The PiRo Social Coffee Club wishes all of our friends a
שנה טובה ומתוקה
and
.כתיבה וחתימה טובה

A very happy and healthy New Year and best wishes to all of you. May your prayers be heard and a answered, with revealed goodness, brachas and nachat, health and prosperity and peace. May the Almighty grant you all of your heart’s desires for the best.

I Urgently Need Your Help!!!! | By Minde Ornelas

I am sure by now you have heard of Kohl's Cares. If you have not, in brief, in celebration of Kohl's Cares® 10th anniversary, they are donating $500,000 to 20 schools each for a total of $10 million. My daughters' school, Bais Chaya Mushka, is currently number 10 (of 20) on the leader-board. This means we are very close in getting this wonderful institution very desperately needed money. Although we are number 10, there is still about a month left till the final results come in, and that means that we have to do whatever we can to keep our ranking within the top 20, despite the fierce competition between school nationwide.

SO I am asking you, urgently, please, if you still have not voted, please just take a few minutes and vote for Bais Chaya Mushka, by clicking here.

I know there are many deserving schools out there, but this one is close to our homes and our hearts. They have touched so many people's lives, and so many people's hearts, including mine and my family's, and we can be sure they will put this so badly needed money to such good use. Can I count on you to partake in this mitzvah with me?

PiRo Gives Back to the Community | Tomchei Shabbos

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=123753144340973#!/event.php?eid=123753144340973

Please invite and bring as many people as you can with you. This is a kid-friendly event.

Time to do a good deed and to give back to the community.

Please join us in this mitzvah (good deed). Most of you have done this already, and this is a great opportunity for us to this great good deed together.
...
We will get together at the Tomchei Shabbos warehouse in the La Brea area (for location on google maps, go to http://goo.gl/maps/sxe1) at 5:30 PM. (Directions from La Brea: Entrance is on the Right at the first set of Red Gates closest to La Brea; Upon entering the gates, head east (toward Formosa); The Tomchei Shabbos Warehouse is located at the farthest East end of the lot.) Mr Steve Berger will spend a few minutes with us describing the background for Tomchei Shabbos and how it operates.

Afterwards, you will have the choice of helping with packing and shipping, or with the delievery of food to the needy.

Founded in 1977, Tomchei Shabbos of Los Angeles has been lovingly providing essential Shabbat food packages to thousands of needy Jewish families in our community.

Every week, our warehouses come alive with volunteers filling rows of boxes with eggs, milk, fruits, vegetables, challah, wine, candles and everything else a family needs to make Shabbos special. The boxes are then delivered with the outmost discretion and care to the privacy of the recipient.

Tomchei Shabbos is entirely supported by the compassion and generosity of financial support, time and resources of the Los Angeles Jewish community.

The Good People at Torat Hayim Express Their Thanks to the Volunteers from PiRo Social Coffee Club

The following is a letter I received via fax today.  I wanted to share it with you all.

I would like to mention that I am personally thankful to everyone that showed up, and I think Minde and her two beautiful daughters, Heather, and Corey deserve a special recognition and thanks for staying up till 3 AM on Monday morning, finishing the project!

Hope to see you all next time at one of our community service events.  (Just FYI, if you are not sure which event I am talking about, the information may be found by clicking here.

Please click on the image for a larger version.

I Urgently Need Your Help!!!! | By Minde Ornelas

I am sure by now you have heard of Kohl's Cares. If you have not, in brief, in celebration of Kohl's Cares® 10th anniversary, they are donating $500,000 to 20 schools each for a total of $10 million. My daughters' school, Bais Chaya Mushka, is currently number 10 (of 20) on the leader-board. This means we are very close in getting this wonderful institution very desperately needed money. Although we are number 10, there is still about a month left till the final results come in, and that means that we have to do whatever we can to keep our ranking within the top 20, despite the fierce competition between school nationwide.

SO I am asking you, urgently, please, if you still have not voted, please just take a few minutes and vote for Bais Chaya Mushka, by clicking here.

I know there are many deserving schools out there, but this one is close to our homes and our hearts. They have touched so many people's lives, and so many people's hearts, including mine and my family's, and we can be sure they will put this so badly needed money to such good use. Can I count on you to partake in this mitzvah with me?

EMERGENCY ACTION ALERT | No Entry Visas to the "Flotilla" Passengers for Speaking Tours in the US

PLEASE FORWARD AND CIRCULATE THIS TO AS MANY PEOPLE AS YOU CAN.


It has been announced that a number of passengers from the so-called "Flotilla" plan to speak in New York City in the coming weeks.

According to Section 212 of the Immigration and Naturalization Act, the State Department may deny visas to representatives of and those providing assistance to terrorist organizations.

The petition accessed through the following link:http://jcrcny.org/flotilla/statedeptpetition.html, urges the US Department of State to investigate any and all of the passengers of the Mavi Marmara and other ships from Turkey’s IHH flotilla who apply for visas to enter the United States on a speaking tour, and deny them entry visas, based on the statues cited above.

Dear Klal Yisrael,... | By: Zehava Akinadé

Dear כלל ישראל,

Due to certain events that are occurring in our community, I have taken it upon myself to write this letter. This is not solely a letter of complaint, but it is also a letter for the purpose of distributing valuable information and courtesies I feel are needed in our community today. Although satirical in nature, I do write with utmost sincerity. As a Nigerian-American Jew, or a Jew of color in our community, I feel there are some issues that I would personally like to address. I will not be addressing all of the issues, but at least a few to get the mind thinking and the good middos rolling.

First, I would like to address not only the issue of general politeness, but also of halacha. I understand that for some it is very interesting, or “unique,” to meet a Jew of color, but one must understand that it is rude and halachically unacceptable to personally interrogate with every Jew you meet. Furthermore, not every Jew of color is a convert, and even if they are, halachically speaking, you are in no way allowed to ask a convert (of color or otherwise), their story, their past, or anything that reminds them that they are a convert. Additionally, what makes one think that within 30 seconds of meeting someone, a convert would want to open up and tell you their whole life story? Why would they be comfortable revealing the fine details of what made them decide to convert, and how they became interested in Yiddishkeit to begin with, to someone they just met? It is especially rude to ask while your children are staring and pointing at this new person during davening as if they have never seen a person of color in their life before, while you try to have an allegedly deep conversation. This only adds to the awkwardness of the situation for the interrogated. Instead, it is perhaps better to reconsider how or if you have taught your children proper manners. Also, for some reason people think that it is a short, simple story. If it took someone their entire lifetime, thus far, to find their truth, why imply that it is a tale easily summed up in a three-minute story by putting them on the spot under very awkward circumstances?

Next, it appears most individuals assume that converts don’t know anything. If one takes time to think on this, it should really be a very simple realization: if one has an interest in something, especially a challenging all-encompassing life changing interest such as converting to Orthodox Judaism which takes years of learning, living, and studying subject by subject, halacha by halacha, where that person then has to go in front of an ultra-orthodox Beis Din (so there are no questions about if you are really Jewish or not). Given this, what makes one think a convert wouldn’t know even the basics? So next time you want to tell me that I should move to Israel because there are a lot of “my people” there and you and I can meet you at the Kotel which is “this big wall where lots of people daven, which means to pray”… You might want to save it. Because trust me, in my head I am thinking, you and I aren’t meeting anywhere. Not the Kotel, not the 770, not even the shwarma place down the street

The last on my list, and the biggest irritant for me so far, is after you have already come up to me and asked me “Excuse me? Are you Jewish? Are you a convert? Are you married?” all in less then 45 seconds, and then you tell me “I see, well I think I know a guy for you” all I can think of is “HOW THE HECK DO YOU KNOW?” What does that even mean, and by the way, what was your name again? Honestly, do you really think you are doing me a favor when you come up to me and say, “Hey I think I know someone for you, he’s black, and he’s religious…” and I say “Well, what else do you know about him? What does he do for a living? Where is he from? How old is he? Did he go to yeshivah? Who does he hold by?” and you have no idea and look at me like I’m insane. Then, maybe, just maybe, only knowing that he is black and religious doesn’t help, especially when you have no idea what I and probably what he is looking for. I mean let’s give an example. If you went up to a religious Ashkenazi girl and said, “Hey, I think I have a guy for you. He’s Ashkenazi, and he’s religious...” And that’s it. She is going to suggest that you should continue taking your medication regularly and don’t give up you day job to become a Shadchan. I understand their excitement at the idea that they were the one to set up this super ethnic hip Jewish couple. Oh, the novelty of it all. As if we probably don’t know each other already, being two out of the six black Jews in the neighborhood.

