Adding a Chat Feature to our Blog

We recently added a chat feature on our blog and it's quite an amazing experience. Have you noticed it? Have a question, do be in touch. It's quick, it's easy and we love to chat to those who wish to make their home in Israel.

Not much time elapsed after we added the feature before we had our first visitor wanting to ask a question. The first question related to learning Hebrew from outside of Israel. To answer the question:

Yes, there is a certain amount we, at Chessed Ve'Emet, can teach online.

At this stage our online learning is via Skype with webcam. 

We are happy to assist with basics, learning the aleph bet, learning to read, basic writing, understanding what you read etc.

For those interested, we also teach reading of Chumash and other Torah related topics and Seforim (books)

Yes, there is a fee for the tuition. 

If you are interested, do be in touch for further information or to sign up to learn. 

The next question was to do with the rights of renters. The reader to our blog wanted to know if there was any progress in a bill being passed in Kneset to improve renters rights.

Did you know that there is a housing crisis in Israel? The sad reality is that conditions of many apartments are in a very sorry state and there are landlords who take advantage of their tenants on every level. For a number of years there has been talk that the housing crisis is a bubble that has to burst. There has to be change, in a positive direction of course.

In 2011 there were a number of protests related to the problems with housing in Israel. There has been talk for some years now to pass a bill in Knesset (parliament) in order to improve the rights of renters. You can read more about these developments in a recent article that came out in the Jerusalem Post. This article talks about the rights of renters to have repairs carried out to apartments. Something that most landlords avoid with all kinds of crazy excuses as to why they feel they do not have to repair.

Of course the issues for renters go beyond repairs. The rate of rent increases is a major problem. 

What are your experiences in renting in Israel? What laws would you like to see happening? If we receive enough attention to the problem of housing and problems for renters, perhaps change will be possible. Why not be a part of increasing attention to this problem. 

This post is prepared for you by Shoshanah Shear, occupational therapist, healing facilitator, certified infant massage instructor, freelance writer, author of "Healing Your Life Through Activity - An Occupational Therapist's Story" and co-author of "Tuvia Finds His Freedom".

Reflections!

I am amused in the last few days to be receiving emails wishing me well for 2017. How is that amusing? Well, the 1st January is a regular work day in Israel! It is not a public holiday, neither is it really a significant start to the year. Our year begins at Rosh HaShanah. This point is something that is quite an adjustment for many who move to Israel. In fact, if you go into a stationary store and search for a diary or calendar you will find that the new year or the new diary begins always at the end of Elul leading up to Rosh HaShanah. 

Having said that, it is an important date for accounting purposes and so we look to setting business and accounting goals for the new secular year. At Chessed Ve'Emet we have some exciting developments for the new year. Before we consider our plans for the future, I would like to thank you, our readers and followers for your support over the past number of years. This blog was one of the early developments that we began. It has been up and running for 8 years now and we are happy to say that we have gained 33 followers and regular readers. From time to time we do have readers commenting on a post which is always exciting for us, and to all those who do comment we say a very big thank you. 

We have some interviews that have taken place and been shared on this blog, and plans in place for further interviews. Thus far the interviews have all been in a Q&A format. We do hope to develop to also having interviews either via podcast or video.

We have had some Olim share their story through this blog and we welcome further Olim to be in touch and send in your story. If your story involves preparing for Aliyah, making Aliyah, a success story or a word of encouragement, we want to hear about it and to share it. So please do be in touch.

We have had some other services for Olim specifically. For quite some time we tried to focus on increasing a network among South African Olim. We ran a Ning for quite a number of months before the Ning required that those hosting a forum on the Ning pay a monthly fee. This we covered for the first couple of years but sadly when we requested for members to contribute a nominal monthly membership in order to cover expenses, none of the members were prepared to. Sadly, our Ning came to an end but our blog has continued.

In addition to regular posts on this blog, we have Torah shiurim happening online and in person with our wonderful Torah teacher Rabbi Eliyahu Shear. At this time, shiurim include: 

- Shulchan Aruch HaRav focusing at present on Shabbat, twice a week

- Mishna Brerura happening currently weekly

- Otzrot Haim happening currently twice a week. 

We'd love to add some other online Shiurim, so if you have any questions related to Torah or a book or area of Torah that you would like to learn on a regular basis, do visit our website and sign up for online Torah learning. 

