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UPDATED April 24, 1999
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Shalom and Happy Independence Day !!!
Yom Atzmaut Sameach Medinat Yisrael (Happy Independence Day ISRAEL)
The IDF (Israel Defense Forces) is a melting pot of the Israeli Society with
Israeli-Immigrant Soldiers serving from at least 72 different nations including an Israeli
soldier who immigrated to Israel from Jordan and 3 female Israeli soldiers from Albania
!!! Amazing !!! Bravo Tzaha"l !!!
Eli
Write to Eli
Dear Helaine,
I am also going through the same problems as you. I received my initial army papers and
now I am trying to get out of it. I am just going to tell them though that I really don't
want to do it. I was raised in the states with a different view on things--that I would go
to university after high school, NOT to the army. I don't know much about SAT'S, maybe try
the American Consulate. Best of luck.
Rachel
Write to Rachel
Dear Tamar,
That was a nice poem/song you sent in for the Yom HaShoah supplement.
Here is a Jewish WW2 partisan song for you, if you like...(I learnt it on a
habonim camp)
We must never lose our courage in the fight
Though skies of lead turn days of sunshine into light
for the the hour for which we yearn will yet arrive and our marching steps
will thunder we survive
Never say the final journey is at hand
Never say we will not reached the promised land
Never doubt the day of reckoning is here
There's a drumming in the land and we are here
- There are intermittent verses in yiddish and hebrew too; these are just
the rough approximations in English! This is pretty impressive set to
music - you can imagine them signing it as they marched through the Russian
forests.
Anyway, perhaps you'll like it, perhaps not
Nathan
Write to Nathan
This note was written in response to Esty's poem "Memory" which is on the Yom
Ha Shoah special supplement.
Dear Esty,
Why were we spared? Now half of American Jewry is marrying out. People don't care about
their roots - or so it seems. Admittedly, you can reach some people, make a difference to
a few lives perhaps... But this ignorance, ambivalence, assimilation is a modern day
holocaust. How many lives is the "MTV generation claiming?". Yes, we can all
try. And Jews will continue to survive. But what of those masses of unborn Jewish children
of assimilation. They are countless.
Nathan
Hello! My name is Helaine and I'm an Olah Chadasha from Brookline, Mass. I came here
when I was 14.5.... 2.5 years ago. I had a very difficult time when I first came and now
its much better. I can even say that I like it here. The problem now is what to do next
summer, when I am supposed to go to the army. I dont think that I can get out of it.. I
dont know if I would want to get out of it if I could. What I do know is that it is going
to make a big difference in my life which ever path I choose and I dont know where I want
it to lead (pretty poetic... :-) ). But I was wondering if anyone is in a similar
situation of army vs. college in the states or anywhere else. I would also like to know if
anyone has any idea what to do about SATs because i dont know where to start asking
questions. I hope to hear from you soon!
Helaine
Write to Helaine
I'd be interested if reading something about what's going on in kosova? I'd like to see
the topic discussed on the bulletin board actually.
Elka
Write to Elka
CHALLENGE!!
I'm looking for feelings on currents events in Israel and the world.
Hillel M.
Write to Hillel
What's happening in Yugoslavia?
I am hoping that maybe someone who accesses this is thinking what I am thinking- There are
2,000 Jews in Belgrade and Passover, Zman Cheiruteinu, is in full swing. Yet, just as much
as Passover is in gear, NATO airstrikes are too. I don't know what to think besides that,
but I could use any suggestions or ideas. I'd really appreciate anyone with connections to
the Jewish community of Belgrade or just any experience in situations like this just
telling me or something. Anyhow, I have a fax going out to the community tomorrow. I'll
keep you updated.
Kulanu k'echad Yachad
Acheinu Kol Beis Yisroel
B'shalom
ARI MITTLEMAN
Write to Ari
A good site to check out about what is happening in
Yugoslavia is http://www.jafi.org.il/index.htm
they have updated news on what the Jewish Agency's relief efforts.
Susan
Hi Yonit,
I am Shaya. At fourteen it is difficult to move *anywhere*. You have network of friends in
wherever you came from, and had to pick up and move to a place where the society is not
the same. You have to make new friends, and most of the people you meet have a different
set of common experiences. It is rough. But you might feel the same way if you moved to
America from Israel at 14; you would probably not like America. Anyway, it is clear that
with time you (if you have an open mind and a good attitude) will make very good friends
in Israel and will be able to see the good side of the place also.