In the end, all I am really saying כלל ישראל, is that, we are all Jews. And as Jews we should be treated with the same respect and dignity as all other Jews, Ashkenazi, Sephardi, Chassidic, Litvish, Modern, Mizrachi, Yemenite, African, Bukharian, Asian, Hispanic, Muppet, Converts, Baal Teshuvah, FFB, it doesn’t matter. And the sooner we realize this, the closer we will be to bringing Moshiach. Unity of the Jewish people matters. Should we all continue to break down our personal mental barriers and continue to embrace the diversity that the Jewish people have to offer. Let us all stand strong together as a nation, for many other nations want to see our destruction chas v’shalom. Let us all grow in our ahavas yisroel and continue to give each other chizuk so that we may ALL merit to see the coming of Moshiach speedily in our days!

Forever yours,

Zehava Akinadé

עם ישראל חי

Note: All examples above have actually occurred in my life by seemingly well meaning people.

"Even if you are not fully committed to a Torah life, do something. Begin with a mitzvah — any mitzvah — its value will not be diminished by the fact that there are others that you are not prepared to do"

- The Lubavitcher Rebbe

Helen Thomas Auditions for Schindler’s List | By: Daryl Temkin, Ph.D.

Stephen Spielberg’s masterpiece production, Schindler’s List, highlighted the scene of a young German child who with force and gladness screams at the line of deported Jews, “Good bye Jews!” meaning, “Jews get out of Europe”. Where did the Nazi sympathizing Europeans expect the Jews to go? To Palestine, a place that even Europe at that time related to as the birthplace and homeland of the Jews.

Today’s “modern prophet” Helen Thomas, a seasoned 50 year front row seated White House press veteran was interviewed after attending a Jewish history program. When asked how she felt about the Jews, she proudly proclaimed, “Jews, get out of Palestine! It’s not your land. Go to where you come from, Germany, Poland…”

How is it that Helen Thomas, an “educated open minded thinker” is ignorant as to where the Jews are from? A place called Judea, the land of the Jews, is the very place that Helen Thomas refuses to understand has anything to do with Jewish origins. According to Thomas and her cronies, “Judea”, the place named for being the “Jew’s land” should be vanquished of Jews, Judenrined. Thomas implies that it is a land only for Arabs who have no historic roots besides effective and pervasive propaganda.

Where is home for the Jews? According to Helen Thomas, Europe, the lands famous for acting upon the “Jews Get Out” premise, the lands of Kristalnacht riots, of mass deportations, Nuremberg Laws, slave labor camps, concentration camps and death camps.

In spite of the waves of anti-Israel confusion which have filled the media, most thinking minds still have a memory that Germany and the European continent is not the home of the Jews. In fact, the European continent is facing an unprecedented rise in radical Islam and has once again achieved the highest record breaking statistics for anti-Semitic activities since the Nazi era.

Thomas articulates the noxious Arab narrative which claims that the Jews belong in Europe and not in the Middle East. This is the language of Hamas and Holocaust denying Iranian President Ahmadinejad. Will the next video of Helen Thomas be her comments questioning the authenticity of the Holocaust?

As an East Coast “intellectual”, Helen Thomas proudly shows her true colors of ignorance, bias and yes, anti-Semitism. It is soon to be seen whether liberal minded American thinkers will have the courage to respond to Helen Thomas with shock and scorn or will they be silent, cover up the story and give her a pass?

Helen Thomas’s response is directed at advancing the end of Jewish life in contrast to what the State of Israel has accomplished, a rebirth of the Jewish people and their ability to contribute to the world.

Helen, your true self audition for the Schindler List character was well executed and is only in competition with the Mel Gibson performance. However, although this might be painful for you to accept, after a 2,000 year exile, the Jews have come home and it is their only home, Israel.

Below is the YouTubee broadcast of the interview with Helen Thomas

__________________________________________________________________

Daryl Temkin, Ph.D. is the founder of the Israel Institute for the Advancement of Alternative Energy, which is devoted to teaching the world about the “clean energy” innovations that have come forth from Israel to free humankind from global oil dependency. The Israel Institute is a not for profit, 501c3 organization. Tax deductible contributions can be given through the website: Israel-Institute.org.

Or call: 310.508.0950.

General Rule: Israel Can Never Be Right | By Daryl Temkin, Ph.D.

When will the world media and political leaders like Israel? Likely, only when Israel is significantly beaten, physically compromised and made virtually irrelevant. Since June , 1967, surviving and victorious Jews have not been worthy of positive recognition.

It was little surprise to hear Hillary Clinton and the US Administration join the UN’s condemnation of Israel who stopped the flotilla attempt to break the Gaza blockade. Hillary, who two months ago was furious that Israel plans in 2014 to build 1,600 Jerusalem apartments, would certainly blow forth her anger at Israel’s current self defense measures. She additionally went “overboard” and emphasized her recognition of the Gazan “humanitarian crisis”, a clear political ruse.

Sadly, the American administration’s action to support the pro-Hamas movement was beyond belief to many Americans. Yet, it is a symbol of the new America which has become lost in its race to be popular and beloved among the nations. Does America realize that in its attempt to be “moral” it endorsed anarchy as an acceptable standard for international behavior? America chose to support and embolden the Hamas terror organization whose ultimate cause is to destroy a sovereign nation.

No matter how correct Israel may ever be, the media and most world leaders have proven themselves to ignore the facts and quickly proclaim knee jerk anti-Israel responses. After all, how can a nation which is under constant delegitimizing attacks and ugly name calling ever be acknowledged in a positive light?

Israel classically gets portrayed as being wrong even when it is right or at best, gets ignored for being right. It was astonishing when the American President gave thanks to all the countries which came to aid the Haitian earthquake victims but he refused to acknowledge Israel, the country which not only led the life saving efforts long before all others but did the leading heroic tasks.

For the last number of years, Gaza has been armed through tunnels and ships smuggling supplies of ammunition and missiles. Israel along with Egypt established a blockade of Gaza. The “internationalists/humanists” conveniently ignore Egypt’s role with the Gaza blockage and only place full blame on Israel, deemed the exclusive illegitimate and oppressive force in the conflict. Notice it is Israel and not the Arab world which supplies the food, medicine and fuel for the Gazans.

The anti-Israel media was so extreme that I received a call from a person who was under the impression that Israel had attacked a hospital ship docked in Turkey’s port, killing many innocent patients. Imagine what it takes to extract the propaganda story and replace it with reality?

As Israel was globally defamed, the facts that the IDF soldiers experienced attempted lynchings didn’t matter. The fact that numerous deadly weapons were mixed in the cargo didn’t matter. The fact that many of the so called “humanitarians” were actually Hamas activists didn’t matter. The fact that at least 20 pre-made suicide martyrdom video tapes were found among the passengers, didn’t matter. The fact that the mission was not for humanitarian aid but was a bold attempt to defame and delegitimize Israel certainly didn’t matter.

The Los Angeles Jewish Journal report claimed Israel committed a “botched mission” because 10 “deadly club swinging humanitarians” died, the Israeli soldiers were not expecting the high level of violence, it was bad Israeli intelligence and it was a bad plan to use helicopters for placing soldiers on the ship with paint guns. Although the plan worked without violence on five of the six ships, the Jewish Journal reporter still felt entitled to labeled this a “botched mission”. The fact that all six ships were diverted form Gaza and the cargo got inspected and no IDF soldier died, was captured or went missing, it was still a botched mission. The fact that several handful of IDF soldiers managed to take control of over six hundred extremely hostile violent humanitarian passengers and not have to killed hundreds of them is a challenge to imagine how that was possible? But, still it is called a botched mission, as if there was a simple answer.