We have tried a number of avenues of selling products online. These products have been both of our own creative skills and items that we had received in order to sell at low cost. Our online selling has been a tremendous learning curve and we are excited to say that we are preparing to launch our own website selling items that we have created online as one of our various avenues to generate funds for our Torah centre. We have tried in the past pricing our items at low cost however, this has not been an effective path for us. Our online creative items are therefore now being created for those who are searching for a unique, hand crafted item or gift and values the fact that it comes from Israel and that their purchase assists Jews in Israel. If you are looking for a unique, hand crafted gift, stay in touch and watch this blog for updates of when we launch our new website.

My occupational therapy services can be viewed on my website. These services form the women's division of Chessed Ve'Emet and are focused on assisting Jewish women in the role of wife and mother. 

Other exciting developments on the creative front have been the publishing of our books. We currently have the following books available for sale:

• "Tuvia Finds His Freedom" by Eliyahu and Shoshanah Shear (The English Version)
• "Tuvia Finds His Freedom" by Eliyahu and Shoshanah Shear (This Hebrew Edition is translated into Hebrew by Dana Baum)
• "Parshah in Just Two Minutes" by Rabbi Eliyahu Shear (This is currently undergoing revision and will be available for sale once more soon)
• "Healing Your Life Through Activity - An Occupational Therapist's Story" by Shoshanah Shear

Our books are available on a number of online bookstores and through us for those who are in Israel.

Our last two developments include:

• Our Torah Lending Library. We currently have about 400 books mostly in English though some are in Hebrew. Due to limited space these books are forming double rows on the shelves of two tall bookshelves. 
• Some time ago we ran a crowd fundraiser in order to obtain and set up our Bridal Gown Gemach. We are happy to say that we have 59 beautiful bridal gowns all set up waiting for a Kallah to come and visit our Bridal Gowns. We have had some Kallot coming to search for and try on gowns in preparation for their big day. On my other blog you will see some posts offering tips to assist the Brides with common issues being raised. 

All in all there has been consistent growth, revision, progress, adjustment, further growth, improvement and we are very happy to say that we are steadily progressing towards the full vision that we have of a Torah Healing Centre.

Thank you to everyone who has been a part of this exciting journey so far. Do be in touch and let us know both which of our services you enjoy and which services you are in need of for the secular year ahead. We look forward to sharing further developments and our plans as they develop and are ready for sharing.

This post is prepared for you by

Shoshanah Shear

Occupational Therapist, healing facilitator, certified infant massage instructor, freelance writer and co-author of "Tuvia Finds His Freedom" and author of "Healing Your Life Through Activity - An Occupational Therapist's Story"

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Successful Yard Sale in Jerusalem

We have just returned home from a busy morning at the AACI sale in Jerusalem. It was special to have some people who have seen our blog posts and FaceBook posts come over to say hello. Even nicer to hear some say they enjoy our posts. Thank you to all who came to say "HI!" we appreciate it very much.

We have sold out most of the white shirts, we just have one boys size 14 long sleeved white shirt left. We sold most of our sets of linen, we now have just two sets left. 
The copper Pesach Sedar plate has sold to a nice lady.

Thank you to all those who gave positive input to our books. We very much appreciate all the feedback. To those who have seen our posts promoting our books, thank you for letting us know. It helps to know that our posts on social media are being seen and even liked or enjoyed.

For those who have seen our book Tuvia Finds His Freedom online but prefer to purchase in person, we do have copies at Chessed Ve'Emet. You are welcome to come to another sale or be in touch to purchase in person. 

Thanks to our friend who purchased the Hebrew edition of Tuvia Finds His Freedom and for all the positive feedback. We greatly appreciate it.

To those who like my husbands new book "Parshah in Just Two Minutes" by Rabbi Eliyahu Shear, thank you too for your positive comments. We look forward to sharing further publications. Do visit our website or sign up for our newsletter for updates on our publication, sales and other services.

We hope you all enjoyed your Friday morning as much as we did. Time now to focus on Shabbat. Happy preparing and Shabbat Shalom to all

Shoshanah Shear

Chessed Ve'Emet

Treating Animals Kindly

  What image can one give to a story like the one that follows?

The day preceding the Bedikat Chometz, while Jews worldwide are extremely busy with final cleaning and preparation for Pesach, our preparations were rudely interrupted. My husband went to throw out the garbage - a seemingly normal task to do, and came back very upset. On his return he noticed a group of children clustered in a certain spot. Knowing full well that this type of group often means something is amiss, my husband went to find out what was capturing the attention of this group.

To his dismay, he discovered a tiny little kitten. The kitten must have been a week old as his eyes were still tightly closed. The problem with this scene is that some of the children in this group had removed this kitten and it's sibling from their mother.

