Developers Promote Plan To Market Israel's North as Center of Spiritual and Recreational Tourism.

The tombs of tzaddikim (religious figures deemed "righteous") scattered across the Upper Galilee will soon rank as the top destination for visitors from Israel and abroad seeking good health, spiritual strength, even a marriage partner. That, at least, is the vision of developers promoting a plan to market the northern region as a center of spiritual and recreational tourism.

Welcome New Olim From North America

From J. Richman's Blog "Good New From Israel":

Congratulations and welcome home to the 210 new olim that made aliyah to Israel from North America. The aliyah charter flight arrived in Israel on Wednesday morning and included 40 children in 41 families, 81 singles, and 13 IDF Soldiers. The youngest oleh in the group is 2 months old and the oldest oleh is 86 years old.

I took 400 photos of the exciting, historic event and I posted them online at: http://www.jr.co.il/pictures/israel/history/2009/a560.htm...

May the aliyah from all over of the world grow and bring more Jews back to their homeland, Eretz Yisrael.

Our Pilot Trip: Please Comment On The Communities That We Will Be Visiting

We are making our Pilot Trip in mid-January with the hopes of making Aliyah this summer, God willing.

A lot of work has been put into planning this trip and I am only half way done. So far, I have narrowed down the list of communities that we will be visiting.

I really, really would appreciate comments on this list. Although we are on the left of being charedish in the U.S., we are looking to move to a strong halacha-driven kippa surga community where most of the women cover their hair, where the kids go to seperate schools, and where there are seperate youth groups. We are also looking for a place that has somewhat affordable housing (i.e. half a million dollar housing is too exorbitant for us).

Our status quo, i.e. safe bet is Ramat Shilo. We believe that we could integrate there, be happy with the schools there, find strong Torani families.

However, we have many reservations. It is still pretty big place as one community that is part of the greater Ramat Beit Shemesh. Moreover, we know that our kids would never fully integrate as Israelis there and to fit into Israeli yeshivot with other Israeli children.

For that reason, we are also looking at several yishuvim to see if we could see ourselves making friends there and where we would feel comfrotable that there are at least a core of people with the same level of observance that we are comfortable with.

Here are the yishuvim that we are looking at:

Nof Ayalon
Talmon and Dolev
Kochav Hashachar
Kochav Yaakov
Neve Daniel
Yad Benyamin
Mitzpe Yericho

Again, please, please do comment to tell me about these different places. Thanks.

My next step is to contact people in these communties, set up times to visit them. I also need to find people who work in careers that maybe I could transition to.

2 weeks to pilot trip...the clock is running out. :)

Teva Partners on New Prostate, Lung Cancer Treatment

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, Ltd., says it plans to spend $60 million plus an equity investment on a new cancer-fighting treatment. The experimental drug, custirsen sodium (OGX-011), is set to enter Phase III clinical trials in 2010 and early 2011.

The Israeli pharmaceutical giant has just entered a global licensing and collaboration agreement for the new medication with Washington and Vancouver-based OncoGenex Pharmaceuticals, Inc. The new medication has already completed a successful Phase II program in patients with advanced prostate cancer and advanced non-small cell lung cancer. The two companies will collaborate together on a global Phase III clinical trial in patients with the same diagnoses. Researchers are also hoping to use the new treatment to boost the effectiveness of chemotherapy.

Rahm Emanuel's Rabbi Is Making Aliyah and Starting a New Community

"I disagree with many policies of the Obama administration, but I know that President Barack Obama and [White House Chief of Staff] Rahm Emanuel believe that what they are doing is good for Israel," says Rabbi Asher Lopatin, who for the past 15 years has been the spiritual leader of one of Chicago's most active Jewish communities, the Anshe Sholom Bnai Israel congregation.

"Rahm is a tough guy - and I'm not sure he's the best diplomat," he adds, "but I think that ultimately they think what they are doing is good for Israel."

Emanuel had to leave the community when he began began working in the White House, and later moved his family from Chicago to Washington, but Lopatin still sends them occasional e-mail messages.

In fact, the rabbi does not plan to remain in Chicago for long himself. Two weeks ago, community leaders sent a letter to members announcing the rabbi's intention to leave in the summer of 2011. They also asked for the community's support for his plans to settle in the Negev.

Chanukah Dvar Torah: Why We Say Hallel Only on Chanukah

This is also from the Book "Eretz Yisrael In The Parashah":

The Talmud (Arachim 10 a-b) discusses the reasons why we recite Hallel on certain holdiays as opposed to others.  We say it on Chanukah, of course, because of the miracles that occurred in the days of the Hasmoneans.  Why, then, asks the Gemara, do we omit Hallel on Purim?  After all, miracles occurred then too.  The Talmud offers three reasons.  (The following is one reason).

R. Yitzchak says, "[Hallel is ommited on Purim] because we do not sing praise for a miracle that occurred outside the Land."  The Gemara goes to explain that the Exodus from Egypt is an exception to this rule because it occurred before te Jews ever entered Eretz Yisroel.  After they entered the Land, however, Hallel is no longer said on miracles that take place in Chutz LaAretz.