Furthermore, the Jewish Journal article cried that the “botched mission” included IDF film footage which was blurry. Too bad Stephen Spielberg’s camera crew was not hired the week before to film the event. It is clear that “uncomfortable” critics want a picture perfect result for all that Israel does, but in reality, for most journalists, Israel can do nothing right even if the picture was perfect.

Realize that even if not one person died on the flotilla, Israel would still have been internationally condemned. If the IDF came on the boat with huge machine guns, Israel would have been condemned. If Israel raced the Turkish boat with confronting ships forcing a turn, they would have been condemned. Those who claim that they could have planned it better and brought Israel positive PR are usually false messiahs and expert complainers who have never made a hard decision in their life.

One commentator claimed that Israel was guilty because they shot the first bullet. It didn’t matter that Israeli soldiers were being deadly clubbed. The first shot is what spells guilt. Being clubbed with iron bars and stabbed with long blade knives is inconsequential.

A Jew defending himself is what breaks the rules. Jews dying would be acceptable. Jews killing others in order to remain alive is the violation.

Even when Israel has done something with pure perfection, not one death, it is still criticized. Israel perfectly destroyed Iraq’s first nuclear reactor and the next day, even the US foolishly condemned Israel for saving the lives of untold millions.

In the past, the US leadership had the moral strength to veto outlandish UN anti-Israel resolutions. That era may have past. Now, the US has joined the world’s majority who is bent on extracting Israel from the world’s map and emboldening the face of radical Islamic movements.

In spite of the avalanche of anti-Israel media, polls show that the high majority of Americans understand that Israel is not evil. In amazement, many Americans seem to know that Israel is right even when the media defames the Jewish State.

Israel bashing for no matter what Israel does to try to keep the world safe, may be a popular sport for the media, political leaders, university faculty and students, but there is a world of people who see through the lies and are sick and tired of the falsehoods and deceptions which are being commonly demonstrated for the detriment of humankind.

This Sunday, at 2:00 P.M. in front of the Wilshire Blvd. Israel Consulate in Los Angeles, at Wilshire and La Jolla, there will be a demonstration in support of Israel. All are encouraged to attend.

Emergency Action Alert | Pro-Israel Demonstration Protesting the Planned Ambush of Israel by Turkey and Hamas

Words has reached us that there is a demonstration planned tomorrow, June 1, 2010, at 5 PM, at the Turkish Consulate General (5055 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90036), in support of Israel and protesting against the calculated and planned ambush of the brave Israeli soldiers by proponents of Hamas terrorists, sanctioned by the Turkish government.

Please consider it your duty to attend if at all possible.

You can watch a few enlightening videos about the incident below.

Close-Up Footage of Mavi Marmara Passengers Attacking IDF Soldiers

Israeli Navy Addresses a Ship in the Flotilla and Offers it to Dock in the Ashdod Port


Israeli Navy Commander Vice Admiral Eliezer Marom Briefs Forces Set to Intercept Gaza Flotilla


And most important, Message to the turkish prime minister Erdoğan

Very Few Things Shock Us Anymore

This is a re-post from a posting on the "cross-currents" blog by Rabbi Yitzchok Adlestein. You can find the original posting at http://www.cross-currents.com/archives/2010/05/12/very-few-things-shock-us-anymore/
______________________________________________________

This might still shock you. PLEASE WATCH THROUGH THE END.

For more about david Horowitz please check out: http://www.horowitzfreedomcenter.org/.

AN OPEN LETTER TO PRESIDENT OBAMA

Lou Pritchett is one of corporate America's true living legends- an acclaimed author, dynamic teacher and one of the world's highest rated speakers.

He is acknowledged in numerous books and periodicals and by savvy and successful corporate executives everywhere as the foremost leader in change management.

He is a former vice president of Procter & Gamble whose career at that company spanned 36 years before his retirement in 1989.

He has confirmed that he was indeed the author of the much-circulated "open letter" quoted here: "I did write the 'you scare me' letter. I sent it to the NY Times but they never acknowledged or published it. However, it hit the internet and according to the 'experts' has had over 500,000 hits."

_____________________________________

AN OPEN LETTER TO PRESIDENT OBAMA

Dear President Obama:

You are the thirteenth President under whom I have lived and unlike any of the others, you truly scare me.

You scare me because after months of exposure, I know nothing about you.

You scare me because I do not know how you paid for your expensive Ivy League education and your upscale lifestyle and housing with no visible signs of support.

You scare me because you did not spend the formative years of youth growing up in America and culturally you are not an American.

You scare me because you have never run a company or met a payroll.

You scare me because you have never had military experience, thus don't understand it at its core.

You scare me because you lack humility and 'class', always blaming others.

You scare me because for over half your life you have aligned yourself with radical extremists who hate America and you refuse to publicly denounce these radicals who wish to see America fail.

You scare me because you are a cheerleader for the 'blame America' crowd
and deliver this message abroad.

You scare me because you want to change America to a European style country where the government sector dominates instead of the private sector.

You scare me because you want to replace our health care system with a government controlled one.

You scare me because you prefer 'wind mills' to responsibly capitalizing on our own vast oil, coal and shale reserves.

You scare me because you want to kill the American capitalist goose that lays the golden egg which provides the highest standard of living in the world.

You scare me because you have begun to use 'extortion' tactics against certain banks and corporations.

You scare me because your own political party shrinks from challenging you on your wild and irresponsible spending proposals.

You scare me because you will not openly listen to or even consider opposing points of view from intelligent people.

You scare me because you falsely believe that you are both omnipotent and omniscient.

You scare me because the media gives you a free pass on everything you do.

You scare me because you demonize and want to silence the Limbaughs, Hannitys, O'Relllys and Becks who offer opposing, conservative points of view.

You scare me because you prefer controlling over governing.

Finally, you scare me because if you serve a second term I will probably not feel safe in writing a similar letter in 8 years.

Lou Pritchett

EMERGENCY ACTION ALERT - Israel Defamed in Annenberg Photo Exhibit - Letter by Daryl Temkin

PLEASE TAKE ACTION TODAY.

On March 27, 2010 the Annenberg Space for Photography in Century City, CA opened an exhibit entitled Water: Our Thirsty World. The exhibit, which is scheduled to be on display until June 13, features photographs from National Geographic and coincides with its special issue on water. The exhibit aims to “explore the causes and consider the ramifications of the world’s impending fresh water crisis” through ”environmental, social, political and cultural perspectives.”

Of the 65 photographs on display, 10 are dedicated to Israel, the only country to be negatively portrayed and attacked with false political accusations. The photo captions weave a fiction where Israel hoards water and steals from its neighbors, with photographs depicting Israelis relaxing by overflowing pools and beautiful beaches while others suffer from drought.

Israel is a world leader in water resource management and regularly shares its knowledge with nations around the world. Water is not a weapon and the Annenberg Foundation along with National Geographic had an opportunity to elevate the discourse of global water resources – instead the exhibit is used to manufacture a crude political attack against Israel. The specific Israel-related photos are below, or you may see the exhibit for yourself at http://www.annenbergspaceforphotography.org/.

Here are some facts:

• Israel, with a 75% water recycling rate, is the world's number one water recycler. The second largest water recycler is Spain, with a rate of 12%.
• Israeli-invented Drip Irrigation helped achieve 70%-80% of water efficiency in agriculture -the highest rate in the world.
• Israel is home to the world's largest Seawater Reverse Osmosis (SWRO) desalination plant, annually producing 100 million m3 at the low cost of approximately $0.52 per m3 of water - the most cost-efficient of its kind in the world.
• Israel's total water consumption has remained the same since the 1960s, despite a growing population, rising water requirements and increasing agricultural production.
• Since 1958, MASHAV – the Center for International Cooperation of the Foreign Ministry of Israel, has trained almost 200,000 course participants from approximately 140 countries and has developed dozens of demonstration projects worldwide in fields of Israeli expertise including water resource management.

_________________________________________________

This is the letter I wrote in reaction to this issue.

May 7, 2010

Dear Ms. Lowry,

I started to receive phone calls on Monday concerning the Annenberg Photography Museum exhibit on the world’s water resources. These phone calls expressed alarm and upset as to the way that Israel was depicted in the photo captions as well as the use of the word Palestine to name a country which has yet to be created. I will personally attend your exhibit in the next hours.