Like all week-old babies, the kittens needed their mother and the mother cat needed her babies. What had transpired to lead to the children removing the kittens from their mother and what are the consequences?

After some investigation and trying to ascertain where the mother cat had been when her kittens were removed from her, we were distressed further to discover an angry woman. It turns out the mother cat had found a quiet corner in a newly built and still largely empty storeroom and settled down to give birth. Coming close to Pesach, the owners of the newly built Machsan (storeroom) discovered the mother cat and her kittens and decided they did not want them nearby. So the angry woman had her children remove the kittens from the mother cat. An act that resulted in a group of children shouting with glee at a helpless, week old kitten.

What are the consequences?

Kittens need their mother for warmth, to nurture them, which they do by regularly licking them (thus stimulating the development of digestion) and of course for milk. 

Once humans have touched the week-old kittens, the mother cat will mostly not return. This results in a risk to the survival of the kittens. If anyone is to care for the kittens it requires constant care of a specific kind. One cannot just feed a baby whatever one wants to. With an immature digestive system they can only handle certain food and in a specific manner. 

For the mother cat, she in turn will cry for her babies and have the discomfort of milk that is no longer required.

Being Erev Pesach, finding the appropriate assistance was not very easy. Everyone with the appropriate experience was busy cleaning and preparing for Pesach. Finally we did find a vet to assist, but this is not how things should have been.

If the woman did not want the cat and her kittens in her storeroom, she needed to have contacted someone who is expert with cats to find out how to encourage the mother cat and her kittens to relocate. Causing pain and suffering to animals is a transgression of a Torah law.

We are tired of having to rescue little animals from misguided children who believe that they can do whatever they want to, or with an animal. Torah teaches us otherwise. All children need to learn the beauty of nature and our creation and how to treat animals and our environment with kindness and respect.

We are in the process of writing a series of books to help to educate children (and adults) on this important topic. King David teaches us that all of creation sings praises to Hashem. In the same way, when any aspect of creation is treated with cruelty, their cries go up to Heaven.

Our first book, Tuvia Finds His Freedom, is available on Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk and Createspace eStore. We'd like to get it to many more outlets so as to ensure that this important topic is accessible to as many as possible. Please help us to promote our books. The various ways in which you can help are listed on our latest Crowd Fundraiser. 

What are your thoughts of kindness to animals? Post your comment below and please share this post with your friends. The incident that disrupted our Pesach cleaning is one that should never happen. Help us to teach others of the beauty of G-d's creation and the way that Hashem instructs us to behave within it - with kindness, respect, truth and beauty.

This post is prepared for you by 

Shoshanah Shear of Chessed Ve'Emet

Preparing for Purim in Jerusalem 2015

In two days time it will be Purim and this is one of those special times of the year when being in Israel is THE BEST place for a Jew. You just need to take a walk down the road and you will find all kinds of stores filled with costumes and gifts.

 Whether it is the entrance of a store that sells an array of accessories..

 The corner kiosk that usually sells snacks, drinks and flowers.

A sweet store or a stationery / hobby shop..

Everyone is involved in the theme of preparing for Purim.

There are all kinds of baskets, pretty bags and containers, nosh, treats and more..

With all the excitement, one of the very special central themes of Purim is to take care of those in need. This is done by giving Matanot Le'Evyonim, which in English is gifts to the poor. These gifts are not the pretty gifts with chocolates, drinks and other nosh. These gifts are monetary ones to help those less fortunate or in need for whatever reason to have the finances to pay for their expenses.

We hope you have enjoyed the photo's that illustrate the atmosphere of Israel and invite you to join us in giving Matanot Le'Evyonim.

Please visit our website or be in touch. Purim is JUST two days away to time is of the essence.

We look forward to hearing from you

Shoshanah Shear of Chessed Ve'Emet

Aliyah Tips - Maintaining Your Committment to the Land

Next in the series of Aliyah tips, we have a few ideas to keep you committed to the Land of Israel. When things get tough, as they do for all at some point, what keeps you motivated? What gives you the drive to stick it out and make Israel your home?

We have ideas of what keeps us committed but we took this again to a FaceBook group and had some amazing responses. 

Once again attitude and ones motivation for coming in the first place play a part. For some, Hashem is what keeps them committed to being here. 

Regarding the current situation, a few mentioned

"Even with (G´D forbid) Piguim and a new Intifada, this is the safest place for Jews to be." (J) 

We had quite a few comments that it is not safe in other parts of the world. A few pointed out that one never knows what will happen anywhere. To a certain extent, if it is ones time to go, then it is time. You could get stabbed in many parts of the world for your wallet or valuables. There could be an array of natural disasters. Anything could happen anywhere. But somehow, most agree that one just feels safe in Israel. 