Why is this so?  Why should it make a difference where the miracle occurred?  Do we have less of an obligation to thank God for the miracles He performs in Chutz LaAretz?  The Maharsha provides a beautiful answer, but first a word of introduction.

Shomrei Emunah's Rabbi Gottlieb Is Making Aliyah

Baltimore's Rabbi Gottlieb is moving to Israel.   Here is the letter he sent to the shul:

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29 Kislev, 5770
December 16, 2009

Dear friend,

It is with mixed feelings that I share with you the news that my family and I have decided to move to Israel this coming summer.

While the opportunity to live in Israel is wonderful and exciting, I am also filled with deep sadness at the thought of leaving Shomrei. Since our arrival in Baltimore the shul has been my home and the members have been my family. It is impossible to put into words the deep feelings of love and respect that I have for you. Shomrei Emunah will forever hold a special place in my heart and I will always treasure the relationships that have been formed with so many of you.

I want to take this opportunity to once again thank the president, Chaim Wealcatch, and the other members of the Executive Board for their sensitivity, wisdom, and leadership throughout this entire process.

In the coming days you will receive a more formal letter from me elaborating on the themes of this email as well as a letter from the Executive Board outlining the next steps in the shul’s transition. I also look forward to visiting Shomrei in the near future so that I can address the congregation as well as speak with you individually.

With profound gratitude,

Dovid Gottlieb

Chanukah Advertisement

I get such a kick seeing companies advertising in Hebrew for Jewish holidays!

Parshat Vateishev: Man is Safer in Eretz Yisrael...ALWAYS!

This is from the book Eretz Yisroel in the Parsha:

Each year we read again the account in the Torah of the sale of Yosef.  We recall that Reuven suggested that Yosef be thrown into a pit, and that is suggestion was acceped.  The Torah says, "the pit was empty - there was no water in it."  Rashi explains: The pit contained no water, but it did contain snakes and scorptions.

Such a pit was more than merely dangerous.  The halacha states that whoever sees a man in a pit where there are snamkes and scorpions may testify that the man is dead.  On the basis on such testimony, the man's wife may remarry.  This gives us some pictures of the gravity of Yosef's situation.

Counteracting Negative Reports About Making Aliyah to Israel - Some Things Never Change

One of the most amazing books every compiled is "To Dwell In The Palace: Perspectives on Eretz Yisroel." It started as a section in the Jewish Press to educate the public on the crucial issue of yishuv Eretz Yisroel. Its a great book for any frum home and particularly for a home that is considering to make aliyah.

As I mentioned in a previous post this week, one of the most discouraging things when considering to move to Israel is all of the negative reports we hear from people living here in chutz l'aretz and occasionally people living in Israel.

"To Dwell in The Palace" is a great because it was put together in 1991 yet many of the issues raised in it are pertinent to today.

One essay is called "It Will Seem Impossible" by Yisroel Amishav.

Here are some contents of the essay I would like to share with you to see that things never change and that there is great things in Israel, despite all of the negative reports you have heard:

Israel - Jerusalem Mayor Urges Homeowners Living Abroad To Rent Their Properties

Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat on Monday called on thousands of Jerusalem apartment-owners living abroad to help tackle the city's housing crunch, proposing in a letter that their properties be rented to college students or young families when the owners are not in the country.

According to the municipality, some 9,000 apartments in the capital sit vacant nearly all year-round, with their owners occupying them only during the summer or for major holidays.

The ensuing long-term absence of residents in city neighborhoods, Barkat's letter explained, was causing "huge cumulative damage to the city's economy and housing market."

OU Denounces EU Statement Jerusalem Should be Capital of Two States

The Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America, the nation's largest Orthodox Jewish umbrella organization, denounced the statement, adopted today by ministers of the nations of the European Union, calling for negotiations over the status of Jerusalem and demanding the holy city serve as the capital of both Israel and a future Palestinian State.

Being Optimistic About Eretz Yisroel and Parnasa

I have made inquiries about finding jobs in Eretz Yisroel.  I posted on linkedin various listserves regarding different career ideas I have for after I make aliyah.  Many of the responses that I received were negative. One woman wrote that she wishes she never moved to Israel 30 years ago and that I must be religious because she doesn't see why anyone would move to Israel otherwise.  Another person said that Israel has enough people and I should stay where I am.

It seems that its common for Jews to complain in general, and about Israel in particular.  Parnassa is a common thing to complain about.  Its funny because as we know, tons of Jews currently live in Israel and are making fine careers for themselves.  My friend from yeshiva in fact is making much more money than I am and he is in Israel working for an Israeli software company.

Here is post that I appreciate from the blog Aliyah Blog" before the author made aliyah.

America the Withering Vine?

Rebbetzin Rivkah Adler posted a similar idea to my last post's dvar torah a few weeks ago.

Here is what she wrote:

Thursday, November 12, 2009

You're Clinging To A Withering Vine

For months now, I've been having an ongoing conversation about the viability of aliyah with a family member who I love very much. Drawn to the spiritual potential that he knows exists in a life lived in Israel, he has all the same concerns that you might expect. How will he make a living? How will the transition impact his family, especially his young teen? If living in Israel is so important, why are some of his rabbis actively discouraging him from making aliyah?

