The mission of the Temple Chai Israel Action Committee is to motivate and inspire the members of our congregation to feel a profound connection to the State of Israel and to the people of Israel. Through our efforts, we will help our members to stay well informed, to bring the joyful elements of Israeli culture into our congregational and personal lives, to encourage travel to Israel for both adults and young people, and to help promote those events in our congregation and in the community which connect us to Israel.
Getting the latest news on Israel is difficult if we depend only on network and cable TV, on local and national newspapers and magazines, and various commentators. If you want to be current on Israeli issues, you will find a broad range of opinions from both Israel and abroad readily available on your computer.

Here is a recent example posted in the Daily Alert prepared for the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations by the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs:

NGOs (Non-Governmental Organizations) Behind Anti-Israel Divestment Campaign

The divestment campaign has become the latest political instrument of the drive designed to progressively delegitimize Israel in international frameworks based on the 2001 “Durban strategy.” This campaign is being conducted by Protestant Church groups such as the World Council of Churches, the Presbyterians, the Anglican Church, and the United Church of Christ. The funding for these political NGOs spear-heading the anti-Israel divestment campaign comes from a variety of sources: church groups in Europe and North America, government aid agencies (including Canada, Norway, Switzerland and the EU), and foundations (such as the New Israel Fund and the Ford Foundation). These groups continue to exploit claims of support for civil society and human rights in order to further narrow political objectives.

If you want to be current on Israeli issues sign up to receive this excellent free daily news alert at www.dailyalert.org.

Other excellent sources: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs through the New York Consulate e-mails the Israel Line, a daily summary of news items taken directly from the Israeli media, as well as a Summary of Editorials from the Hebrew Press: www.israelfm.org. with links to Israeli papers. Click on “EmailSubscriptions” to access either the Israel Line and/or the Editorials.
Arutz Sheva provides excellent, accurate news from a Religious/Nationalist Zionist point of view: www.IsraelNationalNews.com.

Isranet Daily Briefing, a service of CIJR, the Canadian Institute for Jewish Research, presents interesting articles from such sources as the Wall Street Journal, Agence France Presse, the Jerusalem Post, Associated Press, the National Post of Canada: www.isranet.org.
Wedding Vows Renewals
While in Israel, Rabbi Berk officiating at Howard & Betty Smigel’s renewal of their marriage vows at the Tayelet in Jerusalem on the occasion of their 25th anniversary.
Sharona and Howie Silverman celebrated their 25th anniversary with a wedding renewal ceremony, barefoot on the beach of the Mediterranean Sea, in Tel Aviv, Israel, on April 21, 2005. In the month of April, 25 years ago, they became engaged while visiting Israel and married in Phoenix on June 5, 1980. This ceremony was officiated by Rabbis Bill Berk and Mari Chernow. The guests included all of the participants on the Shalom Center Healing trip, and the celebration continued with dancing in the sea.
Support Israel
Products made in Israel and sold in the Valley are:
Ahava Skin Care & Cosmetics: Temple Chai Judaica Shop, Israel Connection, Jewish Quarter, Moments Salon, Nordstrom Scottsdale, Paul Stevens Salon, Salon Estique.
Mineral & Bath Products: Bed, Bath, & Beyond; Cornerstone Pharmacy; Linens & Things.
Kehilat Yozma and Beit Eden
According to Halachah (Jewish Law), children and individuals with mental and physical disabilities are not obligated to observe mitzvot since they are not clever or wise.

This was not good news for the developmentally disabled children living at a group home called Beit Eden in Ramla, Israel. The children were very disappointed when their request to hear the shofar for Rosh Hashanah in an Orthodox synagogue next to their home was refused. Sadly, the synagogue had based its refusal on Halachah that these children were not “clever or wise.”

Kehilat YOZMA, a reform congregation in Israel, disagreed with this and they decided to adopt Beit Eden. At the beginning of this journey, volunteers had no idea what was to be expected, but very quickly they realized that the children lacked the most basic things: love, warmth, and human touch. Volunteers like Dan (a member of Kehilat YOZMA) go to Beit Eden every month and contribute a great deal by visiting with the children. Simply sitting and holding hands is a wonderful treat for Yuval, one of the children in Beit Eden. YOZMA provides Kabbalat Shabbat and gives the children of Beit Eden the feeling that they are part of the community. YOZMA encourages its families to volunteer at Beit Eden and makes the project inter-generational. They actively include the children in YOZMA’s nursery school through preparing special holiday packages that are given to the Beit Eden children. The children of Beit Eden wore costumes made by the nursery school and enjoyed a Seder conducted by Rabbi Kinneret Shiryon. In addition, for every holiday, YOZMA brings a group of children from Beit Eden to join in the celebrations and activities of YOZMA. And they were finally able to hear the shofar.

Currently, YOZMA is busy preparing the children who have come of age for an Aliyah laTorah and b’nai mitzvah celebration. This is a very exciting and emotional program, for which many YOZMA members are volunteering. They intend to turn this into an annual event. The Israel Movement for Progressive Judaism, by initiating programs such as these, demonstrates the power of Israeli citizens and Reform Jews working together. Kehilat YOZMA, by helping the children of Beit Eden connect with their Judaism and with the larger community, is working for tikkun olam.

The Union for Reform Judaism’s Hineini Initiative is one way you can participate in YOZMA’s work for tikkun olam. By supporting Hineini, you can help YOZMA continue to reach the children of Beit Eden and be a leader for social change in Israel. Temple Chai is asking each of our members to contribute at least $18 each year for two years. You will see this tzedakah contribution on your temple dues statement next year. Right now, we are also asking that everyone send in at least $18 made out to Temple Chai and marked Hineni. Mail your tzedakah contribution to Rabbi Peter Levi at the temple.