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.

Kashrus of Catered Events

The following is from Yechiel Spira of Jerusalem Kosher News: Regular followers of JKN are aware that on a number of occasions I have addressed the issues that may arise regarding catered affairs. All too often we make the incorrect assumption that an event is “badatz” when in actuality this is not so. In actuality, many affairs lack any kashrus supervision. Simply stated, too many of us lack the awareness that a problem may exist.

Baruch Hashem, a number of English-speaking rabbis in Israel have undertaken to (1) increase awareness, (2) set a standard for their respective congregations, and (3) encourage caterers to comply with the desires of communities towards enjoying catered events with valid kashrut certification.

The letter, which was written, signed and distributed by the Rabbonim, is viewable by clicking the image above.

Shabbos Matos-Massei

7:08 - Candle Lighting
7:48 - Shkia
8:24 - Motzei Shabbos
9:00 - Rabbