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Hey Hagesher,

By now, you probably know that this email contains fabulous Israel
Trivia and an Israeli news update. You will not find anything
different in this email, however, it is slightly more important. THERE
IS ONLY ABOUT A MONTH LEFT UNTIL SPRING CONVENTION, where the winner
of the Hagesher Regional Shekel Challenge will be announced, so we are
getting to the point where ANSWERING ISRAEL TRIVIA IS VERY CRUCIAL TO
YOUR CHAPTERS. With that said, answer the questions, follow the rules,
and have fun! This weeks trivia questions are:
1. What was the name of the Jewish community's unofficial army during
the British mandate of Palestine?
2. TWO PART QUESTION: Who is Teddy Stadium (home soccer field of
Beitar Yerushalayim and Hapoel Yerushalayim) in Jerusalem named after?
Who was he?
3. What Ukranian poet wrote in Hebrew and became known as Israel's
national poet?

Remember, you must answer all questions, and include your name and
chapter in your response to Hageshershekelchallenge@gmail.com. THE
COMPETITION DOES NOT START UNTIL 8 PM TONIGHT (Tuesday night), and
ends before shabbat on Friday.

Also, an Israeli News Update!!!

Israel can defend itself against Iran:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080304/ap_on_re_mi_ea/israel_iran_1

Sporting heroes for Israel's 60th anniversary: No. 57 - Yoav Bruck:
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1204546391367&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

Thats all! Good luck with the trivia! Remember, its VERY IMPORTANT NOW!!,
Daniel Berdugo
Hagesher Israel Affairs Vice President
2007-2008

Hagesher,

I am sending you this email because part of my job as regional Israel
Affairs vice president is to keep you updated on current events in
Israel. Unfortunately, I must report to you now that some horrible
terrorism has happened in Israel this past week. Below I will describe
what has happened as well as provide links to articles in various
newspapers that I recommend you read.

        Last week, Palestinians from Gaza sent over 20 rockets into
southern Israel, including 8 into Sderot, an Israeli town near the
border with Gaza. One of these rockets forced an civilian death,
something that the Israeli government takes very seriously. In
response to the attacks, the Israeli government performed organized
raids into Gaza in hopes of stopping the rocket fire which extremist
group Hamas claimed responsibility for. Unfortunately, since the
Palestinian extremists fired rockets from heavily populated areas,
Israeli raids killed many Palestinians, some of which were civilians.
During this time, the Israeli government also vowed to continue raids
until rocket fire into Israel ceased. Due to these raids and extreme
violence between Palestinian extremists and the Israeli Defense
Forces, President of the Palestinian Authority Mahmoud Abbas suspended
peace talks with Israel.
        Thankfully, on Monday, Israel was able to stop the raids in
Gaza since rocket fire into Israel stopped. However, Mahmoud Abbas
said that he would not resume peace talks with Israel until they
reached a ceasefire with the Gaza Militants. After Abbas said this,
things began to look better. It looked like peace talks between the
Palestinian Authority and Israel may resume this week.
        Unfortunately, today brought another terrorist attack, but
this time in Israel's capital, Jerusalem. At 8:45 PM Israeli Time
(1:45 PM ET), a Palestinian terrorist sneaked into Mercaz Harav
Yeshiva in the Kiryat Moshe neighborhood of Jerusalem. He was dressed
as a student. He was armed with both a gun as well as strapped with
explosives. He opened fire on the Yeshiva students who were
celebrating Rosh Chodesh Adar Bet in the Yeshiva library, killing 8
and injuring ten more. Before he was able to set off his explosives,
but after shooting 500-600 bullets, he was shot dead by an IDF officer
who lives near the Yeshiva.
        Mercaz Harav Yeshiva is the leading Dati (religious) Yeshiva
in Israel. The names of the students that were killed have not been
revealed yet, and the shooter is thought to have been from East
Jerusalem. It was the first terrorist attack in Jerusalem in a year.
        If you can all please hold the families and friends of those
who were murdered because of this conflict in your thoughts and
prayers it would be much appreciated. It is very unfortunate that
things like this have to happen.

