Car bomb in Jerusalem

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Ayelet Hashachar Levy, 28 years old, a mother of a three year old and attorney Hanan Levy from Jerusalem are the victims of a terror attack which was carried out yesterday afternoon near the Machaneh Yehuda Market in Jerusalem. Ayelet is the daughter of the leader of the National Religious Party, Yitzhak Levy former Minister of Education in the Netanyahu government and former Minister of Housing in the Barak government. When the car bomb exploded Ayelet was unloading the contents for her new apartment from a van parked next to the car bomb. Attorney Levy was returning from lunch to his office in the nearby Clal Building. Another nine passers by were injured and hospitalized.

Yesterday, three soldiers were killed by Palestinian snipers during a violent day of clashes which has been the most intense since the violence in the territories erupted at the end of September.

The car bomb had been parked in a side street near the market, which on Thursdays is bustling. Two terrorists who had driven the car, managed to escape the scene a short while before the explosion and a traffic warden had even managed to issue the car which blew up a parking fine because the terrorists had not deposited any money in the parking meter.

The attack in Jerusalem took place the less than 16 hours after the meeting between the Minister for Regional Cooperation, Shimon Peres and the Chairman of the Palestinian Authority, Yasser Arafat. At this meeting a cease-fire had been agreed upon to start yesterday morning.

Furthermore the IDF moved back its tanks and allowed the Palestinian police to return to their previous positions. In spite of the steps taken by Israel the shooting continued until late at night and a call from Yasser Arafat to stop the violence had not been heard and the shooting continued on many fronts. The continuing clashes caused much anger in Israeli political circles and in spite of attempts by the government to persuade the Palestinians to implement the agreement there are those in the government and the opposition who are calling for a radical response.

«I know that our present struggle is not easy for you too. Many of you are struggling with a renewed anti-Semitism, vandalism against synagogues and Jewish sites, and sometimes even physical attacks. You can be certain that we are with you. Together, we can withstand – and we will withstand -- any threat to the security of Jews, wherever they live, for we are a strong, powerful people.» said Prime Minister Ehud Barak, at a solidarity rally with Israel held in Jerusalem this week, with the participation of Jewish communities from around the world. This rally, in which over a thousand Jewish leaders from all over the world participated, was organized by the Jewish Agency for Israel together with the United Jewish Communities, the Federations of North America, the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, UIA-Keren Hayesod, the Jewish National Fund, Israel Bonds, Hadassah, Bnai Brith, the Canadian Jewish Congress, Canada Israel Committee, and others.

The Prime Minister said «There is no doubt that all of you, throughout the world, and we in Israel, will encounter yet more obstacles on the way to security and peace. We will have difficult times and we will have times of great hope. No body is alone in this historic mission. I know that we are one - one people, one family. This is not just a slogan. Look around this evening – it is a fact!»

«Here tonight I continue to call on the Palestinian leadership to stop the violence and immediately implement the Sharm-El-Sheikh agreements. However, as long as the path of violence is preferred, we will defend the State of Israel and the Israeli people by the most efficient means possible. We have no intention of rewarding violence.»

«I am under no illusion that the violence that has been forced on us will end with the IDF’s action tonight. But I also have doubt that the Palestinian Authority understands quite clearly that the long arm of the IDF can be a great deal more painful and that Israel will not ignore recent events and will under no circumstances allow its soldiers and civilians to be hurt.

«We are aware that you are exposed to anti-Semitic attacks. We shall stand up to the challenge so that Jews may live safely wherever they are.» Said the Prime Minister.

Jewish Agency Chairman Sallai Meridor also addressed the issue of anti-Semitism. «We are under attack in Israel, London, Paris – actually the whole world. They can lynch our soldiers and burn our synagogues, but we shall defend ourselves. We shall do this for three reasons: We are right, and we didn’t leave one stone unturned in order to reach peace. We have no choice, because we have no other land. We are one people and we shall remain united.»

Former Minister of the Interior Natan Sharansky reminded the crowd that it was thanks to Jewish solidarity that he was freed from prison, and the release of 1,200,000 Jews from the former Soviet Union.

Minister for Israeli Society and the World Jewish Community Michael Melchior stated,

«From its first day in office, the government extended its hand in peace. However, these murders will not continue without a response from us.»

Carole Solomon, National Chair, Campaign / FRD Pillar of the United Jewish Communities said that weekly solidarity missions would continue to come to Israel, for the next six weeks or more.

