February 6, 2015-17 Shevat 5775
Parshas Yisro Candle Lighting Times
Los Angeles: 5:11 PM
Brooklyn: 5:01 PM
Miami: 5:50PM
Jerusalem: 4:38 PM
Breaking News: Double Miracle in Hebron
Terrorists recently attempted an unprecedented coordinated detonation of two explosive devices near a Chabad of Hebron facility, according to an indictment presented by the IDF Prosecutor’s Office.
After the pair of terrorists, Hebron residents, threw a pipe bomb at an IDF patrol near the Chabad cemetery, additional units responding to the incident discovered a second, remotely-detonatable device on the gate entrance of the Chabad cemetery where the Chabad-run Kollel is located.
In an incredible double miracle, both devices failed to detonate.
“The Torah tells us not to rely on miracles. But in Hebron, we don’t rely on miracles, it’s just a way of life,” said Chabad’s Shaliach in Hebron, Rabbi Danny Cohen. “This double miracles does not deter us from our mission. On the contrary – regarding Hebron, the Lubavitcher Rebbe instructed that the way to conquer Hebron spiritually and physically is by learning Torah and Chassidus in Hebron.”
According to reports, the remotely controlled device was a 2kg gas balloon bomb filled with gunpowder, as well as screws and nails to increase injury.
“Having witnessed these miracles in the very place where Torah and Chassidut are studied daily, in a place that we’ve seen conquered for the good — it shows we’re doing something right. Our response is to strengthen and continue and increase the number of students learning there.”
Plans call for a seudat hoda’ah – meal of thanksgiving – this Thursday, 24 Shevat, following the annual prayer gathering marking the yahrtzeit for Rebbetzin Menucha Rochel. The event, which starts at 5pm at the Kollel alongside the cemetery, will honor Menucha Rochel – the matriarch of the historic Hebron community, and the daughter of the second Lubavitcher Rebbe, the Mitteler Rebbe. This year’s event is anticipated to be the biggest to date.
Join in the event and seudah, show your support, and help Chabad of Hebron fight back against terror. Or join in spirit by donating today to the Menucha Rochel Kollel, located in the most secure and strategic spot in Hebron. Help support crucial learning of Torah and Chassidus that literally saves and protects lives. Help us add more and more students, and combat terror with the light and holiness of Torah and Chassidut.
via: chabadhebron.com
United Hatzalah wins Ometz Award
United Hatzalah wins prestigious Ometz award
The Israeli government watchdog organization Ometz on Feb. 3 awarded the volunteer emergency rescue organization United Hatzalah in its first ever ceremony honoring Israeli institutions in medicine and science at the Eretz Israel Museum in Ramat Aviv. Ometz believes in the promoting economic, social and moral equality, and annually honors leading individuals and institutions that exemplify these values, as well as justice, decency and good governance.
“It was a true honor to receive this prestigious award, along with other great men and women,” said Eli Beer, founder and president of United Hatzalah. “Getting the Ometz prize gives us at United Hatzalah the motivation to continue our fight against our biggest enemy; time. Our goal is to have a response time under 90 seconds and this recognition reinforces that we are doing the right thing and gives us courage to continue the fight.”
Established in 2006, United Hatzalah operates a network of volunteer medics, paramedics and doctors. Today, there are 2,500 volunteers serving Israelis across the country through emergency medical aid to the sick and wounded. The organization was recognized for its efforts in effectively and efficiently assisting in accidents and crises and working tirelessly to save lives.
The honor was granted by Ometz in conjunction with the Israel Medical Association and Israel Health Consumers.
With profound sorrow, we regret to announce the passing of Aaron Zvi Sichel a”h, beloved brother of Jared Sichel.
The funeral took place today, Wednesday, February 4th, at 1 pm in Baltimore, MD.
Burial will be in Israel on Thursday, February 5th at 7:30pm at the Eretz Hachaim Cemetery.
The family will be sitting Shiva through Shabbat in Israel. After Shabbat, the family will be sitting Shiva at Ohev Shalom Talmud Torah, 18320 Georgia Ave. Olney, MD.
Jared can be reached at sichel.jared@gmail.com
May the Almighty comfort the bereaved family along with all mourners of Zion and Jerusalem
1,000 Youth in Israel Pick Fruit for Needy this Tu B’Shevat
In honor of Tu B’Shevat, the Jewish holiday that marks the beginning of the new year for trees, youth volunteering with Leket Israel, are picking excess fruit remaining on trees in people’s private gardens to give to the poor.
Over 1,000 children and teens from across Israel including kibbutzim and yishuvim in the Jezreel Valley and from cities like Rehovot, Ra’anana, Kfar Saba, and Givat Shmuel are participating in the Project Citrus Rescue, or Sayeret Tapuz in Hebrew. The fruit will be collected to be delivered to Leket’s 180 partner agencies for distribution to those in need.
According to Joseph Gitler, Leket Israel’s founder and chairman, the initiative, now in its fifth year, was coordinated this year to coincide with the holiday of Tu B’Shevat. “We are inviting volunteers to rescue this fruit before it rots in people’s yards and are reaching out to private home owners who are interested in donating their excess produce to feed the needy,” he said.
