In this Issue:
Torah Related Items and Rabbinic Resources
Worldwide Young Israel Campaign to Say Tehillim on Anniversary of Schalit Abduction
CYIR Announces New Campaign to Provide Dental Care for Gush Katif Evacuees
Young Israel Launches SMSSDEROT Campaign - Taking 15 Seconds to Take Action
Focus on CYIR Leadership Awardees: Dr. Lorell Blass
Good and Welfare
Current and Upcoming Events
Pomeranz Bookseller's Weekly Selection
Torah Related Items and Rabbinic Resources
 a) Divrei Torah Bulletin for this Shabbat: Please find NCYI’s Divrei Torah Bulletin for Korach written by Rabbi Dov E. Schreier, Young Israel of North Bellmore, NY, by clicking this link.
b) Our chaver Rabbi David Mescheloff informs us that he has created an online biography on the life and times of his father, Rabbi Dr. Moses Mescheloff OB"M. The story of his 75 years of active rabbanut, the generations that he spanned and his meeting the challenges he faced, can inspire any rabbi. "My father z"l left a deep spiritual imprint on the souls of tens of thousands whom he taught and served over the years" Rabbi Mescheloff said. Click here to access Rabbi Dr. Mescheloff's biography.
c) Rabbi Shlomo Aviner, Rosh Yeshiva of Ateret Cohanim in the Muslim Quarter of Jerusalem and the rabbi of Bet El, will respond to all SMS messages on any issue regarding halacha or hashkafa. SMS messages can be sent by Rabbanim to Rabbi Aviner at 052 365 3028. Service available only in Israel.
d) Our chaver Rav Mordechai Friedfertig advises us that Rav Aviner's weekly Parashah sheet, "On the Air with Rav Aviner" is available free of charge via email subscription. Contact Rabbi Friedfertig at mororly@bezeqint.net
e) TWO NEW FEATURES COMING TO "TORAH RELATED ITEMS..." - in the near future, we will presenting weekly book reviews and CYIR audio/visual Divrei Torah available on the internet. Contact CYIR for more information: info@youngisraelrabbis.org.il
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Worldwide Campaign to Say Tehillim on Anniversary of Schalit Abduction
 On Wednesday, July 2 (29 Sivan), the Hebrew calendar date of the second anniversary of the abduction of IDF soldier Gilad Schalit, the Young Israel movement called on all Jews throughout the world to recite one chapter of Tehillim (Psalms) to beseech G-d's mercy to have Gilad Shalit released. By reciting chapter 121 of Tehillim at the same time throughout the world, the power of solidarity and oneness can have a much greater impact on our prayers.
In excess of 50,000 emails were sent to contact people around the world to take part in the prayer vigil. Responses came from the United States, Canada, Israel, England, France, Australia, South Africa, Russia, Singapore, Hong Kong and Thailand that people would indeed participate.
This worldwide event was covered in the Israeli media and by online publications.
Click here to see Rabbi Michael Strick, CYIR Executive Director, on IBA News explaining the campaign.
Click here to read the online article from NYBlueprint.
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CYIR Announces New Campaign to Provide Dental Care for Gush Katif Evacuees
 CYIR: Council of Young Israel Rabbis in Israel is pleased to announce a new campaign in association with Dr. Sheldon Abramson to provide DENTAL CARE for the evacuees of GUSH KATIF.
"There are in excess of 200 Gush Katif evacuees in need of immediate dental exams, x-rays, and emergency dental care" said Dr. Abramson. "Proper dental care often takes a back seat to other family concerns - how much more so with those that continue to struggle with the evacuation from their homes in Gush Katif" he said.
In addition to providing fine dental care, Dr. Sheldon Abramson’s clients are enveloped in a warm, genuinely caring atmosphere. He provides dental care to Holocaust survivors and those Israeli elderly living below the poverty level. With minimal financial help from friends and others, Dr. Abramson has treated dozens of Holocaust survivors since July 2007. He is also a member of the Advisory Council of CYIR: Council of Young Israel Rabbis in Israel.
YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE: CLICK HERE TO DONATE TODAY!!!
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Young Israel Launches SMSSDEROT Campaign - Taking 15 Seconds to Take Action
 We always hope and pray for peace. The people of Sderot and the Western Negev have been praying for that elusive peace for seven long years, sometimes at fifteen second intervals. What does it feel like to know you have only fifteen seconds to react, to find your children, to find an aging parent, locate your husband? The National Council of Young Israel has developed a way that perhaps you could feel that urgency.
Introducing SMSSDEROT: a real time text message if, Heaven forbid, a rocket is fired at SDEROT or anywhere in Israel. When the Tzeva Adom (RED ALERT) goes off, we will send subscribers a text message that reads:
A KASSAM HAS BEEN LAUNCHED AT... YOU HAVE FIFTEEN SECONDS TO: (and you choose)
1) Recite Psalms Chapter 130
2) Give Charity
3) Call the UN, the White House, the Knesset, your Senators and Congressmen
4) Pause for a moment and pray for the people of Sderot
“Project SMS gives us a sense of just how little time the people of Sderot have to react when an incoming rocket is hurtling towards their homes,” said NCYI President Shlomo Z. Mostofsky, “While the citizens of Sderot use those fifteen seconds to try and avoid the deadly rockets and the ensuing damage, we need to use those fifteen seconds to undertake a meaningful action, such as saying a prayer or giving charity on their behalf.”
