tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1906598944119691852024-03-04T20:10:01.167-08:00JNF ImpactJNF Impacthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11338605958365323238noreply@blogger.comBlogger470125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-190659894411969185.post-48020368579481591602020-05-07T11:28:00.000-07:002020-05-07T11:38:39.080-07:00Israel and coronavirus: No good deed too small in this time of global crisis<div class="post-share-buttons goog-inline-block">
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<tr align="left"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">LOTEM is finding ways to help kids with special needs stay connected from home by providing laptops and other devices. </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">By Ambassador Dani Dayan,<i> C</i></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">onsul General of Israel in New York</span> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">From my home in New York City, I ponder our surreal situation across the globe, as nations find themselves in lockdown, battling the <a href="http://jewishnationalfund.blogspot.com/2020/04/living-in-israel-during-coronavirus.html">coronavirus crisis</a>. As our world faces a global pandemic with catastrophic consequences, human lives are impacted in every way from New York to Tel Aviv. Beyond health, we find ourselves in an economic and societal crisis. Through the implementation of innovative ideas, Israel is finding creative ways to overcome our shared struggles in the age of coronavirus.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">With the help of Jewish National Fund's relentless outpouring of philanthropic work, Israel, known for the past two decades as the "Start-up Nation," has a new socio-economic identity: "Impact Nation."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This new identity focuses on the ways in which Israel leverages its technological advancements toward improving the world. Striving to make a positive impact on our planet, Israeli organizations both public and private are lending a helping hand. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A leading example of this can be seen through the efforts of Jewish National Fund-USA's affiliate organizations. For instance, <a href="http://jewishnationalfund.blogspot.com/2018/05/multicultural-agriculture-school-in.html">AICAT, the Arava International Center for Agriculture Training</a>, teaches farmers from around the world -- including Cambodia, Kenya, Vietnam and many others -- about high-tech Israeli farming. In these difficult times, a number of Israeli organizations, along with Israeli civilians throughout the country, are responding in innovative ways to both endure the crisis and prepare for the "day after."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"When you find yourself with lemons, make lemonade," they say. In an effort to appeal to US consumers, struggling Israeli small businesses in Israel’s north and south have launched an online marketplace to appeal to US consumers.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://jewishnationalfund.blogspot.com/2017/02/teacher-takes-lessons-from-lotem-which.html">LOTEM</a>, an organization that offers activities to individuals with special needs, is helping children who have to stay at home continue to receive therapy and </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">special needs education by providing laptops and other portable devices. The Lauder Center for the Advancement of Employment in the Negev in the Old City of Beersheba, created by Jewish National Fund-USA five years ago to help small businesses in the Negev, has, in recent days, rapidly converted their in-person training seminars to online sessions. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">They've launched a "Preparing for the Day After" online series, which focuses on training for Zoom job interviews. New "personal branding" online training sessions are now also offered by the <a href="http://jewishnationalfund.blogspot.com/2017/06/how-to-entice-employees-to-israels.html">Lauder Center</a>, which prepares young job seekers in the Negev with tools for today’s new reality, as well as the prospect of a changing workforce in the future as small home-developed companies become the new normal.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As in much of the rest of the world, essential workers in Israel continue doing their jobs to ensure the public remains healthy and safe. Volunteers, at the same time, make a huge difference as essential workers rely on them to be able to do their jobs. In Israel, MAKOM volunteers look after the children of medical workers as they battle coronavirus and Hashomer HaChadash teenagers pick vegetables to ensure produce gets to supermarkets. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Israel, just barely bigger than New Jersey, prides itself in being a "light unto the nations" in good times and bad. As this virus spreads suffering and darkness throughout our world, sparks of light bring us hope through innovative and philanthropic efforts. Here in New York, college students created Invisible Hands, a service for volunteers to deliver groceries to the elderly. Clothing designers, like New York-based Israeli <a href="https://www.facebook.com/alon.hadelsberg">Alon Hadelsberg,</a> are making masks from their home for hospital employees. No good deed is too small.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Perhaps if nothing else, the outpouring of love and solidarity between our two communities in our mutual hour of need is yet another reminder of our shared values, resilience, and never-ending pursuit of hope. As we plan for the "day after," let us jointly hold the flame of tomorrow in the knowledge that our best days are yet to come.</span>JNF Impacthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11338605958365323238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-190659894411969185.post-54919044157489414972020-04-08T20:05:00.000-07:002020-04-08T20:09:43.153-07:00Passover 2020: This year, coronavirus heightens freedom themes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">By Yossi Kahana, </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">D</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">irector, </span><a href="https://www.jnf.org/menu-2/our-work/disabilities-special-needs?utm_source=Blog&utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=YossiBarMitzvah" style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">JNF Task Force on Disabilities</a><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As Jewish people around the world prepare for Passover under the pale of coronavirus, we are faced with a host of new challenges and questions. Passover is traditionally spent with family and friends, a celebration of the divine gift of Jewish survival and community. But with <a href="http://ewishnationalfund.blogspot.com/2020/04/living-in-israel-during-coronavirus.html">coronavirus</a> curtailing travel plans and social interactions, many are facing the prospect of celebrating Passover alone. How to celebrate the seder alone? How will we celebrate the festival of freedom with our movement restricted?</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What we are celebrating this Passover?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The eight-day festival of Passover is celebrated in the early spring, from the 15th through the 22nd of the Hebrew month of Nissan -- this year April 8 - April 16. It commemorates the emancipation of the Israelites from slavery in ancient Egypt. It is observed by avoiding leaven and highlighted by the seder meals that include four cups of wine, eating matzah and bitter herbs, and retelling the story of the Exodus.</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">While the whole world is grounded on the tarmac, tell the story of an exodus from excruciating restriction to holy freedom. It is the story of our own people -- of you and I -- of some 4,000 years of eternity.</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We will sit with our family, or our roommate, or just ourselves and the creator of the universe. As with every year, we will begin the seder by opening a door, Ha Lachma Anya, or inviting in the hungry, the needy, and the enslaved. We offer the matzah as part of that welcome. It is a beautiful message offered freely and inclusively to all. When we read about the four sons, each of whom represents a different personality type -- a cross section of the Jewish nation -- we may think about JNF's affiliate MAKOM communities. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What links the four sons together, despite their very different personalities and levels of observance, is the fact that they are all an intrinsic part of the Jewish people. During Pesach, we celebrate with them, as their spirit joins us at the seder table. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"What transforms the bread of oppression into the bread of freedom is the willingness to share it with others…” Being willing to share and include is also the first step in creating the feeling of community and acceptance of everyone. This frees us of that very human fear of difference. Breaking matzah together can ease the way toward reducing misgivings -- over an evening replete with ice-breaking conversation and group activities.</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">An inclusive community is reminiscent of those first seders in Egypt -- doors open, tables set, bags packed -- ready and hopeful for a community adventure all would experience together.</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In Israel, Pesach has created a palpable sense of excitement within Jewish National Fund's extended family. Jewish National Fund’s <a href="http://jewishnationalfund.blogspot.com/2020/02/my-unforgettable-month-in-israels.html">work for individuals with disabilities and special needs in Israel</a> (which I am privileged to lead) ensures that all of our children with disabilities will have the same sense of belonging, of being part of the family, of being an integral part of the Jewish nation.</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The first night of Passover is an especially transcendental night. It's a night that puts past and present into perspective. It is something beyond today’s headlines. It reminds us that there is a purpose to everything, meaning hiding in every corner, a destiny to this awesome world. Eventually, it will all make sense. Eventually, we will all be free.</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If you think about it, on the very first Passover in ancient Egypt, each family was sequestered in their home. No one was permitted to step outdoors. Outside their homes, a plague swept through the land; but in each Jewish home, there was light and hope.</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The next morning, the Jewish people left for the Promised Land.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Now we are here. This year in Jerusalem.</span>JNF Impacthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11338605958365323238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-190659894411969185.post-62014255103572557862020-04-07T11:53:00.000-07:002020-04-07T18:52:25.632-07:00Looking past the complexities to experience the real Israel<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</span> <span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">By Alec Greven</span><br />
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</span></span> <span style="background-color: white; color: #231f20;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I was given the incredible opportunity over this past winter break to visit Israel with Jewish National Fund's Caravan for Democracy program. Our group spent 10 days exploring the culture and history of one of the most remarkable places in the world. Israel is surrounded by polarizing perspectives and it was refreshing to cut through the rhetoric and see the complexity of the people and place directly. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I have found that people are often too quick to pass judgment on Israel. To judge something well, you have to understand what you are judging. However, to really understand Israel, you must recognize the complexity of its contradictions and the beauty that can be found in its rich society. Here are some of the more notable contradictions that I found during my time in Israel.</span><br />
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<a href="https://snworksceo.imgix.net/urc/cf28391e-104b-4658-9fc5-cabcdac57b81.sized-1000x1000.jpg?w=1000" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://snworksceo.imgix.net/urc/cf28391e-104b-4658-9fc5-cabcdac57b81.sized-1000x1000.jpg?w=1000" width="300" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The life and vibrancy of Tel Aviv is a striking contrast to the quiet that exists in the expansive surrounding desert. <a href="https://traveltips.usatoday.com/deserts-israel-107879.html" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #337ab7; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_self">More than 60% of the country is desert</a>, but the Israel has found a way to build a rich civilization in the midst of it. It was startling to stand in the silence of the open desert stretching out in front of me, then to later sit in a bustling market with buildings towering over me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The country’s religious history is also paradoxical. Jerusalem is home to some of the most sacred religious sites of the most dominant faiths in the world. When you walk down the streets of Israel, you are able to walk over the rich and overlapping history of religions that called over 2 million pilgrims </span><a href="https://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Tourism-Minister-urges-Christians-to-extend-hours-at-Holy-Sepulchre-Church-611227" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #337ab7; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_self">in 2019 alone</a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">. Nonetheless, according to </span><a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2015/04/14/map-these-are-the-worlds-least-religious-countries/" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #337ab7; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_self">The Washington Post</a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, 65% of Israelis identify themselves as secular or atheists. Thus, Israel simultaneously is home to some of the most famous religious sites in the world and is one of the most secular regions globally.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Then, of course, there is the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that has gripped the world. The media portrays the country as facing vast amounts of war and terrorism. However, in 2016, deaths from terrorist attacks <a href="https://ourworldindata.org/terrorism#share-of-deaths-from-terrorism-by-country" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #337ab7; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_self">accounted for only 0.04% of all deaths </a>in Israel. The country's rate of violence is also especially notable when compared with the United States' rate of violence. The United States has a homicide rate that is almost four times<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_intentional_homicide_rate" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #337ab7; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_self"> the rate of Israel’s</a>. Interestingly, the United States is usually characterized as a place of peace and Israel is commonly viewed as a place of war. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">With all this said, I do not want to say that there are limited consequences of the conflict. I do want to argue that psychological harm inflicts a much stronger stress on those who inhabit the region than the danger of physical violence. One of the contradictions Israel faces is that although it is a country protected by one of the most formidable militaries in the world, the psychological threat from the surrounding environment is pervasive. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My group was able to visit the city of Sderot, which is a city in Israel near Gaza. Most of the rockets and explosives launched at Sderot either do not make it to their targets or are intercepted by the Iron Dome. However, <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/world/more-than-200-rockets-fired-into-israel-after-islamic-jihad-leader-killed" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #337ab7; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_self">over 200 rockets</a> were launched last year into Israel from Gaza. The contradiction is that although the residents of Sderot are physically safe, they are not psychologically safe. Knowing the statistics of rockets reaching their targets is little solace to a young child huddling in a bomb shelter with his or her family.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We visited bomb shelters that dot the landscape of parks and playgrounds. Children are strictly trained to hide in 10 seconds or less whenever they hear the alarms signaling an impending rocket strike. <a href="https://www.jewishpress.com/news/eye-on-palestine/hamas/gaza-explosive-balloons-hit-ashdod-beach-sderot/2020/01/18/" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #337ab7; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_self">Explosive balloons</a> have even been sent to Sderot earlier this year. We heard stories of the residents watching as red balloons filled with toys fell from the skies. The residents explained that the toys, meant to be picked up by children, were laced with explosives. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I have only begun to scratch the surface of the innumerable contradictions that define the reality of what it means to live in Israel. The complexity of these contradictions means that Israel is a country that will often be misunderstood. It is a country that has been at war since the start of its existence, but also has relatively secured peace in a physical sense. It is a society that has grown life in the desert. It is a society that is filled with history but constantly looking toward the future. It is a society that I hope people make the effort to learn more about.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Alec Greven joined Jewish National Fund's Caravan for Democracy. He is currently a student at the University of Richmond in Virginia. To read the original article, please visit <a href="https://www.thecollegianur.com/article/2020/03/international-opinion-complexities-in-israel">here</a>.</i></span></div>
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JNF Impacthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11338605958365323238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-190659894411969185.post-13810435630518318582020-04-02T07:14:00.000-07:002020-04-02T07:14:35.115-07:00In the JNF Kitchen: La Boite Israeli coleslaw<div class="post-share-buttons goog-inline-block">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">By Lior Lev Sercarz</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This recipe of the week comes from <a href="http://laboiteny.com/">La Boite</a>, a </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">biscuits and spice shop in New York City o</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">wned by Israeli chef and spice blender Lior Lev Sercarz. </span>This is a two-in-one recipe. First we make a tahina sauce, then use it with coquelicot (poppy seeds) to dress cabbage to make a delicious twist on coleslaw.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://shop.laboiteny.com/products/tahina" rel="noopener" style="border: 0px; color: #d95527; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Tahina</a>, <a href="https://shop.laboiteny.com/products/coquelicot-n-24" rel="noopener" style="border: 0px; color: #d95527; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">coquelicot</a>, and <a href="https://shop.laboiteny.com/products/cancale-n-11" rel="noopener" style="border: 0px; color: #d95527; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">cancale</a> </span></div>
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<span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Serves 4</span></span><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Ingredients and instructions</span></h3>
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<b style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Classic tahina sauce</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1/2 cup <a href="https://shop.laboiteny.com/products/tahina" rel="noopener" style="border: 0px; color: #d95527; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">tahina</a> (aka tahini)<br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Ice water<br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Salt<br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Lemon juice</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Pour the tahina into a bowl. Slowly whisk in the ice water until you obtain a creamy sauce. You can choose to make it thicker or runnier as you like. Season to taste with salt and lemon juice. Keep refrigerated if you are not using right away.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This is a great sauce to have on hand for salads, spreads, and dips.</span></div>