Moshe Ronen, President of the Canadian Jewish Congress urged Jewish people worldwide to stand together. «We stood by Israel in its search for peace,» he recalled. «And now we must stand by Israel in its struggle for dignity.»

Prime Minister Ehud Barak salutes Unity Mission participants
Photo credit: Israel Sun

«My heart goes out to these brave, unfortunate people,» said Alex Grass, Chairman of the Jewish Agency’s Board of Governors as he gazed across the valley from the Jerusalem neighborhood of Gilo to Beit Jalla. «We are here for just a few minutes. But these residents must live with this threat 24 hours-a-day.»

Mr. Grass made his observation during a Jewish Agency Board of Governors solidarity visit to the Jerusalem neighborhood of Gilo on Monday, which has suffered from constant sniper fire during the current violence.

With a population of 45,000, Gilo is Jerusalem’s southernmost and largest suburb. Strategically located on the city’s highest hilltop, in biblical times, the young shepherd David herded his flock here.

«Its important during this period that Jews of the world show their support for Jews who live in the front lines,» added Grass, as he stood in Ha’anafa Street, near bullet riddled apartments.

Jerusalem Mayor Ehud Olmert thanked the Board of Governors for their visit. «We know you share our concerns and hopes and we are happy you are here,» he said.

Carole Solomon, National Chair, Campaign/FRD Pillar of the United Jewish Communities took up this point. «The visit has enabled us to see behind the media manipulation,» she said, «and distinguish between fact and fiction. We see the vulnerability of the neighborhood. And if Jews in one place feel vulnerable then we feel vulnerable too.»

The Board of Governors met Gilo residents who spoke of their traumatic experiences and nightmares. «I have a recurring nightmare,» said Linda Dagan, an American immigrant to Gilo, «in which masses of Arabs appear on top of the hill before attacking my home.»

Eli Amir, director general of Youth Aliyah, who lives in Gilo said «I have lived in Gilo for 28 years and I never believed this could happen,» he said. «We must respond by carrying on as normal. I am disappointed but I have no choice but to be optimistic and I still believe there can be peace.»

The visit culminated in a ceremony inaugurating for the start of work on a new music center at the Gilo Community Center, which will be funded by Jewish Agency/Keren Hayesod, an initiative of former Chairman of the Jewish Agency Board of Governors and Keren Hayesod President, Mendel Kaplan, who will head the campaign to raise the necessary one million dollars for this purpose.

«Many people have visited us and made promises of help,» said Meir Tourjaman, chairman of the Gilo Neighborhood Council. «Only you have delivered on your promises.»

Jewish Agency Board of Governors visits Rehov Ha’anafa in Gilo, Beit Jalla seen in the background
Photo credit: Joe Malcolm

The huge banner unfurled on the Aish Hatorah Yeshiva, overlooking the Western Wall, said it all – «Thank You for Coming.» The thanks was directed at the Jewish Agency Board of Governors and over 1,000 other Jews from communities abroad, who marched this week from the Zion Gate through the Old City to the Wall to express solidarity with Jerusalem during the present troubles.

The visitors represented the Jewish Agency, United Jewish Communities, UIA-Keren Hayesod, the Jewish National Fund, the Canadian Jewish Congress, Israel Bonds, Hadassah and more than 20 other Jewish organizations in North America, Western Europe and Latin America. They were joined by participants in Jewish Agency programs such as OTZMA and 850 Jewish Agency staff members and retired employees.

«This city was ours,» declared Jerusalem Mayor Ehud Olmert. «This city is ours. And this city will continue to be ours. We must set up our own United Jerusalem Campaign. You must go home and deliver the clear message that though the Jewish people is smaller in number, it is greater in belief.»

Joel Tauber, Chairman of the Executive of the United Jewish Communities, stressed that the March put meaning into the slogan that «We are One.» «A lot of Jews aren’t coming and that’s sad,» he stressed. «This event shows that we care regardless of the situation.»

Stephen Solender, United Jewish Communities President, elaborated on this theme. «We cannot be fair weather friends,» he asserted. «I urge people to visit Israel. It is a difficult time but it is safe here.»

Aaron Abramovich, Director-General of the Jewish Agency, explained that the solidarity rally took less than ten days to organize.

«It is important that at this time the Jewish people shows solidarity with the State of Israel,» he insisted. «We must be together during difficult times as well as during better times.