Now, I hear that the photographs which discuss the topic of fresh water as a scarce and endangered natural resource have been used to blame and delegitimize Israel for global water abuse and for abuse of the Palestinians.

The claims that Israel is abusing Arab water rights is part of the age old anti-Semitic slogans that stem back to the notorious Russian created Protocols of the Elders of Zion. This classic book of anti-Semitic fabrications today rates as the second most purchased book next to the Koran in the Arab nations. The book is famous for teaching the lies that claim Jews poisoned Christian wells, they kidnapped Christian children for ritual slaughter and used their blood for baking Passover mazah.

Today's updated version of the Protocols is that the Jews are stealing, poisoning and polluting the water of the Arabs. The absurdity is that the Arabs control significant water sources for Israel. Israel lives under massive pressure to find new sources of water because the Arabs have continually compromised Israeli water supplies and have done much to contaminate Israeli water.

This is why Israel needs to build and operate at least five major desalination plants to provide its fresh water because it knows that the Arab world poses a major threat to its water supply. Beyond that, Israel has now built over 400 desalination plants around the world to supply the global water shortage. No Arab country is allowed to have an Israeli desalination plant because the Arab world refuses to recognize that Israel is there to help them live. For them, it is more important to boycott Israeli products than to provide life necessities for its citizens.

Gaza was given billions of dollars by the world bank and part of that was to be used to build a waste water treatment plant. That money was diverted from humanitarian needs and right now, Gaza waste water goes untreated directly into the Mediterranean, seriously polluting the sea for hundreds of miles. Palestinians have refused Israeli water supplies and water technology. They have illegally drilled wells by the 100’s in places that have destroyed the aquifers and therefore have ruined beyond repair vast miles of underground water supplies.

Israel supplies water to Gaza. Israel's Ashkelon desalination plant pumps its newly made fresh water into Israel’s water supply line that feeds into Gaza. Gaza rockets have been aimed and fired at the desalination plant and still Israel supplies Gaza with fresh drinking water.

Israel is the only place in the world who is close to achieving a 95% water reclamation rate. Los Angeles reclaims less than 1% of its water and loses virtually all of its rain water to the ocean. Israel is working to capture and purify its rainwater as well as to reclaim most of its used water. It is actively teaching other countries of the world to do the same. The Ben Gurion University of the Negev has recently developed a water filter that is so advanced that it is able to perfectly purify the most extreme level of polluted water.

Israeli developed drip irrigation has revolutionize farming and food production around the globe. This technology is capable of saving a farmer up to 90 percent of water. Many global factories have copied drip irrigation but Israel still supplies over 50% of the entire world's drip irrigation equipment.

An Israeli company has recently developed a commercial ability to safely harvest fresh water from air humidity. The equipment is capable of producing from the air 80,000 gallons of water in a 24 hour period. This Israeli development is a major gift to the water starved world.

The WATEC International Conference on Water and Energy Technology takes place yearly in Israel and is attended by the world community. The last conference in November, 2009, was attended by over 100 nations. At that conference, Israel presents the breakthrough technologies for protecting, conserving and producing fresh water.

If Israel was allowed to live in peace and it was allowed to share its water conservation, purification, reclamation, creation and desalination abilities with the Arab world, yes, the world would be a different place. But now, it is more popular to blame Israel for as many world problems as possible and water fits into the fabricated blame Israel narrative.

It seems that the National Geographic exhibit and the Annenberg Photography Museum fell into the “blame Israel” narrative. They have chosen to not look at the facts and to deal with the real story

Perhaps someday, National Geographic and the Annenberg museum will remove its anti-Israel political slander and will give recognition to the fact that Israel excels as one of the top world leaders in protecting, preserving and expanding fresh water resources and ensuring fresh water for generations to come.

I know it would take some courage to tell the facts versus purporting the popular narrative. It will be your challenge to adjust your policies and to arrive at that position.

Sincerely,
Daryl Temkin, Ph.D.
Founder,
Israel Institute for the Advancement of Alternative Energy
__________________________________________________________________

Daryl Temkin, Ph.D. is the founder of the Israel Institute for the Advancement of Alternative Energy. For more information, Please go to www.Israel-Institute.org.

EMERGENCY ACTION ALERT

An on-campus group at UC San Diego has drafted a resolution to divest funds from Israel. ***THIS WEDNESDAY, 4/28 at 6pm*** the ASUCSD will attempt to pass a resolution of divestment from companies who do business with Israel, similar to the bill we saw at Berkeley.

PLEASE HELP STOP THIS ANTI-SEMITIC AND ANTI-ISRAEL SENTIMENT BY SIGNING THE PETITION AT:

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/do-not-alienate-students

You can also spread the word via this facebook event:
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=112323962141292

Why I Celebrate Israel Independence Day!

Firstly, consder the region without a Jewish State. The Holy Land would be defiled with a muslim philosophy that treats women and children like chattel, forces genital mutilation on infant and adolesent girls, endorses honor-killings, and considers civil rights a non-starter. Oh, and of course, such a region would be Judenrein, a policy that many of the muftis and Palestinian apologists would love to implement today.

Consider the condition of Yemenite Muslim girls. Arranged marriages made as early as nine-years-old! Almost all of them are raped, and if they manage to get pregnant at the nubile age of 11 or 12, no abortions allowed and many of them bleed to death on the "birthing stool!" In Sudan, Muslims conduct a brisk, prosperous slave-trade. Prominent Saudi sheiks keep African slave families in bondage for generations! Such would be the nature of a 22nd Arab state, had God not allowed the founding of the third Jewish commonwealth.

Going through the Qur'an, already in the first sura one encounters a problem, which is not easily reconciled. The book says that Allah leads the Muslim people "in the way of justice, not the way of those with whom he's angry." According to conventional interpretation these are the Jews. During his time Muhammad was in contact with the Jewish people and he probably knew their history quite well. It is a history of losing their homeland, losing their own identity. In fact, the Torah confirms this as well when we read the rebukes and warnings found in Sefer Devarim (Deuteronomy). Exile and loss of our homeland is a consequence of idolatry and moral backsliding of the Jewish people. Very fertile fodder for the Qur'an's anti-Jewish grist mill.

Consequently, simplistic Muslim thinking teaches that God's anger results in banishment to exile, and conversely – it would be God's good will if the Jews could return. Muhammad knew the Jewish history and reflects it in his first sura. However, he speaks only of the God's anger. Obviously, when the State of Israel came to existence a paradoxical problem materialized. It was such an unexpected event that the (divinely inspired?) Qur'an didn't anticipate it in any way. According to the logic of the first sura (which is recited several times a day by pious Muslims worldwide in prayer) the Jews should never occupy a country of their own and should always remain exiled in the diaspora.

However, reality is so much more exciting than fiction (a common theme of Muslim writings). In 1948, three hours before my grandfather passed on, the State of Israel was founded. The stage of seeking Jewish geographic identity came to an end. The mere foundation of the state of Israel puts the entire Qur'an, in question. Despite the fact that God is supposed to be angry with us, we Jews have our own state among states. At this point a conflict appears – a conflict between reality and sort of an illusion stated by the Qur'an. The Israeli state stabs Islam in its most vulnerable underbelly - the veracity of the Qur'an.

Palestinian Muslims pray to Allah to lead them the right way of justice and to rid them of the Jews. Simultaneously, only a (quite literal) stone-throw away, we Jews have our summer resorts, hotels, houses of worship, thriving settlements and western-styled supermarkets. But most importantly, we have our State, for which the Palestinians can only pine. Do you notice the paradox? No longer can God's wrath be "measured" by having or not having a state. Hence the conflict between the Israeli and Palestinian people. It is a conflict between Judaism and Islam. All else is illusion. The mere existence of our Israeli state proves Islam wrong, period! To this I say, tough luck! I realize that if the Muslims accepted its existence they would betray their own identity based on Qur'an. The hostile foreign policy of most Arabic countries to the state of Israel is based on this point alone.

