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A7 News: Feature: Restoring the Right to Choose Life

09.20.06 (10:54 pm) [edit]

Feature: Restoring the Right to Choose Life

By Ezra HaLevi

“Our organization is pro-choice in the truest sense,” says Ruti Tidhar. “Many women see abortion as their only choice due to financial woes. We restore their ability to choose to have their baby.”

Email subscribers, click here to view story with photos

Tidhar, a social worker, heads the team of 2,300 volunteers who are the lifeblood of Efrat, an organization offering assistance and support to Jewish women considering aborting their pregnancy.

“When people hear about an organization that empowers people to decide not to have abortions, they think of protestors waving pictures of baby parts and waging legal battles - but you won’t find any of that here,” says Tidhar, Efrat's Deputy Director. “That is not what we are about.”

Efrat was established in 1977, by Dr. Eli Schussheim, an Argentinian immigrant who served as senior surgeon in Jerusalem’s Shaarei Tzedek Hospital during the Six Day War.

Dr. Schussheim had always been disturbed by the high rate of abortions in Israel and the policies that accompanied them. Female IDF soldiers, for example, are informed that they are entitled to three free abortions during the course of their military service, and Israel remains the only Western country with no cut-off point for late-term abortions.

“Theoretically, a woman can have the fetus aborted while she is already in labor here,” Tidhar laments. Though such a case has never occurred, late-term abortions are extremely common in the Jewish state.

But it is not the unborn with which Tidhar is most concerned. “My patients are the women,” she says. “My job is to show them that there are other options. Often they are simply afraid of an unplanned pregnancy. They already have trouble making ends meet and see it as impossible to introduce a new child into the world. They fill out forms at a local hospital, a committee gives it a rubber stamp (95% of public hospital abortion requests are granted) and all the while she is not informed of the gravity and long-term ramifications of her decision.”

When Tidhar is contacted by a woman wanting to know more about her options, she dispatches one of the group’s volunteers to meet with the patient – anywhere in the country. Based on their experience of meeting with many such women, volunteers report two underlying reasons abortion is pursued in most of the cases they deal with: One, the embryo is so small that they are able to disconnect emotionally. Two, financial pressures and anxiety – fear that they will not be able to provide properly for the child.

“We let the woman know what her options are,” Tidhar explains. “We let her know that we truly will shoulder the financial burden. We give her back the empowerment of being able to make an actual decision on the matter."

“The turning point is usually once she is willing to look inside and admit that even with all of the difficulties, she doesn’t really want to go through with it, but simply told herself she had no choice,” Tidhar says. “Once she is there, she makes the decision with her heart. And the heart is where we make all our truly important decisions.”

Without government funding or support from the hospital and clinics (“Abortion is big business in Israel,” Tidhar says), Efrat must rely on word of mouth, modest advertising campaigns and private referrals from doctors, nurses or members of hospital committees to spread awareness of their services.

“We have no idea what percentage of the women who request an abortion are informed that we even exist,” Tidhar says, but she is optimistic due to the increasing number of children born with Efrat’s assistance each consecutive year. The organization brought 2,000 children to childbirth this past year.

In Israel, an average of 900 abortions take place every week, so Efrat’s volunteers and social workers say there is plenty more work to be done.

Efrat’s Assistant Director Tzvi Binn says the organization relies on donations, half of which come from Israelis, and takes pride in its low overhead costs. Its American office is run out of a volunteer’s home, and its main office in Israel is staffed by young women performing their national service and is housed in a donated ground floor apartment.

Around the corner from Efrat’s office is the group’s warehouse, which doubles as a neighborhood bomb shelter. Mountains of diapers, baby wipes, formula, baby carriages, cribs and all the other goods waiting to be distributed lie in rows. Shipments are constantly going out to different parts of the country.

An initial package contains a crib, bassinet, stroller, baby bath and a baby kit that includes blankets, baby clothes, bottles and other items (pink for a girl and blue for a boy). Subsequent monthly packages contain diapers, formula and non-perishable foods. Local supermarkets are also paid directly to supply goods to new mothers.

All the goods and equipment add up to $1,000 each – a figure oft-touted by Binn. “For just $1,000 one can truly save the life of a Jewish child,” he says.