Janie Grackin, from Palm Beach County, Florida came on the march as a member of the UJC Solidarity Mission. «This is the 20^th time I’ve been in Israel,» she said. «I’ve come again because I am concerned. The people of Israel seem subdued and need our support. We are not surprised at the events but we still believe in peace.»

Solidarity Rally at the Western Wall
Photo credit: Israel Sun

«Suffering and sorrow know no borders,» Michael Norzhich, brother of Vadim, one of the two IDF soldiers lynched in Ramallah, told over 1,000 Jewish leaders at the President’s Residence in Jerusalem this week. «Your presence here gives us strength at this most difficult time. Our enemies must understand that the more hurt we are, the stronger we will become.»

President Moshe Katsav brought the bereaved families from the past month’s violence to meet the Jewish Unity Mission and share their sorrow with them.

«We must show the world how strong we are,» urged Gus Avrahami, the father of Yossi Avrahami, the other soldier lynched in Ramallah. And Orly Kapta, cousin of Ethiopian born Captain Yosef Tabaja, who was killed by a Palestinian policeman while on a joint patrol with him in Tulkarem, expressed similar sentiments.

«Despite all this,» stressed President Katsav, «we are determined to reach a real and permanent peace. We do not hate the Palestinians. But we are not sure if they want to reach a real peace with us. Thank you for coming. We really are one people and together, overcoming our difficulties will be much easier.»

In response to the President’s words and the meetings with the bereaved families Alex Grass, Chairman of the Jewish Agency’s Board of Governors said. «We know we cannot understand the depth of your grief. But we can feel it. We owe it to you to continue today’s commitment to solidarity. We are behind you. We are with you. And our solidarity will last forever.»

Lawrence Hart, President of B’nai Brith Canada, spoke of a better future. «The Jewish people when faced with discrimination and hatred has learned to pick up the pieces,» he said, «revitalize and go on to stand together for a brighter future.»

As violence resumed in the territories, the Central Command in conjunction the Israel Defense Forces Spokesman began publicizing information about the events.

Version A
Palestinian TV - October 12^th, 11:43 AM: «At 10:30 Palestinian youngsters participating in the Intifada were suspicious of a vehicle parked beside the Police station, in which three soldiers were sitting and cracking nuts. The youngsters attacked the vehicle and arrested the soldiers. The crowd gathered at the site considered the soldiers to be planning a massacre. The enraged youngsters saw the weapons and hand grenades in their (the soldiers’) possession and understood their intention of causing a large number of casualties among their ranks. The soldiers were planning a terrible massacre in Ramallah. The Intifada youngsters struggled with the Israeli soldiers and killed all three.»

Version B
Amoaj TV - October 10^th, 11:52 AM: «Our young heroes in Ramallah managed to lay their hands on two undercover soldiers armed with bombs and weapons, who were planning a massacre in the city... Naturally, before killing the murderous soldiers, they obtained confessions from them. Allah’s greatness prevented the soldiers from committing the massacre.»

Version C
Palestinian TV, October 10^th, 11:50 AM: «Enraged residents are still on the streets following the exposure of the undercover soldiers who entered the town with explosives and machine guns. They were planning a massacre against our heroes and our women and old people. The weapons and confessions taken from them before they were killed show the evil intentions of the soldiers against our citizens, women and children. A terrible massacre could have taken place. We thank Allah for what happened.»

Version D
Voice of Palestine radio, October 10^th at 1:25 PM: «Thousands marched in a funeral procession, when a car carrying several Israelis, two of them armed, entered the crowd. The crowd, which saw the car and its occupants, attacked. Police who arrived on the scene quickly, made every effort to save and protect them, but the mob’s enraged response prevented such efforts. This regrettable incident is the result of the Israeli government’s policy of escalation.»

Every day, (particularly towards evening) Fatah activists (Tanzim) shoot dozens of rounds of fire at Israeli civilians and soldiers from ambushes in residential neighborhoods and homes. Since the onset of the terror attacks in Judea, Samaria and Gaza, the Tanzim have carried out 1,000 (!!) attacks. All are characterized by: shooting to harass (shooting in a general direction aimed at disrupting the daily routine), sniper fire, shooting at major roads in Judea and Samaria, shooting from several points simultaneously, continuous shooting for several hours, firing from a crowd of demonstrators during violent riots at points of friction, combined attacks (stationary and in motion). The Fatah Tanzim terrorists often use heavy machine guns (0.30 and 0.50 caliber) in daily attacks on Israeli neighborhoods in Judea, Samaria and Jerusalem.

