Kennes Chizuk For Women- Dealing With Modern Technology

There's another Kennes Chizuk that's meant to help women face the challenges of modern technology. There will be a video message from R' Matisyahu Solomon Shlita, followed by Rebbetzin Rena Tarshish and Rebbetzin Dina Schoonmaker.

It will take place at Nevat Hall on Rechov Shmuel Hanavi 24 (near Zvhill), on Wednesday, August 29th-11 Elul, at 8:15 PM. Price at the door is 15nis, pre-purchase for 10nis. For more details click on the photo.

What challenges do women face in modern technology? I assume that a woman's biggest issue with technology is how to  properly deal with other family members consumption of modern technology, ie. husband and children.

Igloo Park: Keep The Kids Away Or Keep 'em On A Leash

After reading this weeks N'shei Ramat Eshkol email, it seems to me that we may have a repeat offender on the loose. I repost the following quote for your perusal:

PSA from a Concerned Neighbor - There is a man who is not 100% who frequents the Igloo park, saying things like "cute, cute" whenever he sees kids. He seems harmless and I don't want to cause unnecessary concern, but I wanted to let parents know that I found him at the top of the hill, in the sewer area of the Igloo park, with two boys who were around 10 years-old. He was having an arm wrestle with one of the boys and they were playing and shmoozing with him. It could be that nothing suspicious was going on, but something about them being in a very secluded area together and the way they were playing together made me feel uncomfortable.

A New Blog in Rechavia

A new blog has been started by a Rechavia community member. It's a blog aimed at keeping the local community safe from predators and molesters, somewhat similar to this one. 

The author has asked me to publicize it, so here it is, at rechavia.blogspot.com. As of now there is only one post, and I'm not sure that the site is going to write about every incident, but we'll find out soon enough.

This may be a good time to offer my (free) services. I would be glad to help anyone that would like to get a blog up and running for their local neighborhood. As long as it's safety based.

Beware of Collectors

I don't know why, but in my opinion too many people are not worried enough of the collectors that come to their door. The following  incident was posted in the N'shei Ramat Eshkol email on June 7:

Warning for our neighborhood: Last week, I answered the door for a tzedakah collector who looked like a young American Yeshiva bochur. When I gave him some money, he asked for a bracha for a shidduch. I gave him one, and he started saying very inappropriate things that made me feel uncomfortable and frightened. I quickly closed the door and locked it. I now do not answer the door for strangers if my husband is not home. Please be aware and be safe.

I am not shocked, though it's sad to hear that stories like this still happening. I personally do not let my wife open the door for collectors when I am not home. Even when I am home, I take extra precaution to open the door myself. There has always been crazy people making their rounds collecting in houses, and unfortunately it's not safe for a woman to open the door while being alone. 

Just because someone is dressed like a beggar doesn't nor shouldn't give the person automatic access to your open door. If you really think that the beggar is worthy of your money, don't open the door unless the door is chained shut with a small hole to pass money.

Mystery Solved...Local Bleachers Built for Siyum HaShas

I was wondering what all these massive bleachers I saw today were for, near our neighborhood in Givat Hatachmoshet. Apparently those bleachers being constructed are part of the preparations for one of the many Siyum HaShas events taking place, though I'm not sure which. Yeshiva World has some pics and videos if you have no idea what I'm talking about.

No News....Is Good News

I am happy to write here, that there hasn't been any incidents to report recently. This may be due to less people reporting, or it can be a sign that the rate of incidents occurring is falling. I think it is the latter.

I don't think that this blog is directly responsible for slowing down the rate of occurrences though it is probably responsible for a small downturn. What's also important is that this site is playing a big role in bringing awareness of these issues to the community.

I pray that a site of this kind will one day be completely irrelevant and unnecessary. 

Neshei Kahal Iyun Tefilah Opening Event

The Neshei Kahal Iyun Tefilah (Rav Baum's Shul), have announced an "Opening Event" for the group. It will take place this Wednesday, July 4th and will start at 8:15. Rav Baum will be speaking at 8:30 sharp. Admission is free, and the event is meant to be a get together of sorts, to bring together the community. 

The address is 8 Mishmar HaGvul, Knissa Aleph, Apartment 5, by the Gordon family. For more info call 02-502-0506 or 02-563-8870.

All-Star Lineup for Kiruv Seminar

Fast of 17 Tammuz: Sunday Afternoon July 8, 2012
At Yeshiva Ohr Somayach - Tanenbaum College
22 Shimon Hatzadik Street, Ma'alot Daphna, Jerusalem

1:00pm Rav Mendel Weinbach
1:45pm Mincha
2:30pm Rav Moshe Shapiro (ivrit)
3:30pm Rav Nota Schiller
4:15pm Rabbi Dovid Kaplan
5:00pm Rav Yitzchak Breitowitz
5:45pm Rabbi Dr. Dovid Gottlieb
6:30pm Rabbi Shmuel Bloom
7:00pm Rav Zef Leff
7:45pm Rav Moshe Lazerus
8:11pm Ma’ariv (Followed by Refreshments)

20 nis registration at the door from 12:30pm.

Space is limited. Come early to secure a seat. (Fully air-conditioned)

Woman Harassed on Paran

The following story happened to my wife. On Monday 5/28, walking on Paran near Maavar Mitla, someone that looks like an American yeshiva guy started following and harassing my wife. First, while walking towards her, he started by saying "hello" and "what's up" to her. After repeating this a couple of times, she looked around and realized that he must be talking to her.

She makes a face at him, turns around, and starts walking back to our house, while he started to make dirty and inappropriate comments. He also remarked "What you so scared about?" although it was pretty obvious why at that point. He kept on following her, she kept her pace up and didn't turn around again. She was lucky to be near our home and ended up safe.