Friday, November 26, 2010

Bet Shemesh Weekly News - November 26, 2010

To Subscribe email ddlipman@aol.com
BET SHEMESH WEEKLY NEWSNov. 26, 2010/19 Kislev  Volume I, Issue 35 
 
DR. CHANOCH SCHWARTZ, O.D., OPTOMETRIST
 Licensed in NY and ISRAEL 
Complete Family Vision Care
Comprehensive Exams
High Quality Glasses and Contact Lenses
            Hachartzit 6a   Nofei Aviv 
                          992-1979
 Gift Box B'Rama
Thurs. 7-11, Fri. 9-2  057-666-3993
Luxury Judaica and Chocolate Gifts 
Stunning Gifts/Affordable Prices
Finest quality crystal with silver accents 
 82 B (Rear) Dolev Parking Entrance Next to Arthur's


 REPORT ON CITY COUNCIL MEETING

The city council met on Sunday evening.  The following is a review of what transpired at the meeting:

*The council approved the half year budget report.  City treasurer, Aryeh Bardugo, reported a deficit of 2.5 million NIS which he attributed to expenses related to purchasing water from the new water company.  Bardugo then said that the third quarter report would be released soon which will include the national government providing 17 million NIS to make up for the budget shortfalls.  Opposition members were quick to point out that this means the deficit had really reached 20 million NIS while coalition members responded with praise for the Mayor's ability to get makeup funds from the government.


*The council approved 18 million NIS of government funds to improve the city's older neighborhoods.  There was some controversy regarding how the funds would be used and the fact that the residents have not been consulted regarding how to best use the funds.  During the discussion, a youth entered the room and began berating councilman Motti Cohen.  He got close to physical contact with Cohen and had to be physically removed from the room all the while screaming to the Mayor, "I'm sorry Moshe, I had to do this to protect your honor!"


Over 100 residents of Old Bet Shemesh gathered outside City Hall during the meeting to protest the fact that they are not being consulted over how this money should be spent.  They want the money to go towards basic infrastructure problems such as their broken sewage pipes but the city is directing it more towards pathways and more external improvements.

*The Mayor delegated the Computer and Information portfolio to Deputy Mayor Meir Balayish.

*The Mayor gave a brief report about his trip to Italy where he met with members of the Jewish community and encouraged them to make aliyah and live in Bet Shemesh.

*The Mayor condemned any acts of violence, especially from city workers in the wake of allegations of a city worker having punched a citizen in the face last week.
 FREE MORTGAGE ADVICE FOR YOUNG COUPLES

Bet Shemesh has been chosen as one of 20 cities to receive a full time mortgage counselor who will provide advice free of charge.  This service, provided by the national government, is a project of MK Gila Gamliel (Likud), serves as Deputy Minister for youth, student, and women's affairs.  Local resident and Likud activist Keti Sheetrit is credited with working with Gamilel to bring this service to Bet Shemesh. 
 DELEGATION HEADS TO COCOA, FLORIDA

A delegation of Bet Shemesh residents and youth has departed for sister city Cocoa, Florida.  The trip includes a 5 day cruise together with 150 Cocoa residents.  The Bet Shemesh group will light Chanuka candles for all 6,000 cruise passengers followed by a performance on the ship by local choir "Bein Hashmashot."  The choir will also perform at the Cocoa Music Hall, at a NASA memorial for the Columbia astronauts including Ilan Ramon and in a special show for the Jewish community of Orlando.
 REBELLION IN SHAS ON A LOCAL LEVEL?