Palestinians Feign Naivete
MBC TV - October 25^th at 8:15 PM, Palestinian Minister of International Cooperation, Nabil Sha’ath: «During this Intifada the Palestinians have not used weapons. They occasionally use stones and Molotov cocktails.»

USA Today - October 26^th Marwan Barghouti, leader of the Fatah Tanzim: «Our strategy is to carry out an Intifada of peace...,» and in another interview: «This Intifada does not conflict with the peace process.»

The Invisible Hand - the Palestinian Authority Pulls the Strings
MBC TV, October 17^th - Marwan Barghouti: «I am returning from a meeting of the national and Islamic factions... which has called for popular processions... We are in regular contact with the President Commander Abu Amar (Arafat).»

Intifada Modus Operandi
AP, October 25^th - Marwan Barghouti: «There are two separate steering committees - one on the West Bank, the other in Gaza, which meet daily to select times and places for confrontations with IDF troops.»

Which Direction is the PA Taking?
Israel’s Channel 2 - October 19^th - Marwan Barghouti: «The Intifada will continue until Israel has withdrawn from all Palestinian lands and it is likely that she will suffer from new forms of the struggle.»

Fatah Forms Armed Militias
On October 10^th, the Fatah announced, with the endorsement of the Palestinian Authority, the formation of armed militias, whose task is to exercise Palestinian control over Areas B & C and fight against the IDF and Israeli settlers in Judea and Samaria. These militias have begun operating all over Judea and Samaria and are carrying out many shooting attacks.

• 54,180 people from all over the world were introduced to Jewish Agency activities and aliyah opportunities, during the first half of 2000, through fairs, personal meetings as part of the Jewish Agency’s «Aliyah 2000» program.

• Some 37,000 olim arrived in Israel from the FSU during the first nine months of this year, about 14,000 of them from Russia.

• 1,551 olim from Latin America arrived in Israel during the first nine months of this year, compared with 1,256 during the same period last year.

• $249,000 - the Jewish Agency’s budget for 2000 for the Institute for Youth Leaders from Abroad, which trains leaders for youth movements in the Diaspora for young leadership in their countries.

• $104,000 - the Jewish Agency’s budget for 2000 for running South African Ulpan, in which has 135 students from South Africa took part. The three-month offers the students the opportunity of becoming acquainted with Israel and Israeli society through a hands-on experience in Israel, tours of the country and seminars.

• $19,000 - Jewish Agency support during the year 2000 for a tutoring program for blind pupils by blind college students to enhance their learning ability. The project is run by ALEH - acronym for the Association for the Promotion of Blind Students in Israel.

Jewish Agency emissaries in the Former Soviet Union (FSU) have launched a special information effort among the Jewish communities, designed to present objective, reliable information on the events taking place in Israel and the territories in order to enlist activists to explain Israel’s position and prevent the a decrease in aliyah due to the violence in Israel. At special information evenings, the emissaries present reports prepared by the Jewish Agency’s FSU Department, that are consistent with Israel’s foreign policy. Russian-speaking Israeli journalists have been invited to appear at community functions or to participate in conference calls.

Amos Lahat, director of the Jewish Agency’s FSU Department, said that this activity is being intended both to balance the reports about Israel that are broadcast in the Russian media as well as to respond to the enormous request for information about recent events in Israel. According to Lahat, interest in events in Israel has increased significantly in recent weeks and Jews in the FSU are expressing solidarity and support for the State of Israel. Several Jewish communities in Azerbaijan even sent a letter of support to Prime Minister Barak via Jewish Agency emissaries.

The parents of children who are currently in Israel on Jewish Agency youth programs expressed concern for their children’s welfare in light of recent events and asked to receive regular updates about the situation in Israel. In addition to the information evenings, the Jewish Agency has provided the youngsters studying in Israel with a free phone service so that they can talk to and reassure their parents in the FSU.

According to Lahat, despite their concern, so far none of the families has asked to send their children home. Furthermore, over 250 Jewish students from throughout the FSU arrived in Israel two weeks ago to attend a Young Leadership seminar as party of the Jewish Agency’s Heritage program. The youngsters traveled throughout Israel and visited historic sites. They returned home this week with their Jewish identity and commitment to the Jewish people strengthened.

The Jewish Agency’s Board of Governors, which convened this week in Jerusalem, approved the organization’s budget for the year 2001, in the amount of $381 million. An additional $20 million will be raised in a special campaign among the Jewish Federations of North America.

