Editor: Batsheva Pomerantz The following prayer (printed in the hard copy of TT) was found in the book "Bigdei Yesha" by Zadok HaRofeh (Jerusalem 5648), and the book "Ashira laHashem" by Shalom ben Refael Gabai (Jerusalem, 5655). It is a reminder to those privileged to observe "yishuv ha'aretz" to appreciate living in Eretz Yisrael at all times. Shana Tova! Part of the translation of the Prayer for the Inhabitants of Eretz Yisrael from the front page from"To Dwell in the Palace" edited by Tzvia Ehrlich-Klein (Feldheim) Our God and God of our fathers, please help me to cherish Eretz Yisrael with all my heart, at all times... Thus will I fulfill the mitzva of settling Eretz Yisrael, as it is written, "And you shall dwell there…". And may I be forever joyous in living here... Bless me, please, with this quality, so that I may atone for all the sins and transgressions of my whole life... And may the move here and its difficulties be an atonement for my soul... May I be among those of whom it is said, "Who is like Your people Israel, one nation in the Land." ... May I merit living in this Land, immersed in Torah and Divine service, praying without distractions... Enable me to do Your will with alacrity... to embrace at least this one of the 613 mitzvot with great fervor..." Anyone who does even one mitzva fully, benefits much, enjoys long life, and inherits the Land." And, through this one mitzva will I merit all the others... May I never have any need to leave the Land... Eretz Yisrael in Our Sources • Anyone who dwells in the Land of Israel, the very Land atones for him. - Sifrei, Ha'azinu Aliyah Pen Pals • Potential olim can contact David Magence at magence@netvision.net.il for names and addresses of Aliyah pen pals. Aliyah pen pals, listed according to profession, are veteran or recent olim interested in providing assistance. Save this date! November 6, '03 (13:00-17:30) • Aloh Na'aleh's Third Annual Conference on "Educating Towards Aliyah" at the Jerusalem Renaissance Hotel • More details to follow Assisting the Oleh • Although by now placements have been made for this school term, by the end of the year there is a need for English teachers. While there is less of a demand in the big cities, teachers are needed in other places throughout Israel. "English teachers are known to lead in educational initiatives. English is considered among the most prestigious subjects to teach in Israel", according to Dr. Judy Steiner, Chief Inspector of English Teaching, Ministry of Education. New olim have a choice of several tracks to retrain and receive a license for teaching in Israel, according to Steiner. One option for those with a recognized academic degree (BA) is to be placed as an English teacher in an area with a lack of teachers. If by the end of the second year, the teacher receives a positive report from the English inspector, he or she can apply to the Ministry of Education to find out what courses are required for a teacher's license. Teacher training colleges offer retraining courses for academics, where olim learn and receive certification. Olim who come as certified teachers from English speaking countries should undergo an Education Ministry retraining course. The olim must have Level Alef Hebrew. Israelis benefit from hearing English taught by teachers from Anglo countries. They are also exposed to their culture. At the same time, olim teachers learn from their students about life in Israel and sometimes practice their Hebrew. "When olim teach English it can be a mutual learning experience for teachers and students", says Steiner. For more information please contact:Dr.
Judy Steiner • 056-282-273 •
steiner1@netvision.net.il English teacher Ruthie Zimberg of Beit Shemesh outlines the ABC's of a successful Aliyah. Trees laden with mangoes, ripening in the
sun. My husband, Avraham and I moved here two years ago from Toronto. It was our dream to live among our own people in our own land, given to us by HaShem. Is making Aliyah easy? No! Worthwhile? DEFINITELY! While we still struggle with Hebrew, and have many adjustments to make, we know we are where we belong. This is home. Leaving family abroad is never easy. Email, phone calls, and brief visits cannot equal giving hugs and kisses to grandchildren as you tuck them into bed. Our time for Aliyah came before our grown children were ready to come. The separation was made easier knowing that some of them will be making Aliyah in the near future (G-d willing). Our youngest son came last year to study in yeshiva, and returns for Shana Bet. We found a wonderful kehilla, here in Givat Savion (part of Givat Sharett) who have become what I call "mishpochedik friends". While I had taught music in Jewish schools in Toronto, here I mainly teach English. In Israel, everyone wants to learn English! I started out by teaching "dovrei Anglit" (from English speaking families). Thus, I only spoke Hebrew with other staff members. I progressed to teaching Hebrew speakers. I told the students that as an olah chadasha, my Hebrew was still weak. They would be my Hebrew teachers and I would be their English teacher. I've put my foot in my mouth on numerous occasions, and we all have a good laugh. I hope my students learned at least as much English from me, as I did Hebrew from them. My husband, a podiatrist, has also
diversified to bring in extra parnassah. He coaches people with ADD and does
household repairs. He learned to care for people from head to toe, as well
as the houses they live in! Rule #1: Don't expect things to be the same as in the "old country" No, Dorothy, you are no longer in Kansas! No expectations mean fewer frustrations. Rule #2: Always carry a water bottle, food and a good book to read. Patience is a virtue! Rule #3: Emunah, and flexibility are
critical to success. Bet Shemesh by David Magence Licensed Tour Guide • Modern Bet Shemesh, situated between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, was originally a ma'abara (transit camp) for new olim in the early years of the State, when the Jewish population doubled as a result of mass Aliyah. The ma'abara became a permanent town in 1951. The city is named for the biblical Bet Shemesh. The tel holding the remains of ancient Bet Shemesh is located across highway 38, facing modern Bet Shemesh. The Philistines, who had captured the Aron Kodesh in the Even haEzer battle, returned it to Bet Shemesh (I Samuel 6:12-14). Bet Shemesh was a battleground in the war between Yoash, King of Israel (the northern kingdom) and Amatzya, King of Judah (II Kings 14:11). The tel has been excavated, including the level of the biblical period. Opposite the tel, on the eastern side of highway 38, there are remains of a stone building, known as "the joint military position". During the War of Independence, the Egyptian army advanced this far. The Egyptian army and the Hagana used the building as a military position alternately during the fighting. Ramat Bet Shemesh is a relatively new subdivision at the southern end of Bet Shemesh. Religious Jews live there, including many North American olim. Today, Bet Shemesh is one of the most rapidly growing cities in Israel. In 1992, the municipal boundaries of Bet Shemesh were quadrupled in area, in order to allow for expansion. Currently, the population exceeds 60,000, and is projected to reach 150,000 by 2020. Tehilla's Second AnnualQUIZRAELNovember
8th, 2003 • Enjoy the chagim, and then… play Quizrael on Motzei Shabbat
Parshat Lech Lecha, November 8, ‘03. Tehilla’s 2nd annual international
Quizrael trivia night is the best way to support aliyah and also have a
fun-filled evening you’ll be talking about for months! Time’s running out so
sign up today at
www.tehilla.com. For more information or to host Quizrael... email Adina
at quizmaster@tehilla.com [The Parshat
Haazinu Homepage]
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