A local Rav from the Shas movement has made public that he has organized a group to try to take away the local leadership in Shas from Mayor Moshe Abutobol.  The group feels that Abutbol has strayed from the core values and principles of the party and that he is not taking care of the Sephardim who put him into power.  He said that the situation is so bad that there is a risk of their being two Shas movements in Bet Shemesh, similar to the situation in Beit Sheán where Shas split with one group receiving 2 mandates and the other 1 mandate in the last elections. 
 STATE COMPTROLLER INVESTIGATING BET SHEMESH 

State comptroller, Micha Lindenstrauss (pictured), is clearly interested in the problems within City Hall.  Staff members of his office arrived at City Hall where they demanded to see certain documents and downloaded huge amounts of information from computers.  Officials have indicated that they are investigating issues related to manpower and hirings but they emphasized that no issue is off limits and encouraged residents to write to the comptroller's office with any issues and problems they have had with the local government.  Complaints can be registered at the following site: http://www.mevaker.gov.il/serve/site/english/eombudsman_frame.asp
and all residents who want to complain should follow the advice of this official and do so, especially since Bet Shemesh is now the subject of an investigation.
 PETITION AGAINST POLICE REACHES OVER 1,000 SIGNATURES

The petition demanding that the national government supply the local police station with more officers and patrol cars has reached over 1,000 signatures.  If you have not  yet signed the petition please do so (preferably in Hebrew letters) at http://www.atzuma.co.il/betshemeshpolice.

Please also encourage neighbors and friends to sign the petition. 
 62.1% SERVE IN THE IDF

Bet Shemesh residents were stunned to learn that, according to a recent report, only 62.1% of eligible young men in the city actually serve in the IDF.  This places the city in 60th place among the country's cities, followed by Rahat, Netivot, Yerushalayim (41.8%), Elád, Beitar Ilit and Bnei Brak (11.5%). 
 HOME GARDENING AND COMPOST WORKSHOP

Matnas Meyerhoff will be holding a workshop to teach residents about compost and other home gardening tips on Sunday between 7:00p.m. and 9:00p.m.  For more information, please contact Renee Halpert at 052-350-6592 or reneeh@netvision.net.il. 
 EVENTS FOR CHANUKAH

There are a wide range of events happening in the city throughout Chanukah.  Here are some highlights:


Thursday December 2 - A chanukah festival at the Sheinfeld shopping center beginning at 4:00p.m. including a magic show, raffles and other surprises including free sufganiyot and drinks for all children.

Thursday December 2 - A Chanukah party for women with singer Miri Or, at Matnas Zinman beginning at 8:30p.m. Tickets can be purchased by calling 057-318-9949.

Motzei Shabbat December 4 (Day 4) - A movie called "Pages in the Wind" FOR WOMEN ONLY at 8:00p.m. at Matnas Zinman.  Tickets can be purchased by calling 057-318-9949.

Monday December 6 - A play called "Ima, do you see me?" performed by Ariella Savir, a blind singer and actress, together with her daughters.  The play is geared to children ages 5-12 and begins at 10:30a.m. at Matnas Zinman in the center of Old Bet Shemesh.  Tickets can be purchased by calling 057-318-9949.

Monday December 6 - A sound and light show on big screen for the entire family called "The Trap" (seems a bit on the scary side to me - DL) at 8:00p.m. at Matnas Zinman in the center of Old BS.  Tickets can be purchased by calling 057-318-9949.

Wednesday December 8 - The movie, "The strength of a child Maccabi" on big screen at the Ulam Sport in RBS.  Men's showing - 12:00p.m., Women's showing - 1:30p.m.

Have a Shabbat Shalom and a Happy and Meaningful Chanuka,
                                         Dov Lipman





 

Shabbos with Rav Nati and Yesh Ma L'asot RBSA

BS"D
 
This Shabbos we will be spending with Rav Nati in his home / beit midrash - beit knesset on Nachshon 6-B top floor (by sorek).

We will have a full prayer schedule starting with an unbelievable and most uplifting Kabbalas Shabbos that will definately create a feeling of joy and love in welcoming in the Shabbos Queen. This will bring down blessing for you and your family for the whole week as Rav Nati taught us, the way we recieve Shabbos has an effect for the whole week to come on everyhting in the whole week, so lets welcome it in the right way, full of happiness, singing and dancing!

