From Our Rabbis…
To all of our friends overseas,

"Home. Home. Home….home to the gold sand, to the blue water, to the red tiled roofs; home. Home to the eyes happily expecting her. Home to the heart awaiting her arrival. Home to the hand stretched towards her – welcoming her home."

In this first chapter of the excellent novel "Yonah V'Na'ar" (The Dove and the Boy), Israeli author Meir Shalev writes the passage above, describing the flight of a dove out of the inferno, back to her nest. Out of the pandemonium, the dove frees herself and navigates her way to sanctuary; towards her destiny. The dove has no memory to help her choose her path. She has only her strong desire and an exceptional homing instinct to guide her back to the place she was born and raised.

The nation of Israel as it leaves Egypt is like this dove. It too makes its way home, albeit not by the shortest route. The journey takes 40 years, towards the land of Canaan, towards the place which is home in the collective national memory. In the Book of Numbers, Chapter 33: (Parashat Masei), we find that the dove's path is like the nation's path:

The nation of Israel, from the moment of its birth with God's promise to Abraham and Sarah, renews its collective memory of home annually, regardless of where it may be, with its reading of the Passover Haggadah.

Each year, we teach our children that they must see themselves as if they left Egypt. Our challenge is to take this collective, nation-based memory and make it a part of our lives. Each of our descendants, like the dove, must acquire a well-developed "homing instinct" that will allow them to fly away into the world, and still, when their wanderings are done, return home; home to gather around the Seder table and celebrate the passing from slavery to freedom and the traditional and moral obligations that this national memory places on us each and every day.

With best wishes for a Happy Passover,

Pretty Fabulous Synagogue!!
We are thrilled to announce that the Modi'in municipality has completed the final preparations on YOZMA's pre-fab synagogue building! On April 7th, 2008, we received the Certificate of Occupancy and the keys to our new (temporary) synagogue!

Dedicated YOZMA volunteer Menachem Lan-El will coordinate the approximately month's worth of interior design changes needed to prepare the pre-fab synagogue for regular use.

The dedication ceremony is planned for May 5th!

Getting ready for Pesach at YOZMA
YOZMA continues its traditional "Kimcha DePescha" (Pesach collection for the needy) campaign, as part of the overall annual initiative run by the Israel Movement for Progressive Judaism (IMPJ). This drive, run each year before Pesach, raises funds from within the YOZMA community, in order to provide food and clothing for families that are facing financial difficulties. Approximately 50 food packages and 20 clothing gift certificates will be distributed by YOZMA volunteers to appreciative families.

YOZMA is Green… and Purple!
Commitment to the preservation of our planet and conservation in Israel are fundamental to YOZMA's vision. There are many activities all year in the various branches of our community dedicated to these goals.

Once again, YOZMA stands at the forefront in our newest initiative designed to raise public awareness of the importance of recycling.

YOZMA is producing sturdy grocery sacs that can be re-used extensively, thereby reducing the need for wasteful and environmentally harmful plastic bags. They will proudly carry the YOZMA logo and be a bright outstanding purple!

Join us in protecting our environment while supporting YOZMA! A set of 5 sacs is available for $50 (including postage)

Judaism in Pictures - Educational Tools for every Home, School and Synagogue
The Movement for Progressive Judaism has sponsored educational kits entitled "Judaism in Pictures" that can be purchased through YOZMA's website. These kits contain literature and sets of photographs that highlight the Jewish festivals, Israeli holidays as well as important Jewish concepts such as Prayer, Tzedaka and Shabbat. These professional kits are highly recommended for every home and classroom to supplement and illustrate Progressive Jewish learning.

The cost is $50/kit plus postage ($8 regular mail, $24 door-to-door). The proceeds from the sales of these kits will directly support YOZMA's educational systems.

Beit Eden
YOZMA's dedicated activities with the residents of Beit Eden, a local home for mentally challenged children and young adults, are among our proudest achievements. Our long-term commitment to enrich their lives with Progressive Jewish values, provide the setting and opportunity for each child of age to celebrate a bar/bat mitzvah and keep them integrated in our community calendar of events remains in our collective consciousness.

In our efforts to continue to expand and improve our connection with this unique population, this year Rabbi Kinneret Shiryon is leading a support group for their staff.

We welcome our friends overseas to join us in this sacred work and support the broad range of activities that we share all year round with the loving residents of Beit Eden.

Have you renewed your YOZMA annual membership yet?

The financial and emotional support we receive from all of you across the ocean strengthens us, and allows us to continue our growth and development. Thank you for being such an important part of YOZMA.

Rabbi Kinneret Shiryon, Rabbi Nir Barkin and Executive Director of YOZMA - Yossi Aud

Pesach activities at YOZMA

Kimcha DePescha

 

Judaism in Pictures