In this Issue:
Introduction - A Message from Rabbi Michael K. Strick, Director
Torah Related Items
WE NEED YOU!!!
Yisrael Hatzair Blood Drive - Thursday, Feb. 21/15 Adar I - in Jerusalem
Current and Upcoming Events
Send Mishloach Manot to Friends, Family, IDF Soldiers through CYIR
Good and Welfare
Introduction - A Message From Rabbi Michael K. Strick, Director
 To Our Members and Friends:
CYIR: Council of Young Israel Rabbis in Israel, in the process of maximizing its social and religious impact, has expanded its scope and active contribution, impressively. CYIR has taken its mission statement, which focuses on enhancing the status of the communal Rabbi in Israel while empowering him to successfully invest his efforts in causes and concerns of his constituents and the community as a whole, and broadened its interpretation to allow for activities geared to assisting those in distress, discord and duress.
We encourage you to visit our website regularly, www.youngisraelrabbis.org.il, wherein our image is mirrored visually and articulately.
I look forward to greeting you personally at one of our upcoming programs. Lehishtamea with your input and ideas: office@youngisraelrabbis.org.il
Sincerely yours,
Rabbi Michael K. Strick
Director
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Torah Related Items
 a) Divrei Torah Bulletin: Please find NCYI’s Divrei Torah Bulletin for Parashat Ki Tissa written by Rabbi Ben Geiger, an Associate Member of YICR, by clicking this link.
b) 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
c) 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.
d) The Rabbi Sholem B. Kowalsky Yahrtzeit 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.
e) COMING SOON - MAH CHADASH BA'MADAF - a review of what's new on the shelf of Torah publications and other media. To suggest a title for review, please contact us: info@youngisraelrabbis.org.il.
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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 "LeHagdil Torah Ul'Haadirah." Contact the CYIR office if you are interested in paticipating in this exciting project: info@youngisraelrabbis.org.il
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Yisrael Hatzair Blood Drive - Thursday, Feb. 21/15 Adar I
 Yisrael Hatzair - the Young Israel movement in Israel, in conjunction with Magen David Adom (MDA), will be sponsoring a blood drive in Jerusalem on Thursday, Febraury 21 (15 Adar I) at the Ramban Synagogue, 4 Amatzia Street in 4 Katamon, from 6 PM until 8 PM.
Keep in mind that Magen David Adom supplies 97% of the blood used by Israeli hospitals and 100% of the blood for use by the Israel Defense Forces. Give the Gift of Life - GIVE BLOOD!!!
For more information, contact Dani Monderer, Yisrael Hatzair: 02.623.1361
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Current and Upcoming Events
Early Wednesday Morning, February 27 (21 Adar I) - Star-K Kosher Certification monthly TeleKosher Conference - featuring Rabbi Yaakov Luban - OU Executive Rabbinic Coordinator; Rav, Congregation Ohr Torah, Edison, NJ - will speak on the topic of "Zerizus and Burnout in Kashrus" - beginning at 4 AM IST. To join the call, dial (a US number) 605-475-8590 and enter conference code number 5285502.
Thursday, February 28 (22 Adar I) - Beit Avi Chai is presenting a series of lectures by Rav Mayer Lichtenstein. The next in the series is "The Halachic Foundations of Charity – Handout and Support", which will take place on Thursday, February 28, 2008 at 4 pm at Beit Avi Chai, 44 King George Street, Jerusalem. Admission is free - light refreshments will be served. This lecture will be presented in English. For further information, please contact Baruch Kelman: baruch@avichai.org.il or 02-621-5332.
Motzei Shabbat, March 1 (Parashat Vayakhel)- CYIR is proud to co-sponsor with the Jerusalem Great Synagogue its “Motzei Shabbat Social Evening and Lecture” series. AMBASSADOR YEHUDA AVNER, a veteran diplomat who served 5 of Israel's Prime Ministers, will be speaking on the topic of: “A TIME TO TAKE STOCK” at 8PM (doors open @ 7:15 PM) at the Jerusalem Great Synagogue. Admission is Free. For more information, please 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.
SAVE THESE DATES:
Shabbat Zachor (Parashat Vaikyra) March 14-15 - Shabbat of Advocacy and Motzaei Shabbat Program - throughout synagogues in Jerusalem and environs. Details to follow.
Sunday April 6/Rosh Chodesh Nisan - CYIR presents the next lecture in the Rabbi Sholem B. Kowalsky Memorial Lecture Series at Heichal Shlomo, 58 King George Street, Jerusalem. Details to follow.
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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Send Mishloach Manot to Family, Friends in Israel, IDF Soldiers; Matanot L'Evyonim for Sderot Residents through CYIR
 American Friends of Yisrael Hatzair, in conjunction with CYIR: Council of Young Israel Rabbis in Israel and Yisrael Hatzair, is once again providing top of the line Mishloach Manot packages for delivery ANYWHERE in Israel. This is a great way to share Purim with friends and loved ones while supporting Young Israel's charitable efforts in Israel.
We also have a package for IDF soldiers - Young Israel will visit several IDF bases and distribute packages of Mishloach Manot to the brave men and women protecting Eretz Yisrael.
AND - TO SUPPORT THE FAMILIES LIVING IN SDEROT, Young Israel will be distributing Matanot L'Evyonim on Purim to help alleviate the pain and suffering of their battered lives.
DEADLINE IS FAST APPROACHING!! To order and for more information, please visit our website: www.yimanot.org - Only international credit cards accepted.
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Bruchim HaBaim
Shlomo Z. Mostofsky, President, Natonal Council of Young Israel, and his wife Aviva, 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
Eddie Steinlauf, Board Member, Yisrael Hatzair, on the loss of his mother, Esther. Shiva will be observed at Mr. Steinlauf's home, Rechov Yosef Hachmi 14/5 (Schunat Bayit V'Gan), Jerusalem until Tuesday, February 26. Schachrit 7:00, Mincha 17:15 followed by Arvit.
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CYIR: Council of Young Israel Rabbis in Israel