Helicopter evacuates wounded from Kfar Burka

---

Six Israelis were wounded today, two in critical condition. This is today's toll of Palestinian violent attacks in Samaria and the Gaza Strip. Palestinian attacks continued all week and shooting increased in Jerusalem's Gilo neighborhood and the settlements in Judea and Samaria.

Four of the wounded today were shot at as they drove in their private car past the village Burka, in Samaria. The four were taken to the Tel Hashomer Hospital by an airforce helicopter. To prevent the terrorists from escaping into the Palestinian Authority, the IDF closed off the village of Burka. Two other Israelis were knifed by a Palestinian worker at the Erez industrial park, adjacent to the Gaza strip. One of them, who was the Palestinian worker's employer, was wounded seriously and rushed to the Barzilai hospital in Ashkelon. The employer's friend who ran to his defense and was lightly wounded, shot and killed the Palestinian.

Yasser Arafat sends double messages; calling his people through Arab language newspapers under his control to escalate armed attacks against Israel because they are more effective than demonstrations in demoralizing the Israelis. In English he promises peace and efforts to instill calm in the area. Yesterday, Arafat met with a group of left wing Israeli bereaved parents who were invited to Gaza, and promised that he will make every effort to instill quiet and using this opportunity to appeal to the Israeli public. Similar messages were sent to the US government.

While violence is rampant the decision on a new election date is dragging. Political commentators believe that some of the Knesset members who voted for early elections at the first reading, had second thoughts fearing for their seats. According to the same commentators, Sharon is afraid of Benjamin Netanyahu's return to politics and Barak is under pressure from Shimon Peres, Avraham Burg, Haim Ramon, Yossi Beilin and Uzi Baram who are questioning his leadership.

Nevertheless, the dominant view is that it will not be possible to reach an agreement on the establishment of an emergency coalition, inevitably leading to early elections in May 2001.

Jewish community representatives from all over the world continue to visit Israel on solidarity missions. The number of participants in each mission ranges from 60 to 300. The visits are organized by the Jewish Agency, the United Jewish Communities-The Federations of North America, Keren Hayesod, and the Foreign Ministry. It must be noted that since Hol Hamoed Sukkot more than 1200 representatives have visited Israel on solidarity missions.

This week a delegation of more than 200 Jews from the US arrived in Israel, organized by the United Jewish Communities in North America. There were also five missions from Italy, the UK, Toronto, Bergen County in the US, and a mission from the Paris Consistoire, organized by the Jewish Agency.

Since the disturbances began and up to the end of November, seven solidarity missions from the US, France, Belgium and Turkey have visited Israel. During the month of December there will be 11 solidarity missions, with 650 participants. Four more missions, with 750 participants, are already scheduled for January.

During their visits to Israel, the Jewish Agency arranges meetings with Israeli residents of areas of conflict such as Gilo in Jerusalem and the Nachal Eiron region. The missions also visit regions that are partners with Jewish communities in the framework of the Jewish Agency's Partnership 2000 project. The delegates meet with Jewish Agency Chairman Sallai Meridor, senior IDF officers and representatives of the various political parties to obtain a picture of the situation in the region.

Many solidarity missions visit the Gilo neighborhood in Jerusalem every week. This neighborhood has been fired on from Bet Jalla in the P.A. for the past two months. Within this context many of the residents' special needs in this difficult time have are becoming evident and various organizations take it upon themselves to donate and assist.

The UJA - New York Federation organized at the Herzog Hospital Center for victims of psychotrauma a project for strengthening coping skills in the schools in Jerusalem. The program includes three two-hour workshop meetings with a psychologist and students.

MK Naomi Blumenthal, who chairs the parliamentary group fighting anti-Semitism and xenophobia, this week convened ambassadors and foreign consular representatives for a special meeting in the Knesset, against the backdrop of increased anti-Semitic activity around the world.

MK Blumenthal said that the attacks on Jews and Jewish institutions in France were organized. The response of the French government was minimal, not to say "extremely weak". She also said that the Israeli government and the forum for the struggle against anti-Semitism had failed in their response to the world-wide wave of anti-Semitism. There is almost no information activity and the relevant bodies have not been enlisted.

