[Sefer-torah-network-news] The Sefer Torah Network Newsletter,
Vol. 1, Number 16
Moshe Burt
mosheb at sefer-torah.com
Thu Feb 19 09:35:47 EST 2004
Sefer Torah Network News
Volume 1, Number 16
20
February, 2004
Shalom Friends;
Welcome to the 16th edition of the Sefer Torah Network News list..
<http://www.sefer-torah.com>The Sefer Torah Recycling Network
continues to be active on various fronts despite a major Netscape
crash and ISP connection problems as well as a few other foibles
resulting from severe underfunding. However, there are a few
noteworthy developments to report in The Sefer Torah Network
News list.
As reported in the previous newsletter, I'm pleased to announce that
a family from Queens, NY has transferred a Sefer Torah to The Sefer
Torah Recycling Network which will, upon completion of owner-paid
repairs, be placed in the Givat Nof Harim hilltop community of Yishuv
Eli in the Shomron. Please
<http://www.sefer-torah.com/givatnofharim.html>click here to view
pictures from the small Transfer Ceremony which took place on Monday,
19 January, 2004 at the Plaza Hotel in Jerusalem.
The Sefer Torah Recyclng Network expresses it's great appreciation to
the Goldstein family for their
kindness in providing a Sefer Torah for a needy location in EretzYisrael.
The community of Givat Nof Harim, east of Eli in the Shomron,
consists of 35 families and has been without a Sefer Torah for a
number of years. We look forward placement of the Sefer Torah upon
completion of the repairs and to a big Hochnossis Sefer Torah
celebration sometime in March IY'H. Please watch this newsletter,
<http://www.sefer-torah.com>The Sefer Torah Recycling Network
website, as well as various Israel email lists and Arutz-7 for
up-to-date news as to the day and time of the celebration and
transportation to get you there and back. I hope to see many of you
at theHochnossis Sefer Torah celebration, including those currently
living in Chutz L'Aretz who happen to be visiting Israel at the time
of the celebration.
I mentioned in the previous newsletter that pictures would be posted
to the site from my
<http://www.sefer-torah.com/givatnofharim.html>Shabbos in the Givat
Nof Harim community. The pictures are now online. Please click on
the above link and enjoy.
Please note that The Sefer Torah Recycling Network has entered into
affilation with CDTorah.com which markets hundreds of Torah lectures
and shiurim on standard audio CDs. Now you can help The Sefer Torah
Recycling Network with a click-thru from
this<http://www.cdtorah.com/index.jsp?ref=32&a=0> newsletter, or from
<http://www.sefer-torah.com>The Sefer Torah Recycling Network website
to the <http://www.cdtorah.com/index.jsp?ref=32&a=0>CDTorah.com site
and order audio CD's of shiurim given by notables such as Rabbi
Yitzchok Berkowitz, Rabbi Akiva Tatz, Rabbi Paysach Krohn, Rabbi
Noach Isaac Oelbaum Rabbi Herschel Schachter, Rabbi Yaakov Horowitz
and more.
The Sefer Torah Recycling Network is still offering a number of
frameable Sefer Torah posters to all who donate $180 or more to the
project.
These Sefer Torah posters provide yet another opportunity to impact
on the heavenly scales by making needy locations Mokomot Torah and
promoting Torah study. We are asking people to help us raise the
necessary funds for the restoration of two Sifrei Torah slated for
placement in needy locations here in Israel.
A Sefer Torah poster makes a beautiful livingroom centerpiece
picture. The Sefer Torah poster has a brown Mantel on either side and
the 247 Amudim on a blue background.
<http://www.sefer-torah.com/torah1.htm>Click here to view a partial
scan of the poster.
While they last, those donating $180 or more will receive a full
Sefer Torah poster including all 247 Amudim. Supply of these posters
is limited so, please make your donation NOW!!
Please note that the site has undergone some subtle alterations
designed to make the message to the viewer more focused and directed.
We have placed both the
<http://www.artscroll.com/linker/sefertorahnetwork/home>ArtScroll.com
and the <http://www.cdtorah.com/index.jsp?ref=32&a=0>CDTorah.com site
sites, with their special directed links, in a more prominent
position on the front page and on other pages on the site while
changing the positioning of other links and by adding an automatic,
one-button method of subscription to this newsletter.
Special directed links to
<http://www.artscroll.com/linker/sefertorahnetwork/home>ArtScroll.com
and <http://www.cdtorah.com/index.jsp?ref=32&a=0>CDTorah.com , both
on the site and in this newsletter, enable you to help The Sefer
Torah Recycling Network to raise funds while purchasing S'forim, CDs
and keeping up with
<http://www.artscroll.com/linker/sefertorahnetwork/ASIN/TAL>The Daf
Yomi.
