a) Divrei Torah Bulletin for Ki Tissa:Please find NCYI’s Divrei Torah Bulletin for Ki Tissa written byAlan Betzalel Friedlander, National Council of Young Israel, by clicking this link.
b) CYIR: COUNCIL OF YOUNG ISRAEL RABBIS IN ISRAEL IS PROUD TO PRESENT THE “MEI MENUHOT” ON TOSFOT מי מנוחות על התוספות THIS MONUMENTAL WORK OF 13-VOLUMES IS THE MASTERPIECE OF HARAV NACHMAN KAHANA שליט"א Rav of Young Israel Chazon Yechezkel of the Old City, Yerushalayim and CYIR Vice President. VOLUMES ALREADY PUBLISHED ICNLUDE: Brachot, Beitza, Megila, Hagiga, Pesachim, Rosh Hashana, Succa, Yoma, Gittin, Kedushin, Makkot, Shvuot, Baba Metzia, Yevamot (partial), Baba Kama (partial), Ketubot (partial), Shabbat (Chapter 1), Sanhedrin (Chapter 1), Zevachim (Chapter 1) and Chulin (Chapter 1). Price: 60 shekels /volume or 750 shekels /set does not include postage and handling.To Order: mush@youngisraelrabbis.org.il / Ph: 972-2-6254983 Ext.111
On Sunday, March 6, 2009 – the day before Taanit Esther and two days before the entire world, except for Jerusalem, celebrates Purim, a group of 30 people of all ages took a bus trip to deliver mishloach manot to two army bases.
Usually we give on Purim: matanot l’evyonim, machazit hashekel and, of course, mishloach manot to family and friends. This trip, however, was different, because as much as we gave, we received more, much more.
The trip was organized by Council of Young Israel Rabbis in Israel in conjunction with American Friends of Yisrael Hatzair. The participants included senior citizens, new and old olim from the US and Canada, and present and former members of Young Israel synagogues. Among the participants were Ruby Davidman and his wife, who started these trips to army bases 15 years ago and Moshe Loshinsky, president of the YI of Rechavia and also a long time organizer of visits to the soldiers.
Dancing with the female soldiers was Toby Willig and greeting them as well were Rabbi and Mrs Quint, formerly of YI of Brownsville. The Long Island representation consisted of Tema and Cecil Harrishberg, formerly of YI of Patchogue, Stu and Arlene Gherman, formerly of YI of North Bellmore and Rozanne and Joe Polansky, presently of the YI of North Bellmore, who spend the winter months in Jerusalem.
We went to the first army base near Ashkelon and were greeted by Rav Avshalom, the chaplain of the base, who organized the visits. He told us of some of the problems faced by dati soldiers and how they are resolved. The emphasized that his most important job is to encourage a feeling of unity and community among young people from very different backgrounds.
We gave out packages of mishloach manot and were treated to an army lunch. Afterwards, we went to the Purim gathering sponsored by the officers on the base and got a glimpse of the festivities.
Following a short ride, we arrived at the second base only 3 kilometers from Aza. This site had been attacked previously, 70 soldiers had been wounded and it is now surrounded by concrete barriers. Here we gave out more packages and several hats that women around the world have been knitting for the chayalim to wear during shmirah. Rozanne Polansky gave out hers to two chayalot – as shmirah is a duty for everyone.
At the end of the day, we all felt that we had been privileged to give a small token of our affection to these wonderful and brave defenders of our homeland. What we were getting from them was so much more than the sweets and treats that we distributed. All the donors, schools, shuls and individuals from all over the US can be proud of their participation in this wonderful mitzvah.
The Young Israel movement is to be commended for sponsoring this important event that brought together Israelis, new and older olim, tourists and the IDF soldiers. The Council of Young Israel Rabbis will be happy to welcome you on your next trip to Israel. It is located in the Heichal Shlomo building on the first floor. They sponsor many programs, such as: the Eye Squad – which counsels teens at risk attending yeshivot in Israel; bar and bat mitzvot for the Deaf and Hearing Impaired; rabbinic services for agunot and those who need to navigate through the obstacles of the rabbinic courts and a free counseling program run by Dr. Lorell Blass.. The CYIR also sponors tiyulim and gatherings for present and former Young Israel members and rabbis. To contact them before or during your next trip to Israel: office@youngisraelrabbis.org.il or email www.youngisraelrabbis.org.il
Share in an Unparalleled Simcha: 8th Annual Bar/Bat Mitzvah Celebration for Israeli Deaf Children
For the 8th year running, as the culmination of a full year of activities, CYIR’s Bar/Bat Mitzvah Program assists deaf and hearing impaired children from all over the country prepare for this important life-cycle event. Participants are required to prepare for the Bar/Bat Mitzvah ceremony by attending a total of 24 hours of classes. These classes address the importance of community, giving to the community, and understanding the meaning and importance of prayer.