Dvar Torah: We Must Remember That We Are In Exile

Question: The Gemora in Megillah (13b) relates that when Yaakov encountered Rochel at the well, he asked her to marry him. She replied in the affirmative, but warned Yaakov that her father Lavan was a trickster and that Yaakov would never be able to outfox him. Yaakov responded that if Lavan deals with him honestly, he would respond in kind, but if Lavan attempts to deceive him, he would be Lavan’s “brother” in deceit and beat him at his own game. In what way do Jews living in America thousands of years later still need to protect themselves from Lavan’s deceit?

Answer: Although American Jews feel comfortable that the government respects our rights, Rav Nachman Bulman pointed out that it is no coincidence that the President’s residence, the White House, when translated into Hebrew becomes בית לבן – the house of Lavan, who seemed externally to be fair, yet in reality wanted to destroy the Jewish nation. While we must be appreciative for the unprecedented freedom granted us, we must remember that we are still in exile and never completely let our guards down.

(Source: Parasha Potpourri)

Rebuilding the Ramban's Hurva Shul in the Old City

Remains of the Hurva as they appeared from 1967 to 2003. The area is now a construction site.

The dome of the Hurva synagogue dominated the skyline of the Jewish Quarter of Jerusalem for centuries.

If the 18th-century rabbinic authority the Vilna Gaon was right, on March 16, 2010, construction will begin on the third Temple. His projection states that the auspicious day will coincide with the third completion of the Hurva Synagogue in Jerusalem's Jewish Quarter.

The great day is at hand: On March 15, the reconstructed Hurva Synagogue, considered the most important house of prayer in Jerusalem will be rededicated. It was last destroyed in the War of Independence.

Israel leads the world in house price recovery

There’s nothing like a look at what’s happening in the real estate markets around the world to put Toronto’s mini-slump of last year into context. The Global Property Guide finds the world’s housing markets “recovering unevenly.” Third-quarter stats from the 27 nations that have so far reported, show that 17 have posted house price declines versus 10 that have risen. Decliners include some sporting very deep price dives, such as Latvia (off 59.7%), the UAE (-48.1%), Bulgaria (-28.7%), Iceland (-21.2%), Russia (-19.5%), and Slovakia (-15.3%).

The best performer? Israel, again. For the second quarter in a row, Israel’s gains have beat everyone else’s. This past quarter, the country posted a 10.15% price gain in the quarter (beating its second-quarter increase of 8.4%).

Merrill Lynch: Now's the time to invest in Israel

With a correction expected in emerging markets, Merrill Lynch gives five reasons for sheltering in Israel.

Bank of America Merrill Lynch has come out with a report strongly recommending Israel as a defensive haven among emerging markets. In part, this based on experience. ”True to its traditional role of GEM diversifier, Israel has outperformed EM throughout each of seven major global corrections since 1993. Based on historical data from MSCIBarra, the MXIL Index outperformed the MXEF Index by an average of 23%. In the recent 2008-2009 sub-prime financial crisis, Israel outperformed emerging markets by 30%,” analysts Haim Israel, Micha Goldberg, and Mai Doan write.

Brazilian business leaders look to Israeli know-how

The decision by Brazil's House of Representatives last week to approve a free trade agreement for Israel with Mercosul, the South American free trade area, could have enormous economic consequences for the Jewish state, a member of the delegation traveling with Peres has told reporters in the president's entourage.

Rio de Janeiro's Mayor Eduardo Paes, left, President Shimon Peres, center, and Rio de Janeiro's Governor Sergio Cabral, right, attend a news conference in Rio de Janeiro, Friday.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, the source said that there is a potential for Israel's defense and homeland security industries to earn billions of dollars from Mercosul once the agreement is ratified, particularly from Brazil.

Why An Irish Catholic Family Moved To Israel

The night I meet with Gerry and Theresa Casey, Jerusalem is enjoying its first wintry weather of the year. However, for the natives of Sligo in the northwest of Ireland, the storm brewing outside is reminiscent of the type of climate they have tried to escape this past year to give their little girl Rachel, born with Down's syndrome and serious heart defects, a better quality of life.

"We were told by doctors in Ireland that a warm climate could increase Rachel's life expectancy for up to five years," says Gerry, 40, who officially arrived here with Theresa, Rachel and the couple's three older children - Sean, nine, Emma, seven, and Louisa, five - in December.

Looking lovingly at his two-and-a-half-year-old daughter as she mischievously makes her way around the family's living room, the doting father adds proudly: "I really think it has worked, because today she stood up for the first time without holding on."

South American olim accompany Peres

Some 25 new immigrants from five South American countries accompanied President Shimon Peres on his return to Israel.

The olim from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Peru and Uruguay left Sao Paulo, Brazil, with Peres on Tuesday following his weeklong visit to Argentina and Brazil. They were scheduled to arrive Wednesday at Ben Gurion Airport.

In 2009, about 1,200 new immigrants from Latin America will make aliyah to Israel under the auspices of the Jewish Agency for Israel, the agency said.

(Source: JTA)

Sarah Palin: Israel Settlements Should Be Allowed to Expand!

Alaska - In an interview with ABC News' Barbara Walters, Sarah Palin, the former GOP vice presidential candidate, gave her policy recommendations, weighing in on issues in the Middle East, U.S. strategy in Afghanistan and more.

