From the Desk of the Director

Dear TT reader,
The opening passage in parshat Mishpatim teaches us a profound lesson. This lesson relates to the somewhat surprising fact that the first of the numerous laws after the Ten Commandments deals with Jewish slaves. Ramban and Sforno explain that this example of civil law is a natural extension of the tenth commandment that forbids coveting the property of one’s fellow. Thus, one needs to know what defines property, what are the rights of one’s fellow and who constitutes a “fellow.” Mishpatim is replete with examples of civil law. So its juxtaposition with the Ten Commandments reminds us that the Jewish religion is more than ritual and spirituality. As implied by each of the three paragraphs of the Shema, Judaism extends to every area of life on the individual, community and national levels. The 71-member court, the Sanhedrin, was situated on Har Habayit. As such, it served as a magnificent example of this critical relationship between daily life and service of G-d. For Chazal tell us that judges who rule honestly are considered partners in Creation. Corrupt judges, in contrast, are destroyers of G-d’s world. The lesson is that, as members of Am Yisra’el, we too are judges wherever we find ourselves.

Sincerely yours, Menachem Persoff,Director, Israel Center

NCSY b'Yisrael News

ITEM Under the watchful eyes of Keren Kayemet, the 12th graders from Yeshivat Mekor Chaim began the work of unearthing an ancient burial cave in Massuot Yitzchak, in Gush Etzion. As an ongoing program of Lichyot B’Yachad, Rafi Even-Donan supervised the excavation of this site. Here in Massuot Yitzchak, was one of the caves used in the time of the Second Temple for burial rites. Today, the area is alive with the sounds of Torah learning and student activity.

ITEM Teens! You are invited to come hear the amazing Michi Yosefi relate his experiences from the Far East, in the first of a series of open discussions on the quest for spirituality.

Where: Teichman Youth Center(the downstairs ZULA)
When: Monday night, February 26, 19:00 (Gimmel Adar)
You've never heard anything like it!

HOMEWORK HELPERS - Tutoring and homework help available for all 4th-7th graders, on Mondays and Wednesdays, from 4:00- 6:00, at the Center.Call Sarah for more info: 5667787. Kids are coming. We welcome all new volunteers able to tutor.

GESHARIM - NCSY’s new Gesharim program is up and running. We invite anyone who knows Russian olim in need of bar/bat mitzva preparation to contact us. The program organizes fun-filled activities for youth and their families to introduce them to basic concepts in Judaism.

For more information, please contact Sarah, 5667787. x245.

Hey, you in Raanana!

How old are you? What are you doing Wednesday evenings? If you are 13-14 years old, Makom BaLev Raanana is waiting for you at Beit Knesset Shivtei Yisrael, at 6:00pm for lots of fun and interesting activities Questions?
Call Shlomit at 054-578-937.

Rabbi Michael Fredman, Director • Daniella, Ilana, Sara, B'not Sherut 
22 Keren Ha'Yesod, POB 37015, Jerusalem • (02) 566-7787 ext. 242
fax: (02) 566-0156• ncsy_isr@netvision.net

NESTO•Native English-Speaking Teen Olim
This Tuesday evening the NESTO board and the NESTO madrichim held a joint dinner meeting to discuss not only upcoming events, but also goals and expectations for the group. Amongst the topics discussed were the Feb. 24th Jammin Melave Malka, the Mar. 16-17 Shabbaton, the proposed parent Melave Malka, the overnight to the Golan April 1-2, and the Isru Chag Family picnic April 15th.

Following the meeting everyone gathered downstairs with all the NESTOers for an evening of party puzzles and games. Brain teasers, group charades, human machines, and mock debates made for a fun filled evening.
Fiddlin' & Food meets this coming Tuesday night in the ZULA. 7:00-7:45 social time, 7:45 begins the program. Find out exactly how well Golde and Tzeitel respond to Tevye's marriage plans for Tzeitel, and be prepared to examine your own views on parent dependency/independency when it comes to making major decisions in your life.

Jammin Time! February 24th starting at 8:00pm in the Zula. Music begins at 8:30pm. Program ends at 10:00 sharp, so no need to worry about catching buses home.10 shekels for members; 15 for non-members.Don't make plans for Parshat Ki Tisa - that's the date for the amazing Pre-Spring NESTO Shabbaton at the Windmill Hotel.

Shabbat shalom, Rabbi Avi, Daniel and Ilana

A Closer Look at JEREMY SALTAN
We go back to Beit Shemesh to meet this week's member of the NESTO board interviewee.
Q. Where did you make Aliya from, when, and why?
A. I made Aliya from Skokie, Illinois, a Chicago suburb on the north side. I moved straight to Beit Shemesh at age 11. The reason for our sudden move was due to my father who thought that it would be a good idea for us to come.
Q. What has been the most difficult part of the Aliya process for you?
A. In my case it was the schools. I hope one day that it will get better for Anglo-Saxons.
Q. What would you say is one of your strongest attributes?
A. I consider myself to be an outgoing person, who cares deeply for all of my friends. Q. If you could be a vegetable, which vegetable would you be?
A. A pickle! Why a pickle, you must ask? Well, I am a very picky person for one thing. Also, the best part of me is the inside. Plus, swimming in a can full of friends sounds appetizing.
The Israel Center's youth program for Anglo-Israelis tel. 566-7787 ext. 245 • fax: 561-7432 silvera@mail.biu.ac.il • www.zyworld.com/nesto Rabbi Avi Silverman, director
Daniel Stambler, asst. dir. • Ilana Milo, Bat Sherut