“It is a wonderful opportunity to involve the youth in a hands on activity to benefit those less fortunate and to mark Tu B’Shevat, the celebration of trees in a truly meaningful way,” Gitler added.
For Sarah Freund, a Ra’anana resident who has opened her garden for Project Citrus Rescue volunteers several times in the past, the initiative is worthwhile for everyone involved. “I contacted Leket Israel and told them about my garden, which is full of fruit trees,” Freund told Tazpit.
“There is no way for me to eat all this fruit,” said Freund, who has orange, grapefruit, clementine, lemon and kumquat trees in her garden. “The kids are doing a great service by picking all this excess fruit and getting it to others.”
In addition, throughout the year, Leket Israel, which serves as Israel’s largest food rescue network and the country’s National Food Bank, also sends tens of thousands of volunteers and dozens of paid pickers into orchards and fields to salvage tons of surplus produce. The volunteers rescue agricultural crops that are left to rot at the end of each season from hundreds of farms and packing houses around Israel.
In 2014, Leket collected and redistributed free of charge, 20 million pounds of fruits and vegetables to 180 nonprofit organizations serving Israel’s needy.
Californian Lone Soldier Sahar Elbaz Honored at Prestigious IDF Awards Ceremony
Former Orange County resident and Israel Defense Forces lone soldier Sahar Elbaz on Feb. 2 was honored at an elite citation ceremony for his bravery during Operation Protection Edge. Following his graduation from Tarbut V’Torah Community Day School two and a half years ago, Elbaz joined the IDF and was recruited to the combat Givati Brigade.
During the recent Gaza War, Sgt. Elbaz came under attack by five heavily armed terrorists. His commander ordered him to take cover and protect himself, yet Elbaz returned fire, killing four of the terrorists. By risking his own life, Sahar’s bravery saved the lives of his fellow soldiers for which he received the IDF’s citation of bravery, “Tzalash HaRamatkal.”
Just days prior to the ceremony, Lieutenant Colonel Eva Cohen of the LIBI Fund, realized that all the other soldiers would have their families present at this ceremony, except for Elbaz, whose parents live in Los Angeles. She decided to arrange a surprise visit in tribute to the young soldier.
“Shimon and Ilana Elbaz were ecstatic when I called them in Los Angeles and invited them to surprise Sahar for the citation ceremony,” Cohen said. “I am so happy we were able to make sure they were there. They were so proud to see their son’s dedication and bravery recognized by Chief of Staff Benny Gantz and Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon.”
A proud father, Shimon Elbaz explained, “The ceremony was amazing. We were really excited to see Sahar. It was a very emotional experience,” said Shimon, adding his gratitude toward LIBI for facilitating the surprise visit. LIBI USA is a non-profit organization that provides for the social, religious and educational needs of Israeli soldiers.
Photo captions:
Sahar Elbaz award: IDF Chief of Staff Benny Gantz (6R) and Defense Minister Moshe Boogie Yaalon (7R) with Sahar Elbaz (4L) and other Israeli soldiers during a grant decorations, citations ceremony at the Palmachim Airbase on Feb 2, 2015. Photo by IDF Spokesperson
Sahar Elbaz award2: Left to right: Shimon Elbaz, Sahar Elbaz, Ilana Elbaz and Eva Cohen of the LIBI Fund at the award ceremony.
Israeli President Holds Hebron’s Jewish Roots Close to Heart
For the first time since elected to office, Israeli President Reuven Rivlin visited Hebron today, on Monday, February 2, along with the nearby city, Kiryat Arba. The Israeli president toured the Cave of the Patriarchs in Hebron today and also attended the inauguration ceremony for Hebron’s newly opened Jewish Heritage Museum in memory of the Jewish victims of the 1929 Hebron massacre.
Rivlin, who was sworn office as Israel’s 10th president in July 2014, has a longstanding family connection to Hebron. His mother’s family, descendants of Chabad Hassidim, lived in Hebron. “This morning, I visited my family’s roots. There are those who fly to Krakow, or Casablanca, but for me, I have no need, not for a plane nor a passport, in order to visit my roots,” he said.
“I have come here today from the resting place of my late mother, Rachel Rivlin, on the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem, to the city of our forefathers, Hebron, where my mother’s family lived and worked.”
The President unveiled a plaque at the entrance to the Hebron Jewish Heritage Museum, saying that the museum told a story of 3,800 years. “For me this is not cynical or political statement – it is a basic fact that is clear to me, and is also true in the wider national and public context, that the Jewish community in Hebron, tells the story of the creation of a nation, during its heyday, and also in difficult times.”
The Book of Genesis relates that Abraham purchased the field where the Tomb of Patriarchs is located to bury his wife Sarah, and later Isaac, Jacob, Rebecca, and Leah were all buried there. In Hebron, King David was anointed King of Israel and he ruled the city for seven years. There has been a continuous Jewish presence in the city throughout the Byzantine, Arab, Mameluke, and Ottoman periods until the Arab massacre in 1929, where 67 Jews were murdered. The Jewish community was reestablished in after the Six Day War in 1967.