Palin, whose book, "Going Rogue: An American Life," hit bookshelves today, took aim at the Obama administration's stance on Israeli settlements in the Palestinian territories.

"I disagree with the Obama administration on that," Palin told Walters. "I believe that the Jewish settlements should be allowed to be expanded upon, because that population of Israel is, is going to grow. More and more Jewish people will be flocking to Israel in the days and weeks and months ahead. And I don't think that the Obama administration has any right to tell Israel that the Jewish settlements cannot expand."

Acclimating Your Kids To Israel Before and After Making Aliyah

(The following is an interesting discussion from Maalei Adumim's Yahoo Listserve about advice for a woman considering aliyah on how to make aliyah and keep your children intact.)

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We are considering making aliyah next summer with the help of Nefesh
B'Nefesh. We are looking into different locations to live using the Internet. We are myself (48 year old widow) and my 8 year old daughter. We live in Florida.We are modern orthodox (kosher,do not wear slacks,have a tv)and my child is an excellent student( poo-poo-poo) at a local,orthodox school known for it's high academic standards and Hebrew-language immersion
program. I've heard that English-speaking kids who grow up in an "Anglo bubble"in Israel develop drug addictions and other emotional difficulties. Any feedback? Thanks!

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Hi Rhonda,

Dov Hikind Leads Cornerstone-Laying Ceremony at Nof Zion in Eastern Jerusalem

Dov Hikind, a member of the New York State Assembly, was in this disputed city on Wednesday looking for property to buy. He said he was most excited about a new apartment complex overlooking the Old City called Nof Zion.

At noon, Mr. Hikind, led a group of about 50 American Jews in laying a cornerstone for the next phase of Nof Zion, with construction scheduled to start next spring. “I want to buy here,” Mr. Hikind said. “I might make a deal while I am here this time.”

More than a real estate deal, though, it would be a statement: Nof Zion, a private Jewish project, is located in Jebel Mukaber, a Palestinian Arab neighborhood of East Jerusalem, in territory that Israel captured from Jordan in the 1967 war. Israel claims sovereignty over all Jerusalem; the Palestinians demand the eastern part as the capital of a future state.

Rabbi Jonathon Sacks: What is special about Israel?

What then is special about Israel? In The Kuzari, Judah Halevi says that different environments have different ecologies. Just as there are some countries, climates and soils particularly suited to growing vines, so there is a country, Israel, particularly suited to growing prophets – indeed a whole Divinely-inspired people. “No other place shares the distinction of the Divine influence, just as no other mountain produces such good wine” (Kuzari, II: 9-12).

Nachmanides gives a different explanation. G-d, he says, “created everything and placed the power of the lower creatures in the higher beings, giving over each and every nation ‘in their lands after their nations’ some known star or constellation . . . But the land of Israel, in the middle of the inhabited earth, is the inheritance of G-d . . . He has set us apart from all the nations over whom He has appointed princes and other celestial powers, by giving us the land [of Israel] so that He, blessed be He, will be our G-d and we will be dedicated to His name.” (Commentary to Lev. 18: 25). Though every land and nation is under the overarching sovereignty of G-d, only Israel is directly so. Others are ruled by intermediaries, earthly and heavenly. Their fate is governed by other factors. Only in the land and people of Israel do we find a nation’s fortunes and misfortunes directly attributable to their relationship with G-d.

Judah Halevi and Nachmanides both expound what we might call mystical geography. The difference between them is that Judah Halevi looks to earth, Nachmanides to heaven. For Judah Halevi what is special about the land of Israel is its soil, landscape and climate. For Nachmanides, it is its direct governance by G-d. For both of them, religious experience is possible outside Israel, but it is a pale shadow of what it is in the land.

(Source: Covenant and Conversation)

U.S. Jews turn to Israel to escape bleak job market

Jewish American math teacher Goldie Burdetsky never expected to find herself working the front desk of a hotel in southern Israel alongside management interns young enough to be her children.

"I mean, for God's sakes, I have a master's degree in education," said the 55-year-old New Yorker. "I expected to be able to find a teaching job in the U.S. without any problems. But I couldn't."

Skip Florida Condos, Buy Homes in Israel,” US Jews Say

Fifty American Jews on a unique visit to Israeli areas claimed by the Palestinian Authority are advising investors to skip over buying condominiums in Florida and to put their money in “our historical homeland.”

Israeli Americans blast 'unjust' U.S. health care reform bill

The organization representing North Americans in Israel has called on its members to fight a U.S. health care bill that would require U.S. citizens living abroad to pay $750 annually for insurance they may not be able to use.

What Prevents Aliyah?

(The following post is from the blog Shiloh Musings, written by Batya. I have to agree with Batya that its very, very scary to consider making aliyah. Me and my wife would like to move to Israel and despite our deep desire to live in the land of our Avot, its so scary to make such a humongous, permanent change).

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What Prevents Aliyah?

This post is inspired by a poll on Arutz 7.

Poll: What's the biggest obstacle to Aliyah?

a guide to jobsearching in Israel – part 3 – heating up the job search and the interview

Here is another great post from Jonny Degani about looking for a job in Israel:

So, you’re balancing he cold and warm job search and working on your skills at the same time. Now it’s time to turn up the heat.