FRIDAY NIGHT MINCHA: Ashrei @ 4:20
SHABBOS SHACHARIT: Hodu @ 8:00
SHABBOS MINCHA (Followed by a "Bring your own 3rd Meal"): Ashrei @ 4:00
 
We look forward to seing you. 
 
Yehoshua Goldstein
02-992-3264 BreslovRBSA@gmail.com
--
WWW.YeshMaLasot.org

"I do not believe that there is a situation that can not be repaired by Prayer"

Rav Nati

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Very Important Petition Requesting Strengthening of the Bet Shemesh Police - עצומה חשובה מאוד לבקש תגבור למשטרת בית שמש

 
Very Important Petition Requesting Strengthening of the Bet Shemesh Police - עצומה חשובה מאוד לבקש תגבור למשטרת בית שמש

עצומה חשובה מאוד לדעתי, המבקשת מהממשלה לתגבר את כוחות המשטרה בבית שמש, נא לחתום בלינק המופיע למטה אם טרם עשית זאת:

http://www.atzuma.co.il/betshemeshpolice

 

 

In my opinion, this is a very important petition, requesting governmental approval for increased manpower for our Police Department in Bet Shemesh; please click the link and sign, if you have not done so already.

http://www.atzuma.co.il/betshemeshpolice

  

Shabbat Shalom,

 כתריאל לב Catriel Lev

RAIN!!!

The dire situation in Eretz Yisrael demands that we all take part in the upcoming day of davening for the badly-needed rains that are not falling in the Holy Land. Crops are being destroyed, and the water, the essence of life, is not falling.

Following last week's fast day, the Chief Rabbinate of Israel has declared Monday, 22 Kislev (NOVEMBER 29th) a day of fasting and prayer, a day which the Rabbis hope will extend to Jewish communities throughout the Diaspora.

At 15:30, a prayer event will commence at the Kotel, in the presence of Rishon L'Tzion Rabbi Shlomo Moshe Amar Shlita, and Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi Yona Yechiel Metzger Shlita. The chief rabbis call on those unable to attend the Kotel event to gather in local shuls and continue praying on a community level.

The documents appear in the original Hebrew.

תפילה בכותל

http://www.jerusalemkoshernews.com/wp-content/uploads/d7aad7a4d799d79cd794-d791d79bd795d7aad79c.pdf 

עצרת צום ותפילה על גשמים

http://www.jerusalemkoshernews.com/wp-content/uploads/d7a2d7a6d7a8d7aa-d7a6d795d79d-d795d7aad7a4d799d79cd794-d7a2d79c-d792d7a9d79ed799d79d-d7aad7a9d7a2-d790.pdf 

נוסח תפילה על גשמים

http://www.jerusalemkoshernews.com/wp-content/uploads/d7a0d795d7a1d797-d7aad7a4d799d79cd794-d7a2d79c-d792d7a9d79ed799d79d-d7aad7a9d7a2-d790.pdf 

Kol Tuv,
R' Tal Moshe Zwecker
Director Machon Be'er Mayim Chaim
Chassidic Classics in the English Language
www.chassidusonline.com
chassidusonline@gmail.com
Phone: 972-2-992-1218 / Cell: 972-54-842-4725
VoIP: 516-320-6022 / eFax: 1-832-213-3135
join the mailing list here: http://groups.google.com/group/beermayimchaim
Noam Elimelech, Kedushas Levi, Pirkei Avos more!
Discuss Chassidus http://groups.google.com/group/torahchassidusdiscussion
Author Page https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B003VH9D48
LinkedIn: http://il.linkedin.com/in/rabbitalmoshe

Monday, November 22, 2010

This Shabbos! - Pre-Chanukah Community Oneg

Please join us THIS coming Friday night, Parshas Vayeshev (Kislev 19), for an oneg shabbos, with the participation of all the Anglo rabbonim and shuls in the community, IY"H.

