Bomb car in Netanya after detonation

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Jerusalem Police, assisted by additional police forces, are preparing to prevent disturbances that could follow P.A. Minister of Jerusalem Affairs, Faisal Husseini's funeral at the El Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem. In the last week Palestinians increased their attacks and in addition to killing four in shootings, they placed bombs and detonated car bombs in Jerusalem, Hadera and Netanya.

Faisal Husseini is the son of Palestinian national hero Abed El Kadar nick-named by the pre-state Jewish settlement "leader of the Arab bands" who died in the battle on the Castel in the 1948 war of Independence. Faisal Husseini died of a heart attack during a visit to Kuwait where he was participating in a conference of Arab States convened to decide on a policy to prevent normalization with Israel. His body will be flown to Ramallah in an helicopter provided by King Abdallah of Jordan. The funeral procession will leave from Ramallah to Jerusalem tomorrow.

Faisal Husseini

Palestinians continued to escalate violence this week in spite of Israeli efforts to bring to a cease-fire. Shooting attacks killed four civilians. This morning, 63 year old Mevo Dotan resident, Zvika Shelef was killed near Baka El Sharkyie situated on the green line. Shelef believed in co-existence with the Palestinians and had many friends in the area.

Yesterday, 54 year old Sarah Blaustein (zl) and 20 year old Esther Alvan (zl) of Efrat were killed. The two were shot by Palestinians in a car driving close to the Tunnel Road. Sarah Blaustein is a new immigrant from the United States. Gilad Zar (zl), security officer of the Samarea regional Council was killed near Nablus. Zar had already been seriously injured in a shooting attack two months ago. The killers ambushed him yesterday in a parked car and after they injured him, they approached his car and shot him in the head to assure his death.

Gilad's father was an elite fighter in Ariel Sharon's paratrooper "unit 101" in the 1950s. Prime Minister Sharon was strongly rebuffed by members and friends of the family of the deceased when he visited yesterday, claiming that he had not kept his promises and for letting them down. As a matter of fact, settlers in Judea and Samaria have been very angry at Prime Minister Sharon, recently showing signs of taking matters into their hands, no longer prepared to abide by the policy of restrain.

Worth mentioning are a number of terrorist attacks that miraculously ended without major tragedy. In the car bomb in Hadera many Israelis were injured but only the two terrorists were killed. The car bomb that shot mortar shells in Jerusalem actually caused damage only to property and the car bomb that went off near the school in Netanya miraculously caused few injuries as the students were busy studying for matriculation exams.

President Bush meets President Katsav in White House

President Moshe Katsav is calling upon the US administration to set a date for a cease-fire that will be part of a package that will allow Israel freedom to take action in the event that Arafat will continue to refuse to stop the violence. Katsav met with President George Bush junior yesterday in the White House, as part of his visit to the US which is planned over several days.

The proposal was made in coordination with Prime Minister Sharon and in an attempt to create an ultimatum for the Palestinians, leading to international support in case of tough Israeli reprisals.

Bush promised to discuss the proposal with his staff and said smilingly that it is possible that the fourth of July, Independence Day in the US, might be the most appropriate date.

In the course of the visit, President Katsav will visit in New York and in Los Angeles, dedicating the majority of his time to meetings with Jewish communities in the US.

Leaders of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, Ronald Lauder and Malcolm Hoenlein, demand from the US Administration to take tough action against Palestinian terrorism and even offer rewards that will lead to the discovery of killers of US citizens and acts of violence directed against Israel.

Leaders of the Conference of Presidents asked the Congress and Political Department in the White House yesterday to include Palestinian Organizations involved in killings to the list of terrorist organizations. Among those are : the Fatah, Force 17 and the Tanzim, that operate under the direction of Yasser Arafat. This kind of decision will cause immediate disruption of relations between the US administration and the PA and immediate cessation of further assistance to Arafat.