Rav Kook and Hevron

Chayei Sarah: Rav Kook and Hebron

"Sarah died in Kiryat Arba, also known as Hebron, in the land of Canaan. Abraham came to eulogize Sarah and to weep for her." [Gen. 23:2]

On February 18, 1930, a somber gathering assembled in the Yeshurun synagogue in Jerusalem. The synagogue and its plaza were packed as crowds attended the memorial service for the Jews of Hebron killed in the Arab rioting half a year earlier.

Baltimore Jewish Times Cover Story: The Adler's Plan to Make Aliyah (hooray!)

Rabbi Elan Adler compares his family’s decision to make aliyah to one of those carnival games in which you shoot a steady stream of water into a clown’s mouth to fill a balloon.

Little by little, the reasons for moving to Israel simply built up, he said. The final straw, according to Rabbi Adler and his wife, Dr. Rivkah Lambert Adler, was the decision of their daughter, Ariella, 19, to make aliyah this past September.

Israel and Rain

Its been raining in Israel this week. How do I know that? Because all of my facebook friends in Israel have had status saying things like "Yeah, its raining!" It made me think about how difference we view rain outside of Israel and how Israel views rain.

In the U.S., we are always happy when its not raining. A rainy day has the most pejorative connotation (i.e. the phrase saving it for a rainy day). In Israel the exact opposite seems to be true. Rain is considered a great beracho and everyone rejoices when it rains, especially considering the many droughts that often plague Israel.

The blog "A Soldier's Mother" had a really nice post about the difference rain is perceived between Israel and abroad:

Decades ago, a representative of another country...I don't remember which any longer...came to Israel and toured our land with our prime minister. After quite a bit of time and many miles, the man turned to our leader and complimented him on the amazing job Israel had done to "deforest" the land. In his country, trees covered everything and the only way for people to create cities and homes was to first clear vast areas of land. Something that was time consuming, expensive, and slow.

Israel: Marching Through the Economic Meltdown

To follow-up on yesterday's post about Israel's economy that is apparently thriving in comparison to the rest of the world, here is an article from one of the authors of the book "Start-up Nation: The Story of Israel's Economic Miracle" that I mentioned in yesterday's post:

Guatemala Congress Honors Israel

Guatemala City - In recent years Guatemala has become an attractive destination for Israeli tourists, but the warm ties seem to stretch beyond that – to the many years of close relations between the two countries that lead the local congress to honor Israel this week.

(Video) Why Israel is the Leader of Business Innovation: Immigration!

Click here to see the video.

Please click on the link above and watch the interview.

The interview summarizes the content of a new book: "Start-up Nation: The Story of Israel's Economic Miracle". The authors examined Israel's strong economy (by the way, according to the authors, Israel's economy was hurt significantly less than the rest of the world during this current economic downturn) to see what are the features of Israel's economy that make it so strong, so resilient, and so conducive to entrepreneurism and innovation.

The authors highlight 10 aspects of the Israeli economy that make it distinct from the U.S. Accorinding to the book, the most important factor why Israel's economy is so strong is because of immigration. Due to immigration, new ideas are constantly pouring into Israel and there is apredominant "immigrant" work ethic abudant in the country.

The Pains Of Getting Ready For Aliyah

The following is a post from the blog Bat Aliyah describing her experience preparing for Aliyah and the pains of going through one's items to see if those items should be shlepped along to Eretz Yisrael:

Parshat Lech Lecha: The First Mitzvah Given to a Jew Is To Move To Israel!

Rabbi Moshe Lichtman in his sefer "Eretz Yisrael In The Parasha" notes that the first mitzvah ever given to a jew is to move to Eretz Yisroel.

Only In Israel Chatan V'Kalah Story

This story comes from Bracha Jaffe in Ra'anana:

My husband David called me up a week before my daughter Ruchama's wedding to Moshe Stein and said : “We have a wrinkle…”

The electric company had posted a notice on our apartment building announcing that there was going to be a power outage in our neighborhood to allow for a major repair.

Thousands Visit Tombs of Matriarch Rachel, Yosef the Righteous

Gathering in Rachel's Tomb in Bethlehem. Interview with organizers about the uniqueness of Rachel and the ideas behind praying at the tombs of the righteous.





Hundreds at Tomb of Yosef HaTzadik (Joseph the Righteous).





(Source: Arutz Sheva)

Part II: Is It Halachly Permissible to Leave Eretz Yisroel To Go Touring?

(To follow-up on my previous post about the prohibition of leaving Eretz Yisrael, here is a shiur from the Gush yeshiva on the same topic. I know a man who lives in the Old City who never left Eretz Yisroel after making aliyah from France because he was in doubt whether it would be permitted according to halacha. Similarly, I heard the one of the reasons that the Lubavitcher Rebbe never visited Israel is becaues he wasn't sure that he would be allowed to leave according to halacha. My point is, based on the lengthy discussion here on whether its permitted to leave Eretz Yisrael, you see how important the mitzvah is to LIVE in Eretz Yisrael.)

Netanyahu: Jewish Minds, Come Home!