Come to hear divrei torah, sing zemiros b'achdus, and enjoy shabbos delicacies. The ezras nashim will be open.

Location: Beis Tefillah Simcha Hall (Nachal Refaim at Luz)
Time: starting at 8:30pm
Date: 19 Kislev/November 26

We are pleased to have the participation of the following shuls:
(in alphabetical order)

Ahavas Shalom
Ahavat Tzion
Aish Kodesh
Beis Tefillah
Biala Shteibel
Carlebach
Gra
Kol Barama
Moam Loez
Menorat Hamaor
Ohr Shalom
Shivtei Yeshurun.

We look forward to seeing your there!
-RBS Torah

Kashrus

Kashrus

Following R' Yechiel Spira's "packed house" July 4th Kashrus lecture (described below), BTYA commissioned him to "explore" around our neighborhood.

The Second Lecture

R' Yechiel spoke to a "standing room only" crowd reviewing his work in the RBS/BS areas.

To listen to the lecture, click here. http://shiurim.btya.org/Other_Shiuirm/RYechielSpira_BS_RBS_KashrusGuide_STREAMING%20(number%2020100902).m3u 

To download the lecture, right-click here, http://shiurim.btya.org/Other_Shiuirm/RYechielSpira_BS_RBS_KashrusGuide%20(number%2020100901).mp3  and choose "Save Target As."

Release of the first "RBS/BS Kashrus Guide"

The guide is available for 10 NIS.

You can purchase a guide at the BTYA office, with cash or credit card, during office hours, http://btya.org/?page_id=83  or at Jo's Club (cash only, women only).

To purchase a PDF version, you have the following options:

  • Credit Card: Send an email to kashrut@btya.org with your phone number. Someone will contact you within 72 hours, IY"H. The cost is 11 NIS (includes additional fees incurred).
Forward your payment confirmation to kashrut@btya.org. Upon receipt of payment confirmation, the guide will be emailed to you.

The PDF version is for PERSONAL, not organizational use, and it MAY NOT BE FORWARDED in any way, shape, or form without specific permission from BTYA. Any such use is gezel.

NEW – The RBS/BS Kashrut Update List

Click here to join this new email list. rbsbskashrut-subscribe@btya.org R' Yechiel Spiro will send updates that are relevant to Kashrus in our area.

To receive a PDF with all of the updates sent in the past, click here. http://btya.org/pdfs/sent_updates.pdf 

You can contact R' Yechiel directly at rbskashrut@gmail.com.

The community research, lecture, and Kashrus Report are presented as a public service by Kehillas Beis Tefillah Yonah Avraham of RBS (www.btya.org), sponsored, in part, by Jo's Club.

www.jerusalemkoshernews.com

www.btya.org

www.josclub.co.il

The First Kashrus Lecture

On a hot July 4th day, nearly 300 men and women from Bet Shemesh attended a very informative lecture on Kashrus.

The lecture, delivered by R' Yechiel Spira of Jerusalem Kosher News, http://www.jerusalemkoshernews.com/  gave deep insight into the need for a proper Hashgacha on stores, bakeries, restaurants, basically any place that sells food.

The lecture was given twice, once in the morning for women only, and then again in the evening for women and men.

R' Spira showed examples of tens of forged, fake, out-of-date, or otherwise "Passul" teudot Kashrut from several different kinds of "food"institutions in the Jerusalem area, many in "Charedi" neighborhoods, too. He opened the eyes of everyone who attended the lecture.

The lecture was spearheaded by HoRav Malinowitz, Sh"lita, and took place under the initiative of Kehillas Beis Tefillah Yonah Avraham. Eli Gherman did the behind-the-scenes work, and Jo's Club was the corporate sponsor.

At the end of the lecture, the participants were given a chance to ask questions.