The name "Efrat" is explained on the organization’s web site as having been that given to the prophetess Miriam, the sister of Moses, in Egypt, after she refused Pharaoh’s order to kill all Jewish males during childbirth. The Midrash relates that Pharaoh attempted to persuade her and the other midwives that being born into a life of poverty and bondage was of no value anyway. She refused, risking her life, and was given the name Efrat, which shares its Hebrew root with the first commandment in the Bible: to be fruitful and multiply (pru u'revu).

The organization's founder says the road ahead is a long one, but that so far, it has been rewarding. “Since its inception, Efrat has saved the lives of over 17,000 Jewish children in Israel,” Dr. Schussheim says. "Not a single time has a mother told me she regretted having her child – not a single time.”

Click here to listen to an interview with Assistant Director Tzvi Binn on Israel National Radio. Click here for more information about Efrat.

A7 News: Bedouin Boy Hit by Kassam Rocket

09.20.06 (10:53 pm) [edit]

Bedouin Boy Hit by Kassam Rocket

By Hillel Fendel

Two more Kassam rockets hit Israel this morning, wounding a boy with shrapnel to his chest.

The boy, a 15-year-old Bedouin, was hit in the fields of Kibbutz Erez. At the same time - around 6:30 AM - another Kassam rocket hit the city of Sderot; one woman was treated for shock.

Arutz-7's Kobi Finkler quotes a senior IDF officer as threatening, "In the end, the terrorists will see that it wasn't worth it for them. The IDF won't hit only the rocket launchers, but also the vicinity around them in a way that no one will know what hit them."

The terrorists in Gaza have increased their Kassam rocket launchings over the past several days. Three people were injured in a Kassam attack in Sderot earlier this week.

During the course of the night, IDF forces arrested three wanted Islamic Jihad terrorists - two in Jenin and one in Hevron.

The IDF reports that "a number of explosive devices were thrown and gunshots were fired in a number of incidents at IDF forces" while they were operating in Shechem overnight. No one was hurt. One terrorist was hit by IDF gunfire.

Two traffic policemen were attacked by an Arab as they were giving him a traffic ticket. The incident occurred on the Tunnels Highway between Jerusalem and Gush Etzion this morning. Police then chased the attacker down, while an Arab mob gathered in the area - and the police were forced to shoot in the air.

A7 News: Atty Gen is Asked to Drop Disengagement Protest Charges

09.20.06 (10:52 pm) [edit]

Atty.-Gen. is Asked to Drop Disengagement Protest Charges

By Hillel Fendel

The Land of Israel Legal Forum has asked Attorney General Mazuz to drop all outstanding charges against minors related to their protests against the Disengagement.

The Legal Forum has provided the expelled Gush Katif and Northern Shomron residents with legal advice and advocacy for two years. It now offers its services to the youths whose cases remain open and hanging.

Hundreds of youths were arrested last summer in connection with their protests of the expulsion and unilateral withdrawal - usually for blocking roads and related activities. In some cases, the charges were upgraded to "hitting a policeman" or the like. Many of the cases remain open, however, having been neither closed nor brought to trial.

The Land of Israel Legal Forum has asked Mazuz to close all such cases that are over a year old.

Clause 14 of the Juvenile Law (Judgment, Punishment and Manner of Treatment, 5731-1971) states, "A juvenile must not be tried for a crime if a year has passed since it was committed, without the consent of the Attorney General." The Forum therefore asks Mazuz to specifically close the cases.

In addition, the Supreme Court has ruled that an indictment must not be handed down against one who was a minor at the time of the crime and has since then turned 18, unless he turned 18 within a year of the crime.

"Many files and cases are rolling around on mysterious paths between the police and the prosecution," the Forum states in its letter to Mazuz, "without a decision having been reached to close them or to act upon them and file an indictment... For the most part, these cases deal with minor offenses of 'disturbing the public order' and with normative minors... The chance that indictments will actually be served in these cases is very small. What purpose is served, therefore, in keeping them open?"