"We are also producing more patents, with our 7 million people, than the 2.5 billion people of Russia, China, and India combined," he added.

Getting Diaspora Jewish youth to love Israel

A sense of urgency permeated the Menachem Begin Heritage Center in the capital this week as experts in the field discussed how to bring more foreign students here, and why birthright-israel is only part of the picture.

a guide to jobsearching in Israel – part 2: sharpening skills and expanding horizons

By spending about on hour a day on cold searches and at least an hour or so on warm searches, you should be able to stay abreast of the job market. Your extra time will be spent talking to people, researching the companies for your warm search, and watching tons of TV. I also recommend working on some skills to help you in your job.

Jewish Bloggers Carnival: Haveil Havalim #240 The Aliyah Edition

Let me just tell you that I am more than happy to be hosting this week's Heveil Havalim.

I have been blogging since 2005 and have been aware and appreciative of Soccer Dad's initiative "Haveil Havalim" since the inception of my recreational blogging career.  However, it was only recently that I found out exactly what the Jewish Blogger Carnival was all about.

What is Heveil Havalim? 

Here is a snyopsis of what Heveil Havalim is from the blog Frum Satire:

"The Jewish Bloggers Carnival is hosted each week by a different blogger who volunteers by emailing Jack at talktojacknow@scglobal.net, if you want to submit your post or posts (don’t be greedy – I usually submit one) just use the Jewish Bloggers Carnival Submission Form. Posts submitted get emailed in that form to whomever is hosting that week, then that person
compiles a post with a bunch of links to posts of random blogs."

The most interesting part of the experience for me as host of  Haveil Havalim is being able to be in touch with famous bloggers, some of which are quite famous, from all type of Jewish and religious backgrounds from around the world!  Here are this week's submissions for the Jewish Bloggers Carnival:

Rabbi and Rebbetzin Rivka Adler Radio Interview on Aliyah Revolution

The Adlers were interviewed by Goel Jasper on the Aliyah Revolution about their decision to make aliyah.  Its a very interesting interview to listen to.

Click here to listen to the interview.

Rebbetzin Dr. Rivkah Lambert Adler is Finally Making Aliyah

The following is a very important post about an important lady who is finally making aliyah after many, many years in the planning.

(VIDEO) Really Disturbing Anti-Israel Boycott in France in Supermarket

Rav Kook says in different places that the point of antisemitism is to be a wake-up call to the jews in galut to make aliyah.  However, at times, its easy to feel that there is no longer antisemitism in the civilized western world.  Below is a video in French (watch the video anyway - its understadable) where all Israeli products in a supermarket are thrown away in a gesture to be against Israel.

Dvar Torah: Why The Country of Israel is The Center of The World

(This dvar torah below is from Rabbi Dovid Gottlieb, Rabbi of Shomrei Emunah in Baltimore who is currently on sabatical in Israel for the year).

Israel's Growth Outpaces the World

The Central Bureau of Statistics has released the latest population figures for Israeli cities and towns.

Joyous and Efficient Welcome for 200 New Olim

The 200 olim (new immigrants) who arrived in the course of one day – Tuesday, Oct. 13 – were greeted and processed in a special ceremony in Jerusalem on Wednesday afternoon.

A Guide To Jobsearching In Israel - Part 1

For part one, I would like to present a two pronged job search strategy.

The Cold Search – These are the jobs you look for en masse. When you search places like jobnet and jobmeaster, you’re bound to find hundreds of jobs that match your needs. Unfortunately, many of these jobs are (1) not directly advertised from the company looking to hire; rather, from a placement agency, (2) repeats of the same position posted by several recruitment agencies (3) not current. On the other hand, there is the occasional diamond in the raft, so it worth spending up to an hour a day of you jobsearch time responding to these (try to respond to at least 100 jobs in that hour – it is easier than you think). These should be responded to quickly, no cover letter, nothing personal. Because less than 1% of these places will even contact you, spending too much time e-mailing these jobs is a bad return on investment (your time).

Is It Halachly Permissible to Leave Eretz Yisroel To Go Touring?

The gemera in Moed Katan (14a) discusses the Mishnah's (13b) comment that someone who came back from "Medinat Hayam" (i.e overseas, outside of Eretz Yisroel) on Chol Moed is allowed to shave during Chol Moed.

Perspectives From Israel: The Enthusiasm of Making A Sukkah In Israel

The Rhythms of Life (Literally!)

I love the way that our lives in Israel are soaked in Jewish ritual. You simply couldn't live where we are without knowing which holiday is coming up and without being connected to the Jewish calendar. In Judaism, you are supposed to approach a mitzvah with enthusiasm, and do it as soon as you can. So, as soon as Yom Kippur ends and we've scarfed down some break-fast, it's time to take out the sukkah. Even if you don't finish building the sukkah that evening, there is an idea that you should begin to build it. This is showing Hashem how excited we are for the upcoming chag and that we run to do the next mitzvah (building a sukkah) as soon as possible after Yom Kippur.

A New Oleh's Perspectives on Keeping His First One-Day Chag

The only word I can come up with for our first one-day Chag in Israel is: "INCREDIBLE!!!!!!" I can not fully explain in writing how this Chag felt. I will say that:

Israel # 2 In Technological Advances In The World

(NOTE: THE ABOVE CLIP AND THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE IS FROM A CHRISTIAN TV SHOW ABOUT A BOOK WRITTEN BY A CHRISTIAN.)