Those wishing to subscribe after reading this edition of the
newsletter may do so either by clicking on the website and placing
their email address on the email address line and clicking the submit
button or by following the subscription instructions at the end of
this post.
A special page has been added to the site which deals with an issue
of crisis proportion which is near and dear to my heart -- halachic
issues regarding Kohanim.
We are currently in process of promoting The Sefer Torah Recycling
Network to Shuls and Jewish Day Schools with websites and email
addresses throughout the US, Canada and elsewhere.
Raising the necessary funds for two restorations of Sifrei Torah for
Homesh and the kehilla on Bat Ayin is presently THE central focus of
The Sefer Torah Recycling Network. So far, the project has
thankfully received donations from many sponsors but is still far
short of the funds necessary to defray these restoration costs.
(approximately $ 7,500 still needs to be raised)
It is vital that The Sefer Torah Recycling Network receive
seed-funding as well as ongoing cash donations and a constant influx
of Sifrei Torah. We seek philanthropists who recognize the
need for an ongoing clearing house where Sifrei Torah can be donated
or acquired, restorations completed and placements of Sifrei Torah
made in needy locations throughout EretzYisrael.
In this way, The Sefer Torah project will become an active, ongoing,
serious organization which solicits and receives donations of Sifrei
Torah, or acquires S'forim for cash for placement in needy locations
throughout Israel. In the process, such donations will avail ongoing
employment to needy Sofrim to repair and restore posul Sifrei Torah
for placement in the growing number of needy locations in Israel
which request help in acquiring a Sefer Torah.
Toward the bottom of this newsletter, please read the brief
descriptions of many more such locations throughout Israel currently
either without their own Sifrei Torah or lacking sufficient number of
Sifrei Torah. This same information is available by clicking on
"About The Sefer Torah Recycling Network" page of the website which
will provide a history of the project as well as details on the
various needy organizations.
I ask all of you to please help publicize The Sefer Torah Recycling
Network, thereby opening up further possibility of donations of
Sifrei Torah and/or funds. I am asking that subscribers pass this
edition of the Sefer Torah Network News list to their friends and
relatives via email with an invitation to subscribe themselves.
(subscription instructions are below.) Perhaps you would also
consider printing out hardcopies and posting the Sefer Torah Network
News to your Shul's Bulletin Board and/or suggesting a link on your
Shul's email list to The Sefer Torah Recycling Network,. Please
note that the embedded links may not show up as such on the forwarded
copy. However, the URLs will show up next to the words of the links.
Additional newsletter subscribers = more traffic to the site = more
financial donations, that potential Philanthropic Angel and potential
Sefer Torah donors.
Subscribers, if you have not already viewed the Arutz-7 story of
several months ago, the Article is entitled, "Recycling Torah Scrolls
To Israel". (It can be read by clicking on the underlined words.)
The Sefer Torah Recycling Network has also received coverage recently
in The Jewish Press and in The Capital News (formerly Daf Shemesh).
Hopefully, with your help and IY'H additional publicity, the
exposure, subscribership and Donations of funds and Sifrei Torah will
grow in the weeks and months to come as a result of both initial and
ongoing efforts.
Continued wishes for a Sweet year and enjoyable reading of the Sefer
Torah Network News list.
Best Regards,
Moshe Burt
Founder and Director
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Items of Note in this Edition of theSefer Torah Network News .
-Shabbos in the Givat Nof Harim Community of Yishuv Eli
-Spotlight on two locations slated to receive Sifrei Torah
-Intentions: a key to one's Observance.
-Taking Down Tapuach West; "Surely, this thing is known..."
-Inspiring Sefer Torah Stories from Around the World
-Locations in need of their own Sifrei Torah
-Up Close and Personal ; Kehilla Beis Tefillah, Ramat Beit Shemesh
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Please visit the ArtScroll.com Website and help support The Sefer
Torah Recycling Network. A portion of all purchases from the
ArtScroll.com website will support the project's mission - only when
you click on this link: ArtScroll.com.
Sefer Torah Network News selections for this newsletter; The
Schottenstein Edition Talmud, The Aryeh Kaplan Anthology Set / 2
Volume Slipcased Set, By Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan and Rabbi Berel Wein's
Pirkei Avos: Teachings for Our Times.
Please note that you can now place a Standing Order of the Daf Yomi
Size Schottenstein Edition of the Talmud and receive every volume of
the Daf Yomi Size Schottenstein Talmud as they are Published and help
support The Sefer Torah Recycling Network at the same time.
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Tehillim for Recovery from Illness
Please see that tehillim is said for the following individuals;
Moshe Shlomo ben Michal
Moshe Shlomo is a little over 1 year old. There were complications
at birth which have resulted in slowness in coordination and motor
development.