Here are a few links to articles regarding what happened today in Jerusalem:

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?apage=2&cid=1204546422275&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/07/world/middleeast/07mideast.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080306/ap_on_re_mi_ea/israel_palestinians

Zichrono Livracha to all of those killed in terrorism in Israel. Keep
your hearts and thoughts with Israel. It is going through a tough time
right now.

Sincerely,
Daniel Berdugo
Hagesher Israel Affairs Vice President
2007-2008

SHABBAT SHALOM HAGESHER!!!
 
Candlelighting: 5:41
Havdallah: 6:42
 
This week we read parashat Pikudei, this week's d'var was written by the
amazingly wonderful Rel/Ed RGB member, Tyler "Wyler" Harris Dratch:

I was sitting in Hebrew High school on Wednesday night learning about
parasha Noach. We all know the story of the famous ark: the rainbow that is
placed in the sky to remind Noah of the covenant between god and the people.
While this story is very straightforward, what exactly is our covenant with God?

One clue may be given in this week’s parasha, parasha Pikudei. This week
Moses is commanded to build a tabernacle. During the parasha god gives Moses
many instructions about how the tabernacle should be built including where
everything should be placed, what colors should be used, and much more. Each
Israelite was also required to donate half a sheckel to help build the
beautiful tabernacle.

 If you pay extra close attention to the parasha you see that the phrase,
“that God commands” appears eighteen times. What is the significance of the
number 18? The number 18 is the number of blessings we recite during the
weekday Amidah each day. This similarity should definitely stand out. In the
torah portion God commands Moses and the Israelites 18 times to complete
tasks, and in the Amidah we ask god for many things in our 18 blessings.

It is clear that our covenant is a two way deal. The rainbow represents that
if we do everything we are commanded to do, god will take care of us and
listen to our t'filot. What can we do to continue this Shabbat to continue
this important and equal covenant?

Questions:

1. What three metals were used in building the tabernacle? (3 points)
2. Who was in charge of the construction? (3 points)
3. Who is Betzalel? (3 points)
3. Tell me about a deal you've made (5 points)

 **please send all responses to sarahjaye1@aol.com, and everyone should
answer, because the prizes for the most points are going to ROCK.

Have a wonderful Shabbat!!!

B'vracha,
Sarah Richman
Religion/Education VP

SHABBAT SHALOM HAGESHER!!!

Candle lighting: 6:49pm

Havdalah: 7:50pm

This week we read parashat Vayikra.  This weeks d'var was written by the
amazingly wonderful Rel/Ed RGB member Rebecca Kossman!!

This week we are ready to start the next book of the Torah, Vayikra
(Leviticus in English)!!  The third book in the Torah starts with “Vayikra
el-moshe” which means “The Lord called to Moses.” The entire parsha is about
G-d telling Moshe to relay to the Israelites exactly how they should go
about making sacrifices to G-d. This may sound like a simple procedure, but
the laws are very specific!! The type of animal, and the way one sacrifices
it depend on the person’s intent, and which kind of offering that person
wants to make. Rather than go into all of the gory details, I’d like to just
put a question out to you, Hagesher. If sacrifices are the Israelites’ way
of showing G-d that they care, then why are the laws so specific as to how
this must be done? Is this comparable to giving a friend a gift, or is it so
much more important and holy that G-d needed to make specific rules? I hope
you all have a wonderful Shabbat!!

Trivia

1)Name one reason that one might give a sacrifice to G-d (that is mentioned
in this Parsha). (3 points)

2)Name two animals that can be sacrificed according to this parsha. (3 points)

3) Tell about a time when someone who were trying to help/be nice to gave
you very specific details about the way in which you could do so. (5 points)

**please send all answers to sarahjaye1@aol.com

Have a wonderful and relaxing Shabbat (and soring break for some of you!)

B'vracha,

Sarah Richman

Religion/Education VP

Attention Hagesher USY!

The deadline for Spring Convention applications is this Friday March, 21st! 

In order for your chapter to be eligible to have the most delegates at
Spring Convention all applications MUST BE SENT IN BY FRIDAY.  

