National Council of Young Israel President Shlomo Z. Mostofsky made the following statement today following the deadly shooting of four Israeli citizens, including a pregnant woman, near the city of Hebron:
"The National Council of Young Israel and the International Young Israel Movement mourns the tragic loss of the four innocent Israelis who became the latest victims of a tragic terrorist attack directed at the Jewish State.
This senseless shooting, which comes on the eve of the start of direct talks between Israel and the Palestinian Authority, is a stark and painful reminder that the PA is incapable of being a true partner in peace. While the Palestinian leadership is telling the United States and the world what it believes they want to hear, its citizens are simultaneously carrying out carefully planned and premeditated acts of terror against innocent men, women, and children.
Today's murder of an Israeli family at the Bani Naim junction just south of the holy city of Hebron comes as the Israeli leadership is being pressured to make concessions for the sake of peace, which compromises its security and puts its citizenry at risk. We hope and pray that Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' trip to Washington results in a clear and compelling call for a swift end to the violence and the cessation of the brutal acts of terror that are being perpetrated against the people of Israel.
May the Omnipresent comfort the families of the victims among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem."
More than 70 singles came to the Young Israel of Hillcrest in Flushing, New York on Sunday, August 15, 2010 for a special interactive program entitled "Winning the War of Words: Become an Effective Advocate for Israel." The closed-out event, which was presented by the National Council of Young Israel, the David Project, and the Young Israel of Hillcrest, drew participants from each of the five boroughs, Long Island, Westchester, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and Virginia.
Participants listened to program presenter Rabbi Bini Maryles talk about the skills and strategies needed to be effective advocates for Israel in their places of employment and communities. The program focused on the education and training necessary to properly combat the wave of anti-Semitism that has resulted from the Arab-Israeli conflict. The attendees learned about Israel advocacy while having the opportunity to socialize and mingle with other singles.
This unique interactive program was coordinated by NCYI Director of Programming Rebbetzin Judi Steinig and Rebbtezin Sandy Weiss of the Young Israel of Hillcrest. Mrs. Debbie Rosensweig, a member of the Young Israel of Hillcrest, acted as a facilitator for the evening. In addition, Ari's, the house caterer at the Young Israel of Hillcrest, provided a delicious fleishig buffet that was enjoyed by all of the program participants.
To learn more about the National Council of Young Israel's programs for singles, call 212-929-1525 x100, or send an e-mail to jsteinig@youngisrael.org.
Attendees of the recent Israel advocacy program at the Young Israel of Hillcrest, NY eagerly engage in discussion with program presenter Rabbi Bini Maryles. The closed-out event, which was presented by the National Council of Young Israel, the David Project, and the Young Israel of Hillcrest, drew over 70 men and women from each of the five boroughs, Long Island, Westchester, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and Virginia.
The National Council of Young Israel, the David Project, and the Young Israel of Hillcrest will present a special interactive program for singles over the age of 35 entitled "Winning the War of Words: Become an Effective Advocate for Israel." This educational and entertaining program will take place on Sunday, August 15, 2010 at 5:30 PM at the Young Israel of Hillcrest, which is located at 169-07 Jewel Avenue, in Flushing, New York.
Participants will learn about the skills and strategies needed to be effective advocates for Israel in their places of employment and communities. The program will focus on the education and training necessary to properly combat the wave of anti-Semitism that has resulted from the Arab-Israeli conflict. Singles will learn about Israel advocacy while having the opportunity to socialize and mingle with others.
The cost of the program is $36 if reservations are made by August 6. For those who register after August 6, the cost is $45. The fee includes participation in the program and a fleishig buffet. Advance prepaid registration is required and subject to space limitations. Past programs have sold out quickly, so it is recommended that people make reservations as soon as possible.
To register online for the August 15 program, go to http://www.youngisrael.org/content/sdp.cfm. In addition, people can register via fax by faxing their name, address, telephone number, e-mail address, and credit card information to 212-727-9526. Registration can also be done via e-mail by emailing the information to jsteinig@youngisrael.org. Checks should be made payable to: "Young Israel Programs" and mailed with a completed registration form to: Young Israel Singles, 111 John St. Suite 450, New York, NY 10038.
For more information, call the National Council of Young Israel at 212-929-1525 x100, or send an e-mail to jsteinig@youngisrael.org.
