From mosheb at sefer-torah.com Tue May 4 14:37:01 2004 From: mosheb at sefer-torah.com (Moshe Burt) Date: Tue May 4 13:26:08 2004 Subject: [Sefer-torah-network-news] The Sefer Torah Network Newsletter, Vol. 1, Number 20 Message-ID: Sefer Torah Network News Volume 1, Number 20 4 May, 2004 Shalom Friends; Welcome to the 20th edition of the Sefer Torah Network News list.. A lot has happened this past month since the Hochnossis Sefer Torah party celebrating placement in the Givat Nof Harim hilltop community of Yishuv Eli which took place near the end of March, 2004. Please view the website and read this newletter for coverage of the event. Some of the pictures of the event have been placed on the website. A full layout of pictures will be viewable from the website soon. The event was covered by Israel National News TV and was included as a segment in the weekly Israeli Salad Show #37. Viewers can chose from three separate files for "Israeli Salad #37" (arrow down beneath the picture) depending on their internet connection. 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 Sefer Torah Recycling Network continues to be active on various fronts having received several very positive responses to the publicity regarding the event in Yishuv Eli. Offers of Sifrei Torah have been made which are being followed up upon and Sifrei Torah are being checked for feasibility of restoration. In the aftermath of the defeat of the referendum concerning possible dismantlements and relinquishments of Gaza and certain Yishuvim inYehuda & Shomron, it is crucial to maintain a momentum of unity amongst B'nai Yisrael and full-court pressing for expeditious donations of both Sifrei Torah and funding for restorations of Torahs for the needy, endangered locations. During Chol HaMo'ed and again on Yom Hatsma'ot, I travelled on a Tiyul to Gaza and talked residents while there. More on this to follow in subsequent newsletters. I'm proud to announce that The Sefer Torah Recycling Network has acquired a Sefer Torah which is currently under repair for placement in Yishuv Shi-rat HaYam in Gush Katif. Estimated time of completion and placement is between 3 - 5 weeks. It is being dedicated in memory of Mrs. Tali Hatuel, 34, and her daughters Hila, 11, Hadar, 9, Roni, 7, and Meirav, 2 who ere brutally murdered on the road as they were leaving Gush Katif and headed toward polling places to campaign against the referendum on the day of the vote. Fund raising requirements to cover the cost of the Sofer's repairs is $3,000. I need your help in raising these funds. This newsletter includes a backgroud article on how the Sefer Torah was acquired, how it came to be designated for Shi-rat Hayam. Raising the necessary funds for three restorations of Sefer Torah for Shi-rat HaYam, as well as S'forim 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 for the restorations of Sifrei Torah for Homesh and Bat Ayin..) Please note that Homesh has the status as Gush Katif as it was one of the locations covered in the referendum. lease note that there is background article about Homesh, a history of the Sefer Torah and how a Yeshiva from Elon Moreh came to also be located in Yishuv Homesh. 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. 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. For this reason, we seek philanthropists, philanthropic "Angels" 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. I hold that donating a Sefer Torah, or donating the funds necessary in order for The Sefer Torah Recycling Network to become an ongoing, serious organization which places Sifrei Torah in many of the hundreds of needy locations throughout EretzYisrael is to tangibly act to possess EretzYisrael as your own. There are other noteworthy developments to report in The Sefer Torah Network News list beyond the upcoming Hochnossis Sefer Torah Party. 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 newsletter, or from The Sefer Torah Recycling Network website to the 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 donors with incentive and 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. 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. Both the ArtScroll.com and the CDTorah.com sites, with their special directed links, are now placed in a more prominent position on the front page and on other pages on the site. An automatic, one-button method of subscription to this newsletter has been added. These special directed links, 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 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. I ask all of you to please help publicize The Sefer Torah Recycling Network with your friends, associates, by posting a copy on the bulletin board of your Shul, etc. 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.) 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. 