The Forum states that the current "in limbo" situation is liable to harm the minors in many areas such as enlisting in the army and finding a job. "We are of the opinion that these cases should be closed immediately," the letter concludes.

A7News: Ten Million Shekels of Terror Money Nabbed

09.20.06 (10:49 pm) [edit]

Ten Million Shekels of Terror Money Nabbed

By Hillel Fendel

IDF, Shabak, Civil Administration and police forces cooperated in the mission, which took place on several fronts - in Shechem, Tul Karem, Ramallah and Jenin.

The objective had been marked by the General Security Service several months ago: money smuggled in from foreign sources to the various terror organizations.

The main venue of last night's operation was in a bank in Shechem used by Hamas to finance its terror activities. The raid included the confiscation of computers, documents, telephones, and receipts. Gunshots and explosives rained down upon the Israeli forces, who were unhurt but returned fire. One wanted terrorist was arrested, and another was shot.

A Hamas member arrested a month ago told investigators that the money had been transferred from Syria and Lebanon to Hamas and Islamic Jihad via Arab money changers in Judea and Samaria.

The Palestinian Authority does not supervise monies that arrive from abroad, and turns a blind eye to their frequent use for terrorist activities.

Two moneychangers have been arrested and questioned by the Shabak over the past several weeks, one from Judea and one from Samaria. One of them, Iman Sayad, has admitted to having helped in the transfer of tens of thousands of dollars from Hizbullah in Lebanon to leading wanted terrorists in Shechem. The second, Amin Shahtour of Bethlehem, was arrested on similar charges.

"This money is the gas that fuels the engine of terrorism," a Shabak leader said, "and that which helps build the terrorist infrastructures and enables the perpetration of terror."

Dr. Martin Sherman, of Hebrew University's political science department, told Arutz-7's Hebrew newsmagazine today that Hamas mixes charity funds and terrorism monies together in the same bank accounts. "This makes it difficult for Israel to explains operations such as the one in Shechem," he said.

Sherman says that throughout the world, "it is known that Hamas and Hizbullah receive their money from trans-Atlantic drug deals, based in South America. The money goes to support families of terrorists who committed suicide attacks, and is used to pay for training and attacks, including the arms and explosives they require.

History Today for Weds, Sept 1st

09.20.06 (10:48 pm) [edit]

5374 [September 1, 1614] - Jews Expelled from Frankfurt, Germany After riots in the "Jews Street" led by Vincent Fettmilch, 1,380 Jews, were herded onto ships on the river Main and expelled from Frankfurt. These riots were instigated by Fettmilch and the small craftsmen and traders incensed by the success of the city's wealthy Jews.

Daily Thought: Weds, Sept 20, 2006 Stay Calm

09.20.06 (10:46 pm) [edit]

Stay Calm When things don't work out, relax. Even if it's all your fault and you deserve everything you're getting, trust in G–d that it is all for the good, and stay calm. When He sees how much you trust in Him, He will make it for the good.

Arutz Sheva's Fundamentally Freund

09.03.06 (5:57 pm) [edit]

Arutz Sheva´s
Fundamentally Freund
Michael Freund tackles Politics and Media
with hard-hitting commentary

A7News: A7Radio: "Don't Lost the War!" A7 Radio's "Yishai and Malkah Fleisher Show"

09.03.06 (5:54 pm) [edit]

A7Radio: "Don´t Lose the War!"

A7 Radio's "Yishai and Malkah Fleisher Show"

How to use XML?

Yishai and Malkah pray for the return of our captive soldiers. Yossi Maimon (www.discoverisrael.org) teaches us how to stop the sun.
Plus: a Lebanese Christian calls to demand an end to Israeli "aggression" against Lebanon - hear the dramatic conclusion!

Listen Now -or- Download

Also on Yishai and Malkah:
Yishai Downloads a New Soul
No more excuses! Rabbi Cutler of Lamdeni (www.lamdeni.co.il) makes it possible for all English-speaking kids to become integrated in Israeli schools. Yishai debugs his soul in the month of Elul.
Also: The 10 characteristics of Amalek.

Listen Now -or- Download

For more A7 Radio visit www.IsraelNationalRadio.com.