Several great rabbinic leaders acknowledge the Hand of Hashem to allow secular elements to be given the "Zechut" to establish the medina, as a precursor for the eventual reinstatement of the malchus beis David. The Nations of the World, with it's myopic bias against Torah and Judaism, would never have countenanced and acquiesced to handing the Land over to the Chofetz Chaim, Hazon Ish, or Rabbi Feinstein, ZT'L. So, in His infinite wisdom this is how He orchestrated it and eventually we will all discern the wisdom of it all. Even though we wait, there is no doubt we are living on the "heals" of Moshiach, who's imminent arrival is unimpeded by anything man or nature can throw at him; neither flawed Islamic theology nor Icelandic volcanic ash! Mazal Tov Israel on your 62nd birthday!

67 words to say "Happy Birthday Israel"

Dear Friends,


Israel turns 62. Since her day of birth there has been a constant attempt to destroy her existence. Miracle after miracle, day after day, against massive odds, Israel continues to live, thrive and give great gifts to the world. Despite Europe selling out, America acting hostile, Iran’s atomic bomb, and the neighbor’s missiles and terrorists, Israel lives.

Am Yisrael Chai.

May the Nation of Israel Always Live!

Blessings, celebrations and victories to all!!!

Daryl Temkin, PhD

__________________________________________________________________

Daryl Temkin, Ph.D. is the founder of the Israel Institute for the Advancement of Alternative Energy. For more information, Please go to www.Israel-Institute.org.

A letter to the UK's Advertising Standards Authority - Israel Travel Brochues

The ASA ( Advertising Standards Authority ) is the UK independent watchdog ( not a part of the UK government ) that in its wisdom has decided to respond to an Israeli Tourist Office (ITO) press campaign which includes pictures of East Jerusalem by banning it - they have judged that Jerusalem is not part of Israel but “Occupied Territory.” The ASA have decided, on the basis of single complaint, to take the opportunity, "after much investigation," to state that Jerusalem is “Occupied Territory," and that ITO have misrepresented the facts, and been untruthful in including the photo of The Kotel as part of Israel. However, ASA has OK’s the use of the poster, if it states that the Kotel is occupied!!!!!

The photograph in question shows both the Kotel (the most sacred Jewish symbol, the remaining wall of the second Temple) and The Dome of The Rock. During the last 3000 years Jerusalem - King David's City - has been the historical capital, spiritual & religious home for the Jewish people as well as of immense religious significance to Christianity & the Muslim Religion. Since 1967 similar photos as the one that has been banned, has been featured in every single travel brochure promoting Israel as a holiday destination or a pilgrimage.
_________________________________________________

April 16, 2010

Dear UK Advertising Standards Authority,

I strongly oppose the UK Advertising Standard Authority demand that the Kotel, the Western Wall of the Temple Mount, is no longer in Israel and no Israeli travel brochure can advertise a Western Wall visit.

How absurd!

You believe one actually leaves Israel upon entering the Western Wall area? Has there ever been a street sign alerting anyone to that claim?

Odd that there are no passport control stations? For the past 43 years, did someone forget to set them up? When did the enemy neighboring countries agree to a "passport free zone" without receiving Nobel Peace Prizes?

Now, if someone goes to the Western Wall, where do you think they are? Clearly not in 3,062 year old Jewish Jerusalem. Maybe since the Jordanians still have influence on the Temple Mount, you think the country which for years trashed the Kotel area will advertise the Western Wall as a tour highlight? Maybe you are nostalgic for the days when the British occupied the Old City? I expect you consider the area to be Fatah "Palestine" which claims its intent is to destroy the Western Wall.

What police force comes to takes care of all problems at the Western Wall area? What fire truck comes to help in an emergency? Which country sends its ambulances? Where does the water and electricity come from? Who repairs the damages? Who keeps the area washed, cleaned, and who picks up the trash?

Gee, it's all Israeli services.
How nice that Israel provide all these services apparently free of charge to a stealth government.

You don't accept the over four decade political annexation of Jerusalem or the over 3000 years of archeological history. You believe that it is Fatah Palestine who owns the Western Wall because illusions need no historical or political support.

You would have more credibility if you demanded that a tour brochure of America could not include and advertise a visit to Hollywood or Disneyland.

Sincerely,

Daryl Temkin, PhD

__________________________________________________________________

Daryl Temkin, Ph.D. is the founder of the Israel Institute for the Advancement
of Alternative Energy. For more information, Please go to www.Israel-Institute.org.

"Fight Anti-Semitism at UC Berkley!"

The University of California Berkeley Student Senate has accused the
state of Israel of war crimes and is attacking companies that support Israel. On
March 17, the Student Senate passed a resolution that the University should
divest itself of any companies in which it owns stock that does business with
Israel. On March 24th, the Student Body President of UC Berkeley vetoed
the bill. The President called the resolution: “a symbolic attack on a specific
community” that is “being used as a tool to delegitimize Israel.”

The Student Senate plans to override the veto on April 14th. The Student Senate
is currently receiving comments against investing in Israel 50 to 1! I
strongly urge everyone to add your voice in support of Israel. This can be
done by a simple mouse click, using standards emails pre-prepared for you, by
going to http://calsupportsisrael.com/.

The Following is the text of my letter, emailed to USC Student
Senate, and USC Student Body President earlier today.

______________________________________________________

April 12, 2010

Dear UC Berkeley President Smelko,

I am very pleased and impressed that you stood up and vetoed the Berkeley
Student Government vote to divest university funds from companies connected
to Israel and Israeli products. Hopefully, this Wednesday's student
government attempt to overturn your veto will not succeed.

Are the divestment students and their supporters planning to unplug most all the
university computers systems which likely run due to Israeli developed
technology, to give up their Israeli engineered laptop and desktop computers, to
boycott California's Israeli made solar energy fields, to boycott the Israeli
electric car innovations, to refuse to drink desalinated, purified and disease
free water due to Israeli filtration, to insist that no water be recycled
because Israel leads the world in water reclamation, to prevent California
farmers from using Israeli drip irrigation and return to wasting billions of
gallons of scarce fresh water on the old flood irrigation method, to trash their
Israeli technology cell phones, Israeli developed instant messaging, camera
phones, and computer jump drives, and to give up all Israeli innovations in
medical technology which will likely keep their family members living through
life threatening diseases? Then these "forward thinking" Israeli divestment
cheerleaders will demand to take down the nation's Israeli engineered and
trained airport security systems.

The Palestinian Arab leadership daily preaches that it wants Israel destroyed
and removed from history. Israeli leadership daily preaches that it wants
to live in peace with its neighbors. Why do the Berkeley divestment
students support in the name of "peace" those who want Israel destroyed and cast
a blind and hate filled eye to those who are actively helping the Arabs live
better lives?

Thank you for standing up against the tide of student, faculty and community
pressure which has gotten lost in a deluge of deluded causes.

Sincerely,

Daryl Temkin, Ph.D.
__________________________________________________________________

Daryl Temkin, Ph.D. is the founder of the Israel Institute for the Advancement
of Alternative Energy.

Obama's Hospitality: A Question of Character | By Rabbi Shmuley Boteach

This Monday President Obama hosts his second White House seder in as many years. As a Jewish American I am grateful to the President for highlighting the festival of Jewish emancipation and peoplehood. But given a choice, I would readily forego the White House Manischewitz in exchange for an end to the bitter herbs the President is dishing out to Israel. Publicly shunning the Israeli Prime Minister and privately berating him is not going to be forgiven because of gefilte fish and matza balls. You want to show American Jewry some respect, Mr. President, then stop treating the elected leader of the Jewish state like Pharaoh.

I received my own lesson this week about how to treat those with whom you sharply disagree. I was in Italy to promote the Italian translation of my book The Michael Jackson Tapes. Gary Krupp, the New York-based Jewish papal knight of whom I had been sharply critical for defending Pius XII, went out of his way to arrange for me to be invited to the Vatican to see documents relating to Pius’ pontificate. When I arrived, just one week before good Friday, although the Vatican was under siege with international press reports of pedophile priests, Monsignor Livio Poloniato, who works in the Cardinal Secretary of State’s office, gave me hours of his time to show me around. Here I was, an unrelenting critic for over a decade of a Pope whom the Holy See is seeking to canonize. Yet, the high-ranking Priests I met could not have been friendlier. From Msgr. Fortunatus Nwachukwu, who is Chief of Vatican Protocol, to American members of the curia who have lived away from home for twenty years, everyone I met showed kindness and warmth. The visit did not change my view of Pius XII, whom I continue to view as guilty of the foremost moral omission of the twentieth century in refusing to even once speak out against the holocaust. But it did get me thinking.