In another announcement the Conference of Presidents said that the Jewish Organization condemns the Taliban's Program in Afghanistan forcing the Hindus to wear an identity label on their clothing to distinguish them from the Muslims. They compare this proposal to the one that forced Jews to wear a yellow star of David during the Holocaust.

Within the framework of two meetings that took place this week Jewish Agency Chairman Sallai Meridor, Treasurer Chaim Chesler and Executive Director Aharon Abramowich, Minister of Construction and Housing Natan Sharansky, and Minister of Education Limor Livnat, it was decided to strengthen the joint efforts in order to bring new immigrants from Argentina, France and South America on Aliya.

According to the heads of the Jewish Agency and Government representatives special circumstances have arisen that can encourage immigration from these countries and thus, it is necessary to offer them a number of attractive benefits and incentives.

During the meetings it was decided to establish joint working teams that will begin to act in the said areas in the upcoming weeks.

An op-ed piece in the Al-a-Intifada newspaper, identified with the PA and the Fatah movement says: "Putting an end to shooting in the wrong place at the wrong time is a basic prerequisite for the continuation of the Intifada ..... one bullet in the right place and time, outside residential areas controlled by the PA, will provide the Intifada with a new lease on life, making the lives of the settlers hell, forcing them to leave. This will be part of the road to freedom and national independence".

"We cannot ignore the importance of mobilizing the forces in the armed struggle against the settlers and the occupying forces, outside our national authority, in the settlements and the by-pass roads. The Intifada has become part of the armed Palestinian rebellion"

• $ 12,000 - Jewish Agency allocation for the year 2000 to the Anti-Defamation League for the project "Children of the Dream" within the framework of projects that foster "Unity, Tolerance and Mutual Respect."

• $ 10,000 - Jewish Agency allocation for the year 2000 to "Isha Le'Isha" (Woman to Woman Association) in Haifa for "Support and Empowerment" project within the framework of support of "Special Needs Populations."

• $ 19,000 - Jewish Agency allocation for the year 2000 to the International Jewish Identity Center at the Bar Ilan University for Jewish Identity program within the framework of allocations "Enhancing Jewish Identity for Israelis."

• 16,182 Olim arrived in Israel since the beginning of 2001. 12,247 are from the FSU.

Last month, another Marva course ended successfully in the Gadna base of Sde Boker in the Negev Desert. Forty-five young Jews from 8 different countries stood facing the ravines that inspired David Ben Gurion, wearing the uniform of the IDF, heads up high, proud of themselves for concluding their 2 months of intensive army service in the Marva program.

The March session of Marva included 45 participants originating from Belgium, USA, England, Mexico, Venezuela, Canada, Australia, and France. Included in this course, were 19 participants who participated in the program as part of the Year Course of Young Judea. This was the first time that the Year Course offered Marva as an option to their participants, and everyone involved concluded that their participation was a success, and contributed greatly to their experience in Israel. Next year 40 Young Judeans are expected to follow in the footsteps of this year's pioneers.

One of the highlights of the ceremony was when one of the Young Judeans, Dov Wilkner was awarded the prestigious "Chanich Lemofet", or "Outstanding Participant" award. Dov's parents had flown in only the day before from New York to see their son at his ceremony. When he was called before the podium and presented the award by Major Moshik Aviv, the base commander, Ms. Leah Golan of the Aliyah Department, and Dan Krakow, Director of Young Judea, his parents were bursting with pride over their son's accomplishment.

Approximately half of the program's participants are planning to make Aliyah in the next year. A group of them are involved in organizing a Garin, and plan to make Aliyah together this fall and serve in the army. The Aliyah Movement is organizing a preparation seminar for them in the end of May in which they will receive information about army service, rights and benefits for Olim, and studies in Israel. After Aliyah they will live in the Kfar Saba Absorption Center, study in an Ulpan, and prepare for the army Atogether with the support of the Jewish Agency and Young Judea.