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<b style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Israeli coleslaw</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1/2 head green cabbage, washed and thinly sliced<br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />1 Tbsp <a href="https://shop.laboiteny.com/products/olive-oil-large" rel="noopener" style="border: 0px; color: #d95527; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">olive oil</a><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />2 tsp <a href="https://shop.laboiteny.com/products/coquelicot-n-24" rel="noopener" style="border: 0px; color: #d95527; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Coquelicot N24</a><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />1 tsp <a href="https://shop.laboiteny.com/products/cancale-n-11" rel="noopener" style="border: 0px; color: #d95527; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Cancale N11</a><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />1 Tbsp lemon juice<br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />approximately 1/2 cup tahina sauce<br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Segments of one orange, chopped<br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Mint leaves (optional)<br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Dill leaves (optional)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Mix the chopped cabbage with the orange segments, olive oil, cancale, coquelicot, lemon juice, and enough tahina sauce to obtain a creamy dressing. Garnish with optional herbs.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Enjoy.</span></div>
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JNF Impacthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11338605958365323238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-190659894411969185.post-23503797933860940582020-04-01T08:50:00.000-07:002020-04-02T06:23:15.937-07:00Living in Israel during coronavirus makes me love this country more than ever<div class="post-share-buttons goog-inline-block">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">By Akiva Gersh</span> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Thoughts as we enter our second Shabbat in quarantine: </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I moved to Israel in 2004, and since then, there have been events and moments that have reaffirmed the reasons I did.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">One of those moments is right now. Now, during these challenging and confusing and unsettling days when the world is being held captive by the coronavirus pandemic.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Like so many others around the world, we in Israel are confined to our homes, but the few moments a day I do manage to get out remind me of why I love Israel so much.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It's the calm I see on people's faces as I push my shopping cart through the supermarket. It's their ability to still smile and even laugh with one another as they stand in line waiting for their turn to pay for the items they want to bring back to their families in quarantine. And it's their ability to still believe that "y'hiyeh b’seder," or "it’ll be OK."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I wonder why Israelis aren't entering into hysteria the way people in other countries are, even though their day-to-day lives have been deeply and unexpectedly altered in very much the same exact way? Why are we not stripping the shelves bare of toilet paper and pasta and cold medicine, leaving nothing to find for the people that come after us?</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And then it hit me.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The people I pass on the street, on the road, and in the stores have seen hard times before. While recognizing and honoring the unique aspects of this time we're now in, this is not the first time the people of Israel have been forced to struggle. They've done so many times before. They’ve been called upon to interrupt their self- and family-centered lives time and time again for the sake of the nation.<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Israelis have faced adversity so many times it's part of their persona and their personality to be able to shift and switch in a heartbeat to prepare and make it through the next wave of disruption and uncertainty. </span>In times of war as Israeli parents send their children (many of them still teenagers) to the front lines to defend our country. During an intifada or wave of terror attacks when going out to eat or visit a friend is no longer a simple matter. Or during yet another <a href="http://jewishnationalfund.blogspot.com/2019/11/brave-resilient-israelis-in-embattled.html">barrage of missiles from Gaza</a> as thousands of families go into bomb shelters for hours and sometimes days. Without a doubt, it's part of the collective Jewish DNA as well to know when to go into survival mode and simultaneously trust that "this too shall pass."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Simply put, Israel is a nation filled with people who know how to deal. And living among Israelis for the past 16 years has been not only a blessing, but also one of my greatest life teachers. And that rings true now more than ever. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There is no hysteria here. There is no panic -- not that I have seen. There's a commitment to doing our best to prevent the worst and a trust that giving up some of our own personal comforts is the right thing to do for the benefit of the masses.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For decades now, Israel has been exporting advanced technologies and innovations that have saved lives and changed the world for the better.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In fact, even now scientists, researchers, entrepreneurs, the military, those in the high-tech industry and others in this startup nation are at it, working on a vaccine, on better medical and protective equipment, on improving hospitals and saving lives.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And maybe what Israel can also share with the world is the ability to cope with crisis. To stay sane and, yes, even happy when the world looks like it's shattering to pieces all around us.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Israel is preparing for the second Shabbat since mandatory quarantine began. Throughout our long history, Shabbat has offered an oasis in time and solace from a world that can, at times, be cruel and unrelenting. But it also reminds us to not overlook the goodness that is still present in the world and to be aware of the blessings that can be found even within the hardest of times, knowing, that eventually, everything really will be "b'seder." It really will be OK.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Possibly even more so than it was before.</span><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Akiva Gersh is </span></i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #3c4043; display: inline; float: none; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">editor of the book <a href="https://www.becomingisraeli.com/">Becoming Israeli</a>,</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #3c4043; display: inline; float: none; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"> a compilation of blogs and essays that speak to the challenges and joys of being Israeli. He is also a teacher at Jewish National Fund's Alexander Muss High School in Israel.</span></span></i><wbr style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #3c4043; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"></wbr></span></div>
JNF Impacthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11338605958365323238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-190659894411969185.post-12139560767762354962020-03-25T10:11:00.002-07:002020-05-13T06:54:56.711-07:00JNF On Demand: Live challah bake with JNF first lady Lauren Lizerbram<div class="post-share-buttons goog-inline-block"><a class="goog-inline-block share-button sb-email" href="https://www.blogger.com/share-post.g?blogID=190659894411969185&postID=1213956076776235496&target=email" target="_blank" title="Email This"><span class="share-button-link-text">Email This</span></a><a class="goog-inline-block share-button sb-blog" href="https://www.blogger.com/share-post.g?blogID=190659894411969185&postID=1213956076776235496&target=blog" onclick="window.open(this.href, "_blank", "height=270,width=475"); return false;" target="_blank" title="BlogThis!"><span class="share-button-link-text">BlogThis!</span></a><a class="goog-inline-block share-button sb-twitter" href="https://www.blogger.com/share-post.g?blogID=190659894411969185&postID=1213956076776235496&target=twitter" target="_blank" title="Share to Twitter"><span class="share-button-link-text">Share to Twitter</span></a><a class="goog-inline-block share-button sb-facebook" href="https://www.blogger.com/share-post.g?blogID=190659894411969185&postID=1213956076776235496&target=facebook" onclick="window.open(this.href, "_blank", "height=430,width=640"); return false;" target="_blank" title="Share to Facebook"><span class="share-button-link-text">Share to Facebook</span></a><a class="goog-inline-block share-button sb-pinterest" href="https://www.blogger.com/share-post.g?blogID=190659894411969185&postID=1213956076776235496&target=pinterest" target="_blank" title="Share to Pinterest"><span class="share-button-link-text">Share to Pinterest</span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLTY3NABI7DcaBAK331HpkYWdWH07_f2e4fN8Av4qgr0lWvd6zMOeIMlgnMRvH4HUMgL9VYh8MiN6taf6oLHi_uZEvvZw3LwjimhYqrgSFIiyut9fbL9cPhvugM0eB6YZe4uTj6iFYRXif/s1600/71268844_1979490522083171_8780883997552017408_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLTY3NABI7DcaBAK331HpkYWdWH07_f2e4fN8Av4qgr0lWvd6zMOeIMlgnMRvH4HUMgL9VYh8MiN6taf6oLHi_uZEvvZw3LwjimhYqrgSFIiyut9fbL9cPhvugM0eB6YZe4uTj6iFYRXif/s640/71268844_1979490522083171_8780883997552017408_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; padding: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We were welcomed into the Lizerbram kitchen for a challah bake with JNF first lady Lauren Lizerbram and with special commentary from JNF national president Sol Lizerbram.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; padding: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">You can find the challah bake, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VbgS26tun18">here</a>.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; padding: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Take photos of your challahs when done and tag Jewish National Fund‑USA on Facebook!</span><br />
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</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; padding: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Ingredients needed for First Lady Lauren’s recipe:</span></b></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; padding: 0px;"><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">SPONGE STARTER<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(30-90 minutes ahead— longer won't hurt)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 1/2 cups warm water<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2 tablespoons active dry yeast<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A pinch of sugar<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Approximately 2 cups bread flour<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">DOUGH<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">All of the starter (above)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1/2 cup warm water<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3/4 cup sugar<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">31/2 teaspoons salt<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3 eggs, at room temperature, plus I egg yolk<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1/2 cup vegetable oil<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">5 to 5 1/2 cups bread flour<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">½ teaspoon vanilla<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">EGG WASH/TOPPING<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 egg plus l egg yolk<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pinch of salt<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sesame or poppy seeds, for sprinkling<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: black;">SPONGE</span></b><span style="color: black;">: In a very large bowl, place the water and dry yeast & the pinch of sugar and mix together. Allow the mixture to stand for a couple of minutes to let the yeast swell or dissolve. Stir in the 2 cups of flour, make a soft, thick pudding like batter. Cover the sponge with plastic wrap and leave it for 30 to 60 minutes. If you see the sponge is rising beyond the limits of the bowl during its fermentation period, stir it down.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: black;">DOUGH</span></b><span style="color: black;">: Stir down the spongy mixture in the work bowl, then add the rest of the water, sugar, salt, eggs, yolk, oil, vanilla and about 5 cups of the flour. (If you are using a mixer with a dough hook, stir down the sponge and put it into the work bowl). Work with your hands, a large wooden spoon, or the mixing paddle of your mixer to make a soft dough. Mix until the dough is not smooth but a messy mass. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cover it with a damp towel and let it sit for 15 to 20 minutes (this allows the dough to relax; it changes its character by absorbing the flour better. It will be a lot easier to manage). After this rest period, knead the dough with the dough hook or by hand until it’s smooth and elastic, 10 to 12 minutes, adding more flour as required to make a dough that is easy to handle (i.e ... not too sticky or tacky). Shape the dough into a ball and place it in a lightly greased bowl. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Place the bowl in a large clear garbage bag and seal it loosely. Let it rise in a draft-free, warm environment, until almost doubled, anywhere from 45 to 90 minutes. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(You can also give it an overnight refrigerator rise if you are doing this a day in advance.) <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When the dough has risen, whisk together the ingredients for the egg wash. Gently deflate the dough. Divide it in half for 2 loaves. Form the dough into braided loaves (this dough also makes good rolls). <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet and brush the bread thoroughly with egg wash. Sprinkle with sesame or poppy seeds. Insert the entire baking sheet in a large, plastic bag and loosely seal. Let the loaves rise until doubled about 45 to 90 minutes. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Preheat the oven to 350F. Place the bread in the oven, and bake until breads are medium brown in color, 30 to 35 minutes for 2 loaves. If the loaves are browning too quickly, cover lightly with aluminum foil. When the challah is baked, cool on racks. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">NOTE: If the dough seems too massive or unmanageable for your mixer (depending on the weather and kitchen humidity and how much flour you add overall), you may remove half of it and allow the machine to knead one portion at a time for the allotted time. </span></span></div><ul style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 40px;"></ul><div><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>For a JNF On Demand's full menu, please visit <a href="http://jnf.org/ondemand" rel="noopener" style="color: #015ba7; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">jnf.org/ondemand</a>.</i></span></div><script>
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JNF Impacthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11338605958365323238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-190659894411969185.post-59888725261714800592020-03-20T11:34:00.001-07:002020-03-20T11:34:41.208-07:00In Israel, one word from the dad of an IDF soldier with a disability makes it all worthwhile<div class="MsoNormal">
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<tr align="left"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">Author, far left, with Tiran Attia, Special in Uniform executive director, and SIU soldiers. </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">By Alan Wolk</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Roni and I just returned from our third trip to Israel and as usual, the experience was terrific. We enjoyed the hustle and bustle of Tel Aviv, the spirituality of Jerusalem, the breathtaking hilltop views in Haifa and the artistic communities in the Golan. And we loved the food wherever we went. You can't beat the chocolate babka from Israel. The rest of our trip was spent deep diving into Jewish National Fund programs near and dear to our hearts. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Having <a href="http://jewishnationalfund.blogspot.com/2016/03/moved-and-awe-inspired-witnessing.html">been involved with JNF’s Task Force on Disabilities</a> and now chairing the committee for <a href="https://specialinuniform.com/">Special in Uniform</a> (one of four JNF programs supporting special needs populations in Israel), we were invited to visit two Special in Uniform (SIU) units in Tel Aviv. Special in Uniform is a unique program, operating in partnership with Jewish National Fund, that integrates young adults with autism and other mental and physical disabilities into the IDF and, in turn, into Israeli society. Its core belief is that everyone belongs and has the right to reach his or her full potential. The program focuses on the unique talents of each individual participant to help find a job within the IDF that is a perfect fit for their abilities (not their disabilities) and provides support, therapy and counseling throughout the participant’s time in the program.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilU3IIDdbkRFELKe5y5JFniViAuKHTgqehJrqOO4PhkpXhBB81xl8rJPcIfsPR62H6XaoqefXECM_Xv_N732p7vgV8SUJ4hrT8xH8bttyrfnR1Yqm9zW_6YGbyB9zKzskZyt8kqeMOBTMq/s1600/SIU+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="960" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilU3IIDdbkRFELKe5y5JFniViAuKHTgqehJrqOO4PhkpXhBB81xl8rJPcIfsPR62H6XaoqefXECM_Xv_N732p7vgV8SUJ4hrT8xH8bttyrfnR1Yqm9zW_6YGbyB9zKzskZyt8kqeMOBTMq/s320/SIU+1.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Tiran Attia, director of SIU, gained security clearance for us to visit the SIU unit at Tel Nof Air Air Force Base. Here we were, surrounded by these immense helicopters and fighter jets, feeling the full power of the IDF. But it was the humble captain and the SIU soldiers who greeted us inside a conference room with a heartfelt message and a surprise that moved us the most. We were shown to a plaque on the wall dedicating this SIU unit in memory of my brother. I felt a rush of emotions. I couldn't help my brother Phillip when he was alive, but maybe in some small way, I could help these courageous young people. After pictures and a quiet talk with the captain, we moved on to the workplace of the SIU unit to see these soldiers with disabilities working alongside "typical" soldiers and commanders. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">One of the SIU soldiers was Yakov, a young man with Down syndrome. The story of Yakov is a story of perseverance. Yakov grew up on a kibbutz and when he was 18 years old, he approached an officer in the enlistment office, explaining his devotion to the IDF and the Jewish state. He was immediately told his condition would prevent him from serving in the Army. But Yakov didn’t give up. "In the kibbutz everyone goes to the army. These are the values of my family. It’s something that’s been with me since childhood." Special in Uniform believed in Yakov and he is now in charge of taking bulk minor parts, breaking them down and shipping them to the other air force bases throughout Israel. He is proud of his role and happy to be a part of the IDF. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">That day, as we wandered from department to department, we saw these SIU soldiers take their work seriously and do it all with a sense of pride. Sometimes the most brilliant ideas are the simplest in concept. Just give these young adults the opportunity and they'll give you everything they have. We saw it with our own eyes. The “special” part of this program for me is that we take these young adults who may have been destined to be “left behind” and we bring them forward to be a full fledged part of Israeli society. This was not possible 70 years ago when my brother was born; no such program, no such opportunity, no such vision existed. “Special in Uniform” gives the young adults, their siblings and their parents incredible reason to HOPE and helps deliver on the hope!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The next morning, we visited another air force base where we attended an initial introduction ceremony for a new “Special” unit of Autism spectrum teenagers. We watched these young adults with challenges bravely march into the room and face a room packed with military personnel, family, friends, instructors and JNF lay leaders. We were all rooting for them to succeed! We knew this was a pivotal moment for the young adults and their families. Then, we turned to look at the faces of the parents. They wore broad smiles and tears of joy. When we looked closer, we also read hope in their eyes. We understood that for these loving parents, there was so much at stake here. They needed to believe their adult children would have a promising future. A chance to fit in, learn a skill and contribute to society in a meaningful way. A way to fully grow into adulthood with dignity. They were counting on SIU to change the trajectory of their adult children’s lives. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The base commander, a colonel, pulled all of his senior officers into the event and two of his senior officers spoke at length about the Special in Uniform program. The whole program was in Hebrew so we understood very little. But it was clear the IDF officers had the utmost respect for these young adults as they carefully pinned each new SIU soldier. I felt very privileged to have the opportunity to pin a few of these soldiers as well. And, as I looked into their eyes, I could see that they possessed a unique kind of courage having already fought against so many obstacles in their young lives. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">At the conclusion of the ceremony, we witnessed the light in their faces, the pride of their parents, the hearty handshakes and enthusiastic applause. No English translation was necessary. The icing on the cake was when a father with tears in his eyes came up to us after the event, said todah (thank you) and shook our hands. One word from a father made everything we do for Jewish National Fund and Special in Uniform worth every hour and every dollar.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On the plane ride home, Roni and I wondered how programs like Special in Uniform change people's lives. We talked about the ripple effect that goes way beyond the special needs populations SIU serves. The parents, the sibs, the people our program members interact with like "typical" soldiers, and we, the donors all benefit from the goal of a stronger, more inclusive Israeli society. We can all help make this happen. Beyond our financial contributions, we individually bring skills, capabilities and work experiences to the table that can help these programs become stronger and more sustainable. We arrived back to Atlanta with a strong feeling that we do have a voice in Israel as the Jewish National Fund tagline says.</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Alan Wolk is on the national board of Jewish National Fund and the chair for Special in Uniform, U.S. Board of Governors.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Roni Wolk is on the executive board for Women for Israel and the Chair for Women for Israel in Atlanta.</span></i><br />