Click here to subscribe to Project SMS and sign up to receive the emergency alert text messages
Click here to download the SMSSDEROT advertisement.
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Focus on CYIR Leadership Awardees: Dr. Lorell Blass
 Ask any Jerusalemite about where they can seek professional advice regarding issues of marriage, personal status, klita, and so on, and they’ll say “go see Dr. Blass.” For 16 years, Dr. Lorell Blass has counseled thousands of clients, religious and secular, immigrant and sabra, on the premise of CYIR’s Counseling Center to offer free short term counseling to those that do not know where to turn. The combination of Dr. Blass’ counseling expertise with the ability to interface with CYIR on related Halachic issues has made CYIR’s Counseling Center one of the most sought after services.
CYIR's Counseling Center offers a free service of confidential advice and short term therapy to individuals in need of assistance and support. Staffed by Young Israel rabbis and professional therapists (and headed by Dr. Blass), CYIR’s Counseling Center deals with halachic and emotional problems around issues regarding conversion, shalom bayit, personal status, divorce, marriage, conversion, initial klita (immigrant absorption), etc.
Dr. Blass will be honored with other awardees at CYIR's 18th Anniversary Celebration on Friday, September 5, 2008 at the Ramada Hotel in Jerusalem. Click here for more information.
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MAZAL TOV
Shlomo Z. Mostofsky, NCYI President, on the birth of grandson.
Laura West, CYIR Student Intern, on her engagement.
Yonatan Bertel of Young Israel of Plainview, NY who will be celebrating his Bar Mitzvah this coming week in Jerusalem. Mazal Tov to parents Aaron and Yaffa Bertel.
BRUCHIM HABAIM
Rabbi Shlomo Hochberg, Young Israel of Jamaica Estates, NY.
Participants of Young Israel's ACHVA and TOURAY Summer Programs who arrived in Israel this week.
Roger Braverman, NCYI Director of Summer Programs.
REFUAH SHLEIMAH
Wife of Rabbi James Gordon, CYIR Founders Awardee and Executive Board member.
Rabbi Chaim Wasserman, CYIR President.
Dr. Shmuel Abramson, CYIR Advisory Council member.
NICHUM AVEILIM
Rabbi Sholom Gold, CYIR Executive Board member and Founders Awardee, on the loss of his brother Rabbi Shmuel Yehoshua Gold, zt"l
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Current and Upcoming Events
Tuesday, July 15/12 Tammuz - Please join American Friends of Magen David Adom at a blood drive 5-8 pm at the UCSJ Fuchsberg Center, 8 Agron, Jerusalem. For more information about donating blood in Israel, who is eligible to donate, or arranging a blood drive for your group, please contact Jonathan Feldstein at 057-761-4220 or jfeldstein@afmda.org
August 25, 2008/24 Menachem Av 5768 - CYIR/Young Israel Day Trip and Blood Drive to be offered: details regarding itinerary and blood drive location to be posted shortly. Check www.youngisraelrabbis.org.il periodically for updates.
SAVE THESE DATES:
Friday, September 5/5 Elul – CYIR Celebrates 18 Years of Service to Israel by honoring its Founders, Leaders and Builders at a Friday morning brunch at the Ramada Hotel in Jerusalem. Founders being honored include Rabbis Meyer Fendel, Macy Gordon, James Gordon, Sholom Gold, Yeshaya Heisler, and Nachman Kahana. In addition to the founders, Rabbi Simcha Krauss, Rabbi Chanoch Yeres, and Dr. Lorell Blass will be honored for their leadership of CYIR programs that have become the hallmark of its activities. Our guest of honor will be Mr. Yaacov Moreshet, head of Hilat Shoham Ltd., an investment firm which picks companies that conform to halacha to serve as their investment base. CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS.
Monday - Wednesday, September 15-17/15-17 Elul - CYIR Yarchei Kallah Program in Jerusalem - DETAILS AND TOPICS WILL BE AVAILABLE SHORTLY.
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Pomeranz Bookseller's Weekly Selection - Jerusalem
 "Gold From the Land of Israel: A New Light on the Weekly Torah Portion from the Writings of Rabbi Abraham Isaac HaKohen Kook" by Rabbi Chanan Morrison.
Rabbi Abraham Isaac Kook (1865-1935), the celebrated first Chief Rabbi of pre-state Israel, is recognized as being among the most important Jewish thinkers of all times. His writings reflect the mystic’s search for underlying unity in all aspects of life and the world, and his unique personality similarly united a rare combination of talents and gifts. Rav Kook was a prominent rabbinical authority and active public leader, but at the same time, a deeply religious mystic. He was both Talmudic scholar and poet, original thinker and saintly tzaddik.
Rav Kook's writings, due to their poetic and mystical nature, are difficult even for those fluent in Hebrew and rabbinical texts. “Gold from the Land of Israel” uses a clear, succinct style to grant the reader a window into his original and creative insights.
Price $27.95 - Free Shipping. Ordering instructions: send an email to Pomeranz@netmedia.net.il. Please include in your order, your name, address and phone number. For your security, we will call you for your credit card details.
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CYIR: Council of Young Israel Rabbis in Israel 