Marva continues to be one of the leading programs in Aliyah Encouragement. The program is run in conjunction by the Aliyah Movement and the Gadna and is open to young Jewish adults ages 18-28 who have a basic knowledge of Hebrew. Sessions begin four times a year in September, December, March and June, and last eight weeks.

More information may be obtained from the Aliyah Movement or local Shaliach.

Following many delays the German Parliament passed the law settling reparation payments for Holocaust forced labor workers. Reparations will be paid through a German Foundation that was established one year ago.

An estimated one million who worked in forced labor camps will receive reparation, most of them citizens of east European countries. According to some estimates, 130,000 Jews in the world are eligible for reparations and the reparation payments that they will receive will be higher than the non-Jewish "eligible" workers because they belong to the "forced labor" in the extermination and death camps category. Thus, each of the Jewish forced labor workers will receive reparations in the amount of 15,000 German Marks while each of the other workers will receive no more than 5,000 German Marks.

To date, some 90,000 applications for reparations were submitted in Israel and it is estimated that some 70,000 will be eligible to receive reparations. The last date for submission is August 11.

Earlier this month, 22 young Jewish students from Canada, the United States, England and Australia began "The Magen David Adom Ambulance Volunteer Program", a unique program run in conjunction by Magen David Adom Israel, and the Aliyah Movement, a branch of the Aliyah and Klita Department of the Jewish Agency.

Through this program, young Jewish adults have the opportunity to receive first-aid certification in an intensive course, and then spend two months working side by side with Israeli staff and volunteers to provide first aid care.

The program has been running for over ten years. In the past it has been open only to Canadians, however recently the option of undergoing first-aid training in Israel in English has opened the program to participants from all over the world. In addition to the May session, additional sessions will be run beginning in June, July, September, January and April.

One of the special benefits of the program the important "hands-on" experience in first-aid that the participants receive.

"Since my shifts were on the Emergency Intensive Care Unit, I had opportunities to provide aid in a wide range of medical emergencies," notes John Adler. "As I hope to attend medical school shortly, these experiences were not only an asset to my career, but they will also help me make critical choices about my own future. Also, having just finished a 4-year science undergraduate degree, I really appreciated the chance to get involved in the practical application of the material that I have studied."

During the program the participants live in Absorption Centers throughout Israel. There they have the opportunity to meet new Olim, and see their absorption process first hand. In addition, the intense work in the MDA stations creates strong bonds with the Israeli MDA staff and volunteers who host the foreign volunteers in their homes on the weekends.

"Diaspora Jews often experience a craving to taste the true flavor of Israel.," adds Orly Greenberg. "I can personally attest that there is no better way to experience the heartbeat and circulation of Israel society than in the back of a speeding ambulance….I feel fortunate to have been granted the unique opportunity of being able to feel the pulse of Israel. Irregular as it may be in rate, rhythm and volume, the pulse of Israel will always beat intensively in my own heart."

As part of a week-long tribute to the Ethiopian community in Israel, a new course opened in conjunction with the Jewish Agency and the Jerusalem Friendship Fund to train Ethiopian Immigrants as bus drivers.

Following a six-month training period, 25 olim will receive bus driver licenses and will be hired by the "Dan" Cooperative.

Chairman of the Dan Cooperative, Yoram Sharabi announced at the opening ceremony that "Dan" gives preference to employing drivers who are olim.

Rabbi Yehiel Eckstein, president of the Friendship Fund, said that this program is one of numerous projects aimed at assisting the absorption of Ethiopian olim in Israel.

Chairman of the Jewish Agency, Sallai Meridor, praised the "Dan" Cooperative for its interest and role in absorbing new immigrants into Israeli society.

Andi Milens, Director of Community Relations, Jewish Community Federation of Cleveland, has asked people to send their best wishes for a speedy recovery to Beit Shean resident Nahum Yanovsky, an immigrant from the FSU who was injured in a terrorist attack in the west bank a few weeks ago. Nahum, a Math and Judo teacher, is recovering from an injury to his leg.