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</span></i> <i style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">All gifts donated to <a href="https://jnf.org/jdaim">JDAIM</a> from now until Feb. 29 will be matched up to $1 million.</i></div>
JNF Impacthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11338605958365323238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-190659894411969185.post-26342122899541477292020-03-20T05:18:00.001-07:002020-03-20T10:07:49.242-07:00Coronavirus, from a Jewish perspective: When it comes to good deeds, just do it<div class="post-share-buttons goog-inline-block">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">By Yossi Kahana, D</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">irector, </span><a href="https://www.jnf.org/menu-2/our-work/disabilities-special-needs?utm_source=Blog&utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=YossiBarMitzvah" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">JNF Task Force on Disabilities</a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The global coronavirus pandemic has really thrown people for a loop. Many of us feel all sense of certainty is gone. What will happen next? We don't know. Our experts don't know. Our leaders don't know. Only G-d knows. So, what we can do? <i>Keep calm, trust G-d, and carry on</i>. Think good and it will be good. Do good deeds, support one another, take every precaution advised by health authorities.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Wash your hands vigorously for at least 20 seconds several times a day, and every time you do, remember whose hands you are in.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In this week’s Torah portion Vayakhel, Moses relays G-d's command that the Israelites donate materials for the construction of the Mishkan. All kinds of items were needed: metals (gold, silver and copper); fabrics and material (wool, linen and skins); wood, oil, spices, and precious stones.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As soon as Moses finished talking, the people began collecting items to donate. The people were so happy to contribute that they brought everything they had. They brought so much that Moses had to tell them to stop.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Next, the Torah describes the workers who volunteered to build the Mishkan as "every man whose heart inspired him." These Israelites had absolutely no experience in this type of unique construction. What then made them qualified to carry it forth? The answer: Their "hearts inspired them." In other words, they had a desire. They were eager and willing to do it. And by virtue of this desire and eagerness, they became qualified and rose to the occasion.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We're taught that the most essential ingredient is not contemplation or analysis, but a willingness to act. When we’re presented with an opportunity to do a mitzvah, to become more religiously observant or to get involved in a worthwhile endeavor, let us lighten up a bit on the philosophical introspection and self-examination and "Just do it!" At JNF, our inspirational leaders and donors have once again proven their "willingness to act." </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Earlier this week, JNF definitively acted and immediately released $500,000 from the JNF endowment to charter an El Al flight and bring home close to 300 Alexander Muss High School in Israel students. Our leaders and donors know how to move others to join them. They don’t just talk about what they want to do, or how things can be done better. They take action and make things happen, even if it is something they have not done before. <i>This</i> is what makes our leadership and donors so special. JNF's leaders and donors join task forces, become Makor members, and host parlor meetings. They travel to Israel to see JNF’s work and meet with our affiliates; and They do so much more. This is a certainty on which we can depend.</span></div>
JNF Impacthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11338605958365323238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-190659894411969185.post-55301704701202872392020-02-26T11:31:00.001-08:002020-02-26T12:28:17.269-08:00My unforgettable month in Israel's desert watching hope bloom for people with disabilities<div class="post-share-buttons goog-inline-block">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Sq_djCYkpQDtcnv5h8r3SuJI1yGzMd_c_kdmrBN61E5KExs2EZ0sDLvR9ji9loE0NhXEvEHOVJDBw25wgHxTYAYGVSbynwki1Oe6TjkqOhOpLuNRcOxIvGsklsxzeZVhBSFo9z7vgr5E/s1600/rhonda.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="616" data-original-width="730" height="167" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Sq_djCYkpQDtcnv5h8r3SuJI1yGzMd_c_kdmrBN61E5KExs2EZ0sDLvR9ji9loE0NhXEvEHOVJDBw25wgHxTYAYGVSbynwki1Oe6TjkqOhOpLuNRcOxIvGsklsxzeZVhBSFo9z7vgr5E/s200/rhonda.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">By Rhonda Forman</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The dry, unrelenting heat of the Negev awoke me as I reluctantly arose, having arrived in Israel the day before. Twenty hours earlier, the reality of what I was about to do had sunk in. Was I really about to spend an entire month in the Israeli desert, away from the creature comforts and familiarity of my home and family in Boston? </span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For the last 12 months, I’d been taking Hebrew classes to prepare myself for a once-in-a-lifetime experience volunteering at Jewish National Fund-USA affiliate <a href="https://aleh.org/branch/negev-nahalat-eran/">Aleh Negev-Nahalat Eran</a>, a rehabilitation village for children and adults with disabilities in Israel's Negev desert. </span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As a proud Zionist and supporter of JNF, being afforded the opportunity to volunteer at Aleh Negev meant so much to me on so many levels. I was playing a small part in helping to fulfill the dream of Israel's first prime Mmnister, David Ben-Gurion who famously said, "It is in the Negev that the creativity and pioneer vigor of Israel shall be tested." And tested I would be.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Before I left for Israel, my close friends and I mused over how I would handle the heat of Israel's Negev Desert combined with my perimenopausal hot flushes. A quick-witted friend remarked "you’ll have to be naked all the time!" which is how my blog, Naked in the Negev, came about. </span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As Shabbat came around, I gazed out the window of my small apartment in Be’er Sheva. The desert sand, emboldened by a southern breeze, encased the city's modern houses and roads in a fine coating of persimmon-colored dust, a blunt reminder I wasn’t in Newton anymore. Yet, as I continued to look out my window, I noticed the stark contrast between the barren desert in the distance and the lush greenery and cool shade provided by the nearby JNF parks and gardens as giggling children frolicked and ladies in activewear walked their dogs. Although the desert warmth radiated through my apartment’s window, it was a bearable heat, and thanks to the low humidity, my hair remained frizz-free.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_BPwQLmbnTxTcpriRqsKBf7fpOui4R2vbn73-i-Kt-domgd6IP0_G1o-0sHTcccecxtiuwsrLB97z05tZw1VBgwtQxMAjIQa9hqRcOF-U24Pa4duGAG-AKAp1bZ6D57WH7p33TTTV52_S/s1600/20161119_133606.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_BPwQLmbnTxTcpriRqsKBf7fpOui4R2vbn73-i-Kt-domgd6IP0_G1o-0sHTcccecxtiuwsrLB97z05tZw1VBgwtQxMAjIQa9hqRcOF-U24Pa4duGAG-AKAp1bZ6D57WH7p33TTTV52_S/s400/20161119_133606.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Later in the day I ventured out to the local supermarket. The mundanity of supermarket shopping was replaced by an unexpected sense of amazement as I perused the cereal, soda, and baking aisles, captivated by the Hebrew words on every product -- the same letters used to write our holy Torah and an ancient language spoken since the 10th century BCE -- now on a box of Cheerios. </span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I first heard about Aleh Negev on a JNF mission to Israel. Although I'd visited Israel before, JNF showed me a side of my ancestral homeland I had never known existed. During the mission, we visited a number of inspiring JNF sites and affiliates in Israel's Negev desert including a facility providing rehabilitative services for people with disabilities. This village was called Aleh Negev, a project created by a commander from the Israel Defense Forces, <a href="http://jewishnationalfund.blogspot.com/2016/04/saluting-doron-almog-military-hero-and.html">Doron Almog</a>, who had a son with disabilities and couldn't find an organization providing residential therapeutic services. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Together with this wife, Almog dreamed of a place where people with disabilities in the Negev could receive world class support in a warm and inviting environment. Almog’s dream eventually turned into reality thanks to JNF and support from the government of Israel. After witnessing the magic of Aleh Negev, I promised myself that I’d return to volunteer and be a part of the magic. Twelve months of Hebrew lessons later, I was about to fulfill that promise. </span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Reporting for duty in the desert </span></b></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As I reported "for duty" on my first day of volunteering, I was captivated by the understated beauty of the surrounding environment. The "village," for lack of a better word, included a hospital and outpatient rehabilitation facility incorporating a hydrotherapy pool, horseback riding facilities, an integrated kindergarten, and petting zoo, along with individual residences. The staff welcomed me with open arms and I immediately felt a connection to their sense of purpose as I saw how much they gave of themselves to support the village’s mission. </span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I was assigned to work in a residential house with 24 residents considered to be high-functioning adults, though most were non-verbal. My duties included dressing and feeding them in addition to supporting the functions they were able to do on their own. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I vividly remember working with three wonderful ladies to package small ceramic doves in boxes. We were tasked with sticking stickers on each ceramic piece, opening a box, and then placing the dove into the box and closing it. You should have seen the look on the faces of these ladies whose pride and sense of accomplishment reverberated throughout the room. I was so emotionally moved by their reaction on the completion of each individual box that by the end of the day, my energy had been sapped. The staff told me to relax and slow down because these are the feelings that would consume me for the rest of my time at Aleh Negev. And they were right.</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For some Aleh Negev residents, the highlight is when they visit "snooze land." Painted in bright white with padded walls and floors, the room features a swinging chaise, beanbags, a single size waterbed, and a cylinder filled with bubbling water illuminated by an array of technicolor lights. As the residents are escorted into the room, the main lights are switched off and replaced with the soothing glow of colored LED lights to promote feelings of tranquility and serenity and provide the residents with the time and space to soothe their minds, bodies and souls. As the residents relaxed, we rolled up our sleeves and gently massaged their arms and backs to deepen their sense of calmness. This room soon became my favorite place, not because of the calmness, but because I got to see the residents in a different state of being. </span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A Shabbat like no other </span></b></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I cried twice during my time at Aleh Negev. </span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The first time was when I witnessed a mother visiting her daughter, a woman in her early 40s. I recall the mother coming into our workshop and giving her daughter a hug. Their embrace was as beautiful as it was heartbreaking. The resident's mother exuded so much love, warmth, and joy in her embrace, yet her daughter's condition prevented her from physically expressing the same display of affection. This encounter, however, reinforced my belief that <a href="http://jewishnationalfund.blogspot.com/2020/02/a-prayer-for-parents-of-children-with.html">parents of children with disabilities</a> share an extra special bond allowing them to communicate in ways that transcend displays of physical affection. </span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The next time I cried was on a Shabbat. Most of the staff at Aleh Negev are volunteers, with many of them being "b'not sherut" -- young women undertaking their mandatory national service. I found out that Aleh Negev struggles to attract volunteers on Shabbat. However, on this Shabbat afternoon, not only did the young women turn up to volunteer, they brought their friends. While they weren't required to be there, these young men and women proceeded to bring all of the residents into the large physical therapy room. Once there, magic happened. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">One by one, the volunteers called on the residents by name and included them in their Shabbat singing. It’s hard to describe the unbridled exuberance many of the residents displayed when they heard their names called as part of the impromptu singalong. This Shabbat experience will stay with me for the rest of my life, much like my overall experience at Aleh Negev. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As
many of you know, Jewish Disabilities Awareness, Acceptance and
Inclusion Month (JDAAIM) takes place in February each year. Too often,
we forget that our community is blessed with people of varying
abilities. It's important that we see the ability in people's disability
and accommodate them in a way that reinforces them as equals. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">While
the message of inclusion applies to Jews and non-Jews alike, there is a
specific Jewish obligation to <a href="http://jewishnationalfund.blogspot.com/2020/02/10-commandments-for-communicating-with.html">embrace our peers with special needs</a> and
to ensure they can participate to the fullest extent possible in our
beautifully rich communal life. As we are taught "do not separate
yourself from the community" (Pirke Avot 2:5), meaning we must not allow
anyone to be separated from our community against their will. Whether
you are an employer, co-worker, friend, family member, or anyone who
knows someone with a disability, I
urge you to go out of your way to make that person feel loved, valued,
and connected. This February, let us rededicate our efforts to making
this world more accessible, open and inclusive for our friends, family
and community members with disabilities. </span></span><br />
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</span> <i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Rhonda
Forman is the president of Jewish National Fund's Sapphire Society,
the women’s major-gifts division, and serves on the Boston board of directors. If you are interested in learning more about JNF, ALEH Negev,
or any of JNF's meaningful affiliates, please be in touch with
Executive Director Sara Hefez at <a href="mailto:shefez@jnf.org">shefez@jnf.org</a>.</span></i>JNF Impacthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11338605958365323238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-190659894411969185.post-88478035857204673932020-02-26T10:25:00.003-08:002020-02-26T14:19:00.170-08:00A prayer for parents of children with disabilities<div class="post-share-buttons goog-inline-block">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1152" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8iRQWen5v047rovmfgCnL9NKoUyVW-oTA73TQkNTep8s2U4c_Psx7WcyGa2urJgRmDG900Wv9SqTtgH3GKZxv0yp-kT5g_4loNyNhDIPEu1Pj8dRKO6gDF5TjSdmO6Ubo0AIicFuo_kl8/s640/Lynne+and+Lotan.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr align="left"><td class="tr-caption">The author with a member of Special in Uniform, which integrates Israelis with disabilities into the IDF. </td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8iRQWen5v047rovmfgCnL9NKoUyVW-oTA73TQkNTep8s2U4c_Psx7WcyGa2urJgRmDG900Wv9SqTtgH3GKZxv0yp-kT5g_4loNyNhDIPEu1Pj8dRKO6gDF5TjSdmO6Ubo0AIicFuo_kl8/s1600/Lynne+and+Lotan.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">By Lynne Merriam</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I watch my son, confident and tall<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Standing on the bimah<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Sharing memories of his Jewish experiences<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Praying at the Western Wall<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Standing under the chuppah</span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Naming his daughter<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The bris for the son<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And my heart fills with joy</span></span><br />
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Jewish mother's dream l'dor v'dor<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But <a href="http://jewishnationalfund.blogspot.com/2020/01/as-mom-of-son-with-disability-israels.html">there is the other son</a><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The son whose words are locked in silence<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The son who will not marry<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Who will have no children to carry on his name<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">With a sense of sadness, I ask why<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But we are not alone, we mothers of the "different" child<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Although the differences are many, the sadness is the same<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The sadness of lost hopes, lost joy, and guilt<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And always asking why<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But faith in Judaism gives us a foundation<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Our faith gives us a "family"<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">To look beyond lost opportunities<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">To find new ways to look at the world<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Our faith in Judaism provides solace, comfort, and support<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Adonai, please bless us and give us the courage and<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Strength to meet life's challenges and to always find <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">comfort in the embrace of our Jewish faith<o:p></o:p><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: normal;"> </i></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: normal;">As part of our focus on improving the quality of life in Israel for all its citizens, Jewish National Fund is ensuring that no member of Israeli society is left behind. The fact that nearly 13% of Israel’s citizens are considered physically or mentally challenged is an opportunity for us to live our values. We believe passionately that the inclusion of people with disabilities and special needs should be woven tightly into the fabric of Jewish life. All the more so in Israel. </i></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: normal;">Through a variety of initiatives and partnerships, JNF is providing state-of-the-art rehabilitative services, special education and medical care in areas where they were previously unavailable. Beyond the medical, we are also ensuring that recreational facilities, including forests, parks, picnic areas, playgrounds and nature trails, are inclusive for visitors of all ability levels. Join us in this special work. Your donation to Disabilities & Special Needs will help make Israel a more inclusive and more loving community.</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: normal;"><i>To honor Jewish Disability, Awareness, Acceptance, and Inclusion Month, every gift made till the end of February 2020 will be matched, up to $1 million, thanks to generous donors. <a href="https://jnf.org/jdaim">Donate</a> today!</i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><br />