Shaya
Write to Shaya
Hi Mendel!
I don't see why one can't dislike Israel. In every country there is always good and bad
and it's not as if Israel is such a perfect country (the climate is weird, the people are
rude or just too dumb and things cost much more than they should) so I just don't
understand why people are so sure this place is Utopia since it is clearly not the most
perfect place in the world. Prices in Israel are higher than they should be but to
live in Eretz Yisroel, the and only land that was given to us, you have to pay a price for
it and it is worth it.
Pini
Write to Pini
Hi Mendel,
Sorry if I offended you. I just wanted you to know that it's really not that I hate the
country- I mean I really loved touring here and stuff- it's a really cool country- but its
harder for some people than others to have to adjust to living here after having a great
life elsewhere- especially at the beginning of high school!
Yonit
Write to Yonit
Dear Pini,
Sorry you're not happy here. Where are you from?
Sarah
Hi Sarah,
Actually I was born here in Israel and have lived here all my life (except for going to my
grandparents in England once a year for a month). I like Israel because I was born here
but one must be realistic and understand that there are allways thing one can meke better.
Pini
Hi Yonit,
There is no way I see how you can dislike Eretz yisroel
Mendel
Write and tell us your opinion
Hi! I'm Yonit- I'm fourteen and I've been in Israel for two years now and it's been a
very negative experiance for me. Anyway, what I was asking was- are there any guys my age
out there who have moved to Israel within the past few years and hate it here? (I've only
met girls so far that do!) I think that I'd feel a lot better knowing that there are some
people out there who are having as hard a time as I am.
Write to Yonit
The Pesach Picnic will be on Sunday, April 4th. We will meet at the Tayelet in
Jerusalem (the number 8 bus goes to the Tayelet) at 11 o'clock. The number 8 bus can be
boarded on Jaffa near the Central Bus Station. Let's meet near the refreshment wagon
at the top of the Tayelet. Bring your picnic lunch. There are a lot of great spots
there to have a picnic, hike and shmooze. At 12 o'clock we'll meet at a special
lookout spot and Hanan Gurel from the Jerusalem Brigade will explain the interesting
monument there that is dedicated to the soldiers who fought in the Jerusalem Brigade at
the Suez in 1967. To reach the monuments walk down the path from the top and look for the
new lookout buildings--there are about 6 of them (Mitzpot).The one you want is the last
one to the right as you face the old city. Spectacular view. See you there. Please look
for me---CD
It will help if you e-mail me that you are coming so I know to be looking for you. Mail CD
at lasagne@iname.com
I look forward to seeing a lot of you there.
CD
Are you an American oleh/olah teenager? Would you be interested in talking about your aliyah experience so far? Want to be part of a study on American aliyah? Then call/email Caryn Aviv at the American Aliyah Project! I am a sociologist writing a book about American aliyah and would love to hear your story. I'm interested in what you think about Israeli culture, learning Hebrew, going to new schools, being Jewish, and anything else you think is important. Complete confidentiality is a guarantee - no real names will be used. Interested? Call Caryn at 02.563.2516 or email me at caviv@netvision.net.il Hope to hear from you soon!
hi ,
My name is Nathalie and I am living in the South of France. I would like to know how I can
connect myself to the Jewish community of France ( if there is a website). and I would
like to know the Jewish activities in Israel (bbyo), because I would like to go there in
April.
thanx,
Write to Natalie
Shalom TTT member,
CD, the new oleh and a TTT member of the Editorial Board, has suggested a Pesach get
together. He's thinking of meeting at the Tayelet in Jerusalem. Whoever is interested in
coming, please let CD know as soon as possible and indicate if you prefer April 4th or
April 5th during Chol HaMoed Pesach so the final date can be set. The Tayelet is a great
place for a picnic and there are some interesting sites there--including a series of
stones with maps and descriptions in honor of the Jerusalem brigade. CD is trying to
arrange a speaker from the Jerusalem Brigade who will talk about the Brigade's role in the
67 war and his experiences. How does that sound? CD's email is lasagne@iname.com
Please respond to CD quickly.
Thanks
V J's Passover site has it all, at http://www.vjholidays.com/pesach/index.htm
Hi my name is Hagar, and I am an Israeli teen willing to answer your questions.