YOUNG ISRAEL MOVEMENT PRESENTS SUCCESSFUL JEWISH HERITAGE NIGHT AT THE BALLPARK FOR BRANCH SYNAGOGUES
On Sunday, July 25, 2010, the National Council of Young Israel (NCYI) Metro New York/New Jersey Region presented an evening of baseball, Jewish music, and fun for its branch synagogues. The special Jewish Heritage Night, which was sponsored by the National Council of Young Israel, enabled Young Israel synagogues and families throughout the greater New York/New Jersey area to receive special rates on tickets to see the Brooklyn Cyclones (an affiliate of the New York Mets) play the Staten Island Yankees (an affiliate of the New York Yankees) at MCU Park in Brooklyn, New York.
Before the game, attendees enjoyed a special concert featuring the music of Soul Farm and Yaakov Chesed, who entertained and energized the crowd. The NCYI sold over 400 tickets to the game.
Individuals who made donations to benefit the families of Gush Katif were entered into a special drawing to throw out the first pitch at Jewish Heritage Night. The ceremonial first pitch was thrown out by Andrew Wurzburger of the Young Israel of New Rochelle, NY, who was the winner of the NCYI raffle.
The National Council of Young Israel presented an evening of baseball and Jewish music featuring Soul Farm and Yaakov Chesed for its branch synagogues at MCU Park in Brooklyn, NY on Sunday, July 25, 2010. Individuals who made donations to benefit the families of Gush Katif were entered into a special drawing to determine who would throw out the first pitch at Jewish Heritage Night. From L-R: NCYI Director of Synagogue Services Rabbi Mordechai Roizman; Netanel Roizman; Andrew Wurzburger of the Young Israel of New Rochelle, NY, who threw out the first pitch; Sarah Wurzburger; the Brooklyn Cyclones' mascot ("Sandy the Seagull"); Lily Wurzburger; Shira Wurzburger; NCYI Chief Operating Officer Chaim Leibtag; and NCYI President Shlomo Mostofsky.
In the early hours of this morning, Israeli security swooped down on Yitzhar and arrested the rosh yeshiva on charges stemming from the halachik treatise which he wrote that relates to the dilemma of when it is permitted and not permitted to use force against non-Jews.
Sources in the Israel defense establishment confirm that Barak has also given orders to demolish the rabbi's yeshiva in Yitzhar during Barak's seminal visit in the U.S.
All this is being done while the Knesset is in recess.
It is vital that Ehud Barak upon arrival in the U.S. be swamped with reasonable requests to release the rabbi from custody and to immediately order the cancellation of the directive to demolish the yeshiva - the pretext for the demolition is a building code violation from 1998. This could be a precedent for the IDF to destroy hundreds of public buildings in Jewish communities in Judea, Samaria and in Jerusalem.
What the Israeli government fears the most is feedback from abroad. Therefore, it is imperative that foreign citizens contact Barak's spokesman upon arrival (Barak Seri is the spokesman's name) - he is using his Israel cell phone 972-50-629-8949.
At the same time, it is vital to express the same concern with the cabinet secretary of the government of Israel, Tzvi Hauser.
Hauser reports directly to Bibi and has Bibi's ear.
Contact Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at:
Telephone -011-972-2-670-5532
(attention: Tzvi Hauser, Cabinet Secretary of the Israel government)
011-972-2-675-3227
011-972-2-640-8457
011-972-2-6753333 (if told Prime Minister is not present, ask for any Likud aide or legislator)
Fax (send to all three numbers)
011-972-2-563-2580 (attention: Tzvi Hauser, Cabinet Secretary of the
Israel government)
011-972-2-670-5369
011-972-2-649-6659
Email (send to all three email addresses)
memshala@pmo.gov.il (attention: Tzvi Hauser, Cabinet Secretary of the
Israel government)
bnetanyahu@knesset.gov.il
pm_eng2@it.pmo.gov.il (underscore after pm)
LAST CALL TO PARTICIPATE IN "BASHERT IN BALTIMORE" - MAKE THIS THE SHABBATON TO FIND YOURS!!!
Shalom Singles and the National Council of Young Israel will present a unique Shabbaton for all Orthodox singles over the age of fifty. "Bashert in Baltimore" will take place from June 11-13, 2010 at the Suburban Orthodox Congregation Toras Chaim, which is located at 7504 Seven Mile Lane in Baltimore, Maryland.
The cost of the Shabbaton is $180. To register or for more information, call Susan at 443-352-8538, or Wayne and Denise at 443-929-3339, or email shalomsingles@yahoo.com or jsteinig@youngisrael.org.
NOTE: If you have requested an application, please be advised that your space is not reserved until payment and application have been received and approved. Don't delay!!!
Women are being wait-listed for the program at this time and will be accepted as soon as more men have registered.