"Refuah Shlaema to you as you try to heal from your injuries," wrote Ronnie and Daniel Ducoff, Benjamin (age 8), and twin brothers Jeremy and Samuel (age 5). "Our hearts are with you as you attempt to raise a family during this violence and maintain a positive outlook as you try to regain your health. We cannot imagine how difficult your lives are right now, but we can tell you how much we support you. Wishing you better days ahead and an end to this uprising. May calmer heads prevail. Good luck to you."

Among the tough events afflicting Israel these past two weeks; the collapse of Jerusalem's "Versailles" social hall killing 23 people, the large number of terrorist attacks which claimed additional lives, the tragedy that stroke Beersheva's Talakar family was protuberant: at 07:30 a.m. the kindergarten teacher picked-up the Talakar's baby in the transport car, as she did every day, to take her to daycare. It was a hot, hamsin day. The infant, Lital was strapped into the baby seat. Five hours later, when the teacher gathered the children for the return journey, she noticed Lital's absence. She hurried to the car, only to find one-year old Lital strapped to the seat unconscious, as a result of spending five hours in the sweltering heat in an unventilated car. She was taken to hospital in critical condition where she died on her first birthday.

Contrary to the principles of integration in the education system, the Amit chain of comprehensive schools in the south of Israel has separate classes for immigrant pupils from the FSU. These are secular students studying at a religious school. However, the school does have mixed classes where native Israeli students learn alongside Ethiopian students. It would now appear that there are more schools that segregate some of their students. Officials at the Ministry of Education's Division of Religious Education claim that segregation in the lower grades is designed to preserve the multi-cultural aspect of the students, as well as helping them close gaps regarding knowledge of the Hebrew language and Jewish-Israeli culture. Others however, claim that this segregation is for entirely different reasons, and that opening separate classes for secular olim aims to encourage enrollment in schools suffering from student attrition.

Following an onerous and exhausting public debate, the management of the Israel Festival decided to refrain from playing works by the German composer Richard Wagner. Initially a decision was taken to play Wagner at the Festival but it aroused considerable public anger. The Festival organizers were inundated with letters and phone calls, including some threats; two motions were filed with the Supreme Court; the Knesset Education Committee demanded that the concert be cancelled; and the President of the State of Israel, Mr. Moshe Katsav, and the Minister of Culture appealed to the directors of the Festival asking them to reconsider. Festival organizers decided to remove the works by Wagner from the program.

Ilan Weil-Levy, an Israeli businessman suspected of involvement in Peru's major corruption scandal centered on Vladimiro Montesinos, was arrested in Argentina this week at the request of the Peruvian government. The press defined Weil-Levy as "an arms dealer of Israeli origin," a Peruvian national and Montesinos' partner, who headed Peru's security services while former president Alberto Fujimori held office. Fujimori fled the country when he was suspected of taking bribes for drugs and arms deals. Weil-Levy is under suspicion of being involved in arms trading at prices that exceeded their real value by far.

The son of a secretary at the Kenyan embassy in Israel was arrested this week on suspicion of murdering his mother, 52-year old Mary Monaga. The son has diplomatic immunity. Monaga's body was found last week at her Tel Aviv apartment, bearing signs of violence. The body was found by an embassy colleague who came to the flat to check why Monaga had not showed up for work.

The "Massah Aher" geographic magazine in conjunction with the "Israel Spirit" call on the community at large participate in an event designed to support children living in Israel's youth villages.

Initiated by the Massah Aher magazine, the one-day event aims to create a bond between children living in Israel's youth villages and the Israeli public, and to increase awareness of the subject.

The day that will begin with a guided tour of Abu Gosh and will end with a flute and harp concert. The public will be guided through a fascinating tour beginning at the Biblical Museum and proceeding on to the Crusader church in Abu Gosh where they will have the opportunity to meet with one of the Benedictine monks.