One Olah shared that she lives in Ashdod. During the summer there were rockets there. It was scary but one knows it will pass. The situation will improve. Keeping this in mind helps us to handle the tough times.

At the end of the day, everyone who is here, living in Israel, agrees that Israel is our home. 

One very special response as to what keeps us committed to being in the land of Israel, was posted as an image and hence we post it here. 

The Beis HaMikdash, our Holy Temple will be rebuilt. By being in the Land of Israel, you get to be here when the change happens and our Temple stands once more.

Please visit again for more Aliyah tips. We have more on the topic of staying committed to being here. We have many other tips too. 

What topic is of interest to you?

If you need some guidance in being here in Israel, do be in touch with Chessed Ve'Emet. We'd love to hear from you and discuss which of our services can assist you in your path to be successful in the land where we belong.

Aliyah Tips Continued

Last week, we began a series of posts on Aliyah tips. I have a number of great tips and yes, we will cover what keeps Yidden committed to being here even when life get's difficult. Before we get to those, our next tip from a few Olim is, ATTITUDE. 

You need to come with a positive attitude and a dedication to stay here no matter what. Some spoke of making a complete break so that you have no option to return. Keep focused on being here and look for the positive no matter what happens. 

It might sound like a simple tip, but it is one that most who are here are tested with from time to time or often. If you are committed to staying in the land where we belong, you can start right now by looking for the good in every situation and looking for the good in Eretz Yisrael. Remember, as we posted in the previous post, we might fight and argue but Am Yisrael is one big family. So if someone upsets you, remember they might have a tough outer skin, but inside, Israelis have a heart of gold. Mostly the dedication to each other is very inspiring to witness and to be a part of. 

So when someone tells you, you can't make it in Israel, think Positive and remember, as one Olah reminded us, except for a few who remained throughout the years, most of us are all Olim in it together. Whether it is this generation or one's parents or grandparents, somewhere is an Oleh or Olah who gave up their other life to come and help to settle the land. Many have succeeded to remain here for decades. If those of us here can do it, so can you.

If you need some guidance in being here in Israel, do be in touch with Chessed Ve'Emet. We'd love to hear from you and discuss which of our services can assist you in your path to be successful in the land where we belong.

Connections and Aliyah Tips - Helping One Another

I have so many thoughts racing round my head right now. I have some posts to put on Aliyah tips but while preparing those, our life was interrupted by a horrible, horrible tragedy. What do those two topics have to do with the image at the start of this post? Well the image is of a large group, gathered together. Different heights, different sizes, different clothing but together in a group.

On Tuesday of this week, I received an email to please Daven for two of the injured from a horrible attack.  They were the first two names she had heard of. Having worked in poly trauma in a large teaching hospital, I asked how they were. The question lead to some discussion at the end of which she showed interest in our Bayit Chadash Gemach, assisting orphans at the time of getting married. Not much time transpired when she emailed back that the wife of one of the injured whose names she'd given me requested for donations to be made to Hachnasat Kallah in the merit of a Refuah for her husband. I was awaiting some final info on our latest two orphans but set to work for an hour, dedicating that time to the Refuah of those injured.

The next morning I received a phone call from someone who lives in my area. He is a friend of the man and asked to make a small donation. We spoke a bit and a little later I went over to his home to meet his wife and explain about the work we do. She explained that they had a double interest, 1) merit for her husband's friend of 25 years and 2) for success in assisting a friend's son who is coming to Chuppah. We spoke a little and I found myself asking "is your friends son in x part of the Gush and marrying the beginning of Chanukah?"

Lo and behold, she is the best friend of the Chatan's late mother and is able to help us obtain the final information to assist him with items for his new home. Touched by the connection she was very grateful to be participating in what we are doing.

This morning I received an email from someone with a new item to donate. It turns out she is a co-worker of the wife of the same man, fighting for his life in a hospital in Jerusalem. 

With each interaction, another piece of the puzzle comes together. Another member of the group. Another reminder that the Jewish Nation is ONE big family. It is time for us to unite. It is time for us to drop our disagreements and stick together because when Am Yisrael is united, nothing can touch us. Not only are we strong together but our united merit was strong enough to enable us to receive the Torah and will be the key factor to help us merit Moshiach. 