Jewish Agency Treasurer, Chaim Chesler, noted the need to maintain a balanced budget and provide a response to the needs of the Jewish people in the State of Israel at this difficult time. «The real Zionist response of the Jewish people at this time is the establishment of new settlements, while at the same time strengthening and expanding existing ones with the cooperation of the government, and continuing to bring new olim to the country,» said Chesler.

About a third of the budget will be used to rescue Jews from various countries and to bring them on aliyah, particularly from the FSU, Ethiopia and other countries in crisis. According to Jewish Agency projections, 62,500 olim are expected to arrive in Israel in 2001 -- some 50,000 from the FSU, 5,000 from Ethiopia and 7,500 from other countries. Other areas, which the Jewish Agency will focus during the coming year are strengthening the State of Israel, enhancing Jewish Zionist education in the Diaspora, enhancing Jewish identity among candidates for aliyah, and strengthening the bond between Jewish communities worldwide and the State of Israel.

The Jewish Agency’s income derives from contributions by Jews throughout the world raised in the United States by the UJA Federation Campaign of the United Jewish Communities and by Keren Hayesod – United Israel Appeal in the rest of the world. The US Government also allocates a special grant for initial immigration of immigrants from the Former Soviet Union and Ethiopia.

Five young activists living from Israel’s Kiryat Gat-Lachish region are currently undergoing a crash course on North American Jewry – in preparation for their participation in the United Jewish Communities’ General Assembly, which will take place in Chicago in November 10-15. The five are members of the region’s Young Leadership Development (YLD) program – a group of 25-40 year old professionals and businesspeople who have undertaken to improve the quality of life in the area they live in through various volunteer social projects. The course, given by Jerusalem’s Hartman Institute, will help familiarize them with the history of American Jewry and its organizational structure.

Kiryat Gat-Lachish and Chicago are partnered communities within the framework of the Jewish Agency-UJC Partnership 2000 framework. Chicago has allocated $1,200,000 for over 20 educational and social projects in 2000.

Chicago’s YLD was founded two and a half years ago. It presently includes fifteen members including several immigrants from the former Soviet Union and Ethiopia. The group maintains regular e-mail contact with their Chicago counterparts. The two groups were able to meet personally this past summer, when over 80 members with of the Chicago Federation’s YLD, who came to Israel as part of the UJC National Singles mission, spent several days in Kiryat Gat-Lachish.

The young leaders will be part of the 25-member delegation from Kiryat Gat-Lachish taking part in the General Assembly in Chicago. According to Linda Epstein, director of the Chicago Federation’s Israel office, it was decided to send such a large group in honor of the centennial of the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago. Other participants will include Albert Erez, mayor of Kiryat Gat, Eli Uzan, head of the Lachish regional council, and Shimon Laufer, the Council’s deputy head.

A ceremony to honor the memory of Colonel Nabiah Mer’i, a Druze killed by a sniper’s bullet in the Gaza Strip in 1996, was held last month at the Jewish National Fund memorial park on the Gaza border.

Among those paying tribute to the slain officer were Anna Shevleva and Zhenya Kuperstone, recent immigrants from the former Soviet Union, who came to Israel two months ago as part of the Jewish Agency’s Selah academic preparatory program for high school graduates who are currently studying at the Jewish Agency’s Ibim Youth Village in the Negev.

Israel Defense Forces Deputy Chief of Staff General Moshe «Bugi» Ya’alon, Brigadier General (Res.) Yirmi Olmert, OC Southern Command General Yom Tov Samia, OC Gaza Region, Brigadier General Yair Naveh, Chairman of the Druze and Circadian authorities in Israel Dr. Ziad Dahar, and the head of the Shaar Hanegev regional council Shai Chermesh, and other public figures participated in the ceremony.

Nabiah was one of hundreds of Druze soldiers who have fallen over the years in defense of Israel’s security. In honor of his outstanding leadership, his dedication to the partnership between Druze and Jews, and his many years of service in the IDF’s Southern Command, it was decided to commemorate his life by establishing the Nabiah Mer’i Educational Center for Nature Studies and the Olympic Rifle Range Complex on a hill overlooking the Gaza Strip. An olive tree -- planted in the courtyard of Nabiah’s home in Horfeish, in the Galilee in the year of his birth was transplanted to the park.

