The topic: “Three Years since the Gaza War: Questions & Answers from the War” (Please note the shiur is in Hebrew)

Where: Beit Knesset “Merkaz Modiin” – Rechov Nachal Tzin (on the corner of Nachal Parn)

Date: Tuesday, January 10th, 2012

Time: 20:15 pm

*Entrance is free*

 We look forward to seeing you there!

Most dried fruits sold in Israel are imported from foreign countries?

Now, Tuv Ha’Aretz offers a huge variety of nuts and dried fruits that are grown only in Israel, without any worry of bugs or insects!

With assistance from JobKatif, Tuv Ha’Aretz was founded by two brothers who grew up in the Gush Katif town of Netzer Hazani. Both of these young men grew up in a community largely made up of agriculturalists who inspired their love of and passion for, the bounty of the Land of Israel.

Now adults with families of their own, Michael and Ariel Edri put together this company as an endeavor to bring in a livelihood for their families while they continue their studies in college. Tuv HaAretz also employs many other former residents of Gush Katif who share a pride in the Land.

Tuv HaAretz is now offering beautiful dried fruit packages for overseas export. Last year, they had success with many shuls and Bnei Akiva groups, and would like to expand their clientele  abroad.

If you would like to make bulk orders for Tu B’Shvat for your organization, staff, school, shul, community, conference, etc. please contact the Michael or Ariel Edri through their website:   www.tuv-haaretz.co.il (Hebrew)  or via email: or  tovaretz@gmail.com .

The scholarship fund is aimed at helping those aged 22-27, who were displaced from Gush Katif and Northern Shomron. The young adults in this age range typically struggle to support their families financially with part-time jobs while they juggle their coursework.

JobKatif’s criteria requires beneficiaries to be enrolled in vocational courses or certification programs that provide practical training and develop marketable skills to insure job placement.

This new scholarship fund will help more young displaced young people get a higher education, and will increase their chances of landing gainful employment.  Since many of these youngsters don’t have parental financial support (most families from Gush Katif have been in a dire financial struggle for the past six years), this additional funding will be extremely helpful.

Impressively, the concept of this new fund is the brainchild of the leadership track at Midreshet Moriah in Jerusalem. The group of shana bet students were seeking a hands-on way to help the people of Gush Katif. After hearing about JobKatif’s activities and getting an onsite tour of the temporary living communities in Nitzan and Yad Binyamin, the young women wanted to do something that would make a difference.

“We realized that the college kids from Gush Katif are very similar to us. They have similar interests, goals and want to move forward with their lives. We all know how important it is to get an education, so if we can help them alleviate the financial pressure they face, then let’s make that happen,” said one student.

The student-led initiative is launching a Benefit Evening in Jerusalem on January 2nd as a kick-off event for the campaign to raise funds for this project. The evening, entitled “Rekindle the Flame”, will feature music, a “kosher comedian” and a Chinese Auction (of course a Kindle will be amongst the donated goods on auction). The event is open to women of all ages.

The event is being co-sponsored by Yeshiva University, hosted at its Gruss campus in Jerusalem.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE SCHOLARSHIP FUND, EMAIL info@jobkatif.org

The evening will open to the female public, and will feature music, a comedian, and a Chinese auction!

Donated prizes for the Chinese auction include a Kindle, Hodaya jewelery, gift packages, guided Jerusalem tours, books, designer cakes, gift certificates to restaurants, spa day, manicure/pedicure, and many more!

Join us at the “Rekindle a Flame” Benefit Evening:

Date: Monday, January 2nd

Location: Yeshiva University Gruss Campus – 40 Duvdevani St, Bayit Vegan

Time: 19:30

Concert chairman, Mike Lowenstein has reported that the concert raised upwards of $40,000 which will be used directly towards employment services of all sorts for those from Gush Katif and Northern Shomron who are still in need of help. As of December 2011, there are still approximately 700 job-seekers who require assistance. Each job-seeker must  support his/her family, making each passing day of unemployment quite stressful.

Thanks to the participation of the Prime Minister’s Office of the Israeli government, these donations will leverage more than $160,000 worth of aid.

Get some inspiration from the evening by watching this 13-minute highlights video:

Click here to view the embedded video.

