From the Desk of the Director
Parshat Shemini describes how Aharon and his sons are to be inducted into the priestly service in the Mishkan. The opening passuk begins with the word “vayehi” - ‘And it was’ - indicating, according to Chazal, an association with something foreboding. What could have been so ominous on such an auspicious occasion? 

The Sforno notes that the very notion of having a Mishkan as an epicenter for the Divine Presence was in itself an indication of the calamitous downfall of every member of Bnei Yisrael after the Sin of the Golden Calf. For now each Jew’s individual potential to serve as the domicile of the Shechina was revoked.

The specter of the Golden Calf was not to go away so quickly, either. For Aharon was to offer up for his inaugural sin-offering an “eigel” - the same animal with which he had almost brought about the total downfall of the people! So it is not surprising that Moshe had to urge Aharon to, “Come near to the Altar and perform the service of your sin-offering and … provide atonement for yourself and for the people.” 

Sometimes we need prodding to face up to our past. Sometimes, as leaders, we need publicly to confess our misdeeds. Sometimes, by confronting the same symbols we expunge the past and are ready to face the future. We not only cleanse ourselves but we are ready then to serve as the agents for expiating the iniquities of others. 

Sincerely yours, Menachem Persoff, Director, Israel Center

NCSY B'YISRAEL NEWS
Pesach with NCSY was truly a time to celebrate freedom from past oppression and rebirth in Eretz Yisrael.

Via our “Gesharim” program for bar/bat mitzvah preparation, 50 kids, mostly secular Russian olim, went on a trip to Ein Gedi on the first day of Chol Hamoed. They came from Beit Shemesh, Netanya, Ramle, and Jerusalem. They experienced a taste of Pesach together, competing in games about the chag, enjoying Pesach foods, and having a good time - which was otherwise lacking for them.

In a similar vein, Beit Kharkov took 30 of their kids for a tiyul on Isru Chag to the Carmel. After a week of being hosted in the homes of madrichim and shlichim of the bayit, these olim enjoyed each other’s company in the great outdoors connecting with old friends.

Stay tuned for info about our summer programs!
Rabbi Michael Fredman, Director; Daniella, Ilana, Sara, B'not Sherut; (02) 566-7787 ext. 242 • fax: (02) 566-0156; ncsy_isr@netvision.net 

NESTO • Native English-Speaking Teen Olim
While we did not appear on these pages for the past two editions, do not take that as a sign that NESTO was inactive. On April 1st, 18 NESTOers met at the “ampi” park in Beit Shemesh as the start of our local overnight Tiyul. After grilling a late dinner, the kids stayed until 11:30pm talking, catching, playing guitar, stealing Rabbi Silverman’s bike and just enjoying being with one another. Those who came from outside Beit Shemesh were housed in friends' homes, and arose refreshed the next morning for a Tiyul, led by NESTO parent Jeff Trapido on the Burma Road. After the Tiyul, kids enjoyed a game of Capture the Flag in a park, and then returned to their respective homes. Special thanks to Jeff Trapido for lending his expertise as tour guide, and to board members Aviella Trapido and Jeremy Saltan for brainstorming this overnight, and for working with our bat sherut to bring it to fruition.

On April 15th, NESTO held their First Annual Family Picnic at Pinat Shorashim, located on Kibbutz Gezer. After arriving and receiving a tour of this innovative, creative educational theme park, the 80 participants were broken into groups and assigned the task of creating mosaic panels. Like all other projects at Pinat Shorashim, these will become permanent fixtures at the site, which NESTOers and their families can visit for years to come. A grilling bonanza followed the mosaic project, and the evening ended with mincha, all too soon. Next year a double-header softball game. Thanks to Steve Bernstein and Morey Schwartz of Pinat Shorashim for all their assistance. Thanks also to the anonymous NESTO family that financially helped to sponsor this event.

We returned to Fiddlin' & Food this past Tuesday night to discuss the significance of dreams in Judaism, as well as the permissibility for “little white lies” within halacha. Don’t miss next Fiddlin' & Food in two weeks when Tzeitel and Motel finally get married!

On April 24 Ilana Goldsheider, director of Kedma, and educator par excellance, will lead a meaningful pre-Yom Hazikaron program.
Registration is now open for the Chashmonaim Shabbaton on April 27-28. The cost is 50NIS for members, 60 for non-members.

Shabbat Shalom,Rabbi Silverman, Daniel and Ilana

Meet one of the newer arrivals to NESTO from Beit Shemesh. Here's a Closer Look at Tamir Goldberg 

Q. Where did you make aliya from, when and why?
A. I made aliya from Dallas, Texas, on June 15, 2000. I came for the same reason most kids probably come; I had no choice. But as a family we came for Zionistic reasons. We felt that Israel was the only place to be. I wasn’t so happy about moving at first, but I’ve made wonderful friends.
Q. What is the most difficult part of your aliya?
A. I’d have to go with school. The school I’m in now is a predominately Russian school. I had no idea of this, because nobody bothered to tell me. So there I am, basically the outcast. The learning is hard. Not so much because of the listening during class, the teachers are willing to stop and explain. The work and reading are the hardest, because in textbooks they don’t write with vowels. So as suspected my grades have gone down this year. Next year I hope to switch schools; where I will go is not so clear.
Q. What has been one of the upsides socially for you since you’ve made aliya?
A. I’m very thankful that I found NESTO, because in NESTO I met many people from Bet Shemesh that I had not known, plus it gave me a chance to get out and see people during the week. I guess I can say that because of NESTO I have many friends that I would not have had otherwise.
Q. Now for the ever famous question, what vegetable would you be, and why?
A. I wouldn’t be a vegetable, I am happy the way I am. Why be a vegetable? You can’t express emotion, have friends, move. Some people may think I’m unimaginative, but the truth is who would want to be a veggie? Even if I could I wouldn’t.

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