As I walked the streets of Rome over the Sabbath, I contrasted the warm welcome accorded a leading Papal critic with that of President Obama’s disdainful treatment of the democratically-elected leader of the Jewish State, Binyamin Netanyahu. If the reports are true and President Obama got up and left in middle of his meeting with Netanyahu at the White House, derisively telling him he was going to have dinner with his family and telling the Prime Minister to ‘get back to me if you have anything new,’ then as an American I am ashamed of our President’s behavior. As a Jew I am scandalized by his contempt. Yes, having dinner with your kids is very important and constitutes the main objective behind my national ‘Turn Friday Night Into Family Night’ initiative. But to use your kids as an excuse to treat a guest like garbage is repellant and constitutes a terrible lesson to the children.

And all this because the President so readily dismisses the Jewish insistence on holding on to a capitol we established three thousand years ago and have prayed to return to thrice daily ever since the Romans forcibly ejected us in the year 70.

There was a time, not long ago, when, while disagreeing with many of the President’s policies, I found him inspiring. Here was a man who never had the love of a father who overcame immense obstacles to emerge temperate, committed to the common good, and a devoted husband and father. As a lover of great oratory I was moved the President’s eloquence and passion. I penned a much-circulated column praising his decision to stop using the name Barrie and return to his given name, Barack. I wrote that all Jews – who so often hide their identities by changing their names – should learn pride from our President.

Sadly, I am now beginning to question Obama’s very character. Am I to look up to a President who treats Netanyahu like a Mexican cartel kingpin, refusing to greet him publicly, share a press conference, or even take a single picture with him? Is our president ignorant of basic manners? Perhaps we should be grateful that the President even allowed Netanyahu into the country. Since the Arabs are famously celebrated for their hospitality, perhaps on his next meeting with King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia President Obama can skip the bow and inquire instead as to how to treat a guest.

Remember the way the President treated the Dalai Lama this past February? Fearing upsetting the bullying Chinese, Obama similarly refused to publicly greet a fellow Nobel Peace laureate whom the world regards as its foremost humanitarian. No pictures, no press conference, no public welcome. To cap it off, he made the leader of Tibet leave through a staff kitchen entrance that was strewn with giant bags of garbage.

All this reinforces my growing suspicion that President Obama not only lacks a commitment to a moral foreign policy that champions freedom and democracy, but, when you cross him, even a commitment to basic courtesy. Cross the man and all that charm turns to ice.

I hope that as the President reads the words of the Haggadah this year he will focus on the very last line of the evening. It’s just four words, easy to remember, and it’s something the Jews have been saying six hundreds years before Islam came into existence. “Next year in Jerusalem.”

__________________________________________________________________________
Rabbi Shmuley Boteach is the founder of This World: The Values Network. He has just published ‘The Blessing of Enough: Rejecting Material Greed, Embracing Spiritual Hunger. www.shmuley.com

Pesach 2010: From Enslavement to Liberation and Back Again?

Living with a 5,770 year old tradition may not always seem contemporary. However, it is surprising and even shocking how often the ancient tradition becomes profoundly relevant to the current moment.

Passover, based on the Book of Exodus, tells a revealing story of human enslavement. It starts from a premise that is challenging to understand. How could the People of Israel which was clearly credited for having saved ancient Egypt from vast impoverishment, massive starvation and possible total annihilation, be suddenly transformed from a praised people into an enslaved nation?

The answer is given in one short biblical statement found in the opening verses of the Exodus text. “There arose a new king in Egypt who no longer knew Joseph”. Joseph, the leader of the Jewish People, who lifted Egypt to its height of power and “world domination” was conveniently forgotten, dismissed and erased. Pharaoh thought that by removing or disabling the “Jewish obstacle” the doors would be wide open for him to become ultimate power/god of the world.

Pharaoh yearned to attain the popularity of the masses and his association with the Israelite nation was no longer in his best interests. His defense against the Jews was to gradually destroy their credibility by fostering a series of believable demeaning fabricated stories. This step was followed by placing further restrictions upon the Israelites and demanding additional concessions.

Pharaoh’s powerful charisma and eloquence were able to convince not only the Egyptian populace but even an extremely high number of Jews that the Israelite enslavement was a benefit to all. His orations were so successful that most Jews when given the choice of freedom or enslavement opted to remain as slaves.

Pharaoh understood that dictatorial success comes by thinking for others, telling others what is good for them, teaching others that they have no right or power to reach for their own destiny and to determine their own future.

Confusion set in and many people couldn’t tell that there was a moral difference between Moses and Pharaoh. In many minds, Egypt the society that praised “death” was held superior to Israel, a society that fostered “life”. This extreme confusion led to the famous “Ninth Plague”, the Plague of Darkness. It was darkness that filled the world with moral confusion and it was Israel that was tasked to lead the world out of “darkness and death” into a world of “light and life”.

As it turned out, Pharaoh’s aim to debase, defame and wipe the Jewish people out of existence only backfired. Instead of ultimately destroying the Jews, his own destruction came forth along with the demise of ancient Egypt.

Passover is to celebrate that enslavement was reversed and liberation emerged with a victory of life over death and good over evil.

But then, there is a chilling occurrence that can follow the victory of liberation.

The post liberation crisis is an awkward development which works to dismember the victory of liberation and empower the exact forces that threaten liberty’s future. The challenge of living in freedom is that it is easy to forget and to lose an understanding of just how dangerous and pernicious enslavement is. The comfort of freedom can seep to a level where the core values of liberty can become totally diminished and even dismissed.

The Exodus narrative begins with enslavement and ends with liberation. Our job is to always remember the great value of liberty. It is too easy to become complacent and then suddenly discover that enslavement is gaining the upper hand.

The text reads that in every generation there arises a force that sets forth to destroy us. These words are a warning that one must never take freedom for granted. It must be understood that liberty is continually under attack and that moral confusion threatens to fill the world. Moral confusion is when evil is praised, given a “pass”, excused and rationalized and in contrast, good is heavily criticized and dramatically scorned for a possible pin point of imperfection.

This year, the Seder’s ending phrase, “Next Year In Jerusalem” will perhaps have more meaning than it has had for the past number of decades. It appears that “liberation” and “Jerusalem” have an eternal connection. Both are not to be taken lightly because both can easily be taken away and destroyed. The loss of either means dire consequences to the entire world.

The relevance of the Passover Seder has the ability to startle one who was expecting to read only an ancient story. As one commemorates the leaving of Egypt and the victory over forced enslavement, one may suddenly realize that the course of history doesn’t always advance. At times, there can be gross regression and a revisiting of the same pain filled issues of moral confusion. It is up to us to make sure that liberty wins and that enslavement is not allowed to score a repeated victory.

___________________________________________________________________
Daryl Temkin, Ph.D. is the founder of the Israel Institute for the Advancement of Alternative Energy.

Sign the "We Stand with Prime Minister Netanyahu" petition!

I DID IT, SO SHOULD YOU!!!!!

PLEASE REPOST.


Thanks to Matt Lipeles for being this to our attention.

Sign the petion here: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/we-a

MR Prime Minster,
We stand with you in admiration and gratitude.

We urge you to hold strong and do what is in Israel's best interest.


 

Purim Metamorphosis: A Fable

This is by Rabbi Zelig Pliskin of Aish Hatorah.  I found it so poignant that I absolutely had to share it with you all!  You might think the timing is a few weeks off, but the message is timeless.

The original article may be found here: http://tinyurl.com/PurimMetamorphosis
_____________________________________________________________________________

One Purim, I woke up as a turtle. To say that I was surprised would be a gross understatement. I had always been a human being when I woke up in the morning. This was the first time I woke up as a turtle.