At the Bar/Bat Mitzvah ceremony which will take place May 4, 2009 in Jerusalem, the boys don tefillin and are called up to the Torah, and the girls recite the Shema in sign language. There are a total of 40 children an their parents enrolled in this year's program & celebration.
YOU CAN PLAY A SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN THIS VITAL PROJECT. For a donation of $360 USD, you can sponsor a boy or girl in this year's Bar/Bat Mitzvah Ceremony.
Your donation allows CYIR to provide each Bar/Bat Mitzvah with a siddur and watch, as well as the boys receiving their own pair of tefillin and the girls receiving an elegant set of Shabbat candlesticks.
To sponsor a Bar Mitzvah and his family for $360 USD, click here: www.tinyurl.com/5y99m2
To sponsor a Bat Mitzvah and her family for $360 USD, click here: www.tinyurl.com/5y99m2
In the Press and the Net on International Agunah Day
Articles about the agunah problem and prenuptial agreements for its prevention have appeared in key Israeli media outlets on International Agunah Day, which took place on Taanit Esther. Amongst them are:
a four page article in the popular women's magazine La'Isha in which Rachel Levmore, our coordinator of the Prevention of Get-Refusal Project, was featured
The sites of various students' unions of Israeli universities and colleges, including Hebrew, Haifa and Tel Aviv Universities, posted an article promoting the prenuptial Agreement for Mutual Respect, which was specifically composed for the collegiate population.
Join us on Facebook in the effort to disseminate prenuptial agreements for the prevention of get-refusal, by clicking here: http://en-gb.facebook.com/group.php?gid=46452882555 and becoming a member of the group! Without even leaving our homes we can conrtribute to the obliteration of future cases of get-refusal by joining forces with the CYIR in educating every marrying couple to sign a prenuptial agreement for the prevention of get-refusal . Disseminate the message yourself by sending the group's link to all of your contacts.
YOUNG ISRAEL MOVEMENT LAUNCHES PESACH FOOD CAMPAIGN FOR FAMILIES FROM GUSH KATIF AND SDEROT
The National Council of Young Israel (NCYI) announced that it has reactivated its Shalosh Regalim Campaign to provide provisions for the holiday of Pesach to the former residents of Gush Katif and Northern Shomron who were expelled from their homes in August 2005. The Young Israel's food distribution campaign will also help the families of Sderot, whose lives have been in turmoil for the past several years while deadly rockets rain down on their community.
The National Council of Young Israel initially embarked on its food distribution campaign before Succot 2007. Together with the Council of Young Israel Rabbis in Israel ("CYIR"), and in conjunction with the Yad Ezra organization in Israel, the NCYI provided several truckloads of food to families who had been evacuated from Gush Katif. With the help of Eugen and Jean Gluck of Forest Hills, Queens, and many other shuls and individuals who made additional financial contributions, the National Council of Young Israel purchased several truckloads of food for Succot. The food was delivered to over 500 families in Nitzan, as well as to many other Gush Katif families in the Golan, Ashkelon, and various other cities.
The NCYI also organized a food distribution campaign for Pesach 2008. Several days prior to Pesach, after having funds to buy food for the families of Gush Katif for Yom Tov, the NCYI and Yad Ezra arranged to have four truckloads carrying more than twenty-five tons of food delivered to the city of Nitzan, and another truckload delivered to Sderot. More than 700 families in need benefited from the Shalosh Regalim Campaign on Pesach. As they had done for the Succot campaign, the Glucks of Forest Hills took a leading role once again and helped ensure the success of the Pesach food distribution campaign. The food distribution campaign was replicated again for the holiday of Shavuot, when two truckloads carrying 50,000 containers of dairy products were delivered to the families.