JobKatif founder, Rav Yosef Zvi Rimon attended the concert after several speaking engagements in shuls throughout Baltimore over Shabbat. A recipient of the 2008 Presidential Award for Volunteerism by President of Israel Shimon Peres, Rav Rimon was deeply moved by the warmth and support that he saw that evening.

Margie Pensak, in her article published in Baltimore Jewish Life, writes:

The concert, featured members of the Concert All-Star Band: Yehuda Bergman, Zev Goldenberg, Nossi Gross, Gary Honick, Shlomo Horwitz, Steve Levin, Avraham Rosenblum, and Shmuel Semanowitz. Their stirring, moving, and joyous musical overtures and interludes were interwoven with inspirational stories told by community Rabbanim: Rabbi Menachem Goldberger, Rabbi Moshe Hauer, Rabbi Binyamin Marwick, and Rabbi Shmuel Silber. One of the heartwarming highlights of the evening, was when Rabbi Goldberger, clad in his exquisite shiny gold Shabbos kapata and shtreimel, broke out in dance, after telling his story, inviting rabbonim in the audience into his dance circle.

For all those former income-earners who need motivational counseling to get into the “job search” mindset, the out-of-business farmers who need vocational retraining, and those who are just starting to launch businesses anew, this funding will give them a boost.

JobKatif would like to thank everyone involved in making this evening such a huge success.

For a $100 donation you can own a DVD of the entire 2 hour “Music and The Message of Empowerment” Benefit Concert for JobKatif. Please email jobkatifconcert@gmail.com. 

Your $100 will turn into $400 for JobKatif as a result of the Israeli Government’s 3:1 match.  All concert sponsors will be sent a full length video as an appreciation for their generous donations.

Events included ceramics, house goods, gifts, jewelry, children’s clothes, menoras, hair coverings, disposable goods, beautiful framed pictures and much more.

Har Nof, Jerusalem

Tuesday, December 6th

5-10pm

Rechov Chai Taib #44, Har Nof

Contact Person: Tzippy Segel 02-651-8742 / cell: 050-675-0508

Beit Shemesh

Tuesday, December 13th

6:30-9:30pm

Rechov Reuven 1, Beit Shemesh

Contact person: Ora Watson 050-777-6075

“Your advisors and counselors are clearly very dedicated to their jobs and they took great care of me and my family to ensure we can move forward in life.” ~Rachel K.

“Because of the support of amazing people who would not let me drown in my despair, I was able to rehabilitate myself and rebuild myself anew.” ~Oren B.

“To our counselors, thank you for your dedicated guidance, persistence, advice and encouragement. Thank you for believing in us.” ~The S. Family

“ A special thank-you to all of our counselors who guided us and met with us so we could arrive at the best place possible, always with good will, a warm approach and a smile on their faces.” ~Sarah & Joseph

To see the full notes and more, click here

Founder and Board Chairman, Rav Yosef Zvi Rimon will be in the Maryland area and will speak at the following locations and events:

Shabbat morning, November 19th: Scholar-in-residence at Bnei Jacob Shaarei Zion.

• Drasha topic: “Halachik questions from Israeli soldiers”

Shabbat, November 19th @ 3:30pm: Scholar-in-residence at Shomrei Emunah.

• Drasha topic: “How to Overcome Anger”

Motzei Shabbat, November 19th, 8:30pm : JobKatif Benefit Concert: “Music and the Message of Empowerment” at Beth Tfiloh (see below for address).

• Storytelling by Rabbi Menachem Goldberger,Rabbi Moshe Hauer, Rabbi Binyamin Marwick, Rabbi Shmuel Silber

• Music by Shmuel Simenowitz, Steve Levin, Shlomo Horwitz, Gary Honick, Nossi Gross, Zev Goldenberg, Yehuda Bergman

• Directed by Avraham Rosenblum of the Diaspora Band

• Beth Tfiloh, 3300 Old Court Rd
• $36 / $18 (children under 18) / sponsorships available
• Tix are available at BJSZ, Shomrei Emunah, and Suburban Orthodox congregations. Call 410 358 0671 or email jobkatifconcert@gmail.com

Sunday, November 20th: Parlor Meeting at the home of Sarah & Buddy Stern at 7:30pm. All those who are interested are welcome to come. To attend the meeting and for details, contact Sarah at (301) 593-3733