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. Chag Kosher V'Same'ach to all and continued wishes for enjoyable reading of the Sefer Torah Network News list. Best Regards, Moshe Burt Founder and Director *************************************************************************************************** Items of Note in this Edition of theSefer Torah Network News . -Maintaining the Momentum of Unity Amongst B'nai Yisrael (Shi-rat HaYam, Gush Katif) -Homesh, The Referendum and Shuli Har-Melech Z "l -Shabbos in the Givat Nof Harim Community of Yishuv Eli -Spotlight on three locations slated to receive Sifrei Torah -Hachnasat Sefer Torah Givat Nof Harim: For Some Mitzvot, It Takes a Kahal . -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 *************************************************************************************************** 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. **************************************************************************************************** Tehillim for Recovery from Illness Please see that tehillim is said for the following individuals; Moshe Shlomo ben Michal Moshe Shlomo is 1 1/2 years 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. I'm happy to report that she has completed her Chemo-therapy treatments for cancer in Hadassah Childrens hospital and has resumed attending school part-time. She still must be watched carefully and has weekly check-ups at Hadassah 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. **************************************************************************************************** Maintaining the Momentum of Unity Amongst B'nai Yisrael by, Moshe Burt In the days after the recent referendum, it's important to maintain and keep up the momentum of unity within B'nai Yisrael. There is a way for Likud and non-Likud membersas well as those living in Chutz L'Aretz to make an impact and to make known their feelings about, love and attachment for and unity with EretzYisrael. This past Thursday, I came into possession of a Sefer Torah, Sfardi Ksav from an elderly gentleman from Har Nof. On Sunday evening, I got the high sign from my Sofer as to repairability and I gave him the "go" sign to commence the restoration work on the Sefer. Prior to his making Aliyah 10 years ago, this gentleman went to the Shuls in Borough Park soliciting Sifrei Torah (wish that I had known him 10 years ago). He acquired donations of 7 S'forim, of which I got the last one. Unfortuately, the donor, owing to his method of acquisition of this and the other S'forim, knows nothing of the previous history of the Sefer. At this point, I want to express a great HaKaras HaTov to Hillel Fendel of Arutz-7 who made this referral. Hillel, the merit of the Mitzvah done here is immense. Tizku L'Mitzvot. The Sofer's estimated completion time is 3 - 5 weeks from today. He has indicated possible completion by as early as right before Shavous. I've told him please to not pressure himself in trying to complete a 3 week timetable. But as you can see, time is short and of the essence. I need your help in raising $3,000 to cover the costs of the Sofer's restoration. The Sefer Torah, when completed, will be placed in Yishuv Shuirat HaYam in Gush Katif in honor of and in memory of the Hatuel's -- the mother and four daughters who were slaughtered by Arab slime on the very day of the referendum. The mother and the daughters were on their way to be present at polling place to campaign for Gush Katif during the Likud referendum voting. Just a bit about Yishuv Shuirat HaYam, It is a Community of Ashkanazim/S'fardim with15 families, approx. 100 people. The men are Talmidei Chachamim, although no Rav. They Daven in a large Caravan (2 Caravanim). Rabbi Chaim Zev Malinowitz(formerly Rosh Kolel in Monsey, currently editor of the Artscroll Gemoras and world renowned expert in Gittin) the Rav of Kehillah Beis Tefillah where I daven (located next door to my building), raves about the beauty and kedusha of Shuirat HaYam. I hope to go there for a Shabbos within the next couple of weeks. For anyone wishing to make a tax-deductible donation, please see below or view The Sefer Torah Recycling Network website for instructions regarding tax deductible donations in the US and Canada. I thank you for your kind consideration. Please remember, one person alone cannot bring an endevour such as this off. One person can dream, plan and present an idea. It takes a Kahal, it takes a unified B'nai Yisrael to bring it off. ***************************************************************************************************** Shabbos in the Givat Nof Harim Community of Yishuv Eli When the page appears, arrow down to "Shabbat in Givat Nof Harim." **************************************************************************************************** Homesh and The Referendum By Moshe Burt As you probably know, Homesh is one of the 4 Yishuvim in the Shomron publically identified as being part of the same matzav as Gush Katif via the now-defeated referendum. And 5 years ago, while living and during Ulpan in Yishuv Shavei Shomron, the Rav of Shavei Shomron, upon hearing of my project, asked me to try to acquire a Sefer Torah for Homesh where he was then acting in a Rav capacity answering Sha'ilot for Homesh residents. Completion of restoration and placement of this Sefer in Homesh represents fulfillment of this 5 year old promise. In August, 2003, a young man and his wife who lived in Homesh were attacked on the road as they were returning to their home Erev Shabbos. The young man, Shuli Har Melech, Z""l was killed and his wife seriously wounded in the attack. Shul was helping to establish a Shul there and recruiting religious people to come to Homesh to live. Although not a Rav, Shuli, it is said was a big Talmid Chacham and people came to him with Sha'ilot. The young couple had moved to Homesh a couple of years