Rabbi Michael Melchior, Minister for Israeli Society and World Jewish Community, said that there had not been such a wave of anti-Semitism since the Holocaust as the one we have witnessed in recent months. This wave is directed mainly by Moslem organizations in European countries, in an effort to turn the Israel-Arab conflict into a global religious war. Synagogues have been burnt, Molotov cocktails thrown, cemeteries have been desecrated and there have been physical attacks against Jews for being Jews. According to Melchior, the Israeli government must involve human rights organizations and those favoring equality, justice, the truth, democratic fairness in the battle against anti-Semitism world wide. The Israeli government must invest more resources in international information in the struggle against anti-Semitism.

Belgian ambassador, Wilfred Benz, is of the opinion that the incidents which have taken place recently in Belgium are related to the outbreak of violence and existing tensions in the Middle East. "Moslems in Belgium have developed a sense of identity with the Palestinians. They are raising their voice, forming lobbies and trying to influence public opinion in Belgium against Israelis and Jews."

The first secretary of the French embassy, said that when the incidents began the French government decided to take steps to protect the safety of Jews and Jewish institutions in France. These measures were presented to the Jewish community and authorized. Nevertheless, he does not believe that the recent incidents are exceptional or particularly dramatic, since they were carried out by individuals rather than organized bodies.

A representative of the US embassy said that more legislative action and law enforcement must be taken against acts of racism and anti-Semitism.

The German representative reported to the committee that his government has intensified security around Jewish institutions in Germany. In his opinion, anti-Israel feeling is more prevalent in Germany than actual anti-Semitic acts.

First secretary of the Italian embassy said that there have been almost no acts of anti-Semitism in his country - "the demonstrations are either against Israel or for the Palestinians".

Prof. Daliah Schiffer of the Center for Anti-Semitic Research at the Hebrew University, said that studies show that the wave of anti-Semitism in eastern European countries has not grown following recent events in the Middle East, as has been the case in western Europe. In her opinion, anti-Semitic tensions have grown as a result of the Intifada.

The Foreign Ministry reported to the committee that the struggle against anti-Semitism and incitement against Israel and the Jews in general are issues which are raised in meetings with the Palestinians.

The Jewish Agency's representative said that European countries must not be allowed to compromise on displays of vandalism against Jews and Jewish institutions. These countries must guarantee the right of expression of Jews and Israelis, in attempting to explain events in Israel. "It is extremely serious that Binyamin Netanyahu was prevented from speaking in San Francisco, on the grounds that security is inadequate to guarantee his safety", he said.

Szewach Weiss, chairman of the Board of Yad Vashem, said that anti-Israel feeling is rapidly translated into anti-Semitism. "If peace prevails, we will be considered OK and it will be easier to fight anti-Semitism", he said.

Armed Palestinians

History text books used by high school students and authorized by the Palestinian Ministry of Education, hold Jews responsible for the hatred of nations against them. This is due to "Jewish superiority" and the "taking over" the economies of host countries. Zionism is presented as a movement that is based on racist values, resulting in a national catastrophe for the Palestinian people through their settlement of "Palestine", now constituting a strategic threat to the national Arab security. The history books make no reference of the peace process between Israel and the Palestinian Authority.

"Zionism = Racism"

"Dear pupil, after becoming acquainted with the characteristics of the Zionist movement and the factors which were instrumental in its establishment, you must take note of its connection with racist discrimination and its racist behavior towards the Arab residents of the occupied Arab lands".

"Zionism is a racist political movement; the aggressive spread of this movement threatens the national security of the Arab nation, and consequently, we must consolidate our efforts to stop the aggressive move".

These are just samples of what is contained in history books studied in the Palestinian Authority. At the end of the chapter that analyzes the Zionist movement and the establishment of the State of Israel, high-school students are asked to study the introduction to Samri Huri's book - "The Theory of Arab National Security" in order to "learn the dangers embodied in the presence of the Jews in Palestine"; "The Zionist danger is reflected in the challenge to Arab national security, and consequently it is vital that all efforts are directed to stopping it, through a consolidation of the concept of Arab national security .... continuing to provide opportunities to Zionist entities to expand their sphere of interests thus allowing them to develop their power at the expense of Arab security, results in dangerous, negative influences since any expansion of Zionist interests within the security framework will naturally limit the essential interest of the Arab nation ..... the nuclear risk constitutes the most serious threat."

• $10,000 - Jewish Agency support during the year 2000 for the "Talking Art" program. The program, which operates at the Arts Center in Maalot Tarshiha, attempts to bridge the gap between Jews, Christians and Druze through art.