ANSWERING THE CALL FOR HELP - RESPONDING TO MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS IN THE KEHILLAH" TO BE DISCUSSED AT REBBETZIN ROUNDTABLE ON JUNE 9- POSTPONED TO A LATER DATE
Understanding the needs of individuals in the community is often a role of a community Rebbetzin. This issue will be discussed at an upcoming program sponsored by the National Council of Young Israel, Ezrat Chayim-Pride of Judea of the Jewish Board of Family and Children's Services, and the Task Force on Children and Families at Risk. The 5th Annual Rebbetzin's Round table will address "Answering the Call for Help: Responding to Mental Health Crisis in the Kehillah" on Wednesday, June 9th, at 8:00 pm at Congregation Nachalas Yitzchak (Rabbi Oelbaum), which is located at 141-39 73rd Avenue in Kew Gardens Hills, NY.
Rebbetzins will learn how to recognize the signs of distress in adults and children and how they can offer assistance and referrals. Communuity mental health resources will be provided.
Dr. Faygie Zakheim, Co-Chair, Task Force for Children & Families at Risk, Adjunct Faculty, New York University, Met Council will offer opening remarks. There will be a panel discussion which will address the various topics. The panelists will be Harriet Blank, LCSW, Ohel Children's Home and Family Services Intake Coordinator, Geriatric Mental Health Program Coordinator; Mrs. Tina Machnikoff, LCSW, Ezrat Chayim- Pride of Judea, Therapist in private practice; and Dr. Gila Schwerd, Psychotherapist in private practice. Rebbetzin Judi Steinig, Young Israel of Bayside, Director of Programming, National Council of Young Israel, will be the moderator for the evening.
Rebbetzins throughout the metropolitan area are invited to this complimentary program and dessert reception. Reservations are requested and can be made by calling 212-929-1525 x112 or by emailing jsteinig@youngisrael.org.
Other sponsors of the program are: Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty, Tikvah at Ohel, and the Vaad Harabonim of Queens.
Understanding the needs of individuals in the community is often a role of a community Rebbetzin. This issue will be discussed at an upcoming program sponsored by the National Council of Young Israel, Ezrat Chayim-Pride of Judea of the Jewish Board of Family and Children's Services, and the Task Force on Children and Families at Risk. The 5th Annual Rebbetzin's Round table will address "Answering the Call for Help: Responding to Mental Health Crisis in the Kehillah" on Wednesday, June 9th, at 8:00 pm at Congregation Nachalas Yitzchak (Rabbi Oelbaum), which is located at 141-39 73rd Avenue in Kew Gardens Hills, NY.
Rebbetzins will learn how to recognize the signs of distress in adults and children and how they can offer assistance and referrals. Communuity mental health resources will be provided.
Dr. Faygie Zakheim, Co-Chair, Task Force for Children & Families at Risk, Adjunct Faculty, New York University, Met Council will offer opening remarks. There will be a panel discussion which will address the various topics. The panelists will be Harriet Blank, LCSW, Ohel Children's Home and Family Services Intake Coordinator, Geriatric Mental Health Program Coordinator; Mrs. Tina Machnikoff, LCSW, Ezrat Chayim- Pride of Judea, Therapist in private practice; and Dr. Gila Schwerd, Psychotherapist in private practice. Rebbetzin Judi Steinig, Young Israel of Bayside, Director of Programming, National Council of Young Israel, will be the moderator for the evening.
Rebbetzins throughout the metropolitan area are invited to this complimentary program and dessert reception. Reservations are requested and can be made by calling 212-929-1525 x112 or by emailing jsteinig@youngisrael.org.
Other sponsors of the program are: Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty, Tikvah at Ohel, and the Vaad Harabonim of Queens.
The Council of Young Israel Rabbis office in Israel -- CYIR DELEGATION VISITS HOSPITALIZED IDF SOLDIERS.
Amidst all of the tumult and the attendant pressures in the wake of the tragic occurrences as a result of the flotilla of Turkish ships off the coast of Gaza, understandably, the deep concern for the welfare of the injured IDF commandos who were hospitalized in Tel Aviv and Haifa was not lost for a moment.
The Council of Young Israel Rabbis office in Israel located exactly where these soldiers were hospitalized in Haifa’s Rambam Hospital and Tel Aviv’s Tel HaShomer.
On Thursday afternoon, June 2, together with Yossi Goldberger, activist on behalf of Yad Ezra, Rabbis Jeff Bienenfeld and Chaim Wasserman, CYIR presidium members, set out with baskets full of sweets, fruit and nuts to visit with these heroes of Shayetet 13.