Succot 2008 brought with it another successful campaign which enabled hundreds of families in need to put food on their tables for Yom Tov. More than 1,000 families of the former communities of Gush Katif and Northern Shomron, and from Sderot, have been the beneficiaries of food for Yom Tov through the National Council of Young Israel's Shalosh Regalim Campaign.
With Pesach 2009 virtually upon us, the National Council of Young Israel is again collecting funds to purchase food for the families of Gush Katif and Sderot for Yom Tov. NCYI Executive Vice President Rabbi Pesach Lerner urged people to participate in the Shalosh Regalim Campaign so that families, who otherwise would not be able to bring the joy of Yom Tov into their home, will be provided with the opportunity to do so.
Shuls and individuals are encouraged to help sponsor a family or families at $500 - $750 for the holiday. Contributions should be made payable to Young Israel Charities - Shalosh Regalim Campaign and mailed to the National Council of Young Israel, 111 John Street, Suite 450, New York, New York, 10038. Donations can also be made online at www.youngisrael.org (simply click on "Donate" and select "Gush Katif Shalosh Regalim Campaign").
For more information, contact, Rabbi Pesach Lerner, the Executive Vice President of the National Council of Young Israel, at execvp@youngisrael.org or call 212-929-1525 x100.
Young Israel Calls on Israeli Government to ban Muslims from Maarat HaMachpeila
The National Council of Young Israel (NCYI) today called on the Israeli government to ban Muslims from entering the Cave of the Patriarchs (Maarat Hamachpela) in the Israeli city of Hebron. The Young Israel Movement's call comes in the wake of yet another incident in which Arab worshipers defiled the Jewish holy site.
Earlier this week, Jewish worshipers arrived at the Cave of the Patriarchs to find their prayer books destroyed. The desecration occurred as Muslims were granted access to the site to mark the birthday of Mohammed. In September 2008, Jewish worshipers who arrived at the Cave of the Patriarchs after thousands of Muslim worshipers had been at the site as part of their Ramadan rituals were stunned to find that Arab worshipers had urinated near an Ark containing Torah Scrolls, and that Hamas flags had been thrown into the areas that mark the burial sites of the Matriarchs and Patriarchs.
Muslim worshipers are granted unfettered access to the entire site by the Israeli government several times during the year to coincide with their holy days. During these designated days, the site is open solely to Arabs and closed to Jews.
"Once again, Arab worshipers have taken advantage of a courtesy granted to them by the Israeli government by defiling Maarat Hamachpela," said NCYI President Shlomo Z. Mostofsky. "These recurring acts of desecration have become a disturbing trend, which unfortunately has not drawn an appropriate response by the Israeli government. It is time for the government to express their shock and outrage at these despicable acts and take the necessary steps to ensure that they cease immediately. If the Arab worshipers cannot be trusted to act civilly and respect the religious beliefs of others, the Israeli government needs to put its foot down and tell them to find another place to pray."
Mostofsky said that at the very least, the Israeli government should prohibit Arab worshipers from entering Maarat Hamachpela in the future without proper supervision by the Israeli authorities.
Mostofsky also expressed concern with the fact that these acts of defilement by the Arabs have not drawn the ire of the international community.
"If the situation was reversed and an Arab holy site was defiled by Jews, the international community inevitably would have stood up and collectively condemned them in the strongest terms possible," said Mostofsky. "The silence of the international community in this instance is deafening, and the apparent double standard is especially troubling. It is time for the world to take note of the blatant religious and cultural hatred that the Arab worshipers continually perpetrate against one of the holiest Jewish sites in the world and respond accordingly."
Saturday Evening, March 21/26 Adar - THE JERUSALEM GREAT SYNAGOGUE, in conjunction with CYIR: Council of Young Israel Rabbis in Israel, invites you to the Motzaei Shabbat Mevorchim Socal Evening and Lecture featuring Ambassador Yehuda Avner who will speak on the topic of: "Poets, Playwrights and the Malignant Strength of the New Anti-Semitism" Program begins at 8:30 PM, doors open at 7:45 - 56 King George Street
WEEKLY SHIUR ON RELIGIOUS ZIONISM- To be held at Heichal Shlomo
The Passover Haggadah With a Commentary Based on the Teachings of Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik
Edited by Rabbi Menachem Genack
In an attempt to convey the excitement and inspiration felt by the Rav on the Seder night, many of his most remarkable and penetrating commentaries have been collected in this Haggadah. It includes excerpts from his public lectures, from published works and unpublished tapes, as well as reconstructions of his lectures on the Haggadah and Pesah (the laws of Passover). The Seder Night: An Exalted Evening offers a glimpse into the originality and brilliance of the Rav’s teachings as he uncovers new dimensions of meaning and significance in the Haggadah.