• $64,000 - Jewish Agency support for the Gold Institute during the year 2000. Young women from Jewish communities overseas study at the institute on two tracks: the educational track designed to train women teachers for Jewish schools in the Diaspora, and the service track for women who seek to broaden their knowledge of Judaism and Zionism.

• $104,000 - Jewish Agency budget for the year 2000 for running the South African Ulpan. The ulpan program, which caters for high school students from South Africa, lasts three months and includes tours of the country and seminars on Judaism and Zionism.

• 1056 olim arrived in Israeli this week - 896 from the FSU and Eastern Europe, the rest came from France, Argentina, Chile, England, South Africa, Australia, Holland, Austria, the US, Canada, India and Ethiopia.

• Despite events in Israel, aliyah continues: only 40 olim of the 11,500 who have made aliyah in recent months, have decided to postpone their plans. In November 5,630 olim from all over the world came to Israel, 4,954 from the FSU, 421 from Ethiopia and the rest from other countries.

More than 30 senior Russian journalists, including Vladimir Bobin, former Russian ambassador to Israel, will meet in Moscow in two weeks time (18/12) at the initiative of the Jewish Agency. They will discuss the events in the Middle East and the way they are reported in the Russian, Israeli and international media. Attending the conference will be Karol Ungar, head of the Jewish Agency delegation in Russia, Dr. Michael Chlenow - chairman of Russia's Jewish organizations, and Israeli embassy representatives in Moscow. A wide range of views and reports about the situation in Israeli will be presented senior Israeli Russian-speaking journalists including Dov Kontorer and Michael Hefetz from the "Vesti" newspaper.

Among the subjects to be discussed: Israeli today - an overview; the information war - aims and means; the position of the Russian journalist vis-a-vis recent events in the Middle East. According to Karol Ungar, the main purpose of the convention is to present the journalists with a full, true picture of recent events in Israel and thus assist Israel's information efforts.

The Department for Zionist Activities has been given an assignment by the Zionist Executive - to find and foster young Zionist leadership capable of continuing to run the Jewish communities around the world.

Since the beginning of the year Zionist Federations have been operating in a large number of countries. They have been locating 30-45 year olds who are interested in influencing and formulating the Jewish-Zionist nature of their own communities, and strengthening their ties with Israel and the Zionist movement.

Fortunately, it would appear that the younger generation in many countries is interested in being active, and after consolidating local groups conventions were held in different continents. In August the Latin American convention took place in Santiago, Chile attended by 100 people from 6 countries. In September the European convention took place in Basel, Switzerland attended by 65 people from 12 countries.

The North American convention took place in Duck Key, Florida with 70 participants from the US and Canada.

The idea behind these conventions is to encourage participants to discuss and analyze the current situation in their communities and discuss the needs of the younger generation. They will also consider how to build a new Jewish-Zionist agenda suited for today's world in general and the Jewish world in particular. Ways of enhancing ties with Israel and the Zionist movement are also on the agenda.

The program for the Florida convention was prepared according to this idea and therefore did not include any lectures, but centered on mediated discussions and a few opening words.

Some 250 young olim from the FSU, who have made aliyah through the Jewish Agency's programs for youngsters participated this week (03/12) in the Negev hike in memory of David Ben Gurion. At the end of the walk, Jewish Agency Chairman Sallai Meridor, who had been touring the south of the country, met the participants. "Our main response to the present situation is to continue to build and help Jews come to Israel. Today 200 olim landed in Israel, this week 1,000 olim will be arriving, and we expect 5,000 olim during the month", said Meridor.

The youngsters made aliyah alone three months ago within the context of the Selah (Students before Parents), Chalom (vocational training) and Ulpan programs. At present the teenagers are studying at Jewish Agency absorption centers and kibbutzim all over the south of Israel.

The Selah program is designed for 17 1/2-20 year olds from the FSU, who have completed high school and wish to make aliyah without their parents, and acquire higher education at an Israeli university. For the first nine months following their aliyah, the youngsters live at Jewish Agency absorption centers and prepare for academic studies. Following the preparatory program, the youngsters can choose either to be drafted into the IDF or to continue their pre-academic program before enrolling in university. The pre-academic program and university studies are financed by the Student Authority which is run jointly by the Jewish Agency and Ministry of Absorption. Those who choose to enlist in the IDF return to academic studies after their release from the army.