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<span style="font-size: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: normal;"><i>Lynne Merriam is the president of the JNF Tampa Bay Board and president of the JNF North Florida Region.</i></span></span></span></div>
JNF Impacthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11338605958365323238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-190659894411969185.post-53900085007316365242020-02-21T11:42:00.001-08:002020-02-21T14:24:58.004-08:00Singer-songwriter Peter Himmelman: Jewish unity should come from love, not fear<div class="post-share-buttons goog-inline-block">
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpuez9GADpDUvebG-39HIDP6CmzFMITg3tg7o_TC8f5jRkVHPgJzGa1dOxamCZtFvm-t8awM15p-tvNlUrexj436uMvp82bvx2DNmPYQm7AW8ezNRcAVZhXrnwBf5VgCExNxKetOr4oJzf/s1600/Peter+in+Israel.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpuez9GADpDUvebG-39HIDP6CmzFMITg3tg7o_TC8f5jRkVHPgJzGa1dOxamCZtFvm-t8awM15p-tvNlUrexj436uMvp82bvx2DNmPYQm7AW8ezNRcAVZhXrnwBf5VgCExNxKetOr4oJzf/s640/Peter+in+Israel.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="left"><td class="tr-caption">Peter Himmelman in Israel. </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">By Peter Himmelman</span> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">With just a few Facebook messages and some phone calls, tens of thousands of Jews marched together in New York City to combat anti-Semitism. Yet could we even imagine a similar rally in support of Shabbat observance? How much of the power of our unity as a Jewish nation has been given over to those who hate us?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">How did it come to be that our ability to bond with one another has become contingent on negative forces from without, as opposed to positive forces from within? Is too much attention being paid to the suffering of Jews as the primary driver of our continuity and unity as opposed to the gifts of the Jews?</span><br />
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">While shared oppression is a sort of unifier, the “unity” it creates seems to be far less powerful than the proactive aspects of our tradition -- namely, our unbroken chain of mitzvot observances such as Shabbat, kashrut and Torah study. When we give our unity over to oppressors, we make mistakes. We inadvertently make our bonds with one another contingent on the animus of our enemies, and we neglect to teach our children about the wisdom and beauty of Judaism. As a consequence, we become a weaker people motivated by fear as opposed to a strong people of faith. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Rabbi Simon Jacobson wrote the book "Toward a Meaningful Life" to purvey the wisdom of the Lubavitcher Rebbe for a wide audience. The Jerusalem Post strongly criticized the book when it was first published in 1995 for excluding two subjects the paper considered essential to understanding Judaism: the Holocaust and anti-Semitism. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But in his pursuit to write a book that strove to share only the most relevant themes of the Rebbe's thinking, Rabbi Jacobson was correct in omitting the Holocaust and anti-Semitism. Perhaps surprising to some, those subjects were not crucial to the Rebbe, who rarely spoke or wrote about them. They were important issues, but compared to uplifting ideas such as instilling hope, love and unity in the Jewish people (and beyond), the Holocaust and anti-Semitism were more like tragic footnotes. Today, for many Jews, anti-Semitism and the Holocaust have become central to their Judaism.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Moving past victimhood</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">While I strongly believe in discussing and examining the Holocaust, successfully passing Jewish values on to the next generation requires our children receive a message that soars well beyond mere victimhood. Yes, we must take measures to protect ourselves. Yes, we must discuss ways to keep one another safe and to safeguard our security by every effective means. But we never should make the source of our unity contingent on the dark motives of our enemies.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My views on anti-Semitism have undergone an evolution over the years. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMUO310BXEb-0bzrwwAJ4KzkgfdHRo7ZNO-68O4LbwN5Z-49-Q4s_XY9yuxattBmAUJWy4qsIRFLHt8EoJfwtc7-PyHCU25tt-ASpZ7yKQakWSfgeBn7-ftfvlul9xRGsMNLBflOyuMDZO/s1600/Peter+in+Massada.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMUO310BXEb-0bzrwwAJ4KzkgfdHRo7ZNO-68O4LbwN5Z-49-Q4s_XY9yuxattBmAUJWy4qsIRFLHt8EoJfwtc7-PyHCU25tt-ASpZ7yKQakWSfgeBn7-ftfvlul9xRGsMNLBflOyuMDZO/s320/Peter+in+Massada.jpeg" width="240" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I grew up in the Minneapolis suburb of Saint Louis Park, a place often referred to as Saint "Jewish" Park, for the 7 percent Jewish population who made their homes there. In 1974, I was in eighth grade. One day, <o:p></o:p>I saw Nelson, Stuey, and Craig. They were hip-checking kids into the tall metal lockers that line the halls, and although none of the three was on the school’s hockey team, they seemed genetically predisposed to playing the sport -- and playing it well.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">They were the three kings of the Westwood Junior High's dirtball dynasty, young hoodlums who regularly and without fear skipped school, smoked filter-less Marlboros and shouted “<span lang="IT" style="mso-ansi-language: IT;">(insert invective here)</span>” to students and staff members alike, save perhaps for the Jew-hating shop teacher with whom they forged an abiding friendship.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">To the left and right of me, hapless students flew, body slammed into the lockers with alarming speed. It didn’t escape my notice that these unfortunates had not been chosen randomly. There went Brian. Next, it was Shelly and then, Alvin. As I rounded the corner, Stuey grabbed my second cousin Elaine by the shoulders and slammed her face-first into her locker. All these kids were Jews. They were selected for no other reason than their Jewishness.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I envisioned grabbing Stuey by his neck with both hands and clawing at him until my fingernails pierce his skin and blood spurts from his jugular. I wanted to take the clear plastic aquarium algae scraper I made in shop class this very morning and use it gouge out one of Nelson’s eyeballs. In my daydream, Craig would try to run, but I catch him by his mullet and shove his head into Elaine locker. I slam her locker door on him again and again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My daydream came to an abrupt halt when Stuey said, "Himmelman, it’s your turn to meet the lockers, you (insert invective) kike." Without a word of warning, he clouted me with a stinging jab right to my nose. It was the first time I’d ever been hit in the face, and while it was agonizing, the blow also somehow was euphoric. I was super-charged with adrenaline. I felt as if I was on fire. But, of course, I didn’t hit Stuey back. God, no. I simply stood there, glowering at the three of them, blood dripping from my Jewish nose. And for the first time in my life, I felt downright heroic. I looked around me and I saw that for now, at least, our bitterest enemies had stopped hip-checking what felt like the entire Jewish nation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Six months after that incident, it was summer vacation. We Himmelmans flew from Minneapolis to New York and from there, non-stop to Lod Airport, just beyond Tel Aviv. In less than two days, I was on a towel on the beach in Netanya, looking out at the cerulean blue of the Mediterranean.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As I lied on the hot sand, Mirage fighter Jets with blue Jewish stars emblazoned under their wings suddenly streaked so low across the water that I could smell jet fuel. As they screamed overhead, the whole beach seemed to shake. With a strange sense of clannish satisfaction, I stared up at the planes as they roared and finally rocketed out of range.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Don't look for hate, look for love</b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My youthful experiences gave me a sort of primitive, limited, almost tribal relation to my Judaism. It was almost as if I’d seized upon a pride and love for being Jewish, not out of love for our traditions and culture, but out of hatred for our enemies. In other words, I’d bonded with my fellow Jews, not over the beauty and positivity of Shabbat, but over my fear and animus to those who hate us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I’ll leave you with a recent vignette. You could say it depicts where my "<span lang="FR" style="mso-ansi-language: FR;">evolution</span>" has taken me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I was in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, a couple of weeks ago. I had just come up out of the subway when a strong wind whipped up and blew the black hat off a young Chassidic man. Who went into the middle of a busy street to return the hat? A young African-American man. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If you’re looking for hate, you’ll find it. A lot of it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If you’re looking for love, you’ll find even more. Love always has been, and always will be the greatest source of strength and unity.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span> <i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.peterhimmelman.com/home.php">Peter Himmelman</a> is an American singer-songwriter and film and television composer.</span></i><br />
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JNF Impacthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11338605958365323238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-190659894411969185.post-72623611205675746432020-02-18T06:28:00.000-08:002020-02-18T06:28:02.223-08:0010 commandments for communicating with people with disabilities<div class="post-share-buttons goog-inline-block">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">By Yossi Kahana, </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">director, <a href="https://www.jnf.org/menu-2/our-work/disabilities-special-needs?utm_source=Blog&utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=YossiBarMitzvah" target="_blank">JNF Task Force on Disabilities</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In last week's Torah portion, "Yitro," the Jews travel to a part of the desert called Sinai. There, G‑d tells them that if they accept the Torah, they will be a chosen and special nation. The Jews respond, "Everything that G‑d has said, we will do!" They are told to spend the next three days preparing for a very big event that will take place on Mount Sinai.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On the third day, there is booming thunder and flashes of lightning, and the Jews all go to Mount Sinai. There, they see a thick cloud over the mountain and hear a long, powerful blast of a shofar. Then G‑d comes down to the mountain and proclaims the Ten Commandments. These Ten Commandments set the standard for goodness in the world.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In honor of Jewish Disabilities Awareness, Inclusion and Acceptance Month, here are the 10 commandments of communicating with people with disabilities. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Speak directly to the person</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Always speak directly to the person. Do not speak through a companion or a service provider.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Offer to shake hands</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Always use the same good manners in interacting with a person who has a disability as you would with anyone else.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Identify yourself when speaking to a person who is blind</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As a common courtesy, always identify yourself when entering and/or leaving the room. This helps to make a person who is blind feel more comfortable.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Wait for a response and instructions when offering assistance</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If you offer any kind of assistance, wait until the offer is accepted. Then listen to the person's response and/or ask for suggestions or instructions.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Treat adults as adults</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Always be courteous. Do not assume familiarity with someone you do not know well by using a first name or touching his/her shoulder. Do not patronize or make decisions for the person.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Do not hang or lean on a person's wheelchair</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">People who use wheelchairs depend on them to get them from here to there. The wheelchairs are a part of them, so please be courteous.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Listen attentively</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If a person has difficulty speaking or speaks in a manner that's difficult for you to understand, listen carefully, then wait for her/him to finish. If needed, clarify what the person has said. Ask short questions that can be answered with a yes or no or a nod of the head. Never pretend to understand. Reflect what you have heard and let the person respond.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Speak to people at eye level</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Use common courtesy when interacting with someone who uses a wheelchair. Sit in a chair (or bend down, if a chair is unavailable) so you can be at eye level. This helps make the person feel more comfortable and included as an equal in the conversation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Tap a person who is deaf on her/his shoulder</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">To get the attention of someone who is deaf, tap the person on the shoulder or wave a hand in her/his direction. Once you have the person's attention, speak in a normal tone. Keep objects away from your mouth so the person can read your lips. Be courteous. Do not shout.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Relax!</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The most important thing to remember when interacting with people with disabilities is to BE YOURSELF. Do not be embarrassed if you happen to use common expressions that seem to relate to disability.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Jewish Disabilities Awareness, Acceptance and Inclusion Month is a unified effort among Jewish organizations worldwide to raise awareness and foster inclusion of people with disabilities and those who love them. JDAIM is a call to action for all of us as we act in accordance with our Jewish values, honoring the gifts and strengths that we each possess.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">JNF believes we can ensure that each Israeli enjoys a life of dignity, belonging and purpose. Our donors and partners are setting the standard for goodness in the world. Person by person, family by family, community by community, JNF is changing the lives of Israelis with disabilities.</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>All gifts donated to <a href="https://jnf.org/jdaim">JDAIM</a> from now until Feb. 29 will be matched up to $1 million.</i></span>JNF Impacthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11338605958365323238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-190659894411969185.post-69932544238657307672020-01-29T06:07:00.001-08:002020-02-16T17:37:21.556-08:00At 36, I already know I want my legacy to involve Israel and JNF<div class='post-share-buttons goog-inline-block'><a class='goog-inline-block share-button sb-email' href='https://www.blogger.com/share-post.g?blogID=190659894411969185&postID=6993254423865730767&target=email' target='_blank' title='Email This'><span class='share-button-link-text'>Email This</span></a><a class='goog-inline-block share-button sb-blog' href='https://www.blogger.com/share-post.g?blogID=190659894411969185&postID=6993254423865730767&target=blog' onclick='window.open(this.href, "_blank", "height=270,width=475"); return false;' target='_blank' title='BlogThis!'><span class='share-button-link-text'>BlogThis!</span></a><a class='goog-inline-block share-button sb-twitter' href='https://www.blogger.com/share-post.g?blogID=190659894411969185&postID=6993254423865730767&target=twitter' target='_blank' title='Share to Twitter'><span class='share-button-link-text'>Share to Twitter</span></a><a class='goog-inline-block share-button sb-facebook' href='https://www.blogger.com/share-post.g?blogID=190659894411969185&postID=6993254423865730767&target=facebook' onclick='window.open(this.href, "_blank", "height=430,width=640"); return false;' target='_blank' title='Share to Facebook'><span class='share-button-link-text'>Share to Facebook</span></a><a class='goog-inline-block share-button sb-pinterest' href='https://www.blogger.com/share-post.g?blogID=190659894411969185&postID=6993254423865730767&target=pinterest' target='_blank' title='Share to Pinterest'><span class='share-button-link-text'>Share to Pinterest</span></a><br />
</div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha4ndHC5TxJu3-VUMsX3aDuGYRwq828WWC5Hz3RIaSE0cwst3gp6ZdeDuGp79hgb2k7FfQ43anWatD00-d5LA_R_ZBVpvXcwqyShzBX3wJ1qnIUMNhtAQ5wbq2201GgcIer8rRmEDLS2Vy/s1600/mattt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha4ndHC5TxJu3-VUMsX3aDuGYRwq828WWC5Hz3RIaSE0cwst3gp6ZdeDuGp79hgb2k7FfQ43anWatD00-d5LA_R_ZBVpvXcwqyShzBX3wJ1qnIUMNhtAQ5wbq2201GgcIer8rRmEDLS2Vy/s640/mattt.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">The author, Matt Franzblau, in Israel. </td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">By Matt Franzblau</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 2.25pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As I stood across from the public notary who was about to stamp my document, I couldn’t help but get a little choked up. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; min-height: 20.3px;"><br />
</div><div style="font-stretch: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">That's because this document was my last will and testament, and even though I am only 36 years old and in fairly good health, I felt it was important to make the declaration that when I leave this Earth, I will leave<i> </i>something for JNF. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I consider myself fortunate</span> to be able to make this small yet significant gesture. After all, more than 70 years ago our brothers and sisters who perished in the Holocaust weren't able to do the same thing, nor did they have a state of Israel to leave anything for.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I would have never thought to do such a thing had it not been for a simple yet impactful presentation during a JNF board meeting. As young professionals, or Futures as we are called in the world of JNF, we often think about the future and what it will look like five to 10 years down the line, but rarely do we think farther than that, and most certainly not in regards to our own mortality.</span> </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFZHttbR7zq3qMzVdI0CbcCwL0wD_iA76oTz6FLkFQT8SM_w2pSZuMDzGD5zpCUAsAN3xzKkiD6iKDk9mHbkVG_5WkxnoapCgH76EJu3LVdKevYwRv62q2xmEHzDD0ZVOPgvfcs2pBYphq/s1600/matt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFZHttbR7zq3qMzVdI0CbcCwL0wD_iA76oTz6FLkFQT8SM_w2pSZuMDzGD5zpCUAsAN3xzKkiD6iKDk9mHbkVG_5WkxnoapCgH76EJu3LVdKevYwRv62q2xmEHzDD0ZVOPgvfcs2pBYphq/s400/matt.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">The author speaking at a Jewish National Fund event. </td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">That's why after </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://jewishnationalfund.blogspot.com/2016/02/visiting-israeli-facility-for-disabled.html">Robin Dermer</a>, </span>Florida director of planned giving, spoke about the importance of this, I decided to sign a letter of declaration stating my intentions, and then make good on them less than a year later. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; min-height: 20.3px;"><br />