So let us link this post to my series I was going to post and begin by saying, if you are in the process of making Aliyah, if you have already made Aliyah or if you are considering doing so, my first tip is remember Am Yisrael is one big family. If you come on your own, you are not alone, you are coming to your big family. If anyone upsets you, remember they are your relatives and smile, be kind to them and you will be surprised how the kindness leads to another kindness and another connection. And if you have not yet considered making Aliyah, come home. We need you. We need every Jew united together in ONE huge family portrait.

Please Daven for a Refuah for the following, injured in the attack.

Eytan Ben Sarah
Avraham Shmuel Ben Shaina
Shmuel Yerucham Ben Baila (I think this is Rebbetzin Heller's son-in-law)
Chayim Yechiel Ben Malka (in a medically induced coma with severe injuries. His wife requests donating to Hachnasat Kallah in his merit and listed our Gemach as one to give to)
Yakir ben Galit
Yitzchak ben Chaya
Moshe ben Sara

For those wanting to contribute to our latest two orphans, please be in touch ASAP. 

Developing a Lending Library.

We are working on developing a Torah lending library L' Ilui Nishmas. It's a lovey way to get to know others in the community and to be a apart of developing one's community while also doing something in the merit of our relatives no longer in this world. A lovely way to integrate into a new society. Being new to an area can be unsettling and uncomfortable for years. For those with some ingenuity, finding a way to give can help to make the difference between your being an outsider and being a needed part of the community.

The books above are books that were donated towards startng our lending library. We spent a bit of time prior to Sukkot happily sorting, checking, dusting, cleaning the books and separating which are for use in the library and which will be for sale towards raising funds for the lending library. 

It took quite a bit of time but has certainly been fascinating and enjoyable. We are happy to say they are all ready. Some have been stamped with our new library stamp. Some are waiting to be stamped.

Some have gone onto the new bookshelf - more about this in another post and some are being put into appropriate categories.

There's quite a bit of work involved in setting up any Gemach or service. Have you starting something since comign to Israel? Have you got involved by volunteering for an organization or cause?

Speaking of volunteers, if you have some time spare and would like to get involved in volunteering for the various projects we have on the go, do be in touch to come for an interview. 

Chessed VeEmet sends Care Packages to our Soldiers

 

When we heard care packages were needed for our Chayalim, Chessed Ve'Emet wanted to send some through. However, we were unsure how to get supplies to Gaza. It was not long before we received an email of someone taking care packages the next morning. We asked one of the Rabbis who answers Hallachic questions related to our Bayit Chadash Gemach whether toiletries and some grocery items collected for our orphan Kallot can go to our soldiers since we did not have an orphan we were assisting. The Rav confirmed that we could use the toiletries for this purpose and so, without time to package individual gifts, we gathered whatever we had that was suitable and got it to the venue with moments to spare.

The above image shows the boxes of supplies that were sent through.

On our return, we heard of another family who were able to get supplies from our area this time to Golani soldiers. Quickly we began to gather more items and this time arranged them into packages. 

As lovely as the packages were starting to look, they were missing notes and drawings from kids. So our next task was to find a few families whose children could prepare some drawings and notes to give Chizuk (strength) to our soldiers.

Some of the notes and drawings can be seen in the image below on the left.

The image on the right is of 7 of the packages that went to Golani soldiers.

Packages have included an assortment of much needed toiletries, energy bars, cakes, coffee, tea and other Nosh, Tzitzit provided for one package, notes and drawings and pocket sized Perek Shira.

If anyone would like to contribute either toiletries, notes, drawings, baskets, food items, Tzitzit or money to purchase more items please visit our webpage. On the front page is a photo of a few packages that we are happy to put together. Any donation is much appreciated though the value of these packages came to ₪250 each.  

The fuller packages included:

Shampoo, soap, wipees, toothpaste, dental floss, tooth picks, cotton buds, deodorant, mosquito repellent, energy bars, hand cream, pocket size Perek Shira. We wanted to add but lacked the funds to put in lip balm and sunscreen too. 

Mishloach Manos to Israel this Purim

               Post written by Azriel Winnett

 

Do you have good friends and neighbors who deserve only top quality products in their Mishloach
Manos packages this Purim? And of course, they must be attractively wrapped and presented, as befits people of their standing. That’s a given! Another is that, great value notwithstanding, the prices mustn’t overstretch your pocketbook.

Sounds good, you say, but the big problem is, who has the time nowadays to run around searching for suitable food products, and then return home to the laborious task of wrapping the parcels nicely? Certainly not you! Moreover, your problems may be only starting, for on an exciting day that passes only too quickly, how will you get all the finished items into the hands of your friends, some of whom may even be living in another town?