previously. (Please note that the timelines regarding the family moving to Homesh may not be totally accurate. Further, from reading the article and later speaking with the family, I gathered that there were numerous inaccuracies in the article. But from the info, as I've provided it, you can understand the story.) Subsequent to the attack, people from theYeshiva in Elon Moreh have established a Yeshiva in Homesh in Shuli's memory and they need a Sefer Torah. I need approximately $5,000 to cover the cost of this Sofer and the cost of a new mantle (or Perochet) in order to complete and place this Sefer Torah. The Sefer itself comes from Baltimore. The donors were neighbors of very dear friends of mine in the Park Heights neighborhood. Actually, this Sefer is the second of two s'forim which they donated to me. The first resides in Kiryat Arba, in Rav Chaim Simon's Kehilla which davens in a room in Rav Lior's Yeshiva. This Sefer resided in Washington, DC, Silverspring and Rockville before the family brought it to Park Heights where it resided from 1996 until 2001 on Baywood Rd. in Park Heights before being delivered to Israel by the son of a friend of mine. The Sefer is about 65 years old. The Klaf is in strong condition and the Sofer restoring the Sefer Torah tells me that once completed, the Sefer should have an additional life of at least 10 years, perhaps even 20 years or more. I have raised $2,000 but need to raise the remaining $5,000 to complete the work and place the Sefer in the Yeshiva in Yishuv Homesh. ******************************************************************************************************* Sponsorship Donation Program Lifting Neshamot through Donations of Funds/Sifrei Torah Flash: 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 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 . Sponsorship Donors can make an Online donation via paypal. Simply copy the email address; , 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, frameable 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. **************************************************************************************************** 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. **************************************************************************************************** Divar Torah Hachnasat Sefer Torah -- Givat Nof Harim: For Some Mitzvot, It Takes a Kahal. By Moshe Burt ******************************************************************************************* Another Innovation from The Sefer Torah Recycling .Network; SimchaVort Do you need help in developing a word of Torah for your Simcha? If so, SimchaVort can help. Kindly send an email to telling me what the Simcha is, who it's for and what Parsha it's in. In exchange for your kind donation to The Sefer Torah Recycling Network, I'll be glad to help with ideas. For an example, please click on SimchaVort. . **************************************************************************************************** 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! ************************************************************************************************************ Inspiring Sefer Torah Stories from Around the World In the days after the Hachnasat Sefer Torah Party in Givat Nof Harim, I've had a number of interesting responses including from someone who told me about a gentleman in Baltimore, Md. who rescued a Sefer Torah a few years back from a location in the Ukraine. Below is a Torah story of a 60 year old Sefer Torah rescued after being buried in a Gestapo body bag in the Ukraine, approximately 40 years ago, together with bones of over 200 Jews. 24 Sept., 2001 Some things just won't stay buried "I Brought the Torah Scrolls with Me From Syria!" - The story of how a Syrian Jew smuggled Torah Scrolls into Israel. A Sefer Torah Story from "GUARDIAN OF JERUSALEM" the life and times of Rabbi Yosef Chaim Sonnenfeld is entitled "Solving The Crime." Click on the link and arrow down to the story. "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 "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 "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, "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 Sponsorship Donation program. 4/ Donors can make an Online donation via paypal. Simply copy the email address; , then click on the paypal link, and paste the copied email address onto the block called "Recipient's email". 5/ The Sefer Torah Network currently has affiliations with Artscroll and Soncino publishers, CDTorah.com and Ahuva Judaica whereby subscribers to the Sefer Torah Network News list as well as surfers to the The Sefer Torah Recycling Network website can now help finance the project's mission simply by purchasing S'forim, Torah lecture CDs or Judaica from these publishers and Judaica Suppliers. All it takes is clicking on any of the above links or the links on the website. 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 *********************************************************************************************** Other 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 Gush Katif, Sifrei Torah are needed in Yeshiva Yamit, which owns only one, as well as in Yishuv Shuirat HaYam. 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. An "Ashkenazi" minyan of Yishuv Bar Yochai is in need of a Sefer Torah. Bar Yochai is a town of 117 families close to Meron Junction and the grave of the Rashbi. 