Aliza Channa Devorah bat Malka.
Aliza is 12 years of age. She is receiving Chemo-therapy treatments
for cancer in Hadassah Childrens hospital. She had complained of
pain in her right shoulder. Doctors found a tumor and she was
diagnosed a few months ago. Please pray hard for her refuah
shleimah. This request came to me from her grandparents who live in
the U.S.
Menucha Mendel Yehudit Rut bat Chaya Zelda;
A widow from London who became ill during a visit to EretzYisrael and
who is currently recovering from her illness in London. Please pray
hard for her refuah shleimah.
And please Daven for Good Health for Yehonatan ben Malka (Jonathan
Pollard) and for his speedy release from American incarceration and
his return to his beloved homeland, Eretz Yisrael.
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Shabbos in the Givat Nof Harim Community of Yishuv Eli
On Friday, 30 January, 2004, I travelled via autobus #474 and arrived
on about 2 PM in the afternoon. My contact, Yo'av Amir, the Shul's
Gabai, picked me up at the Kikar at Yishuv Eli's main entrance.
After a cup of tea, he took me on a tour of the neighborhood as well
as a driving tour of the hilltop communities which surround the main
Yishuv and which are part of the Yishuv. The views from the Givat
Nof Harim are fantastic. From there, you can see the surrounding
Yishuvim -- Ma'alei Levona, Shilo, Rachele and even Tapuach.
I took numerous pictures during Friday afternoon of the view from the
hilltops, the Main Yishuv, the Beit Knesset -- inside and out, the
Gan and a converted railroad car which serves as a visitor's center
and is located between the main Yishuv and the hilltop communities.
Pictures of the community andYishuv Eli will be forthcoming IY'H, by
the next edition of this newsletter.
I received wonderful, warm hospitality (and great food) throughout
Shabbos, having my meals with 3 different families -- Friday night
with Yo'av and his wife and baby, Shabbos lunch with a another member
of the Shul's Va'ad and Seudat Shlish't with a 3rd family. The
community is extremely warm, close-knit and very S'niyut.
Davening was nice and the Rav ( Rav Mordechai Haas) is soft-spoken,
s'niyut, yet a big Talmud Chacham. Rabbi Haas teaches during the
week in a Yeshiva in Jerusalem. He makes himself available
throughout the week, via cellphone, to answer Shi'alot for not only
the Givat Nof Harim community, but of the entire Yishuv. He gives a
Shiur on Friday night after Davening as well as on Shabbos morning
before laining and just after Mincha for about 20 minutes. I'm told
that Rabbi Haas and his Rebbetzin have 12 children.
The people in Givat Nof Harim are serious in their learning.
Discussions throughout Shabbos were very stimulating. The people
are, for the most part, young in their 20s and 30s, yet very
grounded, mature, serious and sincere. The Rav has lived in Eli for
7 years and was among those who began the community. And when he
moved to the community, he brought others to the community as well.
The Rav spent his childhood in "Bnai Brak" and then learned at
"Mercaz-Harav".
The Shul was built within the last two years. It is nice, although
not fancy. The people live simply and with S'niyut and the Shul is
in keeping with their derech.
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Spotlight on two locations slated to receive Sifrei Torah (with your help!) ;
Homesh, in the Shomron (Sameria) region of Eretz Yisrael amd is
located amongst a group of communities including Kedumim, Elon Moreh,
Shavei Shomron, Einav, etc. which are in close proximity to the Arab
cities of Shechem, Kalkilya, etc. The Yishuv has many Russian olim
who have become Ba'al Teshuva in addition to many Dati families who
have moved there in recent years from other locations. Upon
completion of the restoration of a Sefer Torah donated by a family
in Baltimore, its placement in Homesh will be fulfillment of a nearly
5 year old promise to Rabbi Yehoshua Schmidt. I met Rav Schmidt, the
Rav of both Yishuv Shavei Shomron and Yishuv Homesh, while living and
doing Ulpan on Shavei Shomron.
The second Sefer Torah, once funds are raised and the restoration
work is completed, will be placed in a Kehilla of Yishuv Bat Ayin
which is located in Gush Etzion. It will be the recipient of a Sefer
Torah donated by a student of the School of Safrus located there.
Just a few words on Bat Ayin. I visited there recently for the first
time in many years. The Yishuv has grown 10-fold in the 9 years
since The Sefer Torah Recycling Network placed it's first Sefer Torah
there in 1995. It was more beautiful then I remember it. Hopefully,
I will go there for Shabbos in the near future and will have more to
write then.
In order to complete the restorations of these Sifrei Torah for
placement in these two locations, $7,500 remains to be raised.