$25.00 includes Shipping and Handling. Ordering instructions: send an email to Pomeranz@netmedia.net.il. Please include in your order, your name, address and phone number. For your security, we will call you for your credit card details.
USA: Young Israel Programs - CYIR, 111 John Street, Suite 450, New York, NY 10038 Tel: 212-929-1525 Fax: 212-727-9526
CYIR: Council of Young Israel Rabbis in Israel appreciates the support it receives fromindividualdonors, the National Council of Young Israel (www.youngisrael.org) and the Jewish Agency for Israel (www.jafi.org.il)
Donations to CYIR: Council of Young Israel Rabbis in Israel are considered tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law in the United States and Israel. USA (501 (c)3) Tax ID #03-0381957 (Young Israel Programs - CYIR). Israel (Article 46) Tax ID #580162691.
Resources
MASTERPIECE OF HARAV NACHMAN KAHANA שליט"א Rav of Young Israel Chazon Yechezkel of the Old City, Yerushalayim and CYIR Vice President. VOLUMES ALREADY PUBLISHED ICNLUDE: Brachot, Beitza, Megila, Hagiga, Pesachim, Rosh Hashana, Succa, Yoma, Gittin, Kedushin, Makkot, Shvuot, Baba Metzia, Yevamot (partial), Baba Kama (partial), Ketubot (partial), Shabbat (Chapter 1), Sanhedrin (Chapter 1), Zevachim (Chapter 1) and Chulin (Chapter 1). Price: 60 shekels /volume or 750 shekels /set does not include postage and handling.To Order: 
On Sunday, March 6, 2009 – the day before Taanit Esther and two days before the entire world, except for Jerusalem, celebrates Purim, a group of 30 people of all ages took a bus trip to deliver mishloach manot to two army bases.
chaplain of the base, who organized the visits. He told us of some of the problems faced by dati soldiers and how they are resolved. The emphasized that his most important job is to encourage a feeling of unity and community among young people from very different backgrounds.
The Young Israel movement is to be commended for sponsoring this important event that brought together Israelis, new and older olim, tourists and the IDF soldiers.
For the 8th year running, as the culmination of a full year of activities, CYIR’s Bar/Bat Mitzvah Program assists deaf and hearing impaired children from all over the country prepare for this important life-cycle event. Participants are required to prepare for the Bar/Bat Mitzvah ceremony by attending a total of 24 hours of classes. These classes address the importance of community, giving to the community, and understanding the meaning and importance of prayer.
year's program & celebration.
To sponsor a Bar Mitzvah and his family for $360 USD, click here: 
The National Council of Young Israel (NCYI) announced that it has reactivated its Shalosh Regalim Campaign to provide provisions for the holiday of Pesach to the former residents of Gush Katif and Northern Shomron who were expelled from their homes in August 2005. The Young Israel's food distribution campaign will also help the families of Sderot, whose lives have been in turmoil for the past several years while deadly rockets rain down on their community.
With Pesach 2009 virtually upon us, the National Council of Young Israel is again collecting funds to purchase food for the families of Gush Katif and Sderot for Yom Tov. NCYI Executive Vice President Rabbi Pesach Lerner urged people to participate in the Shalosh Regalim Campaign so that families, who otherwise would not be able to bring the joy of Yom Tov into their home, will be provided with the opportunity to do so.
The National Council of Young Israel (NCYI) today called on the Israeli government to ban Muslims from entering the Cave of the Patriarchs (Maarat Hamachpela) in the Israeli city of Hebron. The Young Israel Movement's call comes in the wake of yet another incident in which Arab worshipers defiled the Jewish holy site.
PLAZA HOTEL in EILAT 
The Passover Haggadah With a Commentary Based on the Teachings of Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik 
CYIR: Council of Young Israel Rabbis in Israel