Don't miss out on a great party on Thursday night with your chapter!  

Send in your Spring applications this week! 

Emily Sherrin
Hagesher Region
Membership and Kadima VP
2007-2008

Its ISRAEL TRIVIA time!!!! By this time, you know the drill. Answer
all of the questions correctly to win shekalim (points) for your
chapter in the regional shekel challenge. Do NOT answer these
questions before 8PM Tuesday. The competition will start then, and
finish before Shabbat on Friday. Please include your name and chapter,
and of course answers in your response email to
hageshershekelchallenge@gmail.com. With only a few weeks left until
spring convention, NOW is the best opportunity to get more points for
your chapter. PLEASE ANSWER THE TRIVIA!

This weeks questions are:
1. On the emblem of Israel, there are two branches on either side of
the menorah. What kind on branches are these?
2. Israel's president is Shimon Peres. What number president is he
since the establishment of Israel in 1948?
3. What delicious Israeli dip/spread is made from blending chick peas,
tehina, lemon juice, and garlic?
BONUS (optional but recommended)! What Israeli town has a name that
rhymes with a fruit's Hebrew name? (hint: The fruit's name in English
and Hebrew are quite similar)

Now an Israel Update!:

Merkel, on `Unprecedented' Israel Visit, Is to Address Knesset:

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601100&sid=akzfdU.6bzVs

Israel shekel up 1.3 pct to 11-yr peak vs dollar:

http://sg.news.yahoo.com/rtrs/20080318/tbs-markets-israel-shekel-955c2a1.html

Well that's all for now! B'hatzlacha!,
Daniel Berdugo
Hagesher Israel Affairs Vice President
2007-2008

Hey Everyone,

With Spring Convention just around the corner, I want to let you all know
about another exciting event that is taking place right afterwards. There
should be a bus that will take everyone from the convention directly to
Philly JServe event! JServe is hosting an event at the Share Food Bank in
Philly. We will be packaging and sorting out food, creating senior food
boxes, organizing office supplies for non-profit organizations, writing
advocacy letters, and more! Share is the biggest food bank in all of
Philadelphia, and with your participation, we can do a great amount of
service for our city and community. This is also a grand opportunity to do
get those service hours that are required for school.

HOWEVER, for us to order the bus and for you to be on it, we need absolute
confirmation that you will be willing to take it from Spring, to the event.
 You can contact me to sign up at Flaash2k1@hotmail.com and can also reach
Andrea Golden at golden@uscj.org.

THE BUS WILL ONLY BE ORDERED IF A CERATAIN AMOUNT OF PEOPLE SIGN UP SO
PLEASE LET US KNOW SOON IF YOU ARE PLANNING ON ATTENDING!
 I’m looking forward to seeing you all at Spring Convention and I hope to
spend time with you at J-Serve!

 Yours truly,
 Jonah Cohen

HEY HAGESHER:

CALLING ALL ACTORS/ACTRESSES/MUSICIANS/PEOPLE WHO JUST WANT TO GET INVOLVED
WITH THE BIGGEST AND MOST EXCITING PART OF SPRING CONVENTION: CHAI SCHOOL
MUSICAL!!!!

Want to participate in what is going to be an AMAZING Sunday morning
Shacharit at Spring Convention??  From small roles to big roles, from
leading parts of the service to just reading English lines, we have
something for you!!!

Email me, Sarah Richman, at sarahjaye1@aol.com if you are interested, and
we'll talk about what parts are available!!

ATTENTION!!!

We've brought PJ Jam back! PJ Jam is an exciting Hagesher USY
dance/sleepover. So come and '"get your GROOVE on" and don’t forget your PJs ;) 

Start Time: Saturday, March 29, 2008 at 8 pm

End Time: Sunday, March 30, 2008 at 9 am

Location: Tifereth Israel

Street: 2909 Bristol Road Bensalem, PA

Also, don't forget to bring extra money for SA/TO! For those not sleeping
over, if you were brought to PJ Jam by bus, there will be a bus to take you
home. For those sleeping over who need transportation to Gratz in the
morning, please contact Rebecca Kossman via email: nechama1011@verizon.net,
or telephone: (215) 702-8483. 