As could be expected, outside the rooms of the soldier-patients were family members -mother, fathers, siblings and extended family - gathered round to support their hospitalized loved one and offer them at bedside whatever the patient needed.
In each case, additionally, groups of young soldiers were posted on guard outside the rooms to provide the necessary security and offer whatever support they could.
At Tel HaShomer Hospital, despite all of the bustle in the hallways and elevators, the director general of this a sprawling medical center himself made one of his frequent appearances to update the families. Upon greeting the rabbis wanting to know who they were, he was pleased to hear that the delegation arrived from Jerusalem. Noticeably impressed with the fact that they were American rabbis who headed a group of rabbis in Israel and America, he expressed his personal appreciation for having come.
“This wasn’t simply another mitzvah of bikur cholim, noted Rabbi Wassrman. “We were
coming because young men had to know that they earned the gratitude of world Jewry for their heroic efforts.”
One mother could be seen deeply moved by the visit and the news that people from as far as America are asking for the name of her injured son in order to mention him specifically in prayers on his behalf. Before leaving, she was again gratefully forthcoming when Rabbi Bienenfeld asked for a contact phone number to call for updates on the condition of her soldier son.
The Council of Young Israel Rabbis in Israel was gratified to be able to be on the scene to make this visit in the name of “the many thousands of Young Israel members in America and Israel as well as the hundreds of its Young Israel rabbis.”
The American Israeli Action Coalition (AIAC) today expressed its outrage at the seemingly coordinated world attack upon Israel for its defensive action in trying to prevent the “flotilla” terrorist attempt to breach Israel’s legitimate anti-terrorist defenses.
AIAC is a non-partisan, non-political, issue-oriented NGO whose purpose is to represent a united voice of the more than 250,000 Americans living in Israel on issues which affect Israel, Israel-U.S. relations, and the Jewish people worldwide.
“The flotilla’s attempt to aggressively breach Israel’s legally-declared and maintained maritime blockade against the Hamas terrorist-controlled Gaza Strip was intended as a direct attack upon Israel and its citizens,” stated AIAC Chairman Harvey Schwartz. “The American Israelis condemn those who have heavily criticized Israel for taking the steps necessary to defend its citizens from this outrageous attack.
“The Israeli maritime blockade of the terrorist-controlled Gaza Strip was fully in accord with maritime and international law,” continued Chairman Schwartz. “Its imposition and parameters were fully disclosed in accordance with such law. Such blockades are not uncommon. Perhaps the most famous one was the 1962 United States blockade of Cuba, after discovering that the Communist Cuban government was cooperating with the then Communist Soviet Union regime to construct a missile base in Cuba aimed at the U.S. In accordance with accepted international norms, the Soviets did not attempt to run the blockade.
“In this case, Israel was following the precedent established by the U.S. in declaring a maritime blockade in the face of potential attack. International law requires respect for a legitimately imposed and maintained maritime blockade (such as Israel’s) and permits the declaring country to use force to prevent an offender from breaking the blockade.
“The world condemnation should have been properly focused on the flotilla’s leaders and international sponsors whose refusal to adhere to international law and Israel’s numerous warnings was the direct cause of the unnecessary loss of life and serious injuries suffered by the Israeli military.
“Clearly, the flotilla’s intentions were not ‘humanitarian.’ Had their sole purpose been to see to it that ‘humanitarian aid’ was delivered to the Gaza residents, they would have followed well-established procedures to achieve that goal. For example, they could have shipped the goods to Gaza through the Egyptian border. Alternatively, they could, and should, have followed Israel’s offer to deliver the materials to Gaza after passing inspection that none of the goods were prohibited contraband, such as missiles or other military supplies which Hamas has used to attack Israel’s civilian population. Israel already transfers more than 1 million tons annually of humanitarian aid materials to Gaza. That the flotilla’s leaders and international sponsors refused to take any of these approaches proves beyond any doubt that their purpose was not ‘humanitarian’ but, rather, to directly attack Israel’s vital interests.
“The international community’s record-breaking rush to condemn Israel – rather than placing the blame where it truly belongs – has greatly shaken the Israeli people. When coupled with the numerous anti-Israel actions, such as (i) taking no action against Iran’s nuclear threat to Israel’s existence, (ii) remaining silent in the face of Hezbollah’s and Hamas’s flouting of UN Security Council resolutions by massively re-arming, (iii) directly attacking Israel through the recently-enacted NPT resolution while remaining silent about Iran’s aggressive nuclear program, (iv) encouraging anti-Israel delegitimizing activities, and (v) silence in the face of Hamas’s blatant violations of basic human rights by refusing any visits by the International Red Cross to the illegally captured prisoner Gilad Schalit, the only logical conclusion that can be drawn is that they are motivated solely by the vile scourge of anti-Semitism.”