A7News: Capitalizing on the Capital

09.03.06 (5:53 pm) [edit]

Capitalizing on the Capital

By Hillel Fendel

A new course of study is being planned by which Jerusalem students can take full advantage of the special city in which they live and study.

Bentzy Namet, head of the Jerusalem Education Administration, explained to 02net: "We thought, what does a student here learn about Jerusalem more than students in other cities? We therefore decided to build a 'Jerusalem mosaic,' by which the students would learn not only in school, but in the very sites of Jerusalem."

The plan is for classes to be held once a week at various Jerusalem sites. For instance, classes in Old City history will be held in the Old City itself, while lessons in civics will take place in or outside the Knesset.

Another aspect of the program will include meetings between various Jerusalem population sectors: religious and secular, Jews and Arabs, and wealthy and poor.

The program is scheduled to start next school year, in Sept. '07. The exact curriculum is now being worked on, and funding is being sought. A matriculation exam on Jerusalem issues will also be part of the high-school program.

A7News: UNIFIL Force Deployment Begins in Lebanon

09.03.06 (5:52 pm) [edit]

UNIFIL Force Deployment Begins in Lebanon

By Debbie Berman

Italian soldiers have begun moving into position in southern Lebanon as part of the new UNIFIL force. Israel retracts its opposition to the inclusion of Indonesian troops in the peacekeeping force.

Indonesian Foreign Minister Hassan Wirajuda announced plans to send up to 1,000 soldiers to join the UNIFIL force in Lebanon by the end of this month. This follows Israel's consent to allow Indonesian participation - even though Indonesia, a Moslem country, does not maintain diplomatic ties with Israel.

According to Israeli diplomatic sources, Israel remains opposed to the participation of Malaysia and Bangladesh in the force, citing the two countries' open support of Hizbullah during the recent war in Lebanon and their lack of diplomatic activity with Israel. In contrast, the sources stated that there has been an ongoing quiet diplomatic dialogue with Indonesia and described the Indonesian stance on the Hizbullah as more "moderate."

Approximately 1,000 Italian soldiers started moving into Lebanon on Saturday as part of the UNIFIL peacekeeping force. The force is to include up to 15,000 soldiers, according to UN Security Council Resolution 1701.

Spain voted on Friday to send 1,100 soldiers to serve in the UNIFIL force. Deputy Prime Minister Maria Teresa Fernandez de la Vega explained, "It is an operation that falls within international law. It is a peace operation in a country that has been destroyed."

Turkey has also committed to sending soldiers as well as a naval task force to take part in the UNIFIL force, despite public opposition in the country. Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul asserted that Turkish soldiers were not being sent to disarm Hizbullah militants, adding, "But of course, if the soldiers come under attack they would defend themselves."

Germany will not send military troops, in order not to evoke images of armed Germans facing Jews, but has agreed to send observers and advisors.

A7News: Gay Pride March Controversy Awakens Again

09.03.06 (5:52 pm) [edit]

Gay Pride March Controversy Awakens Again

By Hillel Fendel

The organizers of the gay pride parade in Jerusalem have chosen the day before Rosh HaShanah Eve for their rescheduled march - but the police say no. The matter may go to court.

The Jerusalem Open House (JOH) originally planned the international event - at which thousands of homosexuals were to march provocatively through Jerusalem's streets - for last month. However, heavy public pressure was brought to bear by Jewish, Moslem and Christian groups, both religious and secular, and the police appeared to be on the brink of canceling it. The JOH then took the initiative, calling it off "as a result of the current hostilities in the region," but promising to reschedule it at a later date.

The later date was set last week: Sept. 21, the day before the eve of the holiest period on the Jewish calendar - the High Holidays. The police, however, said that such timing would be overly provocative, and refused to issue the requested permit for that date.

The police added that they also could not afford the man-hours that would be needed to maintain security at the event during such a sensitive time.

JOH leaders said the police were merely giving excuses, and promised to take the matter to court.

Andrew Friedman, writing for Ynet last week, said he asked JOH head Noa Sattah why the parade is not routed through the Muslim and Christian quarters of Jerualem. "We don’t want to offend them [the Arabs]," she explained, to which Friedman responded, “But many Jews are also offended by the march. Seems to me that means you are careful not to offend Arab residents, but feel it is your right to offend Jewish ones.” Friedman wrote that Sattah's "silence in response was deafening."