Please know that your sponsorship donation or purchase of a S'forim
or Judaica products via clicking from the ads on The Sefer Torah
Recycling Network homepage, the About The Sefer Torah Recycling
Network page or the Judaica Page is an act of helping to unify Jewish
neshamot of those who have touched, kissed and lained from these
Sifrei Torah throughout their lives with those yet to touch, kiss and
lain from them during their extended future life. By donating or
through purchasing via the ads on the site, you are taking positive
action to possess Eretz Yisrael.
In these days where talk abounds about dismantlements, unilateral
withdrawals and the like, and this talk is seen as a display of
weakness discrediting our Divine, eternal legacy of possession of
Eretz Yisrael, your donation insures that needy locations become
Mokomot Torah and under the protection of Shemayim. Please make
your donations by check or paypal -- NOW!
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Sponsorship Donation Program
Lifting Neshamot through Donations of Funds/Sifrei Torah
<http://www.sefer-torah.com>Flash:
<http://www.sefer-torah.com/torah1.htm>Special Incentive gift for
those Sponsors donating $180 or More*
Why not donate a paragraph, or a section or the reading from your Bar
Mitzvah, marriage, or some other family event.
Principals and Administrators of Religious Day Schools, Talmudei
Torah and Yeshiva High Schools; The Sponsorship Donation Program to
help restore Sifrei Torah for placement in needy locations in Israel
makes an excellent Chinuch and Tzedakah project for your students and
their families. Friends, please recommend it to principals and
adminstrators for inclusion in their educational programs.
Please send me an email stating your level of sponsorship, and what
you seek to sponsor. More information is also available on our
website. Making a donation, whether a financial donation made
through a program such as theSponsorship Donation program, or via the
donation of a Sefer Torah, can cause the elevation in Shemayim of the
Neshama of the niftar loved one or close friend.
Please keep this thought in mind as you consider a donation to The
Sefer Torah project.
Sefer Torah $ 6,000 25,000 NIS
1 Sefer;
i.e. Sefer
Breish't $ 1,800 7,200 NIS
1 Parsha $ 180 (10 x Chai) 720 NIS
(40 x Chai)
1 Amud $ 54 ( 3 x Chai) 216 NIS
(12 x Chai)
1 Posuk $ 10 36
NIS (2 x Chai )
2 Posukim $ 18 ( Chai) 72
NIS (4 x Chai)
3 Posukim $ 36 ( 2 x Chai) 144 NIS
( 8 x Chai)
Why not donate posukim, amudim or the Parsha of your Bar Mitzvah,
Marriage, or some other family Simcha? Wnen donating in this way,
please send me an email stating your level of sponsership, what
Posukim, Amud, Parsha, etc. you seek to sponsor and your method of
payment; by check, see directions in method #2 (listed in the "You
can help in five ways" section shown below) or via paypal (see next
line).
In the USA;
To receive a USA tax receipt, donors should make their checks out to
"Congregation Ahavas Torah Tzedakah Fund." Please note on both the
memo line of the check and on the envelope that the check is for:
"Mark Burt & Sefer Torah Recycling Network." Be sure to include your
address. Upon request, a tax-deductible receipt for your donation
will be mailed to you. Mail checks to:
Congregation Ahavas Torah Tzedakah Fund,
1425 Rhawn Street,
Philadelphia, Pa. 19111.
In Canada;
To receive a Canadian tax receipt, donors should make their checks
out to "JBRASS" (BN#864426911RR0001). Please also enclose a note as
well as mark the envelope that the check is for "Mark Burt & Sefer
Torah Recycling Network." Be sure to include your address. Upon
request, a tax-deductible receipt for your donation will be mailed to
you. Mail checks to:
The Sefer Torah Recycling Network,
46 Meadowbrook Road, Apt. 6,
Toronto, Ontario, M6B 2S6
Canada
In Israel;
Donors in Israel can donate by contacting 067-305-497 or emailing
Moshe Burt <strnetmb at yahoo.com> or <mosheb at sefer-torah.com> for
mailing information.
Sponsorship Donors can make an Online donation via paypal. Simply
copy the email address; <mosheb at sefer-torah.com>, then click on the
paypal link, and paste the copied email address onto the
"Recipient's email" field.
All donors participating in the Sponsorship donation program will
receive an attractive, commemorative certificate in recognition of
their kind donation.
*The Sefer Torah Recycling Network has gained access to a limited
number of Sefer Torah posters. Those donating $180 or more will be
sent one of these posters which is frameable. It makes a beautiful
livingroom centerpiece picture. The Sefer Torah pictured has a brown
Mantel on either side and the 247 Amudim on a blue background. Click
here to view a partial scan of the poster.