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 site for a very special Beit Knesset in Ramat Beit Shemesh, Israel; 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 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 Shul's building fund are greatly appreciated. When donating, please tell them that you read about the Shul here. *************************************************************************************************** End High Phone Bills & Get 300 FREE Minutes! Click and see how!! Eliminate annoying pop-ups with Alexa Toolbar Click and see how!! Merchants; When you signup for PayPal, you can start accepting credit card payments instantly. As the world's number one online payment service, PayPal is the fastest way to open your doors to over 31 million members worldwide. Best of all, it's completely free to sign up! To sign up or learn more, click here. ******************************************************************************************************** Subscription Instructions You are invited to tell your friends about The Sefer Torah Recycling Network and to encourage them to subscribe online to the Sefer Torah Network News list. Subscription is accomplished simply by either viewing 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@sefer-torah.com with subject - "subscribe". To unsubscribe, user will send an email to: Sefer-torah-network-news-request@sefer-torah.com with subject - "unsubscribe". -- Moshe Burt Founder and Director 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 Now you can donate on-line, Click on; https://www.paypal.com, copy & paste to the email block email address; mosheb@sefer-torah.com -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://server.alefhost.com/pipermail/sefer-torah-network-news_sefer-torah.com/attachments/20040504/e38391c6/attachment-0001.htm From mosheb at sefer-torah.com Sun May 16 14:58:40 2004 From: mosheb at sefer-torah.com (Moshe Burt) Date: Sun May 16 13:46:55 2004 Subject: [Sefer-torah-network-news] The Sefer Torah Network Newsletter, Vol. 1, Number 21 Message-ID: Sefer Torah Network News Volume 1, Number 21 16 May, 2004 Shalom Friends; Welcome to the 21th edition of the Sefer Torah Network News list.. A lot has happened this past month since the Hachnasat Sefer Torah party celebrating placement in the Givat Nof Harim hilltop community of Yishuv Eli which took place on the 24th of March, 2004. Please view the website and read this newletter for coverage of the event. Some of the pictures of the event have been placed on the website. A full layout of pictures will be viewable from the website soon. 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 Sefer Torah Recycling Network continues to be active on various fronts having received several very positive responses in the period following the Hachnast Sefer Torah Party to the publicity regarding the event in Yishuv Eli. Offers of Sifrei Torah have been made which are being followed up upon and Sifrei Torah are being checked for feasibility of restoration. In addition, recent publicity surrounding Israeli Government pronouncements and a referendum concerning possible dismantlements and relinquishments of Gaza and certain Yishuvim inYehuda & Shomron make a compelling case for full-court pressing for expeditious donations of both Sifrei Torah and funding for restorations of Torahs for the needy, endangered locations. A Sefer Torah has been donated by a resident of Har Nof and is currently undergoing repairs prior to placement in Yishuv Shi-rat HaYam in Gush Katif. During Chol HaMo'ed and again on Yom Hatsma'ot, I travelled on a Tiyul to Gaza and talked residents while there. it was through these conversations that I was able to ascertain that Yishuv Shi-rat HaYam was in need of a Sefer Torah. Read more on this in a special article in this newsletter. 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 for the restorations of both Sifrei 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. 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. For this reason, we seek philanthropists, philanthropic "Angels" 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. I hold that donating a Sefer Torah, or donating the funds necessary in order for The Sefer Torah Recycling Network to become an ongoing, serious organization which places Sifrei Torah in many of the hundreds of needy locations throughout EretzYisrael is to tangibly act to possess EretzYisrael as your own. There are other noteworthy developments to report in The Sefer Torah Network News list beyond the pre-Pesach Hachnasat Sefer Torah Party and the news of a Sefer Torah for Gush Katif. Please note that the site has undergone some subtle alterations designed to make the message to the viewer more focused and directed. Both the ArtScroll.com and the CDTorah.com sites, with their special directed links, are now placed in a more prominent position on the front page and on other pages on the site. An automatic, one-button method of subscription to this newsletter has been added. These special directed links, 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 The Daf Yomi. 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 newsletter, or from The Sefer Torah Recycling Network website to the 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 donors with incentive and 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. 