</div><div style="font-stretch: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Doing this made so much sense to me because not only is it a great way to secure the future needs of Israel, but it also helps us think about our own future needs. As we add invaluable components to our lives, such as spouses, children and grandchildren, our priorities change. But one priority that will never change is the one we put on creating a viable and sustainable homeland for future generations to enjoy. Creating this document enables us to do that while laying the framework and foundation of a work in progress that can be adjusted as we enter different stages of our lives. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; min-height: 20.3px;"><br />
</div><div style="font-stretch: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When one signs this letter of intent they automatically become a member of JNF's Gould Legacy Society, and while I wear that maroon ribbon proudly, it pales in comparison with the pride I have knowing one of my final acts on this Earth will be ensuring that the people of Israel will benefit from my decision to pay it forward, like previous generations have done before, l'dor v'dor. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; min-height: 20.3px;"><br />
</div><div style="font-stretch: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For more information on how to leave a legacy for other generations to benefit from through the Jewish National Fund, contact <a href="mailto:plannedgiving@jnf.org">plannedgiving@jnf.org</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="font-stretch: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Matt Franzblau is chair of the JNFuture Broward Chapter and vice chair of communications for the JNFuture National Board. </span></i></div>JNF Impacthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11338605958365323238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-190659894411969185.post-21884376492813399552020-01-23T05:19:00.000-08:002020-01-23T14:35:15.360-08:00Decades later, Alexander Muss High School in Israel still influences my life in huge ways<div class="post-share-buttons goog-inline-block"><a class="goog-inline-block share-button sb-email" href="https://www.blogger.com/share-post.g?blogID=190659894411969185&postID=2188437649281339955&target=email" target="_blank" title="Email This"><span class="share-button-link-text">Email This</span></a><a class="goog-inline-block share-button sb-blog" href="https://www.blogger.com/share-post.g?blogID=190659894411969185&postID=2188437649281339955&target=blog" onclick="window.open(this.href, "_blank", "height=270,width=475"); return false;" target="_blank" title="BlogThis!"><span class="share-button-link-text">BlogThis!</span></a><a class="goog-inline-block share-button sb-twitter" href="https://www.blogger.com/share-post.g?blogID=190659894411969185&postID=2188437649281339955&target=twitter" target="_blank" title="Share to Twitter"><span class="share-button-link-text">Share to Twitter</span></a><a class="goog-inline-block share-button sb-facebook" href="https://www.blogger.com/share-post.g?blogID=190659894411969185&postID=2188437649281339955&target=facebook" onclick="window.open(this.href, "_blank", "height=430,width=640"); return false;" target="_blank" title="Share to Facebook"><span class="share-button-link-text">Share to Facebook</span></a><a class="goog-inline-block share-button sb-pinterest" href="https://www.blogger.com/share-post.g?blogID=190659894411969185&postID=2188437649281339955&target=pinterest" target="_blank" title="Share to Pinterest"><span class="share-button-link-text">Share to Pinterest</span></a></div><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyiSptd2uADlAaU1PKFF69SZnCXG6szJhiYpppA4hq_aCVVbgeyAr3M4LK44uEZvef954N-jB7_sk6h8owvV5zYtcXODqxEWuAjsAqZ-nhxeEh-oQiZSkpfWKnTlgAKGhVe2e42YRxiDZL/s1600/bengurion.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="794" data-original-width="1254" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyiSptd2uADlAaU1PKFF69SZnCXG6szJhiYpppA4hq_aCVVbgeyAr3M4LK44uEZvef954N-jB7_sk6h8owvV5zYtcXODqxEWuAjsAqZ-nhxeEh-oQiZSkpfWKnTlgAKGhVe2e42YRxiDZL/s640/bengurion.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="left"><td class="tr-caption">The author at Ben Gurion airport years ago. </td></tr>
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</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">By Kim Cook Beame</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I attended AMHSI in January 1985 -- 35 years ago this month! I can't believe it was so long ago, because the memories are still so vivid. </span></span><br />
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; padding: 0px;"><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I remember sitting in the hallway of my dorm, Wohl, on that first night. We were all tired and cranky and in shock by the amount of homework we were given right away. But that first night drew us together and we became an instant family -- helping each other, crying with each other, and laughing and sharing all night long. I still say, without a doubt, that my session at HSI was THE BEST time of my entire life! I have been to Israel 15 times, but no trip was as influential, life-changing, academic, or comfortable as my time there with HSI. That's when Israel truly became my home. </span></span><br />
<a name='more'></a></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; padding: 0px;"><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">HSI didn't end in 1985. It continues to be a strong part of my life and shape who I am. Throughout the years, HSI has wandered into my life when I least excected it:</span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Example 1:</b> I always knew I wanted to go into Jewish education for a career, but HSI helped put me on that path. In college, I majored in Jewish Studies. I was actually part of University of Florida's first class receiving a BA in Jewish Studies. I used my source books from HSI to help me study for my classes at UF. Needless to say, my grades at UF were impeccable! </span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsumtR6lhbAhmyHMYVg09gjY0yFUbAak4WZica0b9wLNYuNNdfwmjDhtMh9hNYTutcv5miqCt_NfrY3PzZNC8nyIHg216IY-_DdxiO4_p-LnAYFLri9fiZmlPzsXmCbpGr9WsCpPfAEZRh/s1600/SCAN0002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="690" data-original-width="981" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsumtR6lhbAhmyHMYVg09gjY0yFUbAak4WZica0b9wLNYuNNdfwmjDhtMh9hNYTutcv5miqCt_NfrY3PzZNC8nyIHg216IY-_DdxiO4_p-LnAYFLri9fiZmlPzsXmCbpGr9WsCpPfAEZRh/s640/SCAN0002.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr align="left"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The author, left, and classmates in the moadon (lounge) of the Wohl dorm. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: normal;"><b>Example 2:</b> While at HSI, I became very close with my madrichah, or youth counselor, Pnina. She had never left Israel, so leaving her at the end of the session was one of the toughest things. I didn’t know when I would see her again. We wrote letters for years (there was no email back then!), but eventually we lost touch. I was at a Jewish education convention in the early 1990s in Miami Beach and I called the hotel front desk to ask for something and was told it would be sent right up. When I opened my door, I almost fell over. Pnina was standing there! She moved to Miami, got a job at the hotel, and was delivering what I needed to my room. We looked at each other and started screaming and crying and couldn't stop hugging! We stayed in touch for a few years, but then she went back to Israel and we lost touch again.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: normal;">In 1999, I moved to Boca Raton. On my youngest daughter's first day at her new preschool, she was 2, all the little 2-year-olds were crying and it was a madhouse! I was overwhelmed with dropping off my daughter and starting a new job at the synagogue, so my mind was adrift. As I was walking out of the room, a woman came up to me and told me her son was in the same room and was crying, and asked me to please check on him. I went back to do that and when I came back out to tell her he was fine, we started a conversation. I was listening to her talk, with her strong Israeli accent, and all of a sudden, at the same moment we both just stopped and started screaming. It was Pnina! And her younger son and my younger daughter were the same age and in the same preschool class! We couldn’t believe it. To this day, Pnina and I keep in touch. </span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; padding: 0px;"><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Example 3:</b> In 1993, Rabbi Morris Kipper z’’l married my husband Jason and me. He was a huge influence on my life and it was so meaningful to me to have him officiate. He made it possible for me to attend HSI when I was a teenager.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Example 4:</b> When my husband and I first moved to Boca, we didn’t know many people. Within the first few months of our move, we heard about an HSI alumni reunion in Boca. I went to HSI but my husband didn't (although his younger brother did). My sister also went, but her husband didn’t. So we decided to all go to the reunion together. The husbands could hang out while we talked about HSI with the other alumni. We wound up sitting with another couple -- Renee was also an alumni, but her husband, Gregg, was not. We all started talking and became fast friends. For years, we spent almost every weekend socially with Gregg and Renee. Then they moved to another city, but we always kept in touch.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Out of tragedy a renewed connection</b></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; padding: 0px;"><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Just over five years ago, Jason and I were at a Chanukah celebration at a local shopping center and we ran into Gregg and Renee. We sat and talked for hours and promised we would get together very soon. Jason and I couldn’t stop talking about them after and we were so happy to see them. Gregg later told me he and Renee felt the same. Sadly, a few weeks later, Jason died suddenly. Gregg and Renee were there for us. A little over a year later, I saw on Facebook that Renee had died suddenly and I instantly reached out to Gregg. We helped each other over the next year, mostly talking through Facebook and Words With Friends. We asked each other "widow" questions and guided each other. About two years ago, Gregg and I made plans to have dinner. Two old friends getting together to help each other through the grieving process. Nothing more was ever on either of our radar. Well, that dinner turned into a five-hour meal and much to both of our surprise, we have been together ever since! Neither of us ever imagined a life without our spouses. We certainly never even came close to imagining a life together. We joke that we met 21 years ago for a reason! And we met thanks to HSI. </span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Example 5: </b>Both of my daughters attended AMHSI. Elana went in winter 2012 and Paige went in spring 2014 (a combined program with The March of the Living). Both had amazing experiences. Paige, who had some learning challenges, swears her success in college can be attributed to the skills she learned at HSI. Both girls say their independence at HSI helped them adjust to college so much easier than their peers. And now both girls are pursuing careers in the Jewish world, which they both attribute to their love of and connection to Israel. In fact, Elana had a fellowship out of college with American Hebrew Academy. AHA is located across the street from Temple Emanuel in Greensboro, NC. Rabbi Fred Guttman of Temple Emanuel, the synagogue Elana was affiliated with while at AHA, was the rabbi and principal of AMHSI when I was there. I remembered him fondly and he remembered me.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuj7ttHOZ-SujR2e1V34ulpO8rBFK9yOF3g7PDTZJjDjxORbaHvf9MbJM99TwMmfpHVkecQ7AxwcjD76pM1vFvDAu2D0C3C5lv1zbXhlF5Ha31lLEAb-fAjKTZlJA6HQU0c5HTPvCtMuSF/s1600/SCAN0004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="690" data-original-width="981" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuj7ttHOZ-SujR2e1V34ulpO8rBFK9yOF3g7PDTZJjDjxORbaHvf9MbJM99TwMmfpHVkecQ7AxwcjD76pM1vFvDAu2D0C3C5lv1zbXhlF5Ha31lLEAb-fAjKTZlJA6HQU0c5HTPvCtMuSF/s400/SCAN0004.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr align="left"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Classmates at AMHSI in the grotto at Rosh Hanikra. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I have been lucky enough to visit the Hod Hasharon campus many times through my visits back to Israel. Each time, I am amazed by the growth of Hod Hasharon but yet the familiarity of the campus. I was in Wohl when I attended and so was Paige, although the renovated version, when she attended. I walked around the campus, reconnected with old familiar friends, met new people now connected with AMHSI. When Paige was a student, I was so lucky and proud to be able to travel to Israel with Jason at that time and take him to the Hod Hasharon campus to show him around. When he got to the campus and saw Paige there, he just started to cry. He was so happy to finally be there and be part of what I had been talking about for 25-plus years and to see how much Paige had grown and matured in the short time that she was there. He said, that even though he was only there for a few hours, he finally understood why it was "home."</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Alexander Muss High School in Israel will always be home for me and for my children. It will always hold the fondest of memories and the greatest of stories. It will always be the connection between me and so many of my friends that I still keep in touch with (mostly through Facebook because they are all over the country), and it will always be the place that I hold so deep in my heart. I am excited that Gregg's daughter will attend this summer, and I know Renee z’’l is smiling in heaven that Sara will continue her HSI legacy. I pray my grandchildren will one day get the opportunity to experience HSI too. </span></div>JNF Impacthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11338605958365323238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-190659894411969185.post-21581852975131193922020-01-20T09:48:00.000-08:002020-01-20T09:50:35.376-08:00As the mom of a son with a disability, Israel's amazing Aleh Negev gave me great comfort<div class="post-share-buttons goog-inline-block">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4la_LAnCALUq6L406hOf_qtm5CUv6wmYEczaTPYLDDdiEoJ-PQx7uXQ3og-vk-9CQetOzZ07Rhq-WRPUq0lkYHIMU-USEOF_DUI2gNqYNK8zPuquMkUr249-DyHNgt0q9wNk8ofTOW56I/s1600/lynne+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4la_LAnCALUq6L406hOf_qtm5CUv6wmYEczaTPYLDDdiEoJ-PQx7uXQ3og-vk-9CQetOzZ07Rhq-WRPUq0lkYHIMU-USEOF_DUI2gNqYNK8zPuquMkUr249-DyHNgt0q9wNk8ofTOW56I/s320/lynne+2.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="left"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">Author (right) with her son, Rod (left)<br />
and Doron Almog. </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">By Lynne Merriam</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Forty eight years ago, my life changed in an instant. I was a masters-level clinical nurse specialist and a school administrator, and in the blink of an eye, my new role was as a mother of a profoundly disabled son. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">At the time, not only was there no support group for me, the prognosis was so grim all I could think of was how I would go on with my life.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The doctors recommended that we put Rod in an institution. I had done an internship in the Missouri State School and Hospital system and the places were grim and the care terrible. I felt my only option was to bring Rod home.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My story has a happy ending. Rod defied the odds and go on to become a college graduate in spite of his disabilities, but I still carry the memories of how scared I was when he was born.</span><br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The first time I went to <a href="https://aleh.org/branch/negev-nahalat-eran/">Aleh Negev</a> -- </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">which <a href="http://o provide high-level medical and rehabilitative aid to severely disabled adults and children">provides high-level medical and rehabilitative aid</a> to severely disabled adults and children in a caring, compassionate environment -- </span>my reaction wasn't what I expected. I was impressed with the beauty of the place, the love of the staff, and the many options available to help the profoundly disabled. But all the memories of Rod’s birth and the struggle of his early years came back and overwhelmed me.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvqxQEYV8VMX_gxovsPzmyKhfRbxDpFzxSeBwpL-l43mBJH0v94b8ctkXJaC468DY1UGNfxs67Kiw51IBR7vBzoqS4UQJgIdgr_SQJhI9js6tbiPbckNWaRpFZztDTalb6lO1lkbtIk9jf/s1600/lynne+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="320" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvqxQEYV8VMX_gxovsPzmyKhfRbxDpFzxSeBwpL-l43mBJH0v94b8ctkXJaC468DY1UGNfxs67Kiw51IBR7vBzoqS4UQJgIdgr_SQJhI9js6tbiPbckNWaRpFZztDTalb6lO1lkbtIk9jf/s320/lynne+3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="left"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">The author (right) with her son, Rod. </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I have gone back to Aleh Negev many times. Each time has been more meaningful to me and I really understand what it means to so many. No disabled child is an island. The entire family is impacted. As a parent you feel so many conflicting emotions from guilt to profound sadness, but you still want the best for your child.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Thanks to <a href="http://jewishnationalfund.blogspot.com/2016/04/saluting-doron-almog-military-hero-and.html">Doron and Didi Almog</a> and Jewish National Fund, we have given these children a place where care is excellent, where parents can feel that they have support and can go on with their lives and be productive instead of only taking care of their child.</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So many people contribute to what Aleh Negev does, not only the staff, but the countless JNF donors who make it possible to give such care. I found my heart with the <a href="http://jewishnationalfund.blogspot.com/2016/03/moved-and-awe-inspired-witnessing.html">JNF Disabilities Task Force</a> and feel that through my efforts I can help other families face what I had to face with greater ease.</span>JNF Impacthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11338605958365323238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-190659894411969185.post-29099749278903268912020-01-10T09:10:00.000-08:002020-01-10T10:59:33.363-08:00Everything to know about Tu BiShvat, the original Earth Day<div class='post-share-buttons goog-inline-block'><a class='goog-inline-block share-button sb-email' href='https://www.blogger.com/share-post.g?blogID=190659894411969185&postID=2909974927890326891&target=email' target='_blank' title='Email This'><span class='share-button-link-text'>Email This</span></a><a class='goog-inline-block share-button sb-blog' href='https://www.blogger.com/share-post.g?blogID=190659894411969185&postID=2909974927890326891&target=blog' onclick='window.open(this.href, "_blank", "height=270,width=475"); return false;' target='_blank' title='BlogThis!'><span class='share-button-link-text'>BlogThis!</span></a><a class='goog-inline-block share-button sb-twitter' href='https://www.blogger.com/share-post.g?blogID=190659894411969185&postID=2909974927890326891&target=twitter' target='_blank' title='Share to Twitter'><span class='share-button-link-text'>Share to Twitter</span></a><a class='goog-inline-block share-button sb-facebook' href='https://www.blogger.com/share-post.g?blogID=190659894411969185&postID=2909974927890326891&target=facebook' onclick='window.open(this.href, "_blank", "height=430,width=640"); return false;' target='_blank' title='Share to Facebook'><span class='share-button-link-text'>Share to Facebook</span></a><a class='goog-inline-block share-button sb-pinterest' href='https://www.blogger.com/share-post.g?blogID=190659894411969185&postID=2909974927890326891&target=pinterest' target='_blank' title='Share to Pinterest'><span class='share-button-link-text'>Share to Pinterest</span></a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">By Yossi Kahana </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When is the last time you wished a tree Happy New Year? The 15th day of the month of Shevat on the Hebrew calendar is a great opportunity. It's known as Tu BiShvat, the New Year for Trees. This year, we will celebrate on Monday, February 10, 2020. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Why is Tu BiShvat in the winter? Why celebrate trees when nothing is growing? <o:p></o:p></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The 15th of Shevat is the midpoint between fall and spring. Once half the winter has passed, its strength is weakened, the cold is not as intense, and the budding process begins.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So, yes, it may be smack in the middle of winter, but Tu BiShvat marks a turning point, a time when under all that cold and snow the sap of the trees is rising, readying for spring.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