Jerusalem Councilwoman Mina Fenton, who holds the city's Foreign Relations and Jewish heritage portfolios, has written to Jerusalem Mayor Uri Lupoliansky and Jerusalem Affairs Minister Yaakov Edry (Kadima) about the issue. Noting that the police refusal to approve the parade is only "time-related," Fenton wrote,
"The time has come for the national leadership, including the Chief Rabbis, [other] leading rabbis, ministers, Knesset Members and others, to issue an unequivocal statement to the effect that no gay pride parade of any sort may ever take place in the Holy City of Jerusalem."

A7News: Tul Karem Rocket Threat Put on Hold

09.03.06 (5:51 pm) [edit]

Tul Karem Rocket Threat Put on Hold

By Debbie Berman

In a collaborative effort, Israeli security forces arrested two Tanzim leaders in Tul Karem suspected of the manufacture of homemade rockets to target Israeli cities in the Sharon region.

On Saturday evening it was released for publication that a joint raid by the Shin Bet, IDF and an elite Yamam Border Police counter-terror unit had recently arrested Tanzim members Hassan Uffi and Wataar Amara. The two are believed to be linked to a Hizbullah-controlled terror group based in Tul Karem.

Security forces seized a large weapons cache, including rockets that were still in the process of being assembled, as well as a pipe bomb, three sacks of explosives and additional weapons.

Security sources claimed that the Tanzim terror cell was responsible for the manufacturing of rockets that they intended to fire toward neighboring Israeli areas. The group is suspected of a failed attempt to fire a homemade rocket from Tul Karem into Israel in July. The incident was viewed as an attempt by the Hizbullah to boost terrorist infrastructure in the Shomron and increase the threat of rockets to additional Israeli cities.

A7News: Talk of Massive Prisoner Exchange

09.03.06 (5:50 pm) [edit]

Talk of Massive Prisoner Exchange

By Yechiel Spira and Hillel Fendel

Negotiations are underway towards obtaining the release of captive IDF soldier Corporal Gilad Shalit, held captive by Hamas terrorists in Gaza. Shalit's father says no progress is being made.

Talks are reportedly underway towards reaching a deal by which Corp. Shalit would be released in exchange for Israel setting free 800-1,000 terrorists, in three stages. Shalit’s immediate release would be accompanied by the setting free of 300 terrorists from Israeli prisons, and followed some weeks later by the release of another few hundred. The final stage, to be accomplished by year’s end, would demand the release of 200 prisoners.

According to a report appearing last week in the Saudi Okaz newspaper, an Israeli delegation visited Egypt in an effort to negotiate a prisoner release deal. Egypt is said to be active in prisoner-release efforts.

Shalit fell into captivity on June 25th, during a multi-pronged terror attack at Kerem Shalom, adjacent to the Gaza border. Two soldiers were killed in the attack, and Shalit was abducted from his tank. Terrorists quickly fled back, via the tunnel they had dug, into PA (Palestinian Authority)-controlled Gaza.

Noam Shalit, Gilad's father, told Voice of Israel Radio that he is not encouraged by the reports: "The progress is being made in the media, but nowhere else." He said that Israel demands to see concrete evidence that Gilad is alive before agreeing to free terrorist prisoners.

The Prime Minister’s Office released a statement saying, “We are unaware of any impending deal towards the release of soldiers."

Despite the denial from the Prime Minister’s Office, reports indicate that the deal in the works would coincide with the Muslim holiday of Id el-Fitr, which follows Ramadan, a holiday that is generally accompanied by pardons for prisoners in Muslim countries. This year, Id ed-Fitr is observed on Sept. 23rd.

It has been learned that Ophir Dekel, an aide to Mr. Olmert, traveled last week to Germany where he met with Ernst Uhrlau, head of the BND Intelligence Agency. Dekel reportedly discussed German mediation efforts towards obtaining the release of Shalit and two soldiers held by Hizbullah, Ehud Goldwasser and Eldad Regev.