There was a groundswell of, "if this is what is happening in Yerushalayim, what is going on in our city?" Rav Malinowitz and others are pushing for R' Spira to come back to Bet Shemesh and take some time to review our local institutions and then to come back and report on his findings in our city.

Stay tuned!

Click here http://shiurim.btya.org/Other_Shiuirm/R%27%20Yechiel%20Spira%20-%20Kashrus%20in%20Israel%20(number%2020100704).mp3 to listen to or to download the lecture.

Click here http://btya.org/pdfs/katif-lettuce-rabbanut.pdf to download the Rabbanut Yerushalayim's guide to "Katif" lettuce.

The Bet Shemesh Weekly News - November 19, 2010

Dov Lipman has kindly allowed me to post this:
To subscribe by email ddlipman@aol.com
BET SHEMESH WEEKLY NEWS Nov. 19 2010/12 Kislev Volume I, Issue 34
Sponsors:
DR. CHANOCH SCHWARTZ, O.D., OPTOMETRIST
 Licensed in NY and ISRAEL 
Complete Family Vision Care
Comprehensive Exams
High Quality Glasses and Contact Lenses
            Hachartzit 6a   Nofei Aviv 
                          992-1979

Gift Box B'Rama
Thurs. 7-11, Fri. 9-2  057-666-3993
Luxury Judaica and Chocolate Gifts 
Stunning Gifts/Affordable Prices
Finest quality crystal with silver accents 
 82 B (Rear) Dolev Parking Entrance Next to Arthur's


CITY WIDE POLL RESULTS 
A local magazine, Shopping Mekomi, commissioned a poll to get a sense for the city's satisfaction with the local government upon the completion of Mayor Abutbol's second year in office, with an eye towards the elections in 3 years as well.  The questions were asked to samples in all of the city's communities. The following is a brief  summary of the results:

1)Are you satisfied with the education in the city:
Not satisfied at all - 15 %      Satisfied - 6.7%
Not satisfied - 21.7%             Very satisfied - 10% 
Somewhat satisfied - 46.7%

2)Are you satisfied with city's cultural programs:
Not satisfied at all - 48.7%       Satisfied - 10%
Not satisfied - 11.7%               Very satisfied - 10% 
Somewhat satisfied - 21.7%

3)Are you satisfied with the city's youth programs:
Not satisfied at all- 61.7%    Satisfied - 6.7%
Not satisfied - 11.7%           Very satisfied - 0%
Somewhat satisfied - 20%

4)Are you satisfied with commerce/shopping in the city:

Not satisfied at all - 16.7%       Satisfied - 15%
Not satisfied - 11.7%               Very satisfied - 10%   
Somewhat satisfied - 36.7%

5)Are you satisfied with the Shefa department - in charge of city cleanliness:
Not satisfied at all - 23.3%       Satisfied - 20%
Not satisfied - 31.7%               Very satisfied - 6.7% 
Somewhat satisfied - 18.3%

6)Do you feel that Mayor Abutbol and his administration represents you?
Not at all - 23.3%     It does - 10%
It doesn't - 16.75      It does a lot - 13.3%
It does a little - 23.3%

7)If elections were held today with the same candidates as in 2008, who would you vote for?
Dani Vaknin - 23.3%        Moshe Abutbol - 31.7% 
Shalom Lerner - 26.7%     None of them - 18.3%

8)Would you vote for any other of these city officials for Mayor today:
Deputy Mayor Dovid Viner (Agudah) - 1.7%
Head of the Religious Council Yehuda Meduzadeh (Shas) - 3.3%
Deputy Mayor Shmulik Greenberg (Degel Hatorah) - 13.3 %
City Councilman Richard Peres (Labor) - 13.3%
City Councilman Motti Cohen (Dor Acher) - 23.3%
City Councilman Jacky Edri (B'yachad) - 10%
Deputy Mayor Meir Balayish (Dor Acher) - 3.3%
City Councilman Natan Sheetrit (Likud) - 1.7%
City Councilman Moshe Montag (Degel HaTorah) - 6.7%
None of the above - 23.3%
MORE INSTITUTIONS BURGLARIZED

