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:

---

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.