With Purim drawing near, is it time to start panicking? No. not at all! Chesed Ve’Emet, Betar Illit’s own tzedakah and chesed organization, offers a range of highly attractive packages filled with mouth-watering goodies. Besides, your purchase will carry with it a very important bonus. It will be helping to support the Bayit Chadash program, which assists young disadvantaged engaged and newly-married couples to set up a Jewish home. Some of the young people helped up to this point would have simply been unable to marry without Bayit Chadash’s support.

All food products in the various Mishloach Manos packages carry the hechsher of Bedatz Eida Chareidis. If you live in Betar Illit or environs, or are able to visit, you can come to select and collect your package(s) personally. Alternatively, for a small fee, your packages will be delivered on your behalf anywhere in Israel on Purim day (or Shushan Purim in Jerusalem),

Here are sample descriptions of just two of our popular packages:

*A Classic Mishloach Manos basket. This Purim gift contains a packet of biscuits, a packet of crisps, 2 chocolate coated waifer biscuits, a packet of coated peanuts, a packet of sweets, two mini chocolates and 2 chocolate coins. It is packaged in clear cellophane plastic with purple flowers on and an attractive bow. Includes a personalized handmade card with name of recipient. Requests for design are an option.

* A glass rectangular dish with two matching white mugs with green stripes. The mugs are filled
with chocolate coated waferbiscuit and a packet of nuts. There is a small jar of Nescafe coffee and 4 chocolate coins. This Purim gift is attractively packaged in clear cellophane with a bow.

For more Mishloach Manos options and more details please visit: 

Mishloach Manos 5773 or Mishloach Manos 5773 - 2

Act NOW and avoid disappointment! Please email to secure the packages of your choice and request further information.

A freilichin and uplifting Purim to all! May we merit to witness the final Geulah very soon.

Mishloach Manos 5773 - 2

 

We are happy to display more Mishloach Manos. As posted previously, All ingredients of our Mishloach Manos are Bedatz Eida HaCharedi the most widely accepted Heksher. All food items are specifically kept in their original wrapping so that the Kashrut is easily recognisable. The containers are all brand new and have not been Toyvelled as yet.

This Mishloach Manos is a full basket of goodies. It contains a new dishcloth, a bottle of red wine, a packet of pasta, a packet of roasted pasta, 2 tins of chickpeas, a tin of pineapple, a small jar of Nescafe coffee, a packet of chips, 3 chocolate coated waifer biscuits, several chocolate coins. It has been packaged with clear celophane, a ribbon and silver crowns for a bit of fun.

It is selling for ONLY ₪180. You are welcome to purchase from us directly or we will deliver within Eretz Yisrael for ₪40

This Mishloach Manos is prepared in a calming green ceramic dish. It contains a packet of biscutis, a small bottle of red wine, a packet of Bamba, a packet of chips, a packet of sweets, 3 chocolate coated waifer biscuits, 2 peanut brittle. 

It is selling for ONLY ₪69. You are welcome to purchase from us directly or we will deliver within Eretz Yisrael for ₪40

This Mishloach Manos is prepared in an oval Nikel dish. It contains a small bottle of grape juice, a packet of chips, a packet of Bamba, mini Halva, mini chocolate, peanut brittle, chocolate coins and a packet of nuts. 

It is selling for ONLY ₪68. You are welcome to purchase from us directly or we will deliver within Eretz Yisrael for ₪40

This Mishloach Manos is also on an oval Nikel dish but smaller than the one above it. It contains a small bottle of red wine, 3 mini Halva, 2 mini chocolate, 2 mini peanut brittle. 

It is standing on the box it came in, wrapped for effect but providing the opportunity to store in its original box. As with the other Mishloach Manos it is packaged and ready to go, except for the card which awaits your message. 

It is selling for ONLY ₪61. You are welcome to purchase from us directly or we will deliver within Eretz Yisrael for ₪40

This Mishloach Manos is prepared on a glass platter with a salt and pepper shaker set. It contains a packet of biscuits, 2 mini Halva, 2 packets of sweets, with chocolates peeping out from behind the sweets. It is attractively packaged and ready to go.

It is selling for ONLY ₪63. You are welcome to purchase from us directly or we will deliver within Eretz Yisrael for ₪40

Here is an example of a packaged gift. It is prepared on a white china dish and contains a packet of chips, a packet of biscuits, 2 chocolate coated waifers, 1 packet of sweets, 1 small packet of nuts, 3 chocolate coins.

