Last update - 03:00 14/03/2008
Rank and File
S FROM DUBLIN WITH LOVE: It was a long and complicated journey from Dublin, but religious artifacts from the Adelaide Road Synagogue - where former President Chaim Herzog celebrated his bar mitzvah more than 75 years ago - have finally found a new home in Kehillat Ahavat Tzion (KAT), a Ramat Beit Shemesh synagogue. The artifacts, including the ark and the pulpit, arrived in Israel in August 2007 and after a few months in customs and several more under restoration, the congregation installed them earlier this month - though the formal rededication will take place during Passover. The Adelaide Road Synagogue, founded in 1896, merged with the Terenure congregation a decade ago due to declining numbers. Former members include the father of Irish-born Menachem Copperman, KAT's current rabbi. "This is the epitome of Jewish continuity," said Estelle Menton, who is president of the Jewish representative council of Ireland "The cherished pieces of furniture, built a century ago, have now found a new home in the Land of Israel. The circle has been closed. We couldn't be more pleased." (Daphna Berman)
S IT'S DELEGATE PICKING TIME: The Israel chapter of Democrats Abroad will help select delegates to this summer's Democratic National Convention at this weekend's Europe Middle East Africa (EMEA) Regional Caucus in Brussels. Joanne Yaron, chair of the local chapter, will participate in the meeting that starts tomorrow to determine the region's six delegates - four for Senator Barack Obama and two for Senator Hillary Clinton - to the convention in Denver, Colorado. Last month, Democrats Abroad announced Obama won its Global Primary, though Clinton took Israel by a margin of 54 percent to Obama's 45 percent. (Daphna Berman)
S CAMPING IN SILICON WADI: A technology summer camp for Jewish children from abroad billing itself as "silicon wadi for kids" will bring hundreds of children from abroad with Israeli hi-tech leaders from companies like Google and ICQ. Campers at the overnight camp, aged 10 to 18, will also visit Israeli research centers including Intel, Microsoft and Motorola. Called Ecamp, its founders claim it to be Israel's first international technology camp, using Israeli technological innovation as a bridge between Israel and the Diaspora. Founded by Nir Kouris, the camp has co-opted the participation of Shai Agassi - a former executive at the European software giant SAP - who was named the camp's 'chief scientist.' Ecamp, which includes a pair two-week sessions, is slated to begin in July and expects 300 participants. (Daphna Berman)
S ALL FOR THE KIDS: Two yeshiva students plan to hike the 950 kilometer Israel trail for children's charities both here and Malawi. Bradley Cohen of London and Jeremy Ziskind of Seattle, who study together at Aish HaTorah yeshiva in Jerusalem's Old City, will begin walking March 31st from Tel Dan near the Lebanese border, southwards for about a month and a half of trekking, with breaks only on Shabbat. The two, who will be joined by Brandon Marlon, a Canadian-Israeli actor and playwright, aim to raise some $50,000, proceeds of which will benefit Bet Hayeled, which assists children who have been removed from their homes, and the Forgotten People Fund, a charity supporting Ethiopian immigrants in Netanya and is chaired by British born Anne Silverman. Cohen previously completed the 1,200 kilometer Shikoku Island pilgrimage in Japan. He spent six years in Asia, where he taught English and studied in places like Sri Lanka, Thailand, China and India. For more information or to donate, see www.allforthekids.org. (Daphna Berman)
S ELUL'S PURIM PLOT: Elul, a pluralistic Beit Midrash based in Jerusalem, has launched a program aimed at reaching the city's English-speaking public. The introductory free program, "Costumes, Masks and Identity," which will focus on a Purim theme, begins Monday. The workshop, open to secular and religious men and women, will be lead by Yardena Cope-Yossef. The eight part series is aimed at veteran, as well as more recent immigrants, "who wish to make sense of their aliyah journey through Jewish text study and discussion," according to the organization. For more information, contact Cope-Yossef at 050-8762535 or Elul at noa@elul.org.il (Daphna Berman).
S GOING FOR BAROQUE: Two Canadian-born flutists will be featured later this month in an early music concert series, Sounds & Words from the Baroque. Genevieve Blanchard, a native of Quebec City who played for many years in the Calgary Philharmonic, and Kimberley Reine, originally of Edmonton, both live in Tel Aviv, where they specialize in the eighteenth century one-keyed wooden flute. The concert series, which will include music of Rameau, Marais and Francois Couperin, French masters of the Baroque, will kick off Monday March 24 in Maalot, followed by another performance in Tel Aviv on March 27. For more information, contact 03-6201185. (Daphna Berman)
S ABRAHAM'S JUST THIS GUY, YOU KNOW: Before Abraham became the father of Judaism, he was just "a guy living in Iraq," points out Ra'anana's U.K.-born Rabbi Daniel Beller. This is an important message according to Beller that could help inspire young minds partaking in a Jewish leadership program he recently launched at Ostrovsky High School. "The message I try to get across is that leadership is not about power, but about stepping forward and taking a stand," the rabbi told Anglo File. His leadership seminar bring experts to discuss different Jewish leaders from antiquity and is open for all. Acclaimed author and bible enthusiast Meir Shalev is scheduled to give at least one lecture later this year. For more information call Ostrovsky High at: 09-7717561. (Cnaan Liphshiz)
S HERZLIYA GOES A DIFFERENT SHADE OF GREEN: One doesn't need to be Irish to enjoy this Sunday's St. Patrick's Day celebration in Herzliya. Rhythm, by contrast, would probably help - as dancing seems quite high on the menu for this Israel-Ireland Friendship League event. The feast will feature music by the group Celtic Fusion and dancing by the award winning Irish dance group Scoil Rince Cill Easra. The event happena day before the St. Patty's so as not to clash with the Irish embassy's annual celebration. "It's a small example of the special relationship the league shares with the embassy," said league chair Malcom Gaffson. The venue is the festive marquee alongside Murphy's Irish Pub at the Marina in Herzliya Pituach. For details call: 050-8221732. (Cnaan Liphshiz)