While they last, those donating $180 or more will receive a full
Sefer Torah poster including all 247 Amudim.
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Check out the Updated Sefer Torah Recycling Network website and see
all of the new bells, whistles and features which provide you with
all necessary information about the project from lists of needy
locations to Rabbinic Approbations.
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Divrei Torah
Parshi'ot Beshalach, Yithro, Mishpatim;
Intentions: a key to one's Observance.
By Moshe Burt
This past week, Prime Minister Sharon continued proceeding forward
with his latest bombshell, evacuating Gaza. And we had an Earthquake
rated over 5 on the Richter scale.
We read each day in Pesukei D'Zimrah (The praises of G'd), "He balks
at the designs of peoples. Many designs are in man's heart, but the
counsel of Hashem -- only it will prevail." And so we watch yet
another Gezeira of making Eretz Yisrael Yudenrein pronounced by yet
another Torah-distant government. The unending list of adjectives is
long as to reach to the sky -- Oslo, Oslo 2, Chevron, Wye,
dismantlement, disengagement, withdrawal, evacuation, bulldozing,
unilateral Seperation or Security Fence (a useless, senseless,
costly Israel-style Maginot Line obscenity to be read as Political
Border) ...
As I sat working with some correspondence on the internet this past
Wednesday morning and suddenly felt the floor, the doors, the windows
and the whole building where I live shake, rattle and roll, I had my
first exposure to what Californians know quite well. My building
vibrated severely and seem to lerch forward and then back. I felt,
and neighbors later shared with me the thought that our building
would collapse.
A neighbor suggested that what happened could have resulted from a
plane flying too low, but the tremors were just too intense to have
been a from a low-flying plane. The heavy shaking and vibrating
seemed to last about a minute and less intense shaking continued for
another couple of minutes. As the event was in progress, I looked
out the window thinking that maybe it was the wind which always seems
to rattle windows and doors here. But outside, there was no wind.
"...The counsel of Hashem -- only it will prevail."
And so I thought to equate the two contrasts, the designs of man and
the will of Hashem, to our Parshiyot; Beshalach, Yithro, Mishpatim
which all relate to Torah Law, it's enactment, enforcement and
judgement.
We learn that when Yithro observed Moshe as he sat and judged amongst
the entire B'nai Yisrael from sun-up until sundown each day, he
appealed to Moshe to set up a system of Judges and representation
whereby Moshe's judgement duties would be delegated to his Talmidim,
his disciples who would hear the bulk of the cases with only the
difficult cases coming before Moshe as the Judge of final appeal.
Yithro called for the appointment "...of able men, G'd-fearing men,
men of truth, hating profit and place them over the people, to be
rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and
rulers of tens." (Sh'mos, Perek 18, posuk 21) Four posukim later,
we learn that "Moshe chose able men out of all Israel, and made them
heads over the people..."(Sh'mos, Perek 18, posuk 25) On the omission
of "G'd-fearing men" in this later posuk, the Ibn Ezra notes that
"this is obvious, and the Torah did not mention 'G'd-fearing men'
because only Hashem knows what is in man's heart." (Torah Gems Volume
2, page 131.) I believe this knowledge to be what constitutes Intent.
I'll give a Mashal (a story or illustration) here. I have, for the
past 7 1/2 months, been learning Hilchos Shabbos in the Pirchei
Shoshanim Program under the auspices of my Shul in Ramat Beit Shemesh.
We have learned two definitions very early on relating to issurim,
violations of the Laws of Shabbos. These terms are B'Shogaig; an
accidental or unintentional violation of Shabbos dinim (laws) and
B'Maizid; intentional or purposeful violations. We have learned
through the various sections on the laws of Bishul (cooking), Sh'hiya
(leaving a pot of food on the fire from before Shabbos), Chazara
(replacing an item onto the fire which had cooked there previously)
and Hatmana (enwrapping a pot in order to retain the warmth of the
food once cooked). As we learn these various topics, we distinguish
Rabbinic fences built around the laws to protect them from the
tendency of
human nature to take leniencies, permitted under unusual
circumstances, i.e. food needed for unexpected last minute guests,
and to project them (the leniences) into standard practice or intent
contrary to the divine intent of the Laws of Shabbos.
And we find that the issue of intent is spread throughout Halacha, in
Tefillah, in our interactions with others, in the performance of
Mitzvot and Chesed. Are we acting with intent of al Kiddush Hashem
(as to bring favor upon Hashem's name), in Yirat Hashem (in awe of
Hashem), Ahavat Hashem (love of Hashem) in any particular matter or
are we acting out of a narrow intent of self-interest,
self-enrichment, kavod (honor and influence for one's self)? A
friend of mind back in Chutz L'Aretz would relate to intent in asking
if an action was "for the reason."