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!! 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. I ask all of you to please help publicize The Sefer Torah Recycling Network with your friends, associates, by posting a copy on the bulletin board of your Shul, etc. 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.) 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. 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. Chag Kosher V'Same'ach to all and continued wishes for enjoyable reading of the Sefer Torah Network News list. Best Regards, Moshe Burt Founder and Director *************************************************************************************************** Items of Note in this Edition of theSefer Torah Network News . - D'var Torah: Shemittah and Gush Katif -The Failing of a Referendum and the Coming Together of Jews. -Shabbos in the Givat Nof Harim Community of Yishuv Eli -Spotlight on three locations slated to receive Sifrei Torah -Hachnasat Sefer Torah Givat Nof Harim: For Some Mitzvot, It Takes a Kahal . -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 *************************************************************************************************** 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. **************************************************************************************************** Tehillim for Recovery from Illness Please see that tehillim is said for the following individuals; Tinok ben Nechama, a baby (who hasn't been able to have a bris yet) and who has a tumor on his liver. Moshe Shlomo ben Michal; Moshe Shlomo is 1 1/2 years 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. I'm happy to report that she has completed her Chemo-therapy treatments for cancer in Hadassah Childrens hospital and has resumed attending school part-time. She still must be watched carefully and has weekly check-ups at Hadassah 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. **************************************************************************************************** Sponsorship Donation Program Lifting Neshamot through Donations of Funds/Sifrei Torah Flash: 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 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 . Sponsorship Donors can make an Online donation via paypal. Simply copy the email address; , 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, frameable 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. **************************************************************************************************** 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. **************************************************************************************************** Divrei Torah Shemittah and Gush Katif By Moshe Burt ***************************************************************************************************** Hachnasat Sefer Torah -- Givat Nof Harim: For Some Mitzvot, It Takes a Kahal. By Moshe Burt Shabbos in the Givat Nof Harim Community of Yishuv Eli When the page appears, arrow down to "Shabbat in Givat Nof Harim." *********************************************************** The Failing of a Referendum and the Coming Together of Jews by, Moshe Burt May 2, my birthday and Israel had a very big day. The Likud referendum re: "evacuation" and abandonment of Gaza and 4 places in the Shomron was defeated handily. I had an inkling that this was going to be an extraordinary day as early as the Erev Shabbos before the vote. On that Friday afternoon, the phone rang at the home of one of Shul's Gabbaiyim. Someone from Rabbi Porush's office was calling to be sure that the Religious community got to the polling place and voted against the referendum. And Motzei Shabbos, Rav Ovadia Yosef called for everyone to vote against. It seemed that everyone I met and spoke to were coming together as one to see that the referendum vote would fail to carry. I find it fascinating that when Jews come together, wonders occur. Sharon and his supporters tried to spin faults in the vote because only 51% of Likud members actually voted. And now Sharon, Lapid, Olmert are developing alternative disengagement ideas, "disengagement lite" and that noted Torah Authority, Defense Minister Sha'ul Mofaz insists that Gaza is not part of our historical land. The question seems, what held the voter turnout down? It was a beautiful, warm day yesterday. So what held the vote down?? I believe that the bulk of the nearly 49% Likud members who didn't vote were totally confounded and didn't know what to do. Perhaps, on the one hand, they couldn't bear to expell both 8,000 Jewish men, women and children from their homes in Gaza as well as to expell people from their homes in 4 locations in the Shomron and to relinquish parts of Eretz Yisrael. And on the other hand, they were confronted by a Prime Minister who, for over two decades previously, encouraged living in all parts of Gaza, Yehuda and Shomron and who now suddenly reversed himself and said in essence "vote for evacuation because I said so and I'm Arik Sharon" and yet he couldn't put up an understandable, cogent, consistent argument that people would buy or swallow. And so many were confounded. What's more, there have been people in the know at