From the Desk of the Director
Dear Torah Tidbits Reader,
In parshat Yitro we read of the spiritual peak reached by Bnei Yisrael at Har Sinai. This pinnacle, however, was reached only after grueling trials and tribulations, the clearest example being the battle with Amalek at Rephidim.
Chazal suggest that the term “Rephidim” alludes to Bnei Yisrael’s susceptibility to Amalek’s unprecedented attack, for it means “Rafu Yadeihem min Hatorah” – ‘They slackened [their hands] from the Torah.’ Thus it took only a slight slackening of will and a growing tendency to complain, for Amalek’s evil treachery to ascend.

However, following the successful encounter with their arch enemy, Moshe’s earlier doubts about Bnei Yisra’el were assuaged. The former slaves were now able to prove their worthiness, for it is written: “Vayis’u Mirphidim Vayavo’u Midbar Sinai.” Not only did the people physically leave the place Rephidim, but at Sinai they also abandoned their rebellious attitude.
Today we too are challenged to cast away the indolence of Rephidim and to devote ourselves to the mission of Sinai. In order to redeem ourselves. So as to reach our finest hour.

Sincerely yours, Menachem Persoff ,Director, Israel Center

NCSY b'Yisrael News
ITEM Every Saturday night, our youth lounge [the Teichman Youth Center] fills with the sounds of teens discussing and just plain shmoozing, music and story telling. Under the direction of Harel Chetzruni, kids are finding a welcome and interesting place to hang out. The price is right (free!) and the mood is warm and open. Nowhere to go and nothing to do? Try 22 Keren Hayesod - downstairs.

ITEM In honor of Tu B’Shvat, Nitzotz organized 15 girls from Midreshet Moriah to host a party for the handicapped kids at Aleh. They danced and sang, helped with the snacks, and generally made sameach. Nice going; we’ll see you again soon.

• Beit Kharkov held a Tu B’Shvat seder last week for twenty of its members, complete with song, divrei Torah, and tuv Eretz Yisrael.
• Lichyot B’Yachad continues their good work learning and meeting with secular young people. Because of security considerations, groups aren’t coming to the Gush, and so, we go to them. The girls from Neve Chana and Shvei Rachel and the boys from Mekor Chaim meet regularly with their counterparts in Giv'at Brener. Last week, Michi conducted a mutual encounter between nature and student in the spirit of Tu B’Shvat.
• There are, however, still some groups that do come to the Gush - the IDF. Rafi takes advantage of the situation by going out to these chayalim, once a week, to learn with them, show them around the area (the Jewish parts, that is) and to introduce them to Yeshivat Hesder Har Etzion and its derech. Some of them opt to spend Shabbat with him or with the good folks in Bat Ayin. Little by little, we learn to lichyot b’yachad.

A special thank you to Esther and Shalom Parnes of Efrat for their donation of a guitar. May we make beautiful music with it!

HOMEWORK HELPERS - Tutoring and homework help available forall 4th-7th graders, on Mondays and Wednesdays, from 4:00- 6:00, at the Center.Call Sarah for more info: 5667787. 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
To Touch or Not To Touch- that was the question that the NESTOers grappled with this past Tuesday night after watching a scene from Fiddler on the Roof where Perchik takes Hodel by the hand and teaches her a new dance. Our discussion centered on the basic themes of: 1) building fences around the halacha; 2) delaying gratification; 3) defining what commitment is in a relationship. By looking at a series of cases dealing with different levels of male/female intimacy, the kids had to defend whether the actions in each case were acceptable from the standpoint of modern Orthodoxy. The arguments and insights were passionate to be sure, and encouragingly, very sensible. All participants were given xeroxed pages from Menachem Brayer’s The Jewish Woman in Rabbinic Literature to take home, read, and think about.

Ready for some whacky competition? Next Tuesday night will be Party Puzzles with our full staff of madrichim on hand. Come challenge your brain and have a great time in the process! You can even bring some party favorites of your own.

Motzie Shabbat February 24. there will be a jam session with the tunes of Shmuel and Friends. Known for their long standing gig at Mike’s Place in the midrachov, this hoppin' group of musicians are sure to give us an evening that will have us boppin' in our seats. Doors to the Zula (youth lounge) open at 8:00pm, and the music begins at 8:30. The program, which costs 10 shekels for members, and 15 for non-members, will conclude at 10:00pm sharp.

If you are interested in being part of a chesed program, either long term of for just one shot, please contact Daniel soon - groups are currently being organized. 

Shabbat shalom,Rabbi Avi, Daniel and Ilana

A Closer Look at YOEL KAHN
Last week we met board member Aviella Trapido who lives in Migdal HaMayim, Beit Shemesh. This week we meet board member Yoel Kahn, who resides in Har Nof. 
Q. How long ago did you make aliya, and why did you come here? 
A. I came to Israel 8½ years ago from Teaneck NJ as a tourist and, after a year, it was decided by the whole family that even with all the political problems we could not see ourselves living anywere else. So 7½ years ago we made Aliya.
Q. What was the most difficult part of making Aliya for you?
A. Seeing that a third of my grade in school were English speakers, we actually got along pretty well with the system. It was not as hard for me as most other people - I guess I'm just lucky.
Q. What do you like so much about NESTO that you have been a member for five and a half years?
A. Its hard to say. It could be the director and counslers and bnot sheirut but, they change so often - so maybe its the kids. I would say that's the biggest reason, but also it is the purpose of NESTO, which amazingly enough has not changed in the past 5 years. The goal was mainly to help new and old olim have a place to go where there are people they can relate to - and that remains for me the biggest reason why I join again every year.
Q. If you could be a vegetable, what vegetable would you be?
A. Garlic and Onion. For one, nobody else I know, aside from me, likes to eat raw onions. Garlic is healthy, plus I love garlic bread. So there you have it ladies and gents - I would be the most popular vegetables in the soup and chicken!

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 

Did you know that NESTO was originally just a temporary name that was needed for some official form. It was supposed to be replaced by a "real" name. NESTO stuck around.