Israel Center Notes: -
Re: The Israel Center and Torah Tidbits
NOTICE: The OU Israel Center and Torah Tidbits do not necessarily endorse the political or halachic opinions of its advertisers, nor to we guarantee their quality of service.

The Israel Center's Beth Din to adjudicate and arbitrate monetary disputes, according to Jewish law There is a registration fee of 200nis per case No other charges for this service Please call 566-7787 ext. 204 for further information We have forms for two types of cases: Those where both parties agree to submit their dispute to the Beth Din, and those where a complainant wants the Beth Din to summon the second party. Yitzhak Fund, Esq. • Rabbi Emanuel Quint Chairpersons , Ita Rochel, Admistrator

Kashrut Questions
If you find a discrepancy between the Hebrew labeling and the original packaging... or if you have any other OU kashrut questions, call this toll-free number (from Israel to NY) 1-800-949-0123 From 4:00pm - midnight, you get a human; other times, leave a voice- message OU Kashrut in Israel office at the Center: 5667787

Israel Center Cafe
After nourishing the soul, come nourish the body serving coffee, sandwiches, toasts, pizza, french fries, salads, eggs, stuffed potatoes, lasagna, soups... and more Located on the lower level of the Israel Center Hours: Sun.-Thu. - 10:00am - 3:00pm Ask about our catering services on or off the Center premises

Thirsty? We now have a hot drinks machine with coffee, tea, & hot chocolate located on the ground floor, anda cold drinks (cans) machine on the first floor near the library.

NECHAMA was founded 3 years ago in response to the needs of western Olim who had little or no family support here in Israel and who needed to express their grief in their mother tongue. A group of 12 volunteers got together and learned about the mourning process and how they could reach out and help others. They focused on self-awareness, how they had dealt with their own losses, what each kind of loss could mean, and ways in which they could help others. Together, they helped to build a comprehensive course, professionally led, so that others could learn to become NECHAMA counselors.

In the past 2 years, trauma counseling has become part of the NECHAMA agenda. Through lectures, discussions, role plays, and feedback from the bereaved and families of trauma victims, we began to focus on what was helpful and our counselors expanded their sensitivity and their knowledge. Every counselor has a supervisor who is a professional.

What is unique about NECHAMA is that we reach out to those who need us. We know that the bereaved have difficulty picking up the phone and asking for help, so we call and we go to their homes to meet with them.

If you have a friend or a relative who has lost someone, please let us know. We will phone them and offer our services. A counselor will "stay with them" as long as needed. Initially, 6 sessions are offered but more are available. In addition, we are beginning small support groups , professionally facilitated.

It is not easy work but when one feels that they have "held the hand" of someone who is in pain and that because of us, their pain is just a little easier to bear, then we are grateful for opportunity to do what we are doing.
NECHAMA is beginning its 3rd Training Course on November 6th at 7:00pm at the Israel Center. Come and find out about becoming a NECHAMA counselor and meet some of our counselors, supervisors, and lecturers. For further information call: 573-4356 or 651-8319