From the Desk of the Director

On Purim we make quite a fuss of dressing up. Yet, it is known that the Hebrew word for garment, “beged,” is associated with the word “boged,” meaning ‘traitor.’ This implies that what we wear can disguise or betray the real person within. So what can we say about Aharon’s cloak described in this week’s parsha Te-tzaveh?

This cloak incorporated around the hem golden bells and pomegranates, ostensibly to signal Aharon’s approach to the Mishkan. To quote Rabbeinu Bachya, Aharon thus offered a courtesy to the King by giving advanced notice of his arrival.

This signal was supposed to induce in Aharon a feeling of submission before the Almighty. However, the bells were also intended to invest the High Priest with the “honor and glory” due to a royal personage. How then could Aharon feel humbled before Hashem and also feel the greatness of his position…? Let us learn from the Megillah.

For Achashverush, his lavish dress represented the cloak of the divine, as he attempted to take for himself the glory due to G-d. Aharon similarly dressed, however, first knocks on the door, as it were, symbolizing to all that his high office is dependent on Hashem’s beneficence. His clothes perforce set him apart from the people, yet Aharon reminds us that in the presence of the Supreme Majesty, he is one of the people and we are all as one. 

Sincerely yours,
Menachem Persoff, Director, Israel Center

NCSY B'YISRAEL NEWS
Our ongoing learning together with the Giv'at Brenner High School continues.

Last Thursday, 40 students, under the auspices of Lichyot B’yachad, went to Giv'at Brennr and picked up their learning from where they had left off last visit. This time we were privileged to be accompanied by Rav Dov Singer, Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivat Mekor Chaim, one of our school participants.
This past Shabbat was the first Shabbaton for Makom Balev Netanya. Twenty kids from the Southern Netanya town of Dora were treated to Shabbat with an all-star staff of NCSY madrichim. They had a wonderful Shabbat experience, and only wanted to know when the next one will be.
Saturday night’s ZULA was alive and hopping 'til the wee hours of the morning. A steady flow of 150 teens of all ages converged to hear the musical sounds of “CHOLOT” and the ever-fascinating wisdom of Harel Hetzruni. Just drop in!

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 need more volunteers 

NCSY’s 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. ext. 245. 

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; (02) 566-7787 ext. 242 • fax: (02) 566-0156; ncsy_isr@netvision.net 

NESTO
Our pre-Purim program with guest speaker Shprintzee Herskovits not only combined a good time with good learning, but also promoted the kids to think more seriously about what true leadership means, and how to define happiness.
Next week Fiddlin' & Food convenes with the topic of Miracles. A perfect follow up to Purim and entr?e into Pesach. 7:00 in the ZULA, the program begins at 7:45 p.m.

NESTO participated in giving out mishloach manot to the elderly and housebound through the aegis of Yad Sarah. Kol HaKavod for all those who participated.

Our next Shabbaton is only one week away! Be sure to bring your signed parent permission slip, and money to the Israel Center by Wednesday, March 14th. There will be no guaranteed spots after that date. We have an AMAZING program planned - you don’t want to miss this one!
The first NESTO parents event will take place in Beit Shemesh on Motzie Shabbat, March 24th. 8:30pm in the home of Chani and Gabi Saltan. In a switch from Beit Shemesh kids coming full force to Yerushalayim every week, we are looking for a strong showing of Yerushalmi parents in Beit Shemesh for this get together. Our speaker will focus on the topic of raising teen olim. For directions and more information please contact our office. Reservations are not required, but are requested.

Our trip to the Golan is being planned and possible tour guides contacted. Save the date for this spectacular overnight- April 1 & 2. Prices to be announced next week.

Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Avi, Daniel and Ilana

This week our guest interviewee is a junior in the Fuerst School in Beit Shemesh, where where he lives. Let's take... a Closer Look at Yoni Myers 
Q. When did you come to Israel, and from where? Can you also tell us why you came?
A. I was born in Cape Town, South Africa. At the age of three I made aliyah with my parents and sister. My parents knew that the day would come when they could share the Jewish dream of aliyah. Their approach was, “The sooner the better.” 
Q. What makes living in Israel difficult for you? 
A. I sometimes feel like I can act spontaneously when I want to go somewhere. It is as if the earth here holds a greater gravitational force. If I wanted to travel, besides the financial consideration, I would have to take into account the dangers of the current situation, sunburns, dehydration etc. 
Q. You like to speak about philosophy in NESTO. What would you like to share with us about your view on the world? 
A. I feel that we have surpassed our ancestors a great deal in the low level in which we are living. I feel the average person today is as knowledgeable, as self-controlled, and as intelligent as an animal who lives by pleasures and thrives on its needs. 
Q.If you could be a vegetable, which vegetable would you be? 
A. Shall I compare myself to a vegetable of some sort? I shall compare myself to some unripe melody which name stands unknown. 
NESTO is 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