Despite the fact that their Hebrew is still very basic, Anna and Zhenya were moved by the obvious emotion of the speakers, by the tears of family members and friends, and by the solemnity of the occasion. «We were so impressed by the honor shown to Nabiah by people from such diverse communities,» they said. «For the first time we were able to experience the complexity of Israeli society.»

Last week, the Jewish Agency awarded the title «Distinguished Absorption Volunteer» for the year 5760 to Dr. Selim Murchous, an Arab doctor, for his special contribution to the absorption of Ethiopian olim in Israel. This honor is awarded each year by the Jewish Agency’s Northern Region office to individuals and organizations active on behalf of aliyah absorption. This year the title was awarded to 29 organizations and individuals that made a noteworthy contribution over the course of the last year.

At the awards ceremony, which was attended by Aryeh Azoulay, Chairman of the Jewish Agency’s Aliyah Committee, and Northern Region director, Zvi Kahana, the personal story of Dr. Selim Murchous stood out in particularly. For the last two and a half years, Dr. Murchous has been providing outstanding treatment for Ethiopian olim living at the Jewish Agency’s Nahariya and Kiryat Yam absorption centers. The letter of recommendation for the award states, among other things, that «the doctor treats the olim indefatigably and with dedication. He works day and night, creating special ties with the community, treating them with utmost sensitivity and paying particular attention to their special needs.»

Dr. Murchous is a doctor for the Clalit Health Fund, at the Meyasdim Branch in Nayariyah. He joined the efforts at absorbing the olim as early as March 1998, when the last wave of aliyah from Ethiopia began and the olim were absorbed at the Jewish Agency’s Nahariyah absorption center.

According to Chava Maimon, the absorption center director, the olim refuse to forego the doctor’s dedicated treatment

In addition to treating the olim in Nahariyah, a year ago Dr. Murchous opened a clinic for the hundreds of Ethiopian olim living at the Jewish Agency’s Kiryat Yam Absorption Center. According to absorption center director Naama Malchi, Dr. Murchous comes to the clinic to treat the olim, and holds community health awareness evenings.

«The doctor is available on his mobile phone 24 hours a day,» adds Malchi.

The Ibim student village in the Shaar Hanegev Region will from now on be managed by a not-for-profit association that will be set up jointly by the Jewish Agency, the San Diego community, and the Shaar Hanegev Regional Council.

The decision was made at a meeting by the Jewish Agency’s Board of Governors held this week in Jerusalem. Mike Rosenberg, Director General of the Jewish Agency’s Immigration and Absorption Department, said that the San Diego Federation would at least, provide $750,000 annually for at least the next three years towards the running of the village.

Ibim, is an island of green in the desert, near the Sapir Educational Center. Some 350 students from throughout the world study at the village, mostly olim who are in Israel without family who came to on one of the Jewish Agency’s educational programs and study at the regional college. Ibim also has several Israeli students who assist in the absorption of the olim in Israel. In addition, a group of youngsters from North America also live at the village, who volunteer in the region within the framework of the Jewish Agency’s Otzma program.

One of the most notable programs at the village is the Jewish Agency’s Selah (students before parents) program. This program now has 95 16-18 year olim from the FSU. They will shortly be joined by an additional 85 youngsters.

During the first stage the students study Hebrew at the Sapir center. Later in the day, they have an enrichment program that includes Jewish studies, mathematics and English, as well as educational, cultural and social activities.

At the end of this stage, they continue with their academic studies.

Two hundred and sixty seven Jewish teenagers and young adults from throughout the former Soviet Union arrived in Israel this week for a ten-day «Heritage» visit, sponsored by the Jewish Agency and supported by the Claims Conference and Mrs. Gita Sherover.

The trip, which targets young people age 16-22, who have been involved in Jewish activities and demonstrated leadership ability, is designed to provide a first-hand encounter with their historic homeland while strengthening their Jewish identity and providing a cultural link with the Jewish people. «Despite the current unrest in Israel – at a time when so many Jews from around the world cancelled their trips here – few of the scheduled participants changed their plans,» says Amos Lahat, director-general of Jewish Agency’s FSU Department. «My hat goes off to them and to their parents.»

The program follows intensive preparation in the FSU conducted by JAFI emissaries in JAFI-run youth clubs. The curriculum included Jewish history and culture, and particularly Russian Jewish history, with an emphasis on the revival of Jewish life following the Six-Day War and the struggle for aliyah. A special focus was also placed on the Holocaust; the group visited extermination camps in the FSU.