It is selling for ONLY ₪50. You are welcome to purchase from us directly or we will deliver within Eretz Yisrael for ₪40

We have more Mishloach Manos being prepared, so do stop by again or be in touch if your needs have not been met in our two posts, thus far. All containers provide the opportunity to give a lasting gift of an item needed in most Jewish homes.

If you would like, we can add into any of these or other Mishloach Manos any of the following:

a mini Perek Shira, a Brachah card for Hafrashat Challah, a mini glass. These are $1.50 each in addition to the Mishloach Manos.

For $2 we can add a braided Havdala candle or a set of 2 white or coloured candles.

For those sending a Mishloach Manos to a Sem Girl, why not add one of Lori's lipsticks or lipliners from FaceFacts by Lori. We sell them at greatly reduced price as part of raising funds for our Bayit Chadash Gemach, with Lori's permission. You can select the colour from the colour chart on Lori's website and let us know which one to add into the Mishloach Manos.

Or select from one of our stunning Fridge Magnets (or the full set). They sell for ₪10 each or for the set as listed on the blog.

Please email us to place your order or to make a time to purchase from us in person. All Mishloach Manos need to be paid for a week prior to Purim.

Yibaneh Yerushalayim Continues

 Article written by Azriel Winnett

Yibaneh Yerushalayim (May Jerusalem be Rebuilt) is a full color magazine geared to helping people set up a new home, after marrying or making aliyah to Israel, in accordance with authentic Jewish values. With a modern layout and printed on quality paper, it is produced to high professional standards. Its stimulating content includes informative articles by experts prominent in their respective fields and inspiring Torah tips, as well advertising offering quality products and services suitable for the publication's target readership. Distribution is  currently free.

Two issues, which were distributed in the Jerusalem area and throughout Israel, have already been published. The feedback had been extremely positive and it is clear that many people are very eagerly awaiting the third issue, which is now in an advanced stage of preparation. This issue boasts new features and many more articles. You can preview one of them: How Our Emotions Affect Our Relationships by clicking here.

This magazine is part of our expanding Chesed ve'Emet organization that is engaged in disseminating Torah knowledge and values in various ways and in a wide range of chesed activities. In particular, the journal is a component of the Bayit Chadash project, which helps in a very practical way less privileged engaged and newly married couples (with a focus on empowering orphans) who simply lack the means for all that is essential for a new Jewish home. Couples we have helped in the past have found it difficult to find the right words to express their deep gratitude for this critical support.

We have great plans for upcoming issues of Yibaneh Yerushalayim. We know that it fills a genuine need and has enormous potential for making a real difference to people's lives. But if we are to continue with this project, we are compelled to appeal to the generosity of those to whom the Jewish family as the cornerstone of Torah-based Jewish life is precious.

As our publication is still new, potential advertisers - on whom we eventually will rely to meet the bulk of our publishing costs - understandably want to see that it will last and be effective before making a decision to advertise with us. Of course, this places us in a paradoxical predicament. Similarly, without basic capital, it is also difficult for a new publication like ours to attract the right calibre of sales people to solicit advertising.

With your generous support, we hope it will be possible to publish our next issue very soon even without enough advertising. Your support will also give us the resources to expand distribution of the magazine, and this will in turn help to enable us to attract more and higher-paying advertisers.

In order to make production as efficient and cost effective as possible, we will also need to invest in a computer that is able to handle the necessary graphic design software, as well as to purchase the software itself(Adobe Creative Suite) and other required accessories together. We will then manage to produce the magazine from start to finish on our own, with substantial long-term savings. In addition, we look forward to being able to update our current website making it user friendly, easy to navigate and enjoyable to use - packed with projects and information to assist our community.

Please become a partner with us in our holy work! We do feel that our modest publication could play a not insignificant role in promoting authentic Jewish values, an important aspect of which is the stability of our family life.

For those who are serious donors requiring any other information or would like to give something further to this project, please email us so that we can set up a time to talk on the phone about this very urgent Mitzvah.

If you have a service or product related to weddings in Israel and setting up a new home here, please email us for prices to purchase adspace in our next edition. If you know anyone who loves sales, please have them email us

Please note this article, as with all others on this blog, is copyrighted and may not be used without written permission of the manager of the blog. (written permission MUST be signed by the manager of the blog)

Support Group for Religious Divorced Women

Forming an empowerment/support group for English speaking religious women who are divorced, or are in the process of getting divorced.

The group will be co-facilitated by Lizzie Rubin & Esther Marcus both of whom are experienced certified family therapists.

The goals of the group are to build a stronger sense of self, to develop a more positive outlook on life, and to process the past with the goal of moving forward.