Manhigut Yehudit who say that while the victory margin was some 20%, it should have been closer to 50%. Apparently, the Likud Ole' Boys may have pulled an assortment of dirty tricks to keep the margin down. I know myself that a number of Likud members who were falsely invalidated for this vote. But yet, theYad Hashem prevailed. But enough commentary; there is a way for non-Likud members and those living in Chutz L'Aretz to make known their feelings about, love and attachment for and unity with EretzYisrael. On the Thursday prior to the referendum vote, I came into possession of a Sefer Torah, Sfardi Ksav from an elderly gentleman from Har Nof. On Sunday evening, I got the high sign from my Sofer as to repairability and I gave him the "go" sign to commence the restoration work on the Sefer. Prior to his making Aliyah 10 years ago, this gentleman went to the Shuls in Borough Park soliciting Sifrei Torah (wish that I had known him 10 years ago). He acquired donations of 7 S'forim, of which I got the last one. Unfortuately, the donor, owing to his method of acquisition of this and the other S'forim, knows nothing of the previous history of the Sefer. At this point, I want to express a great HaKaras HaTov to Hillel Fendel of Arutz-7 who made this referral. Hillel, the merit of the Mitzvah done here is immense. Tizku L'Mitzvot. The Sofer's estimated completion time is 3 - 5 weeks from today. He has indicated possible completion by as early as right before Shavous. I've told him please to not pressure himself in trying to complete a 3 week timetable. But as you can see, time is short and of the essence. I need your help in raising $3,000 to cover the costs of the Sofer's restoration. The Sefer Torah, when completed, will be placed IY'H inYishuv Shuirat HaYam in Gush Katif. As facilitator of it's placement, I hope to honor our 8,000 Jewish brothers and sisters living in Gush Katif who daily brave attacks, mortar shells, Kassam rockets, etc. Just a bit about Yishuv Shuirat HaYam, It is a Community of Ashkanazim/S'fardim by the sea with15 families, approx. 100 people. The men are Talmidei Chachamim, although there is no Rav there. They Daven in a large Caravan (2 Caravanim). I hope to go there for a Shabbos within the next couple of weeks and to learn more about the place and it's signifigance. I want to add here I am also still working to raise the remaining funds to restore a Sefer Torah to be placed in Yishuv Homesh. As you probably know, Homesh is one of the 4 Yishuvim in the Shomron publically identified as being part of the same matzav as Gush Katif via the now-defeated referendum. And 5 years ago, while living and during Ulpan in Yishuv Shavei Shomron, the Rav of Shavei Shomron, upon hearing of my project, asked me to try to acquire a Sefer Torah for Homesh where he was then acting in a Rav capacity answering Sha'ilot for Homesh residents. Completion of restoration and placement of this Sefer in Homesh represents fulfillment of this 5 year old promise. In August, 2003, a young man and his wife who lived in Homesh were attacked on the road as they were returning to their home Erev Shabbos. The young man, Shuli Har Melech, Z""l was killed and his wife seriously wounded in the attack. Shuli was helping to establish a Shul and Yeshiva there and recruiting religious people to come to Homesh to live at the time of his murder by Arab terrorists I recently spoke with an individual who told me that the Yeshiva established in Homesh is part of or affiliated with the Yeshiva in Elon Moreh . Although not a Rav, Shuli, it is said was a big Talmid Chacham and people came to him with Sha'ilot. The young couple had moved to Homesh a couple of years previously. (Please note that the timelines regarding the family moving to Homesh may not be totally accurate. Further, from reading the article and later speaking with the family, I gathered that there were numerous inaccuracies in the article. But from the info, as I've provided it, you can understand the story.) Subsequent to the attack, people from theYeshiva in Elon Moreh have established a Yeshiva in Homesh in Shuli's memory and they need a Sefer Torah. I need approximately $5,000 to cover the cost of this Sofer Torah and the cost of a new mantle (or Perochet) in order to complete and place it in Homesh. The Sefer itself comes from Baltimore. The donors were neighbors of very dear friends of mine in the Park Heights neighborhood. Actually, this Sefer is the second of two s'forim which they donated to me. The first resides in Kiryat Arba, in Rav Chaim Simon's Kehilla which davens in a room in Rav Lior's Yeshiva. This Sefer resided in Washington, DC, Silverspring and Rockville before the family brought it to Park Heights where it resided from 1996 until 2001 on Baywood Rd. in Park Heights before being delivered to Israel by the son of a friend of mine. I have raised funds toward the repairs but need to raise the remaining $5,000 to complete the work and place the Sefer in the Yeshiva in Yishuv Homesh. For anyone wishing to make a tax-deductible donation, please view The Sefer Torah Recycling Network website for instructions regarding tax deductible donations in the US and Canada. I thank you for your kind consideration. Please remember, one person alone cannot bring an endeavour such as this off. One person can dream, plan and present an idea. It takes a Kahal, it