The itinerary in Israel includes visits to the north of Israel and to the Negev, with Shabbat spent in Jerusalem. Seminars on the Holocaust will be held at the Massua Institute, Beth Hatefutsot, and Yad Vashem.

To help in the absorption of the continuing stream of new immigrants to the region, the Jewish Agency’s Southern Region has organized an employment fair to be held at the end of November in Beersheva.

The fair targets – but is not limited to – new immigrants from Beersheva and the surrounding areas.

Thirty companies in the area of high-tech and other fields, including Intel and Teva, will take part in the fair, which is being held in conjunction with the Ministry of Absorption and the Employment Service. List of openings will be posted next to each company’s both; prospective employees will be able to undergo an initial interview right on the spot. If it looks like a match, both sides are willing they can continue.

According to Jack Corcis, responsible for Jewish Agency ulpanim in the region, there are currently some 2,500 unemployed new immigrants in the south. Most of the olim are from the former Soviet Union, with groups from South America and Ethiopia as well. There are also smaller numbers of immigrants from English-speaking countries, France, North Africa and Yemen.

The Z.M.H. Construction company will this year contribute to the Community Advocacy Project through the Jewish Agency’s Spirit of Israel and the UIA-Keren Hayesod.

Z.M.H. Hamerman is involved in the construction of the Har Homa residential project in Jerusalem. The company will donate 500 NIS ($125) to the community for each apartment sold in the project. The funds will be given to the Community Advocacy Project that provides people with consultation and assistance in realizing their civil rights. Advocacy centers are located at shopping centers in Jerusalem’s underprivileged neighborhoods. The company has also encouraged its customers to make a donation.

According to Joe Dushansky, director of the Spirit of Israel, the fund encourages a many businesses to work for the community and donate funds to various social projects.

Some 300 Jews from the town of Chelyabinsk in the Ural mountains in Russia, took part last week in the inauguration ceremony of an ancient synagogue, which was used as a factory for prostheses during the Communist period and was recently restored with the help of the Russian Jewish Congress.

Early last month, vandals tried to set fire to the synagogue, but the vigilance of residents who live near the site helped bring the fire quickly under control and prevented severe damage to the building. The restoration work has now been completed and the synagogue opened its doors to worshippers.

The festve dedication ceremony was attended by Russian’s two chief rabbis, Rabbi Berel Lazar and Rabbi Avraham Sheivits; head of the Jewish Agency Urals District, Ran Azar; head of the Jewish Agency Urals District of the JDC, Simeon Weissman; Jewish Agency emissary in Chelyabinsk, Vladislav Roitblat; cultural attache at Israel’s embassy in Moscow, Dan Urian; local Jewish leaders and senior government representatives. Ran Azar expressed the hope that the synagogue would quickly become a spiritual center for the city’s Jews and presented the synagogue leadership with dozens of special kippot on behalf of the Jewish Agency.

The synagogue was returned to the Jewish community in 1992. Extensive restoration work, financed by the local branch of the Russian Jewish Congress, began in June 1997. In January 1999 the authorities declared the synagogue a historical and cultural site for the Chelyabinsk District and the governor even allocated 2 million rubles to the restoration work. The Russian Jewish Congress intends to open a Jewish community center on the site as well.

According to the Jewish Agency’s FSU Department estimates, there are currently 10,000 Jews in Chelyabinsk out of a total population of 1.1 million. The Jewish Agency runs various aliyah preparation classes in the city, as well as an ulpan for the study of Hebrew and Jewish identity and a youth club. Since the beginning of the year, some 420 olim have made aliyah from Chelyabinsk.

Ephraim Lapid - Jewish Agency Spokesperson and Head of the Jewish Agency’s Communications and Information Unit

Ephraim Lapid has been appointed Jewish Agency Spokesperson and Head of the Jewish Agency’s Communications and Information Unit. For the last three years Lapid has been the director of Netanya’s Ulpan Akiva, a unique educational institute for Hebrew and Arab culture catering to all communities in Israel and abroad. Brigadier General (Res.) Ephraim Lapid was previously a senior intelligence officer, IDF spokesman and commander of Galei Zahal, the Israel Army radio. In civilian life, Lapid served as Director-General of the (Ifat), media information center, and media consultant to the late Education Minister Zevulun Hammer.

Ofra Friedman - Director of Israel Region

Ofra Friedman has been appointed Director of the Jewish Agency’s new Israel Region, Ofra Friedman, a lawyer, previously served as chair of Na’amat (the Israeli organization for women who work and volunteer) as well as chair of Na’mat’s Division for the Advancement of the Status of Women. In her new position Friedman will direct a program to enhance and strengthen ties between the Jewish Agency and Israeli society.