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<a name='more'></a><b>It's important if you are a tree… or a person. <o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Throughout the Torah, trees play an integral role literally and figuratively in the lives of the people of Israel. After all, the Torah says "man is a tree of the field."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For this reason, we humans can also celebrate with the trees. A few weeks ago, we read in "The Life of Sarah” that the Jewish people are nurtured by deep roots. <span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Jewish National Fund has taken this idea and showcases it in its literal sense through the hundreds of millions of trees planted to turn Israel's desert sands into lush and bountiful forests.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>So how do we observe Tu BiShvat?<o:p></o:p></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We mark the 15th of Shevat by eating fruit. The traditional observance includes a Seder the night of <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Tu BiShvat</span> (or the night before). You can do this as a part of dinner or after dinner. The table is set with a table cloth and flowers, and the following items are center stage:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Wine or grape juice <br />
Fruits with a hard pit such as apricots or cherries <br />
Fruits we eat whole (with their seeds) such as blueberries <br />
Fruits with shells or peels, such as oranges, almonds, walnuts<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Delicious bread, of course </span><br />
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Be sure to enjoy some of those fruits for which Israel is famous: olives, dates, grapes, figs and pomegranates. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>The blessing for the fruit of the vine<i><o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Baruch attah Adonai, Eloheinu melech ha'olam, borei pri ha'gefen.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">(Blessed are You, Eternal God, Sovereign of the universe, creator of the fruit of the vine.)<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>The blessing for the fruit<i><o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Baruch atah Ado-nai, Elo-hei-nu me-lech ha-olam, borei pri ha-etz.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">(Blessed are You, L<span style="font-family: "cambria math" , serif;">‑</span>rd our G<span style="font-family: "cambria math" , serif;">‑</span>d, King of the universe, who creates the fruit of the tree.)<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If tasting a fruit for the first time in its season, recite the Shehecheyanu blessing before saying the fruit blessing:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Ba-ruch a-tah Ado-nai, Elo-hei-nu me-lech ha-olam, she-heche-ya-nu ve-ki-ye-ma-nu ve-higi-a-nu liz-man ha-zeh.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">(Blessed are You, L<span style="font-family: "cambria math" , serif;">‑</span>rd our G<span style="font-family: "cambria math" , serif;">‑</span>d, King of the universe, who has granted us life, sustained us, and enabled us to reach this occasion.)<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>You you an etz chaim, a tree of life<o:p></o:p></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>“</b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: #222222;">She is a tree of life to those who grasp her, and whoever holds on to her is happy</span></i><span style="background: white; color: #222222;">.” Proverbs 3:18<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">JNF's highest humanitarian award is called the Tree of Life Award. Each year, JNF presents individuals or families this award in appreciation of their community involvement, dedication to American-Israeli friendship and support for Israel. Every one of you plant seeds with JNF that will lead to a brighter future tomorrow for the Jewish community and for Israel. It is because of your efforts that we can grow and continue the great work we do each and every day.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">May we all enjoy a healthy and fruitful winter.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Yossi Kahana is the director of <a href="https://www.jnf.org/menu-2/our-work/disabilities-special-needs?utm_source=Blog&utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=YossiBarMitzvah" target="_blank">JNF's Task Force on Disabilities</a></span></span>.</i></span><o:p></o:p></div>JNF Impacthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11338605958365323238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-190659894411969185.post-853248055623554502019-12-27T05:33:00.000-08:002019-12-27T05:33:11.077-08:00Top 5 reasons to join JNF's first ever Negev Adventure Mission to Israel<div class="post-share-buttons goog-inline-block">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCQucONw4hq4ef7vbq_rP2RpzEd-BqIpi3Nj36NyGgpXt2nobQfRvtf_jFZMrN1rICMdpICHJdSq9nQNXnwYDpmcT6p3IEvvUlPx0B0QUTkbScqwAskN7LlH1-Ve6KsaYsjCldwLxkH0qs/s1600/ATV.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="610" data-original-width="1132" height="344" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCQucONw4hq4ef7vbq_rP2RpzEd-BqIpi3Nj36NyGgpXt2nobQfRvtf_jFZMrN1rICMdpICHJdSq9nQNXnwYDpmcT6p3IEvvUlPx0B0QUTkbScqwAskN7LlH1-Ve6KsaYsjCldwLxkH0qs/s640/ATV.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">By Don Wong, </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Negev Adventure Mission co-chair</span><br />
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Looking for a travel adventure?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have something amazing for the active and non-active alike. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Please tell your family members and friends to save the dates April 21-27, 2020 for fun and adventure in Israel's Negev.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Below are the top five reasons to join the <a href="https://www.jnf.org/travel-pages/2020/modern-israel-negev-adventure-mission">Modern Israel Negev Adventure Mission</a>.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">#5 – This is a JNF boutique mission</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> where the emphasis is on FUN things to do and explore in the southern desert of Israel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We go far beyond the typical JNF tour and mission.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We challenge you to be active!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8T9wp3WNsjJvCujUk_8t_mtjkgJMZW25LPtpdiN1mLIq_-gVTH74phOoLMctUK6_iHryha7JR8C57Wujx-yVHSQwpRgBbz6g0roJ1k-fWZgef75HI_rQKfWLARHrZ_uvuqFKMUa1Kau8D/s1600/don.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8T9wp3WNsjJvCujUk_8t_mtjkgJMZW25LPtpdiN1mLIq_-gVTH74phOoLMctUK6_iHryha7JR8C57Wujx-yVHSQwpRgBbz6g0roJ1k-fWZgef75HI_rQKfWLARHrZ_uvuqFKMUa1Kau8D/s400/don.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Author at the Bereshit Hotel in Mitzpe Ramon</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">#4 – This is a trip</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> for <a href="http://jewishnationalfund.blogspot.com/2017/04/bike-ride-for-negev-town-of-yerucham.html">biking in the desert</a>, hiking, ATV riding through the famous Ramon Crater, stargazing, rappelling, kayaking, <a href="http://jewishnationalfund.blogspot.com/2016/04/catch-and-release-bird-banding-in.html">birdwatching in Yerucham,</a> and eating. We challenge you to try new things!<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">#3 – This is a luxury trip</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> where we'll stay at the Beresheet Hotel for five nights and Yehelim Hotel for one night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We spare no expense because we are not roughing it in sleeping bags and tents on the desert grounds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We challenge you to adopt the baby boomers' acronym SKIN, which stands for Spend Kids' Inheritance Now! <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">#2 – This is an opportunity to support JNF projects </span><span style="line-height: 115%;">in the Negev area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In a team effort, the Arad Task Force, Mitzpe Ramon Task Force, and Yerucham & Ramat HaNegev Task Force are fundraising to advance the <a href="https://www.jnf.org/menu-2/our-work/community-building/community-building---our-blueprint-negev-strategy">Blueprint Negev initiative</a> to revitalize southern Israel and soliciting donors for the JNF vision and investment in the Negev area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We challenge you to "show me the money"! <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">#1 – This is a trip to treasure </span><span style="line-height: 115%;">with like-minded travelers who love and support the people and land of Israel. At the end of the adventure, we'll be best friends for lif</span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">e.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">To book the trip, click <a href="https://www.jnf.org/travel-pages/2020/modern-israel-negev-adventure-mission">here</a></span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="line-height: 115%;">.</span></span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="line-height: 115%; text-decoration: none;"> </span></span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="line-height: 115%; text-decoration: none;">For more information, contact</span></span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> Matthew Leebove, our JNF professional, via <a href="mailto:mleebove@jnf.org">e-mail</a> or</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> 212.879.9305 x9768.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Looking forward to seeing you in Israel!</span></span></div>
JNF Impacthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11338605958365323238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-190659894411969185.post-23702590910479944072019-12-23T12:38:00.003-08:002019-12-23T14:14:20.909-08:00Waze, Wix, Outbrain, Trax: Cuz about Israeli innovation, we're rappin' facts<div class="post-share-buttons goog-inline-block">
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<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="365" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hPNG6POvZPs" width="649"></iframe><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">By Max Marine </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span> <span style="font-size: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; word-spacing: 1px;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">After growing up in Philadelphia in a conservative Jewish community, 10 years ago (at age 20), I flew to Israel for the first time on Birthright. My uncle handed me a book before I flew: "<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Start-up-Nation-Israels-Economic-Miracle-ebook/dp/B004QZ9P6K">Start-Up Nation: The Story of Israel's Economic Miracle</a>." As I traveled over the Atlantic reading, I was blown away by all the innovation such a small country had produced with so few resources.</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: black;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Two years later, I flew back to Israel to volunteer for 10 months on Otzma, a Masa program. I fell in love with the both outskirts of Israel, (Karmiel, Arad, Netivot) and the Tel Aviv summer.</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 1px;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span></span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 1px;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">A year later, I flew back to Israel on <a href="http://jewishnationalfund.blogspot.com/2016/03/spending-spring-break-doing-community.html">Alternative Spring Break</a>, sponsored by JNF, to volunteer in the south, plant trees, and build community structures.</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: black;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span></span></span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Two years after that, I flew back again, this time to join the start-up nation, making aliyah in the process and committing myself to a life of helping Israeli entrepreneurs.</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">It didn't really hit me until recently just how important Israel is for the future of humanity. The creativity, innovation, and technologies being produced in Israel have not only transformed how we produce food, <a href="http://jewishnationalfund.blogspot.com/2015/03/the-shamir-drilling-project-making.html">water</a>, energy, healthcare, and transportation globally, but how it will continue to transform every part of our daily lives.</span></span></span></span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Having lived in Israel for six years, experiencing countless moments of joy, love, and inspiration, it frustrates and pains me that the narrative on social media basically leaves out all of the amazing contributions Israel is making. That motivated to create my latest rap, "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hPNG6POvZPs&">Start-Up Nation</a>."</span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #313131; display: inline; float: none; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 1px;"><i>Max Marine made aliyah in 2017 with Jewish National Fund-USA partner <a href="https://www.nbn.org.il/explore-aliyah-weve-got-you-covered/">Nefesh B'Nefesh</a></i>. <i>He invests in Israeli start-ups at <a href="https://lool.vc/">lool ventures</a>, an early-stage VC based in Tel Aviv. </i></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #313131; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 1px;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibXfv4jjjUku3ClpWXXDeFPsDSed87CC-8cm4CSfCKHP39b-kKVJofeZxyaAcw9amgFiUab0a-bcyRuj2d9eM_McfZxPkdASjIzMFFc90zPsgjEPEIkK9OfUl06CGOv1Ox60zqoDfo3O5h/s1600/max.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="835" data-original-width="1600" height="334" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibXfv4jjjUku3ClpWXXDeFPsDSed87CC-8cm4CSfCKHP39b-kKVJofeZxyaAcw9amgFiUab0a-bcyRuj2d9eM_McfZxPkdASjIzMFFc90zPsgjEPEIkK9OfUl06CGOv1Ox60zqoDfo3O5h/s640/max.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="left"><td class="tr-caption">"Failure is accepted, risk is something to embrace. Necessity is the key to invention in this place."</td></tr>
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JNF Impacthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11338605958365323238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-190659894411969185.post-31939980654806833442019-12-19T06:31:00.000-08:002019-12-19T06:31:57.909-08:00Three things a rabbi learned about JNF on his mission to Israel<div class="post-share-buttons goog-inline-block">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBtFyTWviRmqWw7mAnY6ZxKECnzC9R2cM8l7exb8lRxQ9oPcu4kx3tkbWjd1u3DB6qLGjEY04EeIKAUFroyVuM_3CFg-Ok6W7ddQHr5-cdzsZohhekzQvu9SGqyK5hlvw4JQiThzmaHtlQ/s1600/rabbi+in+group.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBtFyTWviRmqWw7mAnY6ZxKECnzC9R2cM8l7exb8lRxQ9oPcu4kx3tkbWjd1u3DB6qLGjEY04EeIKAUFroyVuM_3CFg-Ok6W7ddQHr5-cdzsZohhekzQvu9SGqyK5hlvw4JQiThzmaHtlQ/s640/rabbi+in+group.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="left"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The author, center, with other members of the mission. </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">By Rabbi Jason Fruithandler<br />
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I just got back from a JNF-USA mission to Israel. Before attending, I was under the impression JNF-USA planted trees, <a href="http://jewishnationalfund.blogspot.com/2015/02/it-started-with-jnf-blue-box-my.html">collected tzedakah money</a>, and occasionally brought a very large map of Israel to my Hebrew school. I always assumed it did more but never had an inkling what. These past few days I have learned so much about JNF-USA. I'd like to share it. </span></span><br />
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<a name='more'></a><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1. It is exceptionally well run. From a numbers point of view it keeps its staff as slim as possible and is able to boast 84 cents on the dollar going directly to programming and affiliates. However, its small staff size is not a problem. JNF is able to hire the most committed, efficient, and effective professionals. It creates a culture and expectation of data-driven results, high impact outcomes, and on top of it all, kindness! <br />
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2. In the vein of effective work JNF-USA does almost no work! Ha! What I mean is it does its work through affiliates on the ground. In North America, it effectively helps North American Jewry buy into the <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW2t-b8sUqn3321_1gJHsYV6QCLO9NsMPqBbKDzaar_7i7s_6J3IZnBHkzCLANPVahvW_PtKaAxVBDoEwG73i9EmOj6C029e3Wjh51WCwK1li-Cof-ph7o9KtolemSir_okRrnIXIcNIoS/s1600/rabbi+learning.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW2t-b8sUqn3321_1gJHsYV6QCLO9NsMPqBbKDzaar_7i7s_6J3IZnBHkzCLANPVahvW_PtKaAxVBDoEwG73i9EmOj6C029e3Wjh51WCwK1li-Cof-ph7o9KtolemSir_okRrnIXIcNIoS/s400/rabbi+learning.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="left"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">The author, center, learning about plant growth. </td></tr>
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story of Israel and allows us to be part of that story by sharing our dollars and resources. It takes those resources and finds passionate, committed, and effective Israeli leaders and organizations to work with. Those organizations and leaders then have the support they need to make Israel not just viable, but a place that will thrive for the next 70 years and beyond. <br />
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3. I learned a new story of Israel. Seventy-plus years ago the old Keren Kayemet Yisrael started planting trees because it was a legal way of declaring ownership and possession of the land. Of course, Israel, like the rest of the world, still needs trees, and the new organization, JNF-USA, still plants them. Now, to secure the land in the new frontier in the north and the south. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Currently, 80% of the Israeli population lives on 20% of Israeli land. JNF-USA, in conversation with Israelis on the ground, realized the <a href="https://www.jnf.org/menu-2/our-work/community-building/go-north-strategy">Galilee in the north</a> and <a href="https://www.jnf.org/menu-2/our-work/community-building/community-building---our-blueprint-negev-strategy">Negev in the south</a> were the answer. Through careful conversation with citizens on the ground JNF understood that for a community to be an exciting place to live, it needed good education for the children, <a href="http://jewishnationalfund.blogspot.com/2017/08/a-negev-pitch-night-for-new-start-ups.html">good job opportunities</a> for the adults, a culture and community to add meaning, and an <a href="http://jewishnationalfund.blogspot.com/2019/08/saving-lives-in-israels-negev-desert-us.html">effective health and emergency infrastructure</a>. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">JNF-USA's affiliate partners provide exactly that. In Be'er Sheva, they are partnering to create a new river park/promenade. Already before the construction is complete, developers have started construction on enough apartments to house 20,000 residents. Many of these are already pre-sold. In communities in the north and south, JNF-USA supports youth organizations that provide meaning and connection throughout the country. They support an organization called Makom that helps Israeli authentic micro communities maximize their impact and connection on the frontlines of Israeli development. Through this affiliate, JNF-USA has been able to positively influence over 500,000 Israeli lives. These are just a few of the incredibly impactful partnerships JNF-USA has formed that allow North American Jewry to support the cultivation and growth of a viable Israel in the places that need support most. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The last thing I learned is that I’m only scratching the surface. JNF's team of effective, efficient, and passionate staff are continually working hard to make JNF's lofty goals a reality. I, as a rabbi, am personally excited to begin anew my relationship with JNF-USA. I am a passionate Zionist and a proud American. By supporting JNF-USA I get to be a part of the dream that is Israel. <br />
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<i>Rabbi Jason Fruithandler is the rabbi at the synagogue at the <a href="https://www.woodburyjc.org/">Woodbury Jewish Center</a> in Woodbury, NY.</i></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i> </i></span></span> </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOsoKWfRxmQ8cJgbyd-s7bibMD8nMrsPnAWyMtLR_TZcmT_urMw6zUYRV_GtadvQdpSBjOtmgKPQqXmQ2mtMK5Ac7YviTETxhiq5SqQccSStZWDGdDtmrjoVCHe4MqW9yf_jnMmjOzW3Fa/s1600/rabbi+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOsoKWfRxmQ8cJgbyd-s7bibMD8nMrsPnAWyMtLR_TZcmT_urMw6zUYRV_GtadvQdpSBjOtmgKPQqXmQ2mtMK5Ac7YviTETxhiq5SqQccSStZWDGdDtmrjoVCHe4MqW9yf_jnMmjOzW3Fa/s640/rabbi+1.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr align="left"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The author planting a tree. </span></td></tr>
