In this Issue:
Introduction - A New Look for the CYIR Weekly Update
Torah Related Items
WE NEED YOU!!!
CYIR Logo Gets a Facelift
Current and Upcoming CYIR Events
CYIR Celebrates the Opening of the Eye Squad
Good and Welfare
Introduction - A New Look for the CYIR Weekly Update
In our efforts to bring you timely information about CYIR: Council of Young Israel Rabbis in Israel on a weekly basis - within a framework that is easily readable and informative - we present to you an upgraded version of the CYIR Weekly Update. We will try our best to send the CYIR Weekly Update to you on Thursdays in time for the weekend.
Please send us your questions and comments so that we can make the CYIR Weekly Update even better.
Sincerely yours,
Rabbi Aaron S. Tirschwell
Chief Program and Development Officer
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Torah Related Items
 a) Divrei Torah Bulletin: Please find NCYI’s Divrei Torah Bulletin for Parashat Tetzaveh written by Rabbi Dr. Chaim Wakslak, Young Israel of Long Beach, NY by clicking this link.
b) Mitzvat HaShalom is an encyclopedic work, encompassing all of the references to shalom in chazal. Rabbi Yosef David Epstein was with the Mir Yeshiva in Shanghai during World War II and then settled in Brooklyn, New York. He was a melaket, anthologizer, second to none having worked extensively on the staff of Encyclopedia Talmudit as well as with Rav Menachem Kasher 's Torah Sheleimah. Only 50 copies of this sefer remain in inventory - Cost 100 NIS. To purchase, contact: Gershon Parkoff (050-809-9403) or the CYIR office.
c) Torah Mitzion, the organization that has established Religious Zionist Kollelim throughout the world, has produced a Shmittah Educational Kit, in conjunction with the Jewish Agency for Israel, and Mahut - Beit Midrash L'Morim. The kit contains lesson plans on a CD-ROM which employ profound and challenging texts in twelve units - each covering a differnt aspect of Shmittah. Each unit includes a written lesson plan for the rabbi/teacher/counselor as well as a comprehensive source sheet for participants. The CD can be purchased for NIS 40 from Torah Mitzion - office@torahmitzion.org; 02.620.9020
d) The Rabbi Sholem B. Kowalsky Memorial Lecture, which took place on January 6, 2008/27 Tevet 5768 is now available for free online to listen or to download by clicking this link. We again acknowledge the support of the Kowalsky family and the National Council of Young Israel for making this program a success.
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WE NEED YOU!!!!
 The one of a kind venerable publication The Rabbi’s Letter, edited by our own Rabbi Chaim Wasserman (CYIR Vice President) is looking for content for its next issue on the topic of “Pastoral Perspectives on Purim and Pesach” as well as other timely material.
Please send your submissions to Rabbi Binyamin Hammer, NCYI’s Director of Rabbinic Services: bhammer@youngisrael.org.
We will also start recording shiurim that will be available free of charge via downlaod from the internet. Details to follow. We hope that our Rabbanim will take advantage of this unique media "להגדיל תורה ולהאדירה" Contact the CYIR office if you are interested in paticipating in this exciting project: info@youngisraelrabbis.org.il
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CYIR Logo Gets a Facelift
 You may have noticed that the CYIR logo has undergone a facelift. The new CYIR logo has been designed to reflect a contemporary look while holding true to the original ideals of the Young Israel movement in North America and Israel. The new logo also incorporates aspects of the National Council of Young Israel logo that was redesigned and introduced a number of months ago.
In the near future, each of CYIR's programs and projects will also have its own logo - representing the uniqueness of their respective audience. We thank Adina Bloomberg, Program Coordiantor of the Eye Squad, and graphic designer extaordinaire for giving us an updated image of which we are certainly proud.
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Current and Upcoming CYIR Events
 Motzei Shabbat, February 16 (Parashat Terumah) – CYIR is proud to co-sponsor with the Jerusalem Great Synagogue its “Challenge the Mind” lecture series. Robby Berman, Founder and Director of HODS - Halachic Organ Donor Society, will be speaking on the topic of: “Halachic, Ethical an Personal Issues Related to Organ Donation: Should We Do It?” at 8 PM at the Jerusalem Great Synagogue. Light dairy dinner to be served. Cost: NIS 80 per person. Reservations required: contact Rabbi George Finkelstein, Executive Director of the Jerusalem Great Synagogue, weekdays between 9 AM and 1 PM (02) 623-0628 ext. 4 or 052-389-5190.
Tuesday - Wednesday, February 19-20 (13-14 Adar I) - 5th Annual Jerusalem Conference, Regency Hotel, Jerusalem. CYIR members and "Young Israelites" enjoy preferential rates. Conference description, program and pricing can be found on their website:www.jerusalemconference.com.
Shabbat Zachor (Parashat Vaikyra) - Shabbat of Advocacy and Motzaei Shabbat Program - throughout synagogues in Jerusalem and environs. Details to follow.
Save the Date – Lag BaOmer – Friday, May 23, 2008 – CYIR Celebrates 18 Years of Service to Israel by honoring its Founders, Leaders and Builders at a special brunch in Jerusalem. Details to follow.
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CYIR Celebrates the Opening of the Eye Squad
 CYIR is proud to be the host organization of a bold initiative to assist the 7,500 North Americans and other Anglos who spend a year in Israel.
The EYE SQUAD provides a 24 hour confidential, independent hotline for those who are experiencing any type of distress. Members of the Eye Squad engage a young adult to communicate that he/she is not alone, and that there is someone (a non-judgmental, impartial person) who exists outside the school/program that will listen, empathize and give constructive advice. The Eye Squad is the brainchild of Rabbi Aaron S. Tirschwell, CYIR's Chief Program and Development Officer. He also serves as the program's director.
Students can reach the Eye Squad dialing *9111 from any phone in Israel. Parents from North Ameica can reach the Eye Squad toll free: 866-550-4EYE.
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Bruchim HaBaim
Rozanne and Joe Polansky, CYIR Advisory Committee, upon their return from the United States.
Shlomo Z. Mostofsky, President, Natonal Council of Young Israel, for the Conference of Presidents Mission and the Jerusalem Conference.
Rabbi Pesach Lerner, Executive Vice President, National Council of Young Israel, for the Conference of Presidents Mission and the Jerusalem Conference.
Nichum Aveilim
Rabbi Marc Volk, Young Israel of Merrick, NY and Director, American Friends of Yeshivat Kerem B'Yavneh, on the untimely death of his son, Meir.
Jeff Daube, Member, American Israeli Action Coalition and Director of ZOA Israel, on the loss of his mother.
Refuah Shleimah
The mother of Rabbi Pesach Lerner, Executive Vice President, National Council of Young Israel.
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CYIR: Council of Young Israel Rabbis in Israel