Jariv Sultan - Director of the Marketing and Public Affairs Unit

Jariv Sultan has been appointed director of the Jewish Agency’s Marketing and Public Affairs Unit. Sultan previously, served as head of the Public Relations and Resource Development Division at the Technion. This position entailed responsibility for fundraising, public relations, and spokesmanship, and running the visitors’ center. In his new position, he will be responsible for the Jewish Agency’s marketing activities.

Rachel Shiloh - Director of Allocations Unit

Rachel Shiloh has been appointed as director of the Jewish Agency’s Allocations Unit. For the last five years, Shiloh has directed the Abraham Fund, which deals with education towards Jewish-Arab coexistence in Israel.

Menachem Revivi - Jewish Zionist Education Department Representative in North America

Menachem Revivi has been appointed representative of the Jewish Zionist Education Department of the Jewish Agency in North America. In December, Revivi will complete his term as Director-General of the Israel office of the United Jewish Communities of North America. Revivi has an MA in education and psychology. He previously served as Director-General of the World Zionist Organizations Youth and Hechalutz Department, was a community emissary in the US and senior representative of the Youth and Hechalutz Department in England. He will assume his new position in January 2001.

Prime Minister Ehud Barak preferred a safety net provided by the Shas Party for one month over a National emergency Government with the Likkud so as to continue efforts to return the Palestinians to the negotiating table.

German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, during his visit to Jerusalem and the Palestinian Authority: Germany and the European Union must be included in the negotiations. Schroeder visited Yad Vashem in Jerusalem and afterwards went to meet Yasser Arafat in Gaza.

The trial of the former Minister of Transportation Itzhak Mordechai MK for sexual assault has began. Mordechai has pleaded not guilty.

A special J e wish singles encounter is scheduled to take place on the over the weekend of November 29 through December 3 on the romantic Island of Malta.

The program, originally scheduled to take place in Marakesch, is expected to attract Jewish singles from all over Europe. It has been organized by Yachad, the European Jewish Singles Network, which is an initiative of the European Council of Jewish Communities -- a networking organization with affiliated national Jewish social, educational and cultural agencies in 38 European countries.

Malta, «the jewel of the Mediterranean,» is a small island of exceptional beauty just south of Sicily, with temples and archaeological remains dating back to 6,000 BCE.

The history of the small Jewish Community of Malta goes back to the arrival of the Semitic Phoenician settlers almost 3,500 ago. It is believed that they were accompanied by Israelite mariners from the seafaring tribes of Zevulun and Asher. The discovery of carved menorahs and Hellenistic inscriptions in a number of Jewish catacombs near Valletta and Birzebbuga attests to a community living here in Grecian and Roman times. For long periods during the Middle Ages the Jews of Malta, who had settled here from Sicily, Sardinia, North Africa and Spain, lived a fairly independent and prosperous life. Several were doctors, a profession monopolised by the Jews of Malta at that time. Others were agricultural land owners and import-export agents, but the majority were shopkeepers and itinerant merchants.

Most of today's Jewish community trace their roots to North Africa due to the proximity of the island A synagogue was opened in Valletta in 1984.

«A Musical Experience,» a series of concerts, will open next week at the Jewish Agency’s Beit Canada Absorption Center in Ashdod. The concerts will be open to the general public and will be held in conjunction with the ACADEMA Conservatory attended by the children of new immigrants.

The series includes seven sessions: «Jazz Highlights,» with the artist Leonid Patashka; «Cheers to the Winds»; «Golden Chords»; «Magical Moments of the Guitar»; «Enchanted Keys»; and an evening of tango with the Ashdod Cameri Orchestra.

Ingredients:

200 gram bittersweet chocolate
200 grams butter or margarine
1-1/2 cups sugar
4 eggs
1-1/2 cups self-rising flour
100 grams raisins
100 grams chopped nuts

Preparation:

Melt chocolate in double boiler

• Beat butter/margarine with sugar in food processor or mixer until mixture becomes foamy.

• Add eggs. Continue beating.

• In separate bowl, mix flour, nuts raisins, and add sugar mixture. Mix well.

• Add melted chocolate and mix.

• Pour the mixture into well-greased square pan, 12 inch square pan.

• Bake in oven pre-heated to 350 degrees F.

B'Te'avon! Bon Appetit!