We hope to see you there!

Amanda Good & Rebecca Kossman
TIBE Co-Presidents

HAGESHER PLEASE NOTE THE CHANGE IN TIME. THE DANCE STARTS AT 8:30, NOT 8:00
SORRY FOR THE INCONVENIENCE!

We've brought PJ Jam back! 
PJ Jam is an exciting Hagesher USYdance/sleepover. 
So come and '"get your GROOVE on" and don’t forget your PJs ;)

Start Time: Saturday, March 29, 2008 at 8:30 pm

End Time: Sunday, March 30, 2008 at 9 am

Location: Tifereth Israel

Street: 2909 Bristol Road Bensalem, PA

Also, don't forget to bring extra money for SA/TO! For those not sleeping
over, if you were brought to PJ Jam by bus, there will be a bus to take you
home. For those sleeping over who need transportation to Gratz in the
morning, please contact Rebecca Kossman via email: nechama1011@verizon.net,
or telephone: (215) 702-8483.

We hope to see you there!

Amanda Good & Rebecca Kossman
TIBE Co-Presidents

List College Open House

List College Open House is the perfect opportunity for high school
juniors,sophomores and their parents to come learn more about The Jewish
Theological Seminary's dual-degree programs with Columbia University and
Barnard College.

Join us on Sunday, March 30th at 11am to learn more about List College.
Register online

Reina Cohen
Director of Admissions, List College
The Jewish Theological Seminary
3080 Broadway
New York, NY 10027
212-678-8832
recohen@jtsa.edu
www.jtsa.edu

Attention Seniors!
Federation is running a trip to Israel May 12-23, and there are still spots
open!  It's a trip focused on leadership and advocacy, but will include
touring Israel and tons of fun activities.  It costs $1500, but scholarships
are available.  Don't miss out on this great opportunity to explore Israel
for first-timers and those who have been there before.  If anyone is
interested, contact Pam Pearlmutter at ppearlmutter@PHILAFEDERATION.ORG ASAP!

SHABBAT SHALOM HAGESHER!!!
 
Candle lighting: 7:03 pm
Havdalah: 8:04 pm
 
This week we read parashat Shemini:
 
The parasha opens with the beginning of the ceremonies for the consecration
of the mizbeach, and the people of Israel are bringing offerings.  Then,
Moses and Aharon bless the people.  The deaths of Nadav and Avihu are
recorded.  Moses instructs Aharon and his two remaining sons, Elazar and
Isamar, not to mourn the deaths of Nadav and Avihu in the standard manner-
and this is where we learn the standard practices of tearing Kriyah and of
mourners not cutting their hair.  The parasha goes on to talk about kosher
and non kosher animals, as well as the basic laws of purity and impurity.
 
The biggest thing we can get from this parasha, in my opinion, is the
closest possible answer to the question "why are we commanded to keep
kosher?"  The parasha clearly states that the reason we keep kosher is to be
holy, like God.  Just as God is set apart from the people in many was, as
are we as a Jewish people by keeping kosher.
 
Questions:
1. Give 2 examples of kosher animals as listed in the parasha (3 points)
2. Give two examples of non kosher animals (3 points)
3. If you could be any animal, what would you be any why? (5 points)
4. What animal would I (Sarah) be and why?  (5 points)
 
**please send all answers to sarahjaye1@aol.com
 
Have a wonderful shabbos!!
 
B'vracha,
 
Sarah Richman
Religion/Education VP

Hey Hagesher!!
It's time for another edition of the HaKesher newsletter and we want you (to
write an article)!!!

We will be distributing this newsletter to all who attend Spring Convention.
 The following are the possible article topics for this coming issue:

   1. What was you favorite regional event for the year?  What did you enjoy
about it (i.e. friends, theme, food, cause, etc.)? 
   2. What is your favorite USY memory from this year?
   3. For seniors, what will you miss most about USY?

If you think of any other topics about which you would like to write, feel
free to do so.  Can't wait to see all your articles!

Please send all submissions to samg912@aol.com by April 6th!

Sam Gorski
Comm. RGB