Government officials are signaling that Fatah Tanzim leader Marwan Barghouti, who is serving multiple life sentences for his terrorist acts, will not be among those released - despite the considerable pressure applied by the PA in the past to obtain Barghouti’s release. In addition, Israel remains adamant in refusing to include Lebanese terrorist Samir Kuntar in a prisoner release deal, but Jerusalem is willing to release other Lebanese prisoners held by Israel, numbering fewer than 30. Israel is also prepared to hand over the bodies of Hizbullah terrorists.

The daily Yediot Achronot reports that Syria is also making demands, seeking the release of 20 Druse residents of the Golan Heights imprisoned in Israel. The Syrian demands are reportedly not tied to this negotiating effort.

Hamas Officials Will Not be Included in the Deal
Hamas PA ministers and elected PA officials imprisoned in Israel will not be included in the upcoming deal. It appears those members of the PA administration not facing criminal charges for their terrorist activities will remain incarcerated pending the formation of a unity PA government including Chairman Mahmoud Abbas’ (Abu Mazen) Fatah Party.

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09.03.06 (5:48 pm) [edit]

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A7News: Al-Quaeda Issues "Offer that Can't be Refused"

09.03.06 (5:44 pm) [edit]

Al-Qaeda Issues "Offer that Can't be Refused"

By Arutz-7 Staff

An Al-Qaeda video released on Saturday called on Americans and the rest of the Christian world to "repent" and convert to Islam. Expert: "This is the invitation that precedes the attack."

The newly released video, posted on an extremist Islamic website, contained footage of Al-Qaeda's deputy leader Ayman al-Zawahri and a man identified as Adam Yehiye Gadahn. Gadahn is an American convert to Islam, wanted by the FBI for his alleged role in developing Al-Qaeda propaganda in Pakistan.

“To Americans and the rest of Christendom we say, either repent [your] misguided ways and enter into the light of truth," Gadahn threatened, "or keep your poison to yourselves and suffer the consequences in this world and the next... But whatever you do don’t attempt to spread your misery and misguidance to our lands.”

“Muslims don’t need democracy to rid themselves of their homegrown despots and tyrants. What they do need is their Islamic faith, the sprit of jihad and the lifting of foreign troops and interference from their necks,” Gadahn stated. He read verses from the Koran in Arabic, and then translated them into English, calling on Muslims to strengthen their faith and expel their rulers.

Robert Spencer, director of JihadWatch and author of several popular books on Islam, explained to Arutz-7's Nissan Ratzlav-Katz that the tape "appears to be the call to Islam that the Muslim Prophet Muhammed requires to be extended to infidels before they can be lawfully attacked by Muslims."

"Once that call is rejected," Spencer feels, "Muslims are required to begin hostilities in order to subjugate the infidel population in question and bring it into the Islamic social order. Thus it seems likely that terror attacks and/or attempted terror attacks will follow Gadahn's 'invitation' - although there is no certainty that they will follow within a certain time frame."

Al-Zawahri, also speaking on the tape, urged viewers to heed Gadahn's “Invitation to Islam. He stated ominously, "To the American people and the people of the West in general ... Allah sent his Prophet Muhammad with guidance and the religion of truth ... and sent him as a herald."

A7News: Record Number 127,000 1st Graders Begin School Year

09.03.06 (5:43 pm) [edit]

Record-Number 127,000 1st-Graders Begin School Year

By Hillel Fendel

The 5767 ('06-'07) school year opened this morning relatively smoothly, with problems mainly in Kassam rocket-plagued Sderot and Shaar HaNegev.

Parents in the above Negev areas are refusing to send their children to schools vulnerable to Kassam rockets.

The number of students beginning school in Israel today totals 1,755,000 - up 1% from last year. Some 122,000 teachers in 3,900 schools will attempt to give them of their knowledge and values.

Tens of thousands of yeshiva high school students and Talmud Torah pupils began their studies last week, at the beginning of the Hebrew month of Elul.

Thousands of Magen David Adom and Civil Guard volunteers have descended upon the country's schools, disseminating information on road safety and helping police maintain order.