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JNF Impacthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11338605958365323238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-190659894411969185.post-47577468104202216872019-12-16T09:13:00.000-08:002019-12-16T10:30:46.503-08:00The poetry of Israel: A JNF housing mission, recounted in rhyme <div class="post-share-buttons goog-inline-block">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS5qw1B2BgbqB77SJ8GkvWAXdni1m0w_GCTrSfIXeqNcM5RIjdZICYbNuzLejTFdgXgL3cZX-Jr7GV6NMRLQA_JeYgPBbNpFx_cd3oqlzQlSABHr3wu-z38bfgO6DpP-5VCQoqaTP5pFNJ/s1600/HDF+Kibbutz+Gesher+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS5qw1B2BgbqB77SJ8GkvWAXdni1m0w_GCTrSfIXeqNcM5RIjdZICYbNuzLejTFdgXgL3cZX-Jr7GV6NMRLQA_JeYgPBbNpFx_cd3oqlzQlSABHr3wu-z38bfgO6DpP-5VCQoqaTP5pFNJ/s640/HDF+Kibbutz+Gesher+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="left"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The author, second from right, with other members of JNF's Housing Development Task Force. </td></tr>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">By Scott Nadler</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">We loaded up the van with our luggage,</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">And our leaders discussed the day's plan.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Traveling south from Ashdod to Sderot,</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">The housing mission began.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br />
We hit the road bright and early,</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">It was a 30-minute ride -- </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Zest and excitement filled the air,</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Our hearts filled with pride.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br />
There were eight of us volunteering</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">From different states, all with bravado.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">From New York, Illinois, and Pennsylvania,</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">To Arkansas and Colorado.</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"></span><br />
<a name='more'></a><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Our leader was Jeff Schwartz,</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">But Jason Zenner talked the most.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Natalie Goldman took a lot of pics,</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">And about her daughter, she would boast.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br />
Everything was new to me,</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Michelle Bernstein too was a fresh face.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Joel and Irene Spalter were the veterans</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Their knowledge covered every place.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br />
It was also Lisa Krosnick's first trip,</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Going along with her husband Rick.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Rick devotes his career to JNF</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">And to the itinerary he ensured we'd stick.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br />
You're probably asking yourself,</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">"How does the Housing Fund work?"</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Please allow me to explain --</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Hopefully it doesn’t sound too berserk.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Our mission is to build housing communities</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">In the Negev and Galilee.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">We provide working capital for them to build</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">And having their backs we guarantee.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br />
The money is used for the infrastructure,</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">And then homes are built on the land.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Once all the homes sell,</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">That gives us the chance to expand.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br />
The communities eventually pay us back,</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Which allows us to reinvest in others.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">These communities can then grow</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">That's how we help our sisters and brothers.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Moving 300,000 people to the north</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">And 500,000 people to the south is our goal.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Building communities along the periphery --</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">That is our role.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br />
This past February,</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">We visited some of our sites.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Every day we were inspired,</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">These areas are reaching new heights.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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In Sderot we met with the mayor.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">And discussed the thriving city.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Located in the Negev,</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">It's growing and very pretty.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br />
In a short amount of time,</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Sderot has already paid us back.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">We're working on a new project now,</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">They're certainly on the right track.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br />
After our trip to Sderot,</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Kissufim was our next stop.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">It's about 20 minutes south,</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">With Gaza as the backdrop.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br />
This place is 99% heaven,</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">And the final 1% is hell.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">That's how it was described to us,</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">This used to be a hard sell.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br />
Right in the <a href="http://jewishnationalfund.blogspot.com/2019/11/brave-resilient-israelis-in-embattled.html">Gaza Envelope</a>,</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">We have a third of our housing lots.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">The most incredible people live here,</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Any unrest puts our stomachs in knots.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br />
We then drove through Nahal Oz,</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">And walked up to the border fence,</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Seeing the proximity was eye-opening,</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Thankfully things were not tense.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br />
We had lunch in Halutza --</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Salad, rice, falafel and meat.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">We ate indoors,</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">And stayed out of the heat.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br />
We spent the night in Nof Zuqim,</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Near Jordan to the West.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">We saw the building of 50 new lots,</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">This area for me was the best.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br />
Some communities can absorb five families, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">While others can handle 50.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">We have to be smart with our money,</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">We have to be thrifty.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br />
We visited Hatzeva,</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">And got a tour from the head of security.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">His name's Nadav and he protects all,</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">This area no longer in obscurity.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br />
We then went from south to north --</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Driving the entire day.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">We were officially a family by now,</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">And everyone wanted to stay.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br />
First stop in the north was Kibbutz Gesher,</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">We met a mother and her child.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Her dream was to live here and have a life,</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Hearing her story, everyone smiled.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br />
Initially she was told it would take 13 years</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">For her to build her dream home.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">It took Jewish National Fund 18 months --</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">In a day, WE could've built Rome.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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One of our last days up north,</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">That didn’t stop us one bit,</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">We still had a lot to gain.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/u/0/null" name="_Hlk26364902">Misgav Am </a>and Shluchot,</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Hamadia and Neve Eitan,</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Demand is set to explode.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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That was the last of the sites we saw,</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Our trip was coming to an end.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">We saw our impact up close,</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">JNF is Israel's best friend.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Although the mission was over,</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">There is still a lot more work to be done.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">And like the true Israeli spirit,</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">We won’t quit until we've won.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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We have boots on the ground in Israel,</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Finding more us more sites.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">There's a long way to go,</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">And we’re working mornings and nights.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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With over 1,200 sites already built,</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">We've broken some incredible ground.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Housing was a major problem in Israel,</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">And a solution we’ve found!</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Author Scott Nadler was recently featured in our latest B'Yachad issue for JNFuture. He wrote about hsi experience as a member of Jewish National Fund's Housing Development Task Force.</i></span>JNF Impacthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11338605958365323238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-190659894411969185.post-7449033619101097382019-12-11T05:55:00.001-08:002019-12-11T11:28:22.098-08:00What is Chanukah? A reminder that light can transform darkness<div class="post-share-buttons goog-inline-block">
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3cTuDN1Vbi1jx-sfzLRAoqyyMqKPaRsIuz49yOIwv5G8SdtABtbq9ZD_brlWieK1_FYWk6d7nd9PvH8a3Ab4kAfqkmjyqP22SW8ybfnf8Q9XPB8ESgVXvOHWrBOW35elA2bMuD63EOoRR/s1600/Chanukah.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3cTuDN1Vbi1jx-sfzLRAoqyyMqKPaRsIuz49yOIwv5G8SdtABtbq9ZD_brlWieK1_FYWk6d7nd9PvH8a3Ab4kAfqkmjyqP22SW8ybfnf8Q9XPB8ESgVXvOHWrBOW35elA2bMuD63EOoRR/s320/Chanukah.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="left"><td class="tr-caption">Yossi Kahana lights the menorah. </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">By Yossi Kahana, </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">director, <a href="https://www.jnf.org/menu-2/our-work/disabilities-special-needs?utm_source=Blog&utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=YossiBarMitzvah" target="_blank">JNF Task Force on Disabilities</a></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Chanukah is the Jewish eight-day, wintertime "festival of lights," celebrated with a nightly menorah lighting, special prayers, and fried foods. Chanukah begins on the eve of Kislev 25 and continues for eight days. This year, the holiday runs from December 22-30.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What we are celebrating again?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In the second century BCE, the Holy Land was ruled by the Seleucids (Syrian-Greeks), who tried to force the people of Israel to accept Greek culture and beliefs instead of mitzvah observance and belief in G‑d. Against all odds, a small band of faithful but poorly armed Jews, led by Judah the Maccabee, defeated one of the mightiest armies on earth, drove the Greeks from the land, reclaimed the Holy Temple in Jerusalem and rededicated it to the service of G‑d.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When they sought to light the Temple's Menorah (the seven-branched candelabrum), they found only a single cruse of olive oil that had escaped contamination by the Greeks. Miraculously, they lit the menorah and the one-day supply of oil lasted for eight days, until new oil could be prepared under conditions of ritual purity.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">To commemorate and publicize these miracles, the sages instituted the festival of Chanukah.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Remind me... how is Chanukah observed?<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">At the heart of the festival is the nightly menorah lighting. The menorah holds nine flames, one of which is the shamash ("attendant"), which is used to kindle the other eight lights. On the first night, we light just one flame. On the second night, an additional flame is lit. By the eighth night of Chanukah, all eight lights are kindled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Special blessings are recited, often to a traditional melody, before the menorah is lit, and traditional songs are sung afterward.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Since the Chanukah miracle involved oil, it is customary to eat foods fried in oil. The Eastern-European classic is the potato latke (pancake) garnished with applesauce or sour cream, and the reigning Israeli favorite is the jelly-filled sufganya (doughnut).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Jewish National Fund is working hard to create a future of hope for the land and the people of Israel, so for us the messages of Chanukah is clear. A little light goes a long way. The Chanukah candles are lit when dusk is falling. Perched in the doorway, they serve as a beacon for the darkening streets. No matter how dark it is outside, a candle of G‑dly goodness can transform the darkness itself into light.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Happy Hanukkah!<span dir="RTL" lang="AR-SA"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
JNF Impacthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11338605958365323238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-190659894411969185.post-85257428741930837172019-11-15T10:48:00.000-08:002019-11-15T14:30:01.177-08:00Sirens strengthen resolve of JNF missions in Israel: 'We are here 24/7'<div class="post-share-buttons goog-inline-block">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_xKW9mCfD12y4vpE69GiEOXxViZpVt1_0oYR9MgnYQI_Np4_vn4ERJTu9Mo3_UG59Vg2YSU3XNpvl-aJHNAGG5F4afsqBP8q75SmOclKNdqzIAuggyluPJ6Plpdhyphenhyphen5Vzn8qtkHvq4G41U/s1600/edf67525-51fe-4404-b3cc-b4d0f5420683.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1599" data-original-width="1599" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_xKW9mCfD12y4vpE69GiEOXxViZpVt1_0oYR9MgnYQI_Np4_vn4ERJTu9Mo3_UG59Vg2YSU3XNpvl-aJHNAGG5F4afsqBP8q75SmOclKNdqzIAuggyluPJ6Plpdhyphenhyphen5Vzn8qtkHvq4G41U/s640/edf67525-51fe-4404-b3cc-b4d0f5420683.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="left"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">Children from the Eshkol region staying in a bomb shelter all day. </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">By Eric Narrow</span> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This week, Israel woke to the unexpected sounds of sirens, from Be'er Sheva all the way to Tel Aviv, with early-morning commuters pulling off to the side of the road, school canceled, and parents told to stay home with their children, all before 9 a.m. on Tuesday morning. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">By the afternoon, as the sun hung low across the sparkling Mediterranean sea, local residents and tourists could be seen lounging on the beach, eating lunch along the many restaurants that line Tel Aviv's beach promenade, and getting ready for the next day. Within a matter of hours, life for most had seemed to return to a level of normalcy, all while the southern region of Israel continued to bear the brunt of the violence from Gaza.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Just last week, we broke ground on the new <a href="https://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Ground-broken-for-New-Playschool-in-Eshkol-Region-607133">Eshkol Playschool Kingdom</a>, a state-of-the-art educational campus that will provide a safe place for kids to learn and play, just a few miles away from the Gaza border. With schools throughout the Gaza Envelope closed all week, it this is a reminder, now more than ever, of the importance of JNF's work in planning for tomorrow. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Amid the media reports and phone calls from concerned friends and family members living outs<o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ide of Israel, a family celebrated moving into their new home in Kibbutz Ein Hashlosha, in the heart of the Eshkol region. "The region is 99% heaven and just 1% hell," says JNF President Dr. Sol Lizerbram, echoing a common thought among residents of the region. "What is happening now in Israel is like a disease, you can't ignore it, but you live around it. You need to have the attitude that you will go on living and look towards the future. These people are the modern-day pioneers and they are on the front lines." </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglFvt3hyCTfdiTKdOmpSFQ3DmgGLnFvd48BGctpr__Z9ndaZkkTYtPp6CJRAve0_0EdwJdmfYafwxhwYNr_8ef-NhhyphenhyphenMYQZp1BQJ0hzoam-Yo0IpEkezw4t_irEHQfAU3gAHZN-lgQbbbp/s1600/e7e370de-4c6d-4923-abdf-597268887626.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglFvt3hyCTfdiTKdOmpSFQ3DmgGLnFvd48BGctpr__Z9ndaZkkTYtPp6CJRAve0_0EdwJdmfYafwxhwYNr_8ef-NhhyphenhyphenMYQZp1BQJ0hzoam-Yo0IpEkezw4t_irEHQfAU3gAHZN-lgQbbbp/s400/e7e370de-4c6d-4923-abdf-597268887626.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="left"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">Dr. Sol Lizerbram planting seeds on the VIP Mission.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Sol has been in Israel for two weeks, now leading the JNF VIP Mission along with his wife, Lauren, and <a href="http://jewishnationalfund.blogspot.com/2019/11/brave-resilient-israelis-in-embattled.html">JNF CEO Russell Robinson</a>. And they are in good company, as three other missions are simultaneously traveling the country, undeterred by the situation, but empowered by being here, and continuing to enjoy all Israel has to offer. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Currently, between the Housing Development Fund, Sunshine Tour, Arts and Fashion Tour and VIP Mission, JNF partners from the United States are covering every corner of Israel, with a record of nine missions, encompassing hundreds of people, in Israel throughout the months. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"We are here 24/7, 365 days a year, and we are continuing to support our family here in Israel," says Lauren Lizerbram, a sentiment shared by all JNF'ers currently in Israel. Some schedules had to be changed, but that didn't change our attitude and excitement to be in Israel this week. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Overlooking the beautiful country by helicopter from Mitzpe Ramon to Kiryat Shemona, the up and coming culinary capital of Israel, the entire VIP Mission was quickly reminded what a beautifully diverse yet small country we call the Jewish state. "We were a little nervous when we first heard what was going on Tuesday morning, but we could not feel safer," says Carly Bartel from Denver, who is joining her aunt on her first JNF mission. “We’re just focusing on how people live their daily lives."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It may seem strange, but coming here and supporting the work we are doing each and every day is the best way we can support Israel. Overlooking the rapid construction on the newest homes in the Galilee, the Housing Development Fund Mission put everything into perspective. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"There are those who seek to destroy and the JNF-USA answer is to build," said Rick Krosnick, JNF chief development officer, before traveling down to Sde Boker the following morning, knowing that our support and presence in Israel means more now than ever.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So what is the reality of life this week in Israel? It’s a weird duality of dealing with the very real situation along our southern border, but also striving toward normalcy, knowing JNF was here yesterday, is here today, and will continue to be here tomorrow. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"When you come here, and you see the need, meet the people, feel their passion, and really understand what is going on in Israel, that’s when you get that you are a part of something big," says Steve Rosenfield from Paradise Valley, Arizona, as he gazes at the hundreds new housing units being built in the Upper Galilee. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The strength of the attitude and positivity displayed by our partners currently traveling the country cannot be overstated. It's a symbol to all Israelis that Jewish National Fund is a true partner, through thick and thin, in our shared vision for the future.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjwWON1k7eZM3BPu4Ylgyy6GaSL7PuApt-EQcCKVku0kFO48o5qigE3gtxlxsPRthFo7-S6dTFjqW1acT5rr8GAP346OGZJjR5oq-ETMPDk3NYr3IPX18lzW2TjXu7N7AXwpXqmm8B4ESO/s1600/fe5cd94a-828d-4625-8b1f-fc4fc8698dcf.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjwWON1k7eZM3BPu4Ylgyy6GaSL7PuApt-EQcCKVku0kFO48o5qigE3gtxlxsPRthFo7-S6dTFjqW1acT5rr8GAP346OGZJjR5oq-ETMPDk3NYr3IPX18lzW2TjXu7N7AXwpXqmm8B4ESO/s640/fe5cd94a-828d-4625-8b1f-fc4fc8698dcf.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="left"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">Members of the VIP Mission meeting with Kiryat Shemona's mayor, Avichai Stern. </td></tr>