Rabbi Breitowitz From Silver Spring is Making Aliyah

Rabbi Yitzchok Breitowitz, like many Orthodox rabbis, has long advocated making aliyah, or relocating to Israel, a place where Jews, he maintains, can enjoy "a special relationship" with God...he conceded...[that]"Maybe it's time to listen to our own words."

Rabbi Yitzchok Breitowitz, like many Orthodox rabbis, has long advocated making aliyah, or relocating to Israel, a place where Jews, he maintains, can enjoy "a special relationship" with God.

Visiting Machane Yehuda

Here is an article by Shmuel Browns for Arutz 7. I am including it here with permission from the author (thank you Shmuel, may you only receive berachot!)

Visiting the Mahane Yehuda Open Air Market

You can learn much about a city by exploring its open air market and listening to its stories. By the end of the 19th [secular] century Jerusalem was growing, with Jews returning to their homeland. In addition, immigrants from numerous nationalities and religions from Europe, Ethiopia, Turkey, and Russia were also contributing to the urban fabric of the city. New neighborhoods were built outside the walls to alleviate the overcrowding in the Old City.

Bircat Cohanim At Kotel During Sukkot (Video)

Israel Knows Exactly Where Gilad Shalit is Held

Israel Knows Exactly Where Shalit is Held

Israel knows exactly where kidnapped IDF St. Sgt. Gilad Shalit is being held captive and has the location under constant surveillance, according to a senior Israeli defense official quoted in a report published over the weekend by Arabic international daily A-sharq al-Awsat.

Hamas Releases Video Confirming That Gilad Shalit Alive (Video)

Israel Professor Wins Nobel Prize for Chemistry

Prof. Ada Yonath of the Weizmann Institute of Science in Rehovot was awarded a Nobel Prize in chemistry yesterday, the Nobel committee in Stockholm announced. Yonath shares the prize with Britain's Venkatraman Ramakrishnan and Thomas A. Steitz, an American, for studies of the structure and function of the ribosome, a part of the cell that synthesizes protein and translates genetic code in the production of protein.

The Sukkot Shake

(warning: since there are some non-religious folks on this video, some women are not dressed according to standards of halacha)

Chag Sameach

I want to wish all of my readers a "Chag Sameach" for Sukkot and I wish everyone only happiness on this yom tov. I am going away so I am not sure if I will be able to update this blog until after Sukkot.

Chol Moed Trip in Israel: Visit Tel Dan

Tel Dan: Archaeology, Nature and Biblical History

Want to see a sensational archaeological find in the middle of one of the most beautiful places in Israel? Make the trip to Israel’s northeast corner where the Jordan River spills into the always lush Hula Valley, the foot of majestic and sometimes snow-capped Mount Hermon.

Dvar Torah: The Message of Sukkot As it Applies to Aliyah

From the works of Hagaon Harav Shaul Yisraeli zt”l - Drasha for Sukkot 5708 (1947)

The verse says: “All citizens in Israel shall sit in the sukkot in order that your generations shall know…” (Devarim 23: 42-43).

There is a lot to be learned from the message of the mitzva of sitting in the sukka

So what does sitting in a sukkah symbolize? There are 2 conflicting opinions. One opinion says that the sukkot we sit in symbolize the actual booths that bnei Yisroel sat in while coming to Eretz Yisroel after leaving Mitzrayim. The other opinion says that sukkot symbolizes the “clouds of glory” that accompanied bnei Yisroel in their sojourns through the desert.

Yom Kippur Outreach in Israel

"More than 71% of Israeli Jews between the ages of 18 and 35 said they planned to fast on Yom Kippur..."

"on Yom Kippur the Jewish State is essentially closed down, with no public transportation or electronic broadcasts, and practically no open stores or services.."

Yom Kippur in Israel

The majority of the Jews of Israel attended prayers at the nation's synagogues during the Yom Kippur holiday, which lasted from Sunday evening through Monday night. As every year, there are some unique aspects to Yom Kippur as it is marked in the Jewish State.

Yom Kippur Celebrated In Israel

A Soldier's Mother is undoubtedly one of the most impressive blogs coming out of Israel. It is written by Paula Stern from Malei Adumim who has made an incredible impact in Israel with her Writepoint, LTD that trains olim for careers after they make aliyah. Her blog is a leader of all blogs. Through A Soldier's Mother, she started the Tweet for Shalit campaign, and she provides the world with a positive view of life in Israel written by an insider.

Here is her most recent post on Yom Kippur in Israel:

Yom Kippur is an amazing day in Israel. It is the one day that no one goes anywhere. In almost all cities in Israel, cars don't move, taxis, buses - nothing. Everyone stays home or goes to the synagogue. It is the time we take out the past year, look it over, and do our best to make good on what we did bad; make better what we can; and beg...really beg...for the year to come.

Only In Israel List

Its been common for OLIM to make "Only In Israel" lists of what they find special about living in Israel.