At midday tour participants will converge on the lawn in Kiryat Yearim where they will meet the children from the youth villages and will listen to a special concert together. The concert will be interactive and suitable for all ages, from pre-schoolers to adults. The concert will be made-up in "real time" as the event progresses, with input from the audience.

The staff at Massah Aher and the Israel Spirit believe, that this special meeting will contribute both to the children and the participants constituting an important landmark on the road to increasing awareness for the importance of supporting the children residing in the youth villages.

Thousands of children currently live in Israel in underprivileged conditions. Many of them are forced to leave home, and only a supportive education framework can help them break out of the vicious circle. The Israel Spirit helps these children by supporting the youth villages in Israel.

The Kiryat Yearim youth village brings together teenagers from the south and the center of the country providing them with a warm home environment. The village includes dorms, a school and therapy center.

Ehud Graff, Director of Programming at Israel Army Radio (Galei Zahal), has been named winner of the B'nai B'rith World Center Award for Journalism in memory of Wolf and Hilda Matsdorf for the year 2000. The jury chose Mr. Graff from among 14 contestants in recognition of a full-day special broadcast about Israel-Diaspora relations produced together with an extended professional team in cooperation with the Jewish Agency. The wide-ranging program included in-depth reports on Jewish communities in the Diaspora, interviews with personalities active in Israel-Diaspora relations and discussions between Israelis and Diaspora Jews on the significance of the relationship in their personal lives.

The award seeks to generate greater public interest and knowledge in Israel about the current condition of Jewish communities in the Diaspora and Israel Diaspora relations. The award carries a cash prize and a certificate.

The jury also decided to confer a Lifetime achievement award on Ha'aretz senior commentator for Jewish Affairs Eliyahu Slapter for his long running column on Diaspora affairs. Honorable mention will go to Emannuel Halperin and David Witzthum, anchors and editors of Israel Television's "From Today to Tomorrow" late-night news program for a series of Diaspora related reports. Also to Rivka Behiri and Menachem Perry, producer and presenter of Israel Radio's weekly program "We came" (Channel 1) about immigrants and the Jewish communities they came from.

Members of the Award Jury are: Eli Eyal, journalist and member of the Zionist Executive (with responsibility for Zionist Activities in Israel); Dr. Dina Goren, journalist and media researcher, and former member of the governing boards of the IBA and the second Authority for Radio and Television; Asher Weil, editor of "Ariel" and member of the Executive Committee of the world Bnai Brith Center; Dr. Mordecai Naor, editor of "Kesher", journal of the Institute for the Study of Jewish Press and Communications; and Dan Patir, political analyst and media advisor to prime ministers Yitzhak Rabin and Menachem Begin.

300 gr. rough-puff pastry

Filling:

50 gr. butter
400 gr. spinach leaves, washed and chopped
4 spring onions, chopped
Salt, freshly ground black pepper
Ground nutmeg
1 (300 ml.) whipping cream
1 (300 ml.) Fresh cream
3 eggs
100 gr. grated Caciocavallo cheese
250 gr. diced Camembert
200 gr. a roll of goat cheese - sliced

One round 24 cm. Spring-form (baking pan)

Preparation:

• Roll out the pastry on floured surface to form a piece 30 cm. in diameter. Place in the baking pan and press onto the base and sides of pan, so that the edge of the pastry rolls over the side of the pan. Refrigerate.

• In a frying pan melt the butter, add the spinach, onion and salt, pepper and nutmeg. Steam until the spinach is soft and the liquid has evaporated. Take off the heat and transfer to a bowl.

• Add the cream, Fresh cream, eggs and Caciocavallo cheese, beat well and add flavor to taste.

• Heat the oven to 180⁰ C.

• Arrange the Camembert on the pastry, add the spinach mixture and bake for 20 minutes. Arrange the goat cheese on the filling and bake for another 20 minutes, until the pie is golden-brown, remove from the oven, wait 20 minutes and cut into portions.

B'Te'avon!     Bon Appetit!