The Chalom program is designed for 16 1/2-20 year olds, with at least 9 years of schooling, who wish to make aliyah without their parents and undergo vocational training in technology or administration. During their first year of aliyah, the youngsters live at Jewish Agency absorption centers and study Hebrew, English and Math intensively. In the second year they study at technical colleges all over Israel, specializing in the profession of their choice from a variety of available courses including: technical training, engineering, programming, administration, accounting, hotel management and hairdressing.

Young Adult Ulpan is designed for 17 1/2-28 year olds who wish to make aliyah or come for an extended six-month pilot trip. For five months the youngsters, married couples and singles, live at one of more than 40 kibbutzim all over the country, learn Hebrew, work on the kibbutz and participate in a variety of cultural activities which include excursions, lectures and seminars about Israel.

Interior Minister Haim Ramon, and Jewish Agency Chairman Sallai Meridor, yesterday gave ID cards to more than 200 olim who arrived in September from the FSU within the framework of the Jewish Agency's Selah (students before parents) program. The ceremony took place at the Jewish Agency building in Jerusalem.

875 olim from the FSU, participating in the Jewish Agency's Selah and Chalom (vocational training) programs, who live and study at Jewish Agency absorption centers all over the country, will receive their ID cards over the next few days. The youngsters arrived in Israel three months ago and are attending the fifth session of the program, operated by the Jewish Agency's Aliyah and Absorption Department. Since the two programs began five years ago, more than 5000 young olim students have come to Israel.

The Selah program caters to high school graduates from the FSU. During the early part of the program the students attend a five-month Hebrew learning ulpan at Jewish Agency absorption centers all over the country. The second part of the program is a preparatory course for academic study in Israel which includes improving the Hebrew language, English, computer skills and Math, preparation for the psychometric exam and enrichment courses in Judaism and Jewish history. After completing the program, the youngsters can enroll in schools for higher education all over the country.

A parallel Jewish Agency program is Chalom (vocational training), which is also designed for high-school graduates from the FSU wishing to acquire a vocation in Israel.

From left to right: Sallai Meridor, Haim Ramon, Aaron Abramovich, Mike Rosenberg at ID Card Ceremony
Photo: Joe Malcolm

Israel Radio Re'ka (an acronym for the Aliyah Absorption Channel), which broadcasts daily in Russian and Amharic, is currently preparing to celebrate a decade of activity. In this context, the Jewish Agency and Re'ka have created a joint project marking ten years since the massive aliyah from the FSU.

The project includes interviews of olim who came over the last decade, and who have a special story to tell about their aliyah and absorption in Israel. The Jewish Agency will award all the olim who participate in the year-long project, with a symbolic gift - MK Amnon Rubinstein's book - "100 years of Zionism", and a small transistor radio "so as to keep in touch."

Re'ka was established in May 1991, at the height of aliyah from the FSU, in order to help the thousands of olim to obtain immediate information about life in Israel. From an informative station for olim, providing information about housing, employment and education, the station has, over time, become a regular radio station. Today Re'ka broadcasts news and current affairs on a regular basis and reviews important events in Israel and around the world. The station also broadcasts daily lessons in Hebrew and Judaism.

Russian-language radio was first established as part of Israel Radio in 1958. The broadcasts, which at that time were called "the Voice of Zion to the Diaspora" were directed to Jews in the Soviet Union who were hungry for any scrap of information about Israel. Today, Re'ka continues the Voice of Zion tradition and broadcasts several hours a week to listeners in the FSU.

The life and soul of and unchallenged spirit behind Re'ka is station director Shulamith Lidor (previously. Dora Golander -Drucker). Drucker made aliyah from the Lithuanian city of Vilna in 1967. She began to work for Israel Radio in 1968, directing Russian broadcasts within the framework of the Voice of Zion. Due to concern for the safety of members of her family who remained behind in the Soviet Union, where Jewish emigration was still prohibited, Dora was forced to change her name to Shulamith Lidor (a combination of her father's name - Shlomo, and mother's name Lisa, and her original name Dora). Since then she has held a number of positions at the radio and five years ago was appointed director of Radio Re'ka.

"In preparation for the 10th anniversary celebrations I am pleased to say that the Zionist vision of my family and of hundreds of thousands of Jews from the FSU has come true", said Lidor. "However, from my perspective, the greeting - "Next Year in Jerusalem" is still valid for all those Jews still living there. I hope that soon you will all find a warm home in Israel and we here at Radio Re'ka will be pleased to help you".

Another "Aliyah 2000" delegation will leave next week for Argentina, to offer the Jewish community there the option of making aliyah to Kiryat Bialik.