And when it comes the current crop of "Leaders", the "...rulers of
thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties..." of Medinat
Yisrael; when they shirk both their responsibility to make secure the
people they rule over and their responsibility to possess the Eretz
Yisrael which Hashem gave us, is their intent based on Pikuach
Nefesh, or self image as grasshoppers in fear of nations, or is their
intent based on base corruption, ill-gotten profits,
self-perpetuation of their positions and to heck with Yosef Q. Yid?
Yih'Yeh B'Seder. "And if they're 'Bad Boys'..."
As the Ibn Ezra says, "the Torah did not mention 'G'd-fearing men'
because only Hashem knows what is in man's heart."
In the merit of our collective unity, emunah and actions, may we ALL
be zocha to have our Tefillah reach Shemayim, unimpeded, ungarbled.
As Rabbi Moshe Ungar would say each Thursday evening at his Gemara
Shuir back in Phildelphia, in "the old country", may we be zocha to
demand, compel Hashem to do "what he wants to do, to bring us the
Moshiach and the Ge'ula Shlaima, bim hay v'yameinu -- speedily, in
our time." And may we see an end to low, dirty politics, political
equivocation, perfidy and false cheshbonot; Achshav -- Immediately,
Chik Chuk, Meiyad, Etmol!!
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Another Innovation from The Sefer Torah Recycling .Network;
<http://www.sefer-torah.com/SimchaVort.htm> SimchaVort
Do you need help in developing a word of Torah for your Simcha?
If so, SimchaVort can help. Kindly send an email to
<mosheb at sefer-torah.com> telling me what the Simcha is, who it's for
and what Parsha it's in. In exchange for your kind donation
to<http://www.sefer-torah.com/sponsorship.htm> The Sefer Torah
Recycling Network, I'll be glad to help with ideas. For an example,
please click on
<http://www.sefer-torah.com/SimchaVort.htm>SimchaVort. .
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Donors in the US, please make tax deductible donation checks out to
"Congregation Ahavas Torah Tzedakah Fund", with a note on both the
Memo line of the check and on the envelope "Mark Burt & Sefer Torah
Recycling Network" and mail to "Congregation Ahavas Torah Tzedakah
Fund", 1425 Rhawn Street, Philadelphia, Pa. 19111. Be sure to
include your address. Upon request, a tax-deductible receipt for
your donation will be mailed to you.
Donors in Canada, please make your tax deductible checks out to
"JBRASS" (BN#864426911RR0001) and mail to; "The Sefer Torah Recycling
Network", 46 Meadowbrook Road, Apt. 6, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M6B
2S6. Please mark on the envelope (and if possible attach a stick'em
memo to the check) saying "Mark Burt & Sefer Torah Recycling
Network." Upon receipt, a tax-deductible receipt for your donation
will be mailed to you.
Donors can make an Online donation via<https://www.paypal.com>
paypal. Simply copy the email address; <mosheb at sefer-torah.com>,
then click on the <https://www.paypal.com/>paypal link, and paste
the copied email address onto the "Recipient's email" field.
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Inspiring Sefer Torah Stories from
Around the World
<http://www.jafi.org.il/arts/2003/oct/1.htm>"I Brought the Torah
Scrolls with Me From Syria!" - The story of how a Syrian Jew
smuggled Torah Scrolls into Israel.
<http://cbsnewyork.com/mideast/mideast_story_021174152.html>The Sefer
Torah which Flew on the Columbia. The Story of the Torah scroll which
accompanied Israel's Astranaut, Ilan Ramon OBM on that fateful
Columbia Shuttle Mission.
A Sefer Torah Story from "GUARDIAN OF JERUSALEM" the life and times
of Rabbi Yosef Chaim Sonnenfeld is entitled
<http://www.innernet.org.il/archives/guardian.htm>"Solving The
Crime." Click on the link and arrow down to the story.
<http://scheinerman.net/judaism/stories/justice.html>"Purchasing
Justice" - between rich and poor, by Rabbi Scheinerman. A lesson
for all of B'nai Yisrael.
Sifrei Torah in Iraq
In surfing the net looking for pertinent sites related to Sifrei
Torah, I stumbled upon this site, which has apparently been inactive
since fall, 2002. It is called
<http://www.dangoor.com/scribe.html>"The SCRIBE" . You can view the
site and it's interesting stories by clicking on the title.
More Sefer Torah Stories
I feel that this inspiring story written by Rabbi Paysach J. Krohn
which appears on the Jewish World Review website bears repeating. It
is entitled <http://www.jewishworldreview.com/0403/sole.html>
"Healing a trampled sole".