Aaron Tirschwell, AIAC’s Executive Director, called upon the world’s Jewish population – as well as all people of good will – to support the truth. “Israel is the victim, not the aggressor,” Tirschwell stated. “The world can no longer permit anti-Semitism to motivate its actions.”
AIAC is a non-partisan, non-political, issue-oriented NGO whose purpose is to represent a united voice of the more than 250,000 Americans living in Israel on issues which affect Israel, Israel-U.S. relations, and the Jewish people worldwide.
“The flotilla’s attempt to aggressively breach Israel’s legally-declared and maintained maritime blockade against the Hamas terrorist-controlled Gaza Strip was intended as a direct attack upon Israel and its citizens,” stated AIAC Chairman Harvey Schwartz. “The American Israelis condemn those who have heavily criticized Israel for taking the steps necessary to defend its citizens from this outrageous attack.
“The Israeli maritime blockade of the terrorist-controlled Gaza Strip was fully in accord with maritime and international law,” continued Chairman Schwartz. “Its imposition and parameters were fully disclosed in accordance with such law. Such blockades are not uncommon. Perhaps the most famous one was the 1962 United States blockade of Cuba, after discovering that the Communist Cuban government was cooperating with the then Communist Soviet Union regime to construct a missile base in Cuba aimed at the U.S. In accordance with accepted international norms, the Soviets did not attempt to run the blockade.
“In this case, Israel was following the precedent established by the U.S. in declaring a maritime blockade in the face of potential attack. International law requires respect for a legitimately imposed and maintained maritime blockade (such as Israel’s) and permits the declaring country to use force to prevent an offender from breaking the blockade.
“The world condemnation should have been properly focused on the flotilla’s leaders and international sponsors whose refusal to adhere to international law and Israel’s numerous warnings was the direct cause of the unnecessary loss of life and serious injuries suffered by the Israeli military.
“Clearly, the flotilla’s intentions were not ‘humanitarian.’ Had their sole purpose been to see to it that ‘humanitarian aid’ was delivered to the Gaza residents, they would have followed well-established procedures to achieve that goal. For example, they could have shipped the goods to Gaza through the Egyptian border. Alternatively, they could, and should, have followed Israel’s offer to deliver the materials to Gaza after passing inspection that none of the goods were prohibited contraband, such as missiles or other military supplies which Hamas has used to attack Israel’s civilian population. Israel already transfers more than 1 million tons annually of humanitarian aid materials to Gaza. That the flotilla’s leaders and international sponsors refused to take any of these approaches proves beyond any doubt that their purpose was not ‘humanitarian’ but, rather, to directly attack Israel’s vital interests.
“The international community’s record-breaking rush to condemn Israel – rather than placing the blame where it truly belongs – has greatly shaken the Israeli people. When coupled with the numerous anti-Israel actions, such as (i) taking no action against Iran’s nuclear threat to Israel’s existence, (ii) remaining silent in the face of Hezbollah’s and Hamas’s flouting of UN Security Council resolutions by massively re-arming, (iii) directly attacking Israel through the recently-enacted NPT resolution while remaining silent about Iran’s aggressive nuclear program, (iv) encouraging anti-Israel delegitimizing activities, and (v) silence in the face of Hamas’s blatant violations of basic human rights by refusing any visits by the International Red Cross to the illegally captured prisoner Gilad Schalit, the only logical conclusion that can be drawn is that they are motivated solely by the vile scourge of anti-Semitism.”
Aaron Tirschwell, AIAC’s Executive Director, called upon the world’s Jewish population – as well as all people of good will – to support the truth. “Israel is the victim, not the aggressor,” Tirschwell stated. “The world can no longer permit anti-Semitism to motivate its actions.”
Please join us for the Showing of "Shanghai Miracle" - The inspirational story of the hundreds of Yeshiva students who escaped to Shanghai, China and lived to rebuild Torah throughout the world. This much acclaimed documentary will be shown on Sunday May 16, 2010 at 7:30 PM at the Young Israel of Fair Lawn, 11-05 Saddle River Road, F.L., NJ.
This movie which will be shown in communities across the globe bears witness to the stories and the memories of the last survivors of the Holocaust.
There is no charge for the event. Please bring your family and friends and help spread the word. All are welcome.
This movie which will be shown in communities across the globe bears witness to the stories and the memories of the last survivors of the Holocaust.
There is no charge for the event. Please bring your family and friends and help spread the word. All are welcome.