The Jewish Agency's Aliyah Department anticipates that as a result of the mission, which is being organized jointly by the Jewish Agency, the Conservative Movement, and the Kiryat Bialik Municipality, 40 families from Argentina will be absorbed in the town next year. Dozens of families from Argentina have already been absorbed in Kiryat Bialik through this joint program.

The Jewish Agency's "Aliyah 2000" program has helped to absorb families from Argentina's Jewish community all over Israel. In 1999 local municipalities absorbed 100 families from Argentina. A further 33 families were absorbed during the year in Arad, and 20 families were absorbed in Kiryat Gat and Upper Nazareth.

Eight more "Aliyah 2000" delegations are scheduled to travel to Argentina next year. The Jewish Agency hopes that following the visit 200 families from Argentina will be absorbed by municipalities in Israel; among them, Kyriat Bialik, Ashkelon, Upper Nazareth, Kyriat Gat and Arad.

The Jewish Agency has received a grant of half a million dollars for 2001 from the Claims Conference for its new high-quality Jewish roots educational visit to Poland.

The program will complement existing programs run by the Ministry of Education, Israel's youth movements and high schools. These send some 16,000 Israeli high school students to see the wealth of Jewish culture that was destroyed by the Holocaust and the death camps, but their cost prevents many teenagers from benefiting from this lesson. The Jewish Agency program which includes an intensive four-day preparatory seminar and one-day concluding seminar after the week-long visit to Poland, aims to correct this situation by providing grants for high school students from the country's weaker socio-economic towns and regions. It will also allow the children of new immigrant families, from both the FSU and Ethiopia, to connect to Israeli society by benefiting from this educational experience.

The grant will be used during the current school year, and will allow some 700 Israeli youth to travel to Poland. The Claims Conference grant will cover half the costs and the Jewish Agency is looking for matching funds.

"I see this not as a one-time program, but as the start of a multi-year endeavor which, I hope, will grow significantly," noted Jewish Agency treasurer, Chaim Chesler, whose brainchild the program is. "I strongly feel that a significant percentage of the funds that will come from the various Holocaust related financial agreements should be used to educate the younger generation about the rich culture of European Jewry that existed before the Holocaust and the horrors of its destruction. The program will strengthen the Jewish Agency's connection to Israeli society and strengthen the Jewish -Israeli identity of Israeli youth. The Holocaust is part of our collective history; it must open to all Israelis - those whose grand parents come from North Africa just as those whose families were killed in those terrible years."

This grant from the Claims Conference is in addition to the $ 500,000 grant allocated to the Israel Experience in September for similar heritage trips for Jewish youth from other parts of the world. A grant of $ 2.4 million to Amigour, the Jewish Agency's public housing company was also approved. The money will help build two new sheltered housing complexes of 70 units each for elderly Israelis, most of whom are Holocaust survivors, including many new immigrants from the FSU.

Another organizational improvement at the Jewish Agency; the first Jewish Agency arm abroad to receive the quality service ISO 9002 certification.

The Jewish Agency's Education Department in Brazil was awarded the international ISO 9002 standard after a concerted 10-month effort by the department's staff.

This is the only Jewish Agency delegation anywhere in the world to receive this qualification, and the only one in the Jewish world outside the State of Israel.

Obtaining the ISO 9002 certification entailed adopting a variety of work approaches emphasizing "planning instead of improvisation" and customer service.

Using the slogan "Education with Quality, Quality Education", the Jewish Agency is leading a process of intensifying Jewish identity and awareness, while continually improving quality control.

Moshe Cohen, the Jewish Agency's Education Department in Brazil, was awarded the certificate by Prof. Carlos Alberto Vanzolino of Sao Paolo University, which is authorized to award this standard in Brazil.

Jewish Agency Treasurer, Chaim Chesler, has been appointed by the World Jewish Restitution Organization to be its senior representative on the Foundation for the Preservation of Jewish Heritage. This committee of six is made up of two representative each from the WJRO, the Polish Jewish community and Ronal Lauder, who is the chairman of the Foundation.

The Committee met this week in Warsaw to begin the task of setting up the mechanism, standards and procedures on how the Foundation will achieve its goals - the retrieval of maximum amount of Jewish community property in Poland before the cut-off date as prescribed by Polish law of May 2002.