But Rabbi Krohn's story is not the only such Holacaust Sefer
Torah/Shoe story. The Amcha (Israel Center for Holacaust Survivers)
site features another such story,
<http://www.amcha.org/Survivors_Stories.html> "My Shoes", by Rachel.
Click on the link and arrow down to the story.
*******************************************************************************************
Did you know that you can now help in five ways to assist in
locating donors of Sifrei Torah and raising funds to accomplish our
mission?
1/ Talk to your friends, relatives and acquaintances about The Sefer
Torah Recycling Network and about the many needy communities in Eretz
Yisrael who do not possess their own Sifrei Torah. Many Shuls have
aging Congregations and Sifrei Torah in their Aron HaKodesh laying
idle, not being lained from. Many active Shuls have excess Sifrei
Torah which are not in use due to restoration work needed or because
the Shul has newer Sifrei Torah. These S'forim, if in Kosher or
restorable condition, are desperately needed by communities in
EretzYisrael who do not have the financial resources to acquire new
Sifrei Torah and would greatly appreciate the donation of a used
Sefer Torah.
2/ Donors in the US, please make tax deductible donation checks out
to "Congregation Ahavas Torah Tzedakah Fund", with a note on both the
Memo line of the check and on the envelope "Mark Burt & Sefer Torah
Recycling Network" and mail to "Congregation Ahavas Torah Tzedakah
Fund", 1425 Rhawn Street, Philadelphia, Pa. 19111. Be sure to
include your address. Upon request, a tax-deductible receipt for
your donation will be mailed to you.
>>>NEW<<<
Donors in Canada, please make your tax deductible checks out to
"JBRASS" (BN#864426911RR0001) and mail to; "The Sefer Torah Recycling
Network", 46 Meadowbrook Road, Apt. 6, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M6B
2S6. Please mark on the envelope (and if possible attach a stick'em
memo to the check) saying "Mark Burt & Sefer Torah Recycling
Network." Upon receipt, a tax-deductible receipt for your donation
will be mailed to you.
3/ Donors can participate in a
<http://www.sefer-torah.com/sponsorship.htm>Sponsorship Donation
program.
4/ Donors can make an Online donation via<https://www.paypal.com>
paypal. Simply copy the email address; <mosheb at sefer-torah.com>,
then click on the <https://www.paypal.com/>paypal link, and paste
the copied email address
onto the block called "Recipient's email".
5/ The Sefer Torah Network currently has affiliations with
<http://www.artscroll.com/linker/sefertorahnetwork/home>Artscroll and
<http://www.soncino.com/search.asp?REFERER=SeferTorahNetwork>Soncino
publishers and
<http://www.ahuva.com/store/search.asp?REFERER=SeferTorahNetwork>Ahuva
Judaica whereby subscribers to the Sefer Torah Network News list as
well as surfers to the <http://www.sefer-torah.com>The Sefer Torah
Recycling Network website can now help finance the project's mission
simply by purchasing S'forim or Judaica from these publishers and
Judaica Supplier. All it takes is clicking on any of the above links
or the links on the website.
We have also recently added an affiliation link
to<http://www.qksrv.net/click-1346029-1456053> IDT (as shown above.)
The Sefer Torah Network continues to seek affiliations with other
Judaica publishers as well as with other online Judaica merchants in
order to generate funds toward defraying project costs.
Please give your Support, Financial Donations/ Donations of
Used Sifrei Torah. Make Needy Locations throughout
Israel Mokomot Torah
***********************************************************************************************
Locations in need of their own Sifrei Torah;
I want to relate to you the contents of emails which have been
received describing some of the newest needy locations.
Among the new locations writing of their need for a Sefer Torah are
Tzur Hadassah -- only a short distance from Ramat Beit Shemesh.
They lack an Ashkenaz Sefer Torah. It is a Yishuv of 2,000 people.
It is popiulated mostly by Secular/Traditional, but has a small, but
growing religious population. They have S'fardi, joint
Ashkenazi-S'fardi and Ashkenaz Minyanim.
The Ashkenaz Minyan which is in need of a Sefer Torah a mix of Olim
(incl US, Australia, UK, Swiss, Belgian, France) as well as veteran
Israeli, all leaning towards Dati Leumi.
In Betar, the Main Beit Knesset is lacking two Sifrei Torah. There
are two other Batei Knesset which need one each.
Beitar's Main Beit Knesset's Sefardi Minyan, is a combination of
North African, Syrian, Yerushalmi, Bavli & European S'fardim.
The other two Betar Batei Knesset are Ashkenazi/Hassidi with a varied
mixture of men from all over the world.
In Yishuv Meitzad, the home of the Goldstein family who founded the
Diaspora Yeshiva in the Old City, in Jerusalem, an AshkenazSefer
Torah is needed.