“Even those who differ in their views regarding the renewed Jewish settlement in Hebron cannot, and should not, deny the deep cultural and historic connection of the people of Israel to the city,” added President Rivlin, who frequently visited Hebron before he became president.
He also commented on the current situation of the city, which is the site of the oldest Jewish community in the world from Biblical times and one of Judaism’s four holiest cities. “Hebron is a difficult city, a city divided and pieced together. We do not need to pretend with you, who live here. The political reality has created difficult situations in Hebron, at times almost surreal, and yet it seems that life is stronger than anything else.”
Approximately 700 Jews live in Hebron today and about 250,000 Arabs. Rivlin also visited Kiryat Arba, a city adjacent to Hebron that has integrated immigrants from India and the USSR and whose population stands today at around 6,650 Jews.
“It is difficult to imagine the possibility of dialogue in Hebron. The memory of slaughter and blood; screams of the wounded and orphans, are part of a constant reminder that arise in the collective memory of the city. However, we can and should try. Such actions do not hurt or hinder our right to Hebron, a right that was bought during the days of the patriarchs, and stands strong to this day,” said the Israeli president during his visit.
“When the nation of Israel goes on a joint journey tracing its common roots, we find ourselves in Hebron, the place in which our rights to this land were originally established,” pointed out Rivlin.
By Anav Silverman
Tazpit News Agency
Israeli-American students Unite In LA
OVER 150 ISRAELI-AMERICAN COLLEGE STUDENT LEADERS UNITE TO DEFINE NEW COMMUNITY VOICE
Israeli-American students from 33 campuses in 10 states and Canada convene in L.A. for the Israeli American Council’s first-ever Israeli American Council (IAC) Mishelanu National Conference
LOS ANGELES, Feb. 3 – Israeli-American college students from 33 campuses across North America gathered in L.A. for the inaugural Israeli American Council (IAC) Mishelanu National Conference this past weekend to strengthen their cultural and national identities and define a new campus leadership voice.
Among the top speakers at the first IAC Mishelanu conference was Israel’s Consul General in Los Angeles, David Siegel, who said the students represent the “real, human face” of Israel across North America. “Israeli students on U.S. campuses are important representatives for sharing the real, human face of Israel with young American college students,” said Siegel. “Developing a network such as the one through the IAC Mishelanu program will empower the growing Israeli-American community with the ability to capably deal with tomorrow’s challenges.”
IAC Mishelanu is a national campus-based program that strengthens the identities of Israeli-American college students. The conference, with the theme “Meet Your Past, Shape Your Future,” was aimed at nurturing Israeli-American college students’ emerging cultural & national identities and supporting Israeli-American campus leaders, especially in the face of critical challenges at colleges around the world. Participants represented campuses from Boston to San Francisco, New Orleans to Toronto.
IAC Mishelanu, in collaboration with the Jewish Agency for Israel and the Israeli Tzofim (Scouts), featured two and a half days of in-depth sessions on such pressing topics as the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement against Israel and the evolving identity of Israelis in America.
In addition to Siegel, others who addressed the conference included IAC supporter and philanthropist Sheldon Adelson, IAC National Chairman of the Board Shawn Evenhaim and IAC Mishelanu Co-Founder Dadi Perlmutter, who spoke about the need for a strong Israeli-American community.
The IAC’s Evenhaim urged the students to “do things for others,” and to stay involved in volunteerism and helping people in college and beyond. “That’s how you will make the world a better place and that’s how you will ensure that Israel will always receive the support it needs from the United States,” he said.
Adelson, meanwhile, urged the students to have “a standard of morality that is unbreakable,” dubbing them “the Campus Maccabees.”
IAC Mishelanu, (which means “one of us” in Hebrew), maintains chapters on 45 campuses across the country, with on-campus programs, off-campus seminars, and an eight-week personalized internship experience in Israel geared toward Israeli-Americans. The IAC Mishelanu National Conference is one more advancement in the IAC’s overall mission of leading and uniting the emerging Israeli-American community. The IAC has expanded nationwide, and held its first national conference in Washington this past November.
About the IAC:
The Israeli-American Council (IAC), the preeminent Israeli-American organization in the United States, seeks to build an engaged and united Israeli-American community that strengthens our next generations, the American Jewish community, and the State of Israel. Headquartered in Los Angeles with offices nationwide, the IAC currently serves the Israeli-American community, currently estimated at 600,000, with a large variety of programs and events for all ages, and supports a wide range of other community non-profit organizations and initiatives. For more information about the IAC, please visit www.israeliamerican.org.
With profound sorrow, we regret to announce the passing of Sarita Cadji Tepper a”h, beloved mother of Elias Lucien Cadji and Lewis Cadji.
Levayah:
The funeral will take place today, Tuesday, February 3 at 1 pm at Mount Sinai Memorial Park in Los Angeles.
Shivah:
The family will be sitting Shiva at the Cadji residence, 1530 S. Cardiff Avenue, Los Angeles 90035, this afternoon through Friday afternoon.
Minyan:
Mincha/Maariv today only, Tuesday, at 5:15 pm
May the Almighty comfort the bereaved family along with all mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.