The weekend burglaries in Bet Shemesh institutions continued with the RBS Matnas and Beit Sefer Ahavat Yisrael last week and Tipat Chalav Eden in RBS and Bet Sefer Adayahu this past week.  The burglars broke locks and vending machines, went through many drawers and stole money at Ahavat Yisrael while also walking away with money and leaving behind damaged equipment and doors at the Matnas.  The Tipat Chalav and Adayahu are protected by security companies who responded immediately to the break in and the burglars ran off immediately before causing any damage. 
I have started a petition which we are sending to the Prime Minister and the Minister of Internal Security demanding that the government provide the Bet Shemesh station with more officers and cars since the chief has openly said that his current number of officers and cars are not enough to tackle the recent crime wave.  Please go to http://www.atzuma.co.il/betshemeshpolice to sign the petition.
"WATER THIEF" APPREHENDED

The thief who posed as a person working for the water company was apprehended by police in Modiin.  The man, who robbed houses throughout Bet Shemesh in broad daylight after being let freely into homes, was transferred to the Bet Shemesh police and numerous victims identified him in line ups.  He is being held in jail throughout the judicial proceedings against him.  
CITY CRACKDOWN ON ILLEGAL CONSTRUCTION
The city government has decided to take legal action against illegal construction and additions, especially on Nahar Yarden.  One resident has been issued a 60,000 NIS fine and was given an order to take down his 160 meter addition, while another was jailed for two months and fined 24,000 NIS for failing to comply with an order to take down an addition.  
KLEMO BUZNACH RESIGNING
Klemo Buznach, who has served as the head of the education department in Bet Shemesh for the last 13 years is resigning from his position.  The resignation will go into effect at the end of March, at which point the search will begin for a new department head. 
AGREEMENT REACHED REGARDING SHUL CONSTRUCTION ON TOP OF GAN
The parents of Gan Anfa on Nachal Dolev in RBS have been furious since the start of the school year over the construction of a shul on top of the gan with ongoing construction during gan hours.  City officials, including the Mayor and city councilman Jacky Edri, met with the kablan and the parents and an agreement has been reached allowing for internal construction during gan hours but no external work during those hours. 
PETITION REGARDING TRAIN PARKING
A petition has been started to confront the lack of parking at the Bet Shemesh train station.  It calls for Mayor Abutbol to find a solution to the problem and for the owners of BIG to allow train passengers to park in the BIG parking lot.  It also calls out the city for finding a way for the circus to take place in the lot where the new BIG will be built but not allowing parking there.  The petition will be available for signatures at the train station itself in the near future. 
GATHERING FOR GABBAIM AND LEADERS OF INSTITUTIONS
The city's religious council has organized a gathering for all shul gabaim and leaders of religious organizations.  The event is taking place on Thursday, November 25 at 6:45p.m. in the Chesed L'Avraham hall at Sfat Emet 1.    If you did not receive an invitation and want to attend, you can fax the shul/organization name, your name, and your mailing address to 999-4935 and an invitation will be mailed to you. 
OLD BET SHEMESH RESIDENTS TO PROTEST
Residents of the Rechov Hagefen neighborhood of Bet Shemesh, including hundreds of Ethiopians, will be protesting at this coming Sunday's city council meeting to demand that the Mayor spend money on improving their quality of life.  The national government has sent 18 million NIS to the city to spend on older neighborhoods in return for the construction of RBS Gimmel and these residents want to make sure that the money is used for its designation.  They welcome the support of residents of other neighborhoods outside City Hall this coming Sunday at 5:30p.m.

Have a Shabbat Shalom,
Dov Lipman
 

new phone number for snake catcher

Please note: the new phone number for Meir "the chesedika snake catcher " is 0544-399-649.. or 999-9642, Meir