Now how would you feel if you found yourself transformed into a turtle? I wasn't upset. I always felt that one of the highest priorities in life is to accept the Almighty's will. At times this can be highly challenging. When you expect a specific difficulty you can mentally picture yourself accepting it with inner strength and courage. But in my wildest dreams, I had never imagined that I would be a turtle. I was totally dedicated to pass this test, and focused on accepting my Creator's will.

I moved slowly. I didn't yet have a clear plan where I was heading. All I had was a general goal of using my potential to its fullest.

Although I was moving slowly, I made steady progress. When I was a human, I realized the importance of being grateful for all our gifts. This realization stayed with me. I was extremely grateful for my hard outer shell. This protected me in case anyone would shout, "HURRY UP!!" I would just disappear into my shell. That's what shells are for.

I wanted to make steady progress, but at my own speed. If others weren't satisfied with the rate of my progress, I didn't need to make their reality my reality. Progress is relative. If others would see things from my perspective, they wouldn't be so judgmental.

After my initial surprise, I didn't feel bad about being a turtle. On Judgment Day, I won't be asked why I wasn't tall as a giraffe. That's not the way we turtles are. I won't be asked why I didn't fly as fast as an eagle. We turtles weren't meant to do that. The question I will have to face is, "Were you the very best turtle you could have been?" This question became my mission statement. I kept repeating it to myself over and over again and found it intensely inspiring.

Becoming a turtle after first being a human being had a disadvantage. Regular turtles didn't have anything to compare their present situation. All they knew was what it was like to be a turtle. But having been a human for so long, I had gotten used to it. I could have complained that it's unfair I couldn't continue being human. Why was I chosen to become a turtle? I realized I now had a choice. I could make the best of being a turtle. Or I could waste time whining and complaining. This would not have been the spiritual path. This would not have given me joy. I was totally dedicated to accept the Almighty's will with love and joy. That is why I was making such tremendous progress.

I don't know if anyone who saw me realized what was going through my mind. When I was a human being, I had no idea what the inner workings of a turtle's mind were like. How often have you asked yourself, "I wonder what that turtle is thinking right now?" If you will become more sensitive to a turtle's feelings because of this story, this alone will make sharing it with you worthwhile. You will be more compassionate when you see another turtle. And perhaps this will enable you to be more compassionate towards other animals, and maybe even towards other humans.

I spent each moment being a good turtle. I was doing my best and my self-image was soaring. I was part of God's creation. Nothing could be a greater accomplishment.

My goal was to raise my level from being a good turtle to reaching the fifth and highest level of turtle greatness. I literally zoomed through levels one, two, three, and four. I have to admit that I had not previously used my full potential as a human. If I could do it all over again, I would do a better job.

Then all of a sudden something strange happened. After growing from these challenges, I turned into a powerful majestic lion. I didn't realize this at first, but I happened to see a reflection of myself in a mirror. I was startled. I still considered myself a turtle.

What had happened? I was soon to learn I had experienced The Special Purim Law of Turtles. This law is complex and deserves a lengthy, learned discussion. To say it concisely: "Any turtle that progresses to a fifth level greatness on Purim automatically gets an upgrade to become a lion."

I hadn't known this before. Perhaps if I had known it, fear of success might have slowed my progress. I was just trying to do my best as a turtle. I had no idea that my hard work, my persistence, my total devotion to my goal, would have such a positive outcome.

I began experiencing life on an entirely new level. Seeing the world as a lion gave me a magnificent sense of empowerment. Now I was living on a totally different planet. I had experienced a metamorphosis from a turtle to a lion. Only if you personally experienced this could you know the extent of this change.

Having attained royal status, my entire way of being was upgraded. Everyone treated me with more respect. I was now a regal lion and felt like a king.

I had new opportunities, privileges, and obligations. I had more talents, skills, and knowledge. Naturally, my mission statement had to be upgraded. I would now be asked on Judgment Day, "Were you the very best lion you could have been?" My life goal is to proudly respond with a roaring, "YES!"

sometimes lost and undefined

There are times during my davening when I get disconcerted and generally overwhelmed with frustration about my conversion process. For sure I am always wondering when will the process end? When will that day arrive when I will be able to proudly say that special blessing to my G-d, immerse in those clandestine Mikvah waters, and--in that magical, twinkling instant in time--when will I ascend as a new Heiress of Destiny among my kindred Soul-People?

While that juncture in the matrix of space-time continuum eludes my entire being and is hidden from my mortal senses, I am left wanting--anxiously awaiting. But, there is much more to it than that. While stuck in "the process," my soul is often troubled with an identity-crisis of sorts.

Until that glorious day for which I hope, I feel as an orphan--quite left behind, somewhat unclassified, unsure of things in my bewilderment of where I belong and if I will be taken in sometime soon. I am perplexed about the finer distinctions of my soul-status and my service to G-d. I feel inside my heart as though I am not a goy; but my mind is forced to grapple with the fact that even in my sincerest moments of intimate connection with Hashem, I still am not yet a yid. I feel as though I pray as a Jew and yet I am not appraised as one. And while it is logically and reasonably imperative--it is necessary that it should be this way,--it is none-the-less quite painful a condition.

I love my siddur. My praybook is filled with profound treatises and holy discourses for me to internalize and pour out to Hashem. Yet sometimes I get tripped up and distracted by the very words, themselves. All throughout the formalized prayer literature I am reading about "me, I, us, we, our..." and I am reminded of the oneness of G-d and the oneness of the Jewish people. But alas I feel awkward and a bit unsure of myself and I question if this is even my prerogative or permissable in my present state of things. What am I to G-d? How will G-d regard my prayers? Does Hashem see me as a righteous gentile? Ugh! Or are my prayers lifted in unison with the kavanot of klal yisroel?

When I go about my day, when I awake, when I wash, when I fill my body with nutrients, when I sit to learn Torah, when I enter my shul or when I want to perform a mitzvah...Wherever I go and what ever I do, I want to say a blessing to Hashem. I want to elevate the mundane. Every mitzvah is so beautiful and soul-fulfilling. I want to serve my G-d with words and deeds. But it is not always so simple a task when I must be mindful of who I am right now, my future unrendered. I am not free to bless my food when the food that I cook is treif simply because I made it and I am a non-Jew. I must not fully keep Shabbat for it is a covenant between G-d and the children of Israel. While I am learning to speak in a holy language, I wonder if it is in my best interest at times to refrain from saying Hashem's name even when I pray because His name is sacred between G-d and the Jewish people. There is power in His Name and I would hope that I am not using His name in vain as I am not yet Jewish. Someday I will celebrate chaggim alongside my Jewish friends and my soul-mate.

In Pirkei Avos Chapter 3 Mishnah 19, it says:

Everything is foreseen, yet freedom of choice is granted; the world is judged with Goodness, and everything is according to the prepoderance of good deeds.

Concerning this, the Baal Shem Tov similiarly taught that everything--not only the events that involve man, but even those which exists in all of life including plants, animals, minerals, etc.--everything exists and is controlled by Divine providence. Everything, even the most seemingly insignificant aspect of creation, such as a leaf falling from a tree and fluttering in the wind, is ordained by G-d and comes about with Divine Energy.

G-d is Omniscient. He knows all of His creation, every indiosyncracy. Nothing is beyond his Divine understanding. And so it should not be improperly percieved that my potentiality and challenges go on unforeseen by Hashem. He knows every soul and each one's mission. Compelled by emunah and sustained with bittachun, I am learning that I must not obviate that fact that I am never beyond His reach. While it may be hard at times to articulate and reason, I try to keep in mind that Hashem sees me and knows me with a certain unique intimacy.

Rabbi Akiva descended from a family of converts! It is said that every convert is destined to convert. This idea is often reflected when our Sages would refer to ger as "a convert who converts" rather than "a gentile who converts". It is taught that even before a person converts, that person possesses the spark of a holy neshama.

Even so, I once read that while there is no obligation for a convert to convert, the decision to become Jewish or not is still a choice to be made, to be reconciled. I think this means that a convert's free will is explicable only in terms of the future intended to be realized. So even while my mind and heart is choosing to be like a Jew and I more often than not identify myself more closely with a Jew, it is okay for my neshama to be quite uncomfortable with myself as I am now because my faith and trust in Hashem through this laborious time is meant to transform me. The process of conversion is necessary for my propensity to finally be Jewish. I try not to take this for granted.