takes a unified B'nai Yisrael to bring it off. ******************************************************************************************* Another Innovation from The Sefer Torah Recycling .Network; SimchaVort Do you need help in developing a word of Torah for your Simcha? If so, SimchaVort can help. Kindly send an email to telling me what the Simcha is, who it's for and what Parsha it's in. In exchange for your kind donation to The Sefer Torah Recycling Network, I'll be glad to help with ideas. For an example, please click on SimchaVort. . **************************************************************************************************** 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! ************************************************************************************************************ Inspiring Sefer Torah Stories from Around the World In the days after the Hachnasat Sefer Torah Party in Givat Nof Harim, I've had a number of interesting responses including from someone who told me about a gentleman in Baltimore, Md. who rescued a Sefer Torah a few years back from a location in the Ukraine. Below is a Torah story of a 60 year old Sefer Torah rescued after being buried in a Gestapo body bag in the Ukraine, approximately 40 years ago, together with bones of over 200 Jews. 24 Sept., 2001 Some things just won't stay buried "I Brought the Torah Scrolls with Me From Syria!" - The story of how a Syrian Jew smuggled Torah Scrolls into Israel. A Sefer Torah Story from "GUARDIAN OF JERUSALEM" the life and times of Rabbi Yosef Chaim Sonnenfeld is entitled "Solving The Crime." Click on the link and arrow down to the story. "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 "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 "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, "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 Sponsorship Donation program. 4/ Donors can make an Online donation via paypal. Simply copy the email address; , then click on the paypal link, and paste the copied email address onto the block called "Recipient's email". 5/ The Sefer Torah Network currently has affiliations with Artscroll and Soncino publishers, CDTorah.com and Ahuva Judaica whereby subscribers to the Sefer Torah Network News list as well as surfers to the The Sefer Torah Recycling Network website can now help finance the project's mission simply by purchasing S'forim, Torah lecture CDs or Judaica from these publishers and Judaica Suppliers. All it takes is clicking on any of the above links or the links on the website. 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 *********************************************************************************************** Other 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 populated 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 Gush Katif, Sifrei Torah are needed in Yeshiva Yamit, which owns only one. Also, in Gush Katif, Yishuv Shi-rat HaYam will soon receive a Sefer Torah. It is a Community of Ashkanazim/S'fardim with15 families, approx. 100 people. The men are Talmidei Chachamim, although they presently do not have a Rav. They Daven in a large Caravan (2 Caravanim). The community was built by sea and one can feel the Kedusha and view the beauty of the place. I hope to go there for a Shabbos soon. 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. An "Ashkenazi" minyan of Yishuv Bar Yochai is in need of a Sefer Torah. Bar Yochai is a town of 117 families close to Meron Junction and the grave of the Rashbi. 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 site for a very special Beit Knesset in Ramat Beit Shemesh, Israel; 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 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 Shul's building fund are greatly appreciated. When donating, please tell them that you read about the Shul here. *************************************************************************************************** End High Phone Bills & Get 300 FREE Minutes! Click and see how!! Eliminate annoying pop-ups with Alexa Toolbar Click and see how!! Merchants; When you signup for PayPal, you can start accepting credit card payments instantly. As the world's number one online payment service, PayPal is the fastest way to open your doors to over 31 million members worldwide. Best of all, it's completely free to sign up! To sign up or learn more, click here. ******************************************************************************************************** Subscription Instructions You are invited to tell your friends about The Sefer Torah Recycling Network and to encourage them to subscribe online to the Sefer Torah Network News list. Subscription is accomplished simply by either viewing 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@sefer-torah.com with subject - "subscribe". To unsubscribe, user will send an email to: Sefer-torah-network-news-request@sefer-torah.com with subject - "unsubscribe". -- Moshe Burt Founder and Director 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 Now you can donate on-line, Click on; https://www.paypal.com, copy & paste to the email block email address; mosheb@sefer-torah.com -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://server.alefhost.com/pipermail/sefer-torah-network-news_sefer-torah.com/attachments/20040516/1ed9ceac/attachment-0001.htm