In Ramat Beit Shemesh "Aleph", Beit Knesset Kehillat Beis Tefillah
which currently davens in an enclosed area in back of the building
next to my building, but who recently broke ground for building a
Beit Knesset, needs it's own Sefer Torah as the two S'forim in their
Aron HaKodesh are both on loan.
Also in Ramat Beit Shemesh "Aleph", Kehillah Ahavat B'Simcha, a
Carlebach Minyan is in need of a Sefer Torah.
In Jerusalem, Yeshiva Machon Meir is in need of an Ashkenaz Sefer Torah.
These are just a few of the many locations all over Israel in need
their own Sifrei Torah. To view more such locations, please view The
Sefer Torah website.
As one lover of Eretz Yisrael to another, I'm sure that you share my
wish that every location in Eretz Yisrael, regardless of economic
means, be Mokomot Torah (a place of Torah). And imagine the level
of Kedusha when all of the neshamot who have lained from, touched and
kissed a Sefer Torah in the past, in it's previous home, unite with
all of the neshamot yet to lain from, touch and kiss the Sefer Torah
here in EretzYisroel.
At this time in history, with the advent of the latest Oslo
spin-offs, "Geneva" and the mis-directed "Roadmap" both of which
endanger Israel, the kedusha of Eretz Yisrael, Jewish Sovereignty
and very survival, we need your help, both by way of donations of
Sifrei Torah and by way of donations of funds in order to fulfill our
mission of placing Sifrei Torah in needy locations throughout Israel,
thus possessing Our Land, IY'H insuring our survival. We hope to
raise seed funds in order to set up an Amutah or a Non-Profit Company
in Israel, to employ Sofrim to restore Sifrei Torah, to locate donors
of, or economically purchase Sifrei Torah via all medium. The plan
is also to eventually establish a 501-C3 Non-profit organization in
the US and thus establish The Sefer Torah Recycling Network an
ongoing, serious project.
Your Support, Financial Donations & Donations of
Sifrei Torah Will Help Needy Locations throughout Israel
****************************************************************************************************
Up Close and Personal:
Kehilla Beis Tefillah, Ramat Beit Shemesh;
A link has been added on the links page of the
<http://www.sefer-torah.com>site for a very special Beit Knesset in
Ramat Beit Shemesh, Israel; <http://www.beistefillah.org>Kehilla Beis
Tefillah. Land has been broken, preliminary retaining wall work has
been completed and the Shul is moving ahead with the building of a
new Beit Knesset structure to be completed sometime next year.
Ramat Beit Shemesh is the fastest growing community in Israel and
<http://www.beistefillah.org>Kehilla Beis Tefillah, led by Rav Chaim
Malinowitz, among it's most dynamic Shuls. Friends, when you make
your pilot trips in the course of your Aliya planning, have your
Aliya date at hand or have arrived and are searching for a wonderful
community and full-service Beit Knesset (Tefillah, Kesher, an
outstanding Rav, daily Night Seder and dynamic Learning Programs,
Avos U'Bonim, Youth Mishmar and American warmth, caring and
closeness), your first stop's gotta be Kehillat Beis Tefillah.
Financial donations toward the <http://www.beistefillah.org>Shul's
building fund are greatly appreciated. When donating, please tell
them that you read about the Shul here.
***************************************************************************************************
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********************************************************************************************************
Subscription Instructions
You are invited to tell your friends about The Sefer Torah Recycling
Network and to encourage them to
<http://www.sefer-torah.com/mailman/listinfo/sefer-torah-network-news_sefer-torah.com>subscribe
online to the Sefer Torah Network News list.
Subscription is accomplished simply by either viewing
<http://www.sefer-torah.com>The Sefer Torah Recycling Network
website and clicking on the subscribe button on the homepage or
sending an email to:
Sefer-torah-network-news-request at sefer-torah.com
with subject - "subscribe".
To unsubscribe, user will send an email to:
Sefer-torah-network-news-request at sefer-torah.com
with subject - "unsubscribe".
--
Moshe Burt Founder and Director
<http://www.sefer-torah.com>The Sefer Torah Recycling Network
Rechov Nachal Dolev #34/12
Ramat Beit Shemesh 99000
Israel
02-9996496, 067-305-497
Do a Chessed for Needy communities
in Eretz Yisrael.
Click on; http://www.sefer-torah.com
Please help with your kind donations!
Eliminate annoying pop-ups with Alexa Toolbar
<http://download.alexa.com/?p=Dest_W_40_T1>
Now you can donate on-line, Click on;
https://www.paypal.com, copy & paste
to the email block email address;
mosheb at sefer-torah.com
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