For now, though, I know that I am simply an orphan of destiny--a foundling soon to become a beneficiary or something quite definite and magnanimous--incomparable to my present emotional sufferings and state of affairs. I am a promise of a certain potentiality. And so just as I am, in a state of metamorphis, I am willing to be changed and transformed by G-d. That is what I have to offer Hashem when I daven and go about my day. May I endeavor to please Him with all that I am able.

This morning......

This morning bright and early at 6 am I was doing laundry, as usually. I kept hearing what I thought was a child crying, then sobbing. I popped my head out a few times but didn't hear anything. I continued my to check for stains on Zoe's clothes (they are always full of stains).

Again I heard it and checked and didn't hear anything. I carried on back and forth from my apt to the laundry room. If you've been to my place you know it is just 10 steps away from my door on the first floor next to the pool. Then after putting the clothes into the dryer I started to walk back and heard it again...........

Oh no, It was my neighbor who's bathroom faces the courtyard ( unfortunate design ).
I know the yahrzeit is coming up or perhaps today.
He is pretty old and lives alone, although his family lives in the neighborhood and is over often and around him every Shabbath. He was sobbing a sad and mournful sob. It sounded very very sad and lonely. This is just my impression and me being a sensitive person, had a hard time listening. I suddenly imagined waking up each day feeling alone, I imagined him preparing his house for Shabbath with no wife to light the candles and no wife to make kiddush for any more.....so sad for him.

I offer these words to all of the people I care about in my life and the people yet to come into my life.

May we never ever ever experience such pain of loss in our life. May we love and appreciate each moment we have with our loved ones and know that the people in our lives are gifts from G-d. May we have the strength to let go of anger and not hold grudges that would keep us from loving our family and good friends and enjoying their company. May we create more and more wonderful memories for our children and cement the knowledge of how much they are loved and what gifts they are to us.
May we truly know that everything is in the hands of Hashem and we can trust in him. May all of you have a peaceful and loving and joyous Shabbath and weekend and take a moment to think about the people in our lives and how lucky we are to have them for as long as we can.

Interesting Fact | J. R. R. Tolkien (the author of the Lord of the Rings) and Nazi's

Thanks to Rabbi Yitzchok Adlerstein for mentioning this in one of his blog postings. Rabbi Adlerstein’s blog can be read here: http://tinyurl.com/CrossCurrentsAdlerstein

J. R. R. Tolkien (the author of the Lord of the Rings) openly opposed Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party prior to the Second World War. In 1938, the German publishing house Rütten & Loening Verlag was preparing to release The Hobbit in Nazi Germany, but to Tolkien's outrage, he was asked beforehand whether he was of Aryan origin. In a letter to his British publisher Stanley Unwin, he condemned Nazi "race-doctrine" and anti-Semitism as "wholly pernicious and unscientific". He added that he was considering giving no response and "letting a German translation go hang!" He provided two letters to Rütten & Loening and instructed Unwin to send whichever he preferred. Only one of these letters, the less tactful of the two, is known to survive. In this letter, Tolkien began by denying any affiliation with the Indo-Aryans.

Tolkien chastised the publishers, and—ever the professor of philology— lectured them on the proper meaning of the term: “As far as I am aware none of my ancestors spoke Hindustani, Persian, Gypsy, or any related dialects.”

“But if I am to understand that you are enquiring whether I am of Jewish origin, I can only reply that I regret that I appear to have no ancestors of that gifted people…..I cannot, however, forbear to comment that if impertinent and irrelevant inquiries of this sort are to become the rule in matters of literature, then the time is not far distant when a German name will no longer be a source of pride.”

A conversation with G - D (short story)

_____________________________________________________________

Dear G -D, why are there so many wars in this world?

Wars are man made.

Why is there so much suffering?

So you can be close to me.

How?
By calling out to me.

Why did you create different religions?

Different paths for my children to climb the same mountain.

What do you mean?

You are all here on earth to find your individual ways of getting to know me.

But why are the paths so different?

Some paths are more challenging than others.

Why?

According to individual strengths.

Why is the path of the Jew the toughest?

You are my chosen.

Chosen for what, hatred?

No, chosen to bring light unto this world.

How?

Touch another person's soul...

But why do people hate us Jews?

People will remain senseless.

How should I bring light into THEIR world?

By example.

What do you mean?

By living YOUR life the best way you possibly can.

But how do I know what is the BEST way for me?

Follow my guidelines, they are all written down.

Why can't you just tell me, plain and clear, what I should be doing?

This will take away your FREE WILL.

But you want me to live according to YOUR will, right?

Yes, but you must have that choice.

So why did you put all this temptation on earth?

These are tests you must pass.

Why?

So that you can earn your place in Heaven...

Why can't I find true and lasting love?

You look but you don't see.

Did I miss him?

There will always be another.

Will he be here soon?

Yes, but you must keep your heart open.

How do I do that?

Let go of the past, it was there to teach you, to prepare you....

I feel peaceful with you beside me, will you stay?

I am always here...

How can I be sure?

Trust me, my child, trust me, I'm here.

But when you don't answer?

I always answer.

But!
Shh! You must trust me. You must let go of your doubt. I am here.I always was. Always am. And Always will be.Know this, in your heart and soul: you are a part of me, for I am the soul of all souls. I have sent you here for a purpose, but you must have the freedom to find that purpose on your own. You can cry on my shoulder when you need to, and I will always listen. You can seek me out for any questions, and I will always answer. But when you look for an answer, look and listen, with your heart. Your eyes will often deceive you...Peace be with you.

Thank you...
Remember, look and listen, with your heart.

By: Ilana Rogel

What is the Purpose of Life In Judaism

For many in the religious fold, the purpose of life is to serve God. We believe that the Torah (Five books of Moses) contains a blueprint on how a man/woman should lead his/her life. Reward and punishment, including salvation is solely up to God, however connecting to him through the performance of the various mitzvot (more accutately translated as "connections," based on the Zohar) is entirely our objective. What God does with us is His business. He really simply wants us to serve Him, and draw closer. Living a life as harmonious to those directives brings us to a direct and personal relationship with our Creator, and there cannot be anything more purposeful than that.

A teaching from the Nikolsburg Rebbe using God's revelation to Moshe at Mt. Sinai, is one of the most apt metaphors that I've ever seen to illustrate just what closeness to Him means;

There is an insightful teaching of the tzaddik Reb Mechela of Zlotzhiv. In the opening passages of Exodus, the Torah tells of Moshe's encounter with Hashem's Presence in the wilderness of Midyan, where Hashem reveals Himself to Moshe through the Burning Bush. The verse says (Shemos 3:5): "And Hashem said, 'do not come closer here; remove your shoes from your feet because the place where you stand is holy.'"

Hashem is telling every person: Do not come closer here. It is not necessary for you to reach "here" - to arrive at a particular level in order to serve Hashem. It is fine if you stay just where you are and do your best according to your present situation. Don't try to convince yourself that you first need to get a bit closer to Hashem in order to be able to serve Him.

The verse continues: Remove your shoes from your feet. The Hebrew word for shoes - na'alecha - can also mean "your lock," and the Hebrew word for feet - raglecha - can also mean "your habit." The Torah is advising us not to find excuses that we need to get to a particular place in order to serve Hashem, but instead each person should work on himself to overcome his personal "locks" and "habits" that hold him back from fulfilling Hashem's will.

The verse concludes: "Because the place where you stand is holy." The very place where you are now is holy and you can serve Hashem right there!

Often, Shalhevet students will tell me they don't feel "so holy," because they know they are eating at places they shouldn't, or mingling with the opposite sex in ways that are inappropriate for them. Sometimes it hinders their desire to even show up for communal prayer, which is mandatory for each student, at least morning services. My invariable response to them is; "there are 612 other mitzvot you can perform today. Why punish yourself and deny a connection to Hashem because you aren't holding at a place where all of them resonate or seem relevant to you right now?" The place where you are holding is already holy!

We should all ask ourselves the same question.