees? You’ll have to buy the video to find out!

If your family hasn’t already seen it, another great option is “Agent Emes and the Happy Chanukah” – or better yet get a 35% discount by ordering the 10-DVD bundle!

*** With All Your Might – The Torah of Eretz Yisrael in the Weekly Parashah ***

The two volume set embodies the Maccabiam spirit of love of Torah, Eretz Yisrael and national independence as they are evident in the weekly readings of the parshiot.  This is an excellent Chanukah gift for adults and teens on either side of the ocean.

If Amazon runs out (they only have 5 left right now!) before you are able to place an order, you may still be able to find a set at your local Jewish book store. In Israel the set is available at many book stores – if you can’t find it let me know and I’ll put you directly in touch with Rabbi Kahana who will personally try to find you a set before Chanukah!

If you have a special gift idea you believe fits into the realm of inspirational and/or educational and fun, please feel free to share it in the comments section below.

NBN is running a “This is My Israel” photo contest, but for my son, this video perfectly demonstrates why he’s so happy to be living here.

This video is of the birthday reception he received from his classmates recently, which paled in comparison to the “welcome home” he received on the first day of school. For Yisrael, the best part of being here is the people – great friends in a religious environment

Here are a few of my favorite photos that define Israel for me but don’t quite meet the NBN rules (i.e., no one is in them holding the sign) because they were taken pre-contest.

Michael and Yisrael playing in the Mediterranean near Haifa as the sun is setting

Sukkot in Meah Shearim

Marketplace shopping for Etrog & Lulav

Our Beautiful Sukkahs with Incredible views of Jerusalem, Ma’ale Adumim and the Judean Hills



(note: this photo was taken as we were dismantling the sukkah – no schach)

Sukkahs at every Kosher restaurant!

Figured out which is my favorite holiday yet?

Being able to TOUCH History!

The Kotel

Akko

Caesarea

The Dead Sea

Ein Gedi

Eretz Breisheit (Genesis Land)

Rothschild Gardens – Zichron Yaakov

Unusual and Interesting…

Camels

Donkeys in our backyard

Ibex

The Jerusalem (and Ma’ale Adumim) view from my bedroom

Sorry NBN, but I can’t pick just ONE! This is MY Israel and I am so very thankful to God for it!

Ditto on my 2009 Yom Kippur post plus an inspirational video.

If you have been in my path when I’ve fallen – I’m sorry, will you please forgive me?

Wishing you all an easy and meaningful fast.
G’mar Chatimah Tova!
Tehillah

How will I earn a living?

Where will my family live?

How will we survive?

These are questions I receive quite often from Americans. Torah Live now offers you the answer…