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. 

Growth and Development

When moving to Israel, many find themselves in a new or developing area, there are naturally many challenges. Many wont mention prior to your moving in that there might not be telephone lines yet, other necessities, also might take a while to develop. However, if one takes a step back and looks at the progress, it is very exciting to be a part of building the Land of Israel.

The photographs in this post are all by Shear Success Photographers

When we first moved into the area we are currently in, the buildings opposite and next to us were still being completed. The park just opposite was also incomplete.

Here you can see some of the just started buildings and the mounds of earth.

If you look closely, you can see the lamps are not yet on the tops of the lamp posts and there is a fence surrounding this park. The fence was the Eiruv which since has been moved back quite considerably.

Here you can see that the lamp posts now have lamps and there are a few shelters to offer shade for those who wish to sit down.

In the image above you can also see the children's creativity in developing their own maze to play and cycle through.

Here you can see the development of the buildings and the green starting. This green has all been "self-sewn" ie no people had yet introduced any plants here.

During the winter, we even enjoyed the beauty and blessing of snow in the area. As you see, this was a few months prior to some shown already as the shelters were not there yet and the Eiruv was still near our apartment.

In this image you can see some young trees have been planted. A very exciting time, though I am not sure why this was not carried out at Tu B'Shvat time.

Here you can see the laborers planting grass.

Finally the buildings opposite are complete, the trees and grass are complete, now we wait to discover what will be in the center of the park.

Whatever it will be, it is certainly very heartwarming to have a visual reminder that when the Jews inhabit the Land of Israel there is growth and development.