"My election to this committee is particularly meaningful for me," noted Chesler. "The work of this committee is not only professionally important; my parents were the only members of their families of Polish Jews to escape the Holocaust; the rest were killed in Treblinka. Going a very small way to righting the unspeakable wrongs that were done to the Polish Jewish community and returning this once flourishing community's heritage to the Jewish people is for me a very personal issue also."

The Schechter Institute's Ordination and Commencement Exercises that took place in Jerusalem on November 21 included the ordination of Rabbi Michael Rivkin, the first Masorti (Conservative) Rabbi from the FSU to be ordained in Israel. The JTS honorary degree was awarded to Arie Lova Eliav, respected Israeli nation builder and educator. Five rabbis were ordained, along with the conferring of 73 Master's Degrees in Jewish studies, including five Doctor of Hebrew Literature degrees. Overseas guests included members of the Schechter Institute Board of Governors, together with a Conservative Solidarity Mission from North America.

The highlight of the evening was the ordination of Rabbi Michael Rivkin, a political prisoner who spent seven years in Soviet prisons. Rivkin, born in Moscow to a totally assimilated family active in the Communist party, saw his first Hebrew letter at age 30, when Yosef Begun, a fellow prison inmate, showed him a Jewish prayer book while both were incarcerated. Rivkin's spiritual odyssey brought him to Israel in 1987. Through the Schechter Institute's Midreshet Yerushalayim program, Rivkin has taught Jewish Studies to immigrants, and today heads up the Russian Desk for Israel's secular Shinui Party.

"I'm very proud that we have a Conservative Rabbi in the Shinui Party. Michael represents the kind of Judaism that Israel needs more of. I see him as a partner in our struggle against religious coercion," said MK Yosef "Tommy" Lapid, head of Isral's secularist Shinui (Change) Party, who attended the graduation ceremony.

Rabbi Prof. David Golinkin, president of the Schechter Institute, speaking at the convocation, reinforced the notion that "Jewish tradition belongs to all Jews, and not just to the small percentage who grew up in observant hones or who were fortunate enough to receive a thorough Jewish education." He went on to convey the overall goal of the Schechter Institute which is "to teach the Jewish tradition in an open and embracing fashion to millions of Jews in Israel and Europe. Everything that we do here emanates from this mandate.'

Rabbi Prof. Ismar Schorsch, Chancellor of the Schechter Institute and the Jewish Theological Seminary, conferred an honorary degree on Arie Lova Eliav for his many contributions to Israeli society, both in the social and the political arenas. Four veteran rabbis in Israel who received ordination from the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York were granted honorary degrees from Chancellor Schorsch.

The Schechter Institute of Jewish Studies in Jerusalem, with its Graduate School of Advanced Jewish Studies, Rabbinical School, and Leadership Development Program, is one of Israel's leading academic centers for modern Jewish learning. The school is affiliated with the Jewish Theological Seminary of America and the Masorti/ Conservative Movement in Israel. Over 500 students, coming from secular, traditional and observant backgrounds, learn Jewish studies side-by-side within a pluralistic environment. SIJS is also responsible for the TALI Education Fund which provides enriched Jewish studies to 20,000 schoolchildren in over 100 state school and kindergartens and for educational programs for Jewish communities in Eastern Europe and the FSU. It is also responsible for programs for Jewish communities in Eastern Europe and the FSU, as well as programs for new immigrants in Israel.

Israel's first civilian photo-satellite, manufactured by Israel Aircraft Industries, was successfully launched into space this week by a Russian launch, from the Savovodny rocket site in eastern Siberia. The satellite will also be used by Israel's Ministry of Defense and will begin operating in the next few days, when Israel's "Ofek 3" reconnaissance satellite ceases operations.

Tomorrow, the final extension given to the Knesset by the Supreme Court on a settlement of the exemption of the yeshiva students from the compulsory draft, ends. It is legally possible that the Supreme Court will order the IDF to initiate procedures for drafting the yeshiva students for the first time in the history of the State. The government decided that the IDF rather than the government, should apply to the court for a further extension. The IDF has made it clear that it is not organized to draft the ultra-orthodox students and it requires a year to do so. Complicated.

Another incursion from Lebanon by a Syrian citizen looking for work in Israel. The IDF is investigating how he managed to enter Israel without being detected.

A second attack in two weeks on Israeli diplomats in Amman: this time embassy employee Shlomo Ratzabi, was lightly injured after shots were fired at his car in the Jordanian capital. Two weeks ago, embassy employee Yoram Havivian was lightly injured in similar circumstances.