The school year has opened in Israel's prisons as well. Some 4,000 prisoners will take up their studies, learning either to read and write or otherwise completing their basic elementary or high school studies. In the Ofek Juvenile Prison, 25 classes will open today; 90% of the students there never studied in school before. 95% of last year's Ofek students passed their matriculation exams.

As is the case almost every school year, the opening was nearly postponed due to teachers' union demands. On Friday, however, an agreement was reached by Union head Ran Erez, Education Minister Yuli Tamir, and the Finance Ministry regarding an increase in the number of laid-off teachers eligible for retirement benefits and a small decrease in the number of fired teachers.

Approximately 18,000-20,000 students - just over 1% of the student body - did not begin school today, for various reasons. The lion's share of them are in Sderot and the nearby Shaar HaNegev (Negev Gateway) Regional Council, where parents refuse to send their children to school. They are protesting the government's failure to reinforce the schools against Kassam rocket attacks. As of now, the Sderot Municipality reports, only some 40% of the schools have been rocket-proofed.

Sderot Municipality spokesman Yossi Cohen told Arutz-7 that at least one large room in each of all six elementary schools has been protected, as have all 10 of the kindergartens; no work has been done on the local high schools.

Ten schools in Sderot will remain closed today, including the six partially protected elementary schools. Parents Committee head Batya Katar said that in addition to the strike, the Committee will file today a court suit against the Government of Israel and Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, for "abandoning the children of Sderot." Katar said Olmert relates to Sderot as if it were not part of Israel.

Spokesman Cohen said the city "identifies" with a one-day parents' strike. He said that he does not know whether the parents plan to continue the strike tomorrow or not.

Gush Katif
For the former residents of Gush Katif, the beginning of this school year is an improvement over last year - when practically none of them had an organized school system in which to study. Most of them still, however, cannot walk to school.

The children of Atmonah and Netzarim who now live in Yated and Yevul, along the Egyptian border south of Gaza, are studying in the relocated Netzarim school in Yevul. A new girls' high school (ulpana) has been opened there this year as well, in addition to the N'vei Dekalim ulpana that relocated last year to Givat Washington near Yavneh.

The children of the Shomriyah contingent of Atzmonah, in the Lachish region, are studying in the reconstituted Atzmonah school in Shomriyah. Other Katif children from Amatziah, Shekef, Nitzan and elsewhere will also study there, despite the long distances involved.

What used to be the largest school in Gush Katif, the Neot Katif elementary school in N'vei Dekalim, is planned to be rebuilt in Nitzan. However, no buildings are currently available for the school, and it is therefore temporarily located in Shafir, adjacent to Ein Tzurim - another bastion of former Katifites - and a 25-minute drive from Nitzan.

Students from Kfar Darom, the northern Gush Katif community that relocated to a high-rise building in Ashkelon, will continue studying in their local school, which they have rebuilt in the same building.

The children of Yad Binyamin, the 2nd-largest community of Gush Katif exiles, are studying in various places, among them the local Yeshivat Torat HaChaim elementary school.

For post-high school students, the Yeshivat Hesder in N'vei Dekalim - that which was housed in the famous Jewish star-shaped building - will continue its studies in Kfar Maimon, until its new buildings in Ashdod are ready. Yeshivat Torah HaChaim, formerly of N'vei Dekalim, will continue in Yad Binyamin, and the pre-military yeshiva academy of Atzmonah will continue in Yevul.

Daily Dose: The Path of Light

09.03.06 (5:32 pm) [edit]

B"H The Path Of Light ----------------- When He made the world, He made two ways to repair each thing: With harshness or with compassion. With a slap or with a caress. With darkness or with light. And He looked at the light and saw that it was good. Darkness and harsh words may be necessary. But He never called them good. Even if you could correct another person with harsh words, the One Above receives no pleasure from it. When He sees his creatures heal one another with caring and with kindness, that is when He shines His smile upon us.

Daily Dose: The Path of Light

09.03.06 (5:08 pm) [edit]

Check out this link. I found it doing

09.02.06 (10:38 am) [edit]

a search. http://greenearth.dollardays....

Check out this link. I found it doing a

09.02.06 (10:36 am) [edit]

search. http://greenearth.dollardays....

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