The group will be limited to 10 women and will meet weekly for three months on Wednesday evenings at 8PM at Bishvilaych- Women's Medical Center starting in November in Givat Shaul.

Fee is 200 shekels per month.

For more information, call Lizzie 054-523-1201 or Esther 052-224-7317

Lizzie Rubin is part of our the Professional Referral Service of Chessed Ve'Emet and is recommended by us as a family therapist. 

If you are a health professional or counsellor working privately in Israel, please do contact  

Chessed Ve'Emet to join our Professional Referal Service

Professional Referral Service

After receiving many requests for referrals to all manner of therapists, we have added a new service to the work that we provide through Chessed Ve'Emet. Our new service is a Professional Referral Service. 

Our most recent professional to sign up is Lizzy Rubin who is a Registered Nurse, Certified Kallah Teacher, Clinical Sociologist and Sexologist. One of Lizzy's areas of expertise is working with Jewish women who are in an abusive marriage. Lizzy has been married for many years and is a mother and grandmother. She brings wonderful life experience to her professional work, assisting Jewish women to enjoy a healthy marriage. 

If you are a health professional working privately in Israel and would like to join our Professional Referral Network, please email us to schedule and appointment. 

If you are Jewish, living in Israel and are in need of professional services to improve any area related to the Jewish home, marriage and parenting, please be in touch for an interview so that we can refer you to the appropriate therapist or other professional. 

We look forward to hearing from you.

Shoshanah Shear

Occupational Therapist, Healing Facilitator

Certified Infant Massage Instructor

Certified Kallah Teacher

Fun Way to Promote Your Business

We have decided to extend our INCREIBLE special for the 9 days too.

We have a terrific magazine with quality articles that we are eager to share. We are working on increasing the number of pages and quantity of distribution. We would love to include more small businesses in our next edition. Our magazine is focused on weddings, new Jewish homes, anythng needed for a Torah life in Israel.

The 9 days is a time for unity, co-operation and increased kindness. There is a teaching that it pays to advertise your business by enabling more Yidden to know of what you do. We invite you to join us. You let us know how much you are willing to pay and we will let you know what what the largest size advert is that we can give you. Payment MUST be received before Tisha B'Av so do hurry along to bid on your adspace.

The magazine is in full colour and on quality paper. 

We are really looking forward to hearing from you. 

If you are ready to advertise, contact us with how much you are willing to pay. Lets make this happen in a very special way. Together may we Hasten the Geulah

Email us now at chessedveemet@gmail.com

Shoshanah Shear

Local Advertising

We have a special place in our next edition of "Yibaneh Yerushalayim" that is waiting just for you.

Are you looking to increase your advertising and marketing? Are you looking for some excellent local advertising? How about some marketing ideas of ways to increase your sales?

Well, if you answer yes to any or all of these and have a business related to Kosher Jewish weddings in Israel or setting up a new home here, then you have come to the right place.

How about including a discount voucher or restaurant discount voucher (that is if your business is a restaurant - Kosher of course). How about including some discount deal or special offer?

We are happy to include car advertising, best holiday deals for those coming to Israel on holidy or honeymoon. 

What business do you have and what are you looking to promote or advertise?

If beautiful adverts are important to you and being a part of a quality publication matters, then hurry along and be a part of our new and exciting magazine. 

For those purchasing a full page or half page advert before mid-day on Thursday of this week that means 

5 July 2012, we will give you a special bonus. Contact us Today, join the fun and help to promote your business.

"Yibaneh Yerushalayim" - Our Second Edition

It's out, It's official, the second edition of our magazine "Yibaneh Yerushalayim" - May Jerusalem be Built (or re-built).

YIPPEE!! We did it, we reached Edition 2 and distribution has begun.

What does building Yerushalayim mean to you? Let us know, we'd love to hear your thoughts and possibly include them in our next or a future edition. In the meantime, we are happy to let you see what this is all about.

The first two images show the cover, both close up of title and full image, of our second edition. The cover photography and design is by Reb Eliyahu Shear and copyrighted to him, as was the most of the first cover.
 

The last two images show both editions of our magazine. Yes, the number of pages is still less than we want. Our target is 64 pages. Actually, one of our readers said she thought the number of pages is perfect as one can read every page, article and advert with ease and enjoy.

Others want more pages. What do YOU want?

Do you have a service or product related to Kosher Jewish weddings and or setting up your new home in Eretz Yisrael?

You do?!!

Great, do be in touch for rates of adspace and other info, as we'd love to add your advert too.

If you are good at sales, we need good sales people to help to sell the adspace. At present, commission based only, but LOTS of scope for progress.