Here is one that Aliyah Blog posted in 2005 after he had just made aliyah:

Dvar Torah: Israel Is Excellent When Jews Live There

I came across an interesting Ohr Hachaim recently in parashat Eikev.

5770: A Response to Our Tefillos: Settlements Off The Negotiation Table

Personally, I don't think that this is a coincidence for this to happen right after Rosh Hashanah.

Here is an exceprt from the New York Times:

In Mideast Peace Bid, Obama Pivots in His Demands

UNITED NATIONS — President Obama, who has met immovable resistance from Israel over his demand for a full freeze on settlements in the West Bank, is largely setting that issue aside as a first step toward restarting Middle East peace talks.

Rav Kook Derasha (1933) Warning About Hitler

Background Note

Rav Kook delivered this well-known sermon in the Old City of Jerusalem on Rosh Hashanah, 1933. It was a time of mixed tidings. On the one hand, ominous news of the beginning of Hitler's reign in Germany became more troubling with each passing day. On the other hand, the Jewish community in Israel was flourishing. Immigration from central Europe was increasing. Educated immigrants with needed skills and financial means were arriving; they contributed greatly to developing the country's economy. It seemed that the footsteps of the redemption could be heard.

Email From A New Oleh (First 10 Days in Israel)

NOTE If you decide to make aliyah, this ketter could eventually be about you. :)

Here is an email sent out to Baltimore's Chug Aliyah from a previous Baltimoreans' first 10 days living in Israel after making aliyah. The names were changed for the sake of their privacy.

Letter #1 - An immigrant's life (first 10 days)

Nefesh B'Nefesh Year in Review 5769

Shabbos Rosh Hashanah: The Worst And Best Things

(This is the weekly dvar Torah from Rabbi Gottlieb of Shomrei Emunah who is taking a year sabbatical in Eretz Yisroel)

The Power and Passion of Shabbos

The unique feature of Rosh Hashanah this year is, of course, that we only blow the shofar on the second day of Yom Tov. On Shabbos, however, Chazal (Rosh Hashanah 29b) ruled that we must refrain from this important mitzvah because we are afraid “shema ya’avirenu daled amos b’reshus ha-rabbim” – lest someone carry the shofar in the public domain and thereby violate the Shabbos. This phenomenon occurs every few years and, in fact, just three years ago the first day of Rosh Hashanah also fell out on Shabbos.

Carlebach Blasting Day & Night in Chevron

Anyone living in a community in Yehuda or Shomron, or in areas of Yerushalayim for that matter, is too familiar with the seemingly never-ending wail of the muezzin, emanating from mosques in Arab villages. Many a complaint has been filed by Jews over the extreme volume, but by-and-large, authorities opt to ignore this under the guise of permitting Muslims to exercise religious freedom, give them a larger dose of that freedom than enjoyed by most shuls.

Veteran Chevron resident and activist Baruch Marzel has decided he has had enough, and is retaliating, with the sound of music. Marzel explained that Jews who use the Machpelah at night are compelled to wrap it up by 11:00pm while Muslims often hold weddings that continue into the early morning hours, until 2:00am or 3:00am. They are permitted to blast the speakers, as they do five times daily, and he is simply unwilling to tolerate the situation.

As such, Marzel rented a commercial sound system and vows to play Carlebach tunes round-the-clock, confident that he will succeed where Israeli authorities have not.

Rosh Hashanah package for Shalit makes it past Gaza border

The father of abducted soldier Gilad Shalit on Thursday transferred over the Gaza Strip border a Rosh Hashana package for his son, who has been in Palestinian captivity for more than three years.

While the package made it past the Karni border crossing, the Shalit family does not know whether Hamas will allow it to reach their son.

Shana Tova!

The Video That Will Improve Your Tefillot This Rosh Hashana

Daven on Rosh Hashanah For A Better World

The famous author of the "Touched By a Story" series, Rabbi Yechiel Spero, gave a shiur recently in Baltimore about "Teshuva."

One idea Rabbi Spero had for improving prayer during Rosh Hashanah was that a person should make a list of all of the good and all of the bad things that have happened this past year, both globally and in one's personal life. For the good, you would include that there is less terrorism in Israel, you got that raise, etc. For the bad, you would include the kedoshim in India, Madoff, the car accident you might have had this year, etc. Once you complete your list, take a look at it, contemplate on how all of those things, both good and bad, the occured over the course of this year were determined last Rosh Hashanah!

This Rosh Hashanah, based on your tefilot, Hashem will be making the decrees for all of the good and bad things that will happen this upcoming year. Rabbi Spero suggests that you take that list and put it in your siddur to remind you of the koach of your tefillot and if you have any trouble with having kavana during the long tefillot, just take out the paper to remind yourself what it is that you are doing.

Marriage Proposal At Nefesh B'Nefesh Aliyah

Yes, someone actually got engaged at last week's Nefesh B'Nefesh Aliyah Trip.

It was reported in a post last week on the Jewish Journal's Blog:

Nefesh B'nefesh Aliyah Trip Last Week

Mr. Jacob Richman is an oleh who made aliyah 25 years ago and has a high internet prescense through his different websites that help people interested in making aliyah with all sort of things, such as help for people looking for a computer job in Israel, help in learning Hebrew, etc.