A study conducted by the IDF Northern Command found that the three soldiers who were kidnapped six weeks ago on the Lebanese border fell into a trap laid by the Hizbollah, whose men were disguised as UN personnel and reached the site of the kidnapping in UN vehicles.

The Tel Aviv District Court sentenced Shimon Sheves to two years imprisonment. Sheves was director general of the prime minister's office during the late Itzhak Rabins' term of office. He was found guilty of bribery, fraud and breach of trust.

Cabinet Secretary Ytzhak Herzog was questioned by the police concerning his involvement in the Association that raised funds for the 1999 elections.

Do you want to live a long life? The move to Bnei Brak. Why? According to figures published this week by the Central Bureau of Statistics, life expectancy in Bnei Brak is higher than in any large city in Israel - while Beersheva has the lowest life expectancy in the country. Women in Bnei Brak live on average 81.1 years, and men 77.4.

An innovative new prayer book published by the Avi-Chai Foundation targets those who aren't used to praying! The two-volume "user friendly" publication is designed to provide the wide Israeli public with basic literacy in the siddur (prayerbook). One volume called, "For the Home and Family," includes blessings and prayers relating to the Jewish life cycle: from the birth of a son or daughter to mourning and memorials.

The other volume focuses on the Sabbath liturgy. According to Danny Danieli, Project Director at the Avi-Chai Foundation, the concept behind the new siddur was to enable the average Israeli to become conversant with the Jewish prayer book. "There is practically no Israeli who isn't, on some occasion, called up to the Torah," says Danieli. "This siddur will help him to feel comfortable in the synagogue and know the appropriate way to respond."

The prayers are accompanied by explanations of the text as well as explicit instructions about the way of reciting the prayers. References to Biblical and other sources are cited; there is also a section on the history and structure of the siddur. "Just as almost every home has a Bible on their bookshelf, the siddur should also have a place on their bookshelf," adds Danieli.

The project was the brainchild of the late Zalman Bernstein, who started the Avi-Chai Foundation. The response of the Israeli public exceeded all expectations. The first printing of 5000 copies, in late October, was sold out within three weeks; 2000 copies of the second printing have already been snapped up.

At the initiative of Chair, Sallai Meridor, the Jewish Agency invited 100 children living in areas of confrontation, to watch the match between Hapoel Tel Aviv and Betar Jerusalem. Half of the children live in Adam, Rimonim and Kochav Hashachar situated in Judea and Samaria and the other half live in Jerusalem's Gilo neighborhood. The premier league soccer match will take place this Saturday night at the Bloomfield Stadium in Jaffa.

Last year, Hapoel Tel Aviv won the league and cup. There is historic rivalry among the fans of the two teams. In the past, Hapoel Tel Aviv was the pride of the Labor Movement and Betar was the jewel in the Herut Party's crown. In the era of professional soccer, political affiliation is no longer relevant and team management is conducted pro-business. Owner of Hapoel Tel Aviv is businessman and Pubic Relations mogul Moshe Teomim. Owner of Betar is Gad Ze'evi, the Real Estate Investor and Businessman from Haifa.

One of the prominent Hapoel Tel Aviv players is Salim Tuameh, a Christian Arab from Lod, who plays on Israel's Olympic team. At the time of the disturbances by Israeli Arabs Tuameh played for the Israeli Olympic team against Spain and Bosnia. A former Hapoel Tel Aviv player who also played for Israel's National Soccer Team, Rifat "Jimmy" Turk, currently serves as a Tel Aviv's City Council member.

Ingredients

1 lb. red lentils
3 Tspns. oil
2 medium onions chopped
2 cloves of garlic, chopped
2 stalks of celery chopped
2 red peppers, chopped
3 ½ oz. tomato paste
I hot pepper chopped
1 tsp. sweet pepper powder
1 tsp. hot pepper
1 tsp. cumin
Salt and pepper to taste
8 cups of water

Preparation

• Clean the lentils, wash well under running water and drain the water.

• Heat the oil in a large pan and fry onion and garlic until golden. Add the celery and red peppers, stirring for about five minutes.

• Add the lentils and other ingredients to the pan. Bring to the boil and lower the heat, cover the pot and simmer for 1 - 11/4 hours. If the soup is too thick, add a little water. Stir occasionally to prevent lentils from sticking to the bottom.

B'Te'avon! Bon Appetit!