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JNF Impacthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11338605958365323238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-190659894411969185.post-11636398192149784072019-11-05T13:10:00.001-08:002019-11-05T13:14:24.147-08:00Brave, resilient Israelis in embattled Gaza Envelope give us strength<div class="post-share-buttons goog-inline-block">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibXco8-pzJ7Ti3hPvYRU3lvJB0HklIub4Bz1fmas9_YFxMQF1aUDorevVhuTD5LNaO1rCQUmVjEJDldJufJkCtfTRU0ANTxrxywdKmJNYR39DCoaVuEGcS_Fn15pQ8VKhdkwZHNqQMqD6u/s1600/Russell+in+Sderot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibXco8-pzJ7Ti3hPvYRU3lvJB0HklIub4Bz1fmas9_YFxMQF1aUDorevVhuTD5LNaO1rCQUmVjEJDldJufJkCtfTRU0ANTxrxywdKmJNYR39DCoaVuEGcS_Fn15pQ8VKhdkwZHNqQMqD6u/s640/Russell+in+Sderot.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="left"><td class="tr-caption">JNF CEO Russell Robinson with a Sderot resident whose car is riddled with holes. </td></tr>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">By Russell Robinson</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">As I'm packing to go to Israel to meet with five different Jewish National Fund-USA missions consisting of over 200 participants, my phone's <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">tzevah-adom </i>(red alert)<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i>app suddenly starts blaring "Red Alert! Red Alert!" Immediately, I check to see if it's one missile or more. It's more. I watch as one missile after another is launched from Gaza into the Israeli communities surrounding the border. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Our Israeli friends who live in the <a href="http://jewishnationalfund.blogspot.com/2018/08/what-i-saw-on-ground-in-israel-as-gaza.html">GazaEnvelope</a> describe life there as 99 percent heaven and 1 percent hell. The 1 percent hell was beginning again, as it has from the day Israel withdrew from 100 percent of the territory in Gaza.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It's Friday evening in Israel. For everyone else in the world observing Shabbat, this Friday evening is filled with people lighting candles and covering their eyes, celebrating the end of the week and the beginning of a new Shabbat -- a time of peace, rest, and rejuvenation. In the Diaspora, you raise your glasses, sing the Kiddush over the wine and do the prayer over your children for their health and safety. These are the prayers that link their existence to our Jewish family. </span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Yet today, those are not the sounds of hope and prayer the people living in the Gaza Envelope got to hear. They heard "Red Alert! Red Alert! Red Alert!" as they ran to bomb shelters trying to save their lives.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I arrived in Israel on Sunday and immediately headed down south to be with the people of the Gaza Envelope -- people Jewish National Fund-USA has stood with yesterday and today -- and will stick with tomorrow and forever. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">When I arrived in Sderot, I met with the mayor in the special security room where he goes to watch over his citizens during a crisis and make sure that even if somebody calls and needs something as minor as help closing a window in their home, he can find someone to assist.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In Sderot, as we walked through the neighborhood, we visited one of the homes hit by a Kassam rocket from Gaza. A family of six showed me their safe room, which barely had enough room for three people, let alone six. I saw windows blown out and their 16-year-old son covered in glass. Bullet-like holes riddled the walls of their home. The car parked in front of their home was destroyed.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">While our families in the US will never go through the devastation these brave families living in the Gaza Envelope are going through, I came to Sderot to give them strength, to convey the good wishes of hundreds of thousands of Jewish National Fund-USA supporters and to tell them we will continue to support them. I came to Sderot to tell our Israeli brethren that while we have always stood by them, we have received much more from them than they ever will receive from us. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Yes, we built the Sderot trauma centers and the world famous indoor Sderot playground that allows young children a place to play in security. <o:p></o:p>And although we will continue to build beautiful parks and new housing sites for the residents of Sderot, one thing we cannot give them is the courage and strength that is embedded in the soul of each and every person living in the city. After the dust settles, the residents of Sderot will not dwell on the past but will start to clean up and move forward as they have always done.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">As I walked down one of the streets in Sderot to visit a local man and his home which was just hit by a Kassam, there were four new housing sites in the housing development area in which Jewish National Fund-USA had helped fund. The new housing sites would soon be the new homes for new families that were moving to Sderot to stay, not to run. As I walk down the street, I meet other people who are talking about other new neighbors who are moving to the city. I don’t hear anyone talking about the crisis. People in Sderot would rather talk about life and living. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr align="right"><td class="tr-caption">Photo: Alicia Yaffe<br />
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A child plays at the Sderot bomb-proof indoor playground. Residents of <br />
the town have learned to move forward despite the challenges they face. </div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">So, what are the people of Sderot asking for? Of course, being with them in Sderot and showing support is important, however, you always want to know if there is a special project or if there is something else that we could be doing for them. </span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">When I visited Sderot's state-of-the-art bomb-proof children’s playground and music room built by Jewish National Fund-USA and named in honor of the late C. Hugh Friedman, a man came and put his arm around me and said, "For us, this is the biggest <a href="http://jewishnationalfund.blogspot.com/2015/02/it-started-with-jnf-blue-box-my.html">blue box</a> in the world." </span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">He told me about the hundreds of children and families who come to the music room to learn the basics of music and how they have so much fun, despite the stresses of living in Sderot. Given the success of our music room, the town is now planning to create a music consortium. I know the budget is coming together for this project, however, I looked into the gentleman's eyes and I told him Jewish National Fund-USA will raise the money needed to build this important project for the children of Sderot. We're also going to continue to raise money to support the indoor playground, to support the local trauma centers, and we are going to be doing all of this because the people of Sderot give us strength. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">After my visit to Sderot, I went straight down to the Eshkol region that's literally on the border with Gaza. There, I went to the brand new high school, elementary school, and kindergarten. It was built in a new complex and is one of the most magnificent places I have ever seen. I saw the children singing and the teachers and support staff talking not about fear, but about life! </span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">During my visit, we broke ground on a special Eshkol children's kindergarten indoor science center that will include a music school. The facility will also have an after-school program and a senior program that will offer multi-use after-school programming right next to the school we just created. We also held a small special dedication ceremony for <a href="https://www.jnf.org/menu-2/ways-to-help/jnf-donor-societies/women-for-israel/powerful-women">Betsy Fischer</a>, the chairperson of our Gaza Envelope task force. She didn't know that just a month earlier, her husband, Peter, called me and said he wanted to give a special gift to his wife, who is so dedicated to the residents of the Gaza Envelope and the people of Israel. He wanted to have the kindergarten playground named after her. </span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Through Peter's generosity, we stood there looking over Gaza and unveiled a plaque dedicating the new playground to her. This playground is also dedicated to the thousands of Jewish National Fund-USA supporters who stand with the residents of the Eshkol region. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">While the terrorists in Gaza fear the IDF, the greatest fear they have is that Israelis, especially in the Gaza Envelope, are continuing to live life, and that their resilience is giving strength to the Jewish people around the world. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
JNF Impacthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11338605958365323238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-190659894411969185.post-20865479381721452582019-10-25T10:03:00.003-07:002019-10-25T16:56:05.703-07:00The power of experiential education in Israel: 'Involve me and I’ll learn' <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">By Amanda Feder</span><br />
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</span> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMJXEDHZBx1nePrLgYBvFMQ8Mo_yjKrD283n2Dbi0mR0lgn1inqFV-qsMYRq7lcj2YQCgf0vE6d6fqF40Ry9AWqZp9ctDXDI9YgDGBwgOeMa8a9uCCPSMZ4C_tUBY08FDdoqAkTUCRvJFF/s1600/GOOD+CHOICE1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="754" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMJXEDHZBx1nePrLgYBvFMQ8Mo_yjKrD283n2Dbi0mR0lgn1inqFV-qsMYRq7lcj2YQCgf0vE6d6fqF40Ry9AWqZp9ctDXDI9YgDGBwgOeMa8a9uCCPSMZ4C_tUBY08FDdoqAkTUCRvJFF/s400/GOOD+CHOICE1.jpg" width="187" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">From a young age, I knew I wanted to become a teacher. I have a passion for learning and long to see and know as much as possible. As a student, I learned best when I was involved in the lessons: The more engaged and hands-on the experience, the better the chances of retaining what was being taught. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When I became a teacher, I carried that mentality with me into my classroom, and I aim to make learning as experiential as possible for my students.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Growing up, I attended Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School in Rockville, Maryland, and Israel was a core component of my daily life. Whether it was studying the Torah, listening to Israeli folk music, or learning about the country's vibrant history, my love for Israel has always been with me. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I visited Israel a few times throughout elementary and high school, and with each visit I saw firsthand what I was taught in school -- Israel became my classroom.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It wasn't until I was finishing high school that I experienced Israel in a way that would completely transform my life. At my school, seniors graduate in February and spend what would typically be the last semester of high school living in Israel. My class attended Alexander Muss High School in Israel (AMHSI-JNF), and it showed me what an <a href="http://jewishnationalfund.blogspot.com/2016/08/at-high-school-like-no-other-israel-is.html">entire school built on experiential learning looked like</a>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We explored the country from ancient times to the present day, walked in the footsteps of those who helped make Israel what it is today, went on hikes, visited museums, and participated in activities that re-created the Jewish people's return to their homeland. Yet, what I appreciated most was that we were learning for the sake of learning. This unforgettable program at AMHSI-JNF was an experience of a lifetime, one that will never be forgotten.</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When I moved to Chicago 10 years ago, I wanted to keep that passion for learning I gained in Israel and share it with my students. Jewish National Fund and JNFuture allow me to show my love of learning and Israel through my Zionism with other like-minded people. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This past summer, I had the opportunity to visit Israel on the KKL-JNF Summer Educators trip, a unique tour for educators to learn about JNF's <a href="http://jewishnationalfund.blogspot.com/2017/08/enthusiastic-professors-on-faculty.html">educational initiatives</a>, which span from birth to boardroom and include Zionist and Israel programming in the U.S. and Israel. During my visit, Israel became my classroom once again, but this time I was joined by a different cohort -- my colleagues -- and I returned home energized, inspired, and ready to share that passion for Israel and Jewish National Fund.</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This article originally appeared in the Fall 2019 issue of B'Yachad. Click <a href="http://edition.pagesuite-professional.co.uk/html5/reader/production/default.aspx?pubname=&edid=df6d1ea1-5d61-4df3-94b4-fb20e6bfa649" style="color: #115e99; font-weight: bold; text-decoration-line: none;">here</a> to read the rest of the issue.</span></i></span>JNF Impacthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11338605958365323238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-190659894411969185.post-68829519659634650942019-10-18T13:00:00.001-07:002019-10-18T13:09:22.133-07:00I'm proud to mentor the next generation of leaders to stand tall for Israel<div class="post-share-buttons goog-inline-block">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">By Laura Salzer</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Life has an interesting way of showing us what we find important. Little did I know my son's decision to move to Israel, volunteer in the Israel Defense Forces, and become an Israeli citizen in 2014 would have such a drastic impact on my own life.</span><br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfLjHl2q9el8QRksK5s1lzDyVbwFrYcfDwrJm5amUOlzyPlXtBnbICwZoX773JA0GVGHeLNmj_7PiPkMZxIyoPP1V5h3A27d1-H8-YebfpSyH455Hwfb4sIrkHPdBqdhC_1I1YmF-eg2Gc/s1600/Laura+Salzer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfLjHl2q9el8QRksK5s1lzDyVbwFrYcfDwrJm5amUOlzyPlXtBnbICwZoX773JA0GVGHeLNmj_7PiPkMZxIyoPP1V5h3A27d1-H8-YebfpSyH455Hwfb4sIrkHPdBqdhC_1I1YmF-eg2Gc/s320/Laura+Salzer.jpg" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lauren Salzer</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Until that point, I thought I knew a lot about Israel. I was taught about the country in religious school and visited and read about Israel over the years. Then, I joined Jewish National Fund, and my eyes were opened to all the innovative projects the organization spearheads for all Israelis. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I learned about the real Israel, the people, the land, the history, and our future. For me, being a part of JNF has felt like working toward a master’s degree in Israel studies: It's such a transformative and fulfilling learning experience -- one I feel compelled to tell others about and encourage to take on themselves.</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I am a strong advocate for education. It is vital to know our collective history so that in the future we can continue to protect and develop the land of Israel. As a member of <a href="https://www.jnf.org/menu-2/ways-to-help/jnf-donor-societies/women-for-israel">JNF's Women for Israel</a>, I am able to support, educate, and mentor the next generation about the importance of Zionism and Israel.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Thanks to the women's campaign and the <a href="http://jewishnationalfund.blogspot.com/2019/09/my-life-changing-jnf-journey-to-womens.html">support of other like-minded women</a>, I became the Women for Israel Chair of JNF's Alexander Muss High School in Israel. Since 1972, AMHSI-JNF has educated over 30,000 high school students, and since merging with JNF in 2013, it has become the <a href="http://jewishnationalfund.blogspot.com/2016/08/at-high-school-like-no-other-israel-is.html">premier semester abroad college-prep program</a> for high school students. Nowhere else do our children learn over 4,000-plus years of Jewish and Israeli history <a href="http://jewishnationalfund.blogspot.com/2019/09/shabbat-in-israel-unforgettable-night-i.html">at the place where it happened</a>, all while enhancing their college applications, resumes, and general studies.</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">With education and engagement as key priorities, JNF ensures young people are knowledgeable, prideful, and committed to Jewish life and Israel. From elementary school to college and beyond, JNF's educational programming -- the Israel Continuum -- is a game-changer, and the only organization committed to this life process.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">More on training new leaders</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://jewishnationalfund.blogspot.com/2019/09/shabbat-in-israel-unforgettable-night-i.html">The night I prayed with every Jew in the world</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://jewishnationalfund.blogspot.com/2018/10/beyond-bds-college-activist-has.html">College activist has plea for pro-Israel adults</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">JNF offers opportunities and trips to Israel for college student leaders to <a href="http://jewishnationalfund.blogspot.com/2018/06/israelcaravan-for-democracy-israel-trip.html">become more knowledgeable about the country</a> and <a href="http://jewishnationalfund.blogspot.com/2018/10/beyond-bds-college-activist-has.html">better able to combat the strident anti-Israel environment</a> they may encounter on campus. JNF provides the skills and tools to face those challenges, as well as the ability to speak proudly of Israel and celebrate its contributions to the world.</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There's simply no other Zionist organization in the country with such an education plan for the next generation of Jewish leaders. Each mission to Israel produces a new cadre of Israel advocates. As a mentor, it is a gift to be able to pass along the insights, experiences, and information I have gained from Jewish National Fund and the women's campaign. Join me and make a difference.</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 14.85px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This article originally appeared in the Fall 2019 issue of B'Yachad. Click <a href="http://edition.pagesuite-professional.co.uk/html5/reader/production/default.aspx?pubname=&edid=df6d1ea1-5d61-4df3-94b4-fb20e6bfa649" style="color: #115e99; font-weight: bold; text-decoration-line: none;">here</a> to read the rest of the issue.</span></i></span>JNF Impacthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11338605958365323238noreply@blogger.com0