I'm an American high-school senior going to study in Israel next year. Just wondering
if there are any other students (from anywhere) who are also spending a year there. You
can write to: write@ttt.org.il
Rifka
The RACHEL'S CHILDREN RECLAMATION FOUNDATION
Due to a computer error all writings sent via internet between 12/22 and 2/26 were erased.
Please resend all entries as soon as possible Annual Writing contest:
Be among the famous authors who are including their stories of Rachel. This is the
official announcement of our Second Annual International Writing Contest. Please refer to
the details below. The deadline is extended to March 30, 1999 because of a computer
failure. The Award Ceremony will be in May 1999.
Please tell your teachers, cultural center advisiors, friends, grandparents,
relatives to write, write write.
Their Rachel stories are part of Jewish history.
You must include your name, address and telephone, age, school or group affiliation
if any, country to be eligible for this award.Please pass this on to a friend.
Please write down their Rachel story.
The topics for this years contest are
1. The origins of the Rachel in My Family/ a family history.
2. Why the life of/ the parasha about Rachel Imeinu should be studied 3 Miracle prayers in
the merit of Rachel Imeinu. 4. Rachel Imeinu/ The Tomb of Rachel and Jewish history
(research) 5. The Rachel Imeinu, Yosef Hazadik lessons 6. Original "Art Work"
for book and chapter covers depicting the Rachel story.
Any contributions will support the endeavours of the RCRF in solidifying our
connection to Ima Rachel, the Tomb of Rachel, our Jewish heritage and our Jewish
reality. All contributions will be listed in "The Chapter of Connection."
Please note that no other organization has been authorized to collect for letters in
this chapter or unclaimed osias in the Sefer Torah for Rachel
Imeinu which is now at its permanent home at the Tomb of Rachel....
To mail a story, or for further information,
Contact The Rachel's Children Reclamation Foundation, Inc.
PO Box 220, Valley Stream, NY 11582
Call 718-648-2610
email: haze@interport.net
I like the idea of reading about young ex-Americans who left their native Homeland and
moved to Israel. It is very inspiring to someone like me who want to return back... It
shows me that I am not the only one and there are these young people for whom it's the
unknown and yet they choose to make that important decision of making Aliya to the only
Jewish State in the World...
Eli (Previously Born in Jerusalem, grew up in Be'er-Sheva, and later moved to Downtown
Tel-Aviv, currently in Philadelphia). In the Future: Hope to live in Israel !!!!!!
Write to Eli
I am now in the process of applying to Penn State and I asked them if I could study in
Israel as part of their program... I would like to get to Israel that way as well, so if
you know of any US Schools that have a "Study Abroad Programs" in Israel, it
will be very helpful if you will let me know about these Schools...
Thanks a lot in advance,
Eli
Write to Eli
Hi,
My name is Nathalie and I am living in the South of France. I would like to know how I can
connect myself to the Jewish community of France. Is there a website? Thanks for any help
you can offer.
Write to Nathalie
Hello,
My name is Joshua Berman and I have been living in Israel for a year and a half. I would
like to become more involved in TTT now, so I'm making myself known.
Write to Joshua Berman
Our new member Debbi from Arizona would like to see quizzes on the site. Who
iswilling to accept this challenge? How about submitting a quiz?
Write to write@ttt.org.il
Hi Laura,
I don't exactly know how we are related but I am sure we must be (I have to look at homeon
a list of our family in the US) - my name is David Merklin - I am from Denamrk where
myfamily has been for 150 years. My father is Josef Hirsch Merklin and my
grandfatherAbraham Merklin. His father is Smerl Merklin. Before that we came from
Polotsk/Vitebsk inWhite Russia. I am Orthodox and my wife and I now live in new York. I
stumbled on yourname on an internet search where I am trying to find ancestry and I saw
your entry aboutIsrael/Jews. I agree with you. . .if you could find out exactly how we are
related thatwould be interesting.
David
Write to David or Laura
Hi! My name is Malka and I am 14 years old. I made aliya 3 years ago and
Ihave a problem. I don't get any zichuyot! I learn in Tzvia Yerushaleam and
they would like me to do a mivchan nivchun(thats what it is called). If anybody has
anyinformation on it or has already done it could you please
write back as soon as possible. Malka
Write to Malka
Hi Jonathan!
When I read your essay, I thought it was my words. That is exactly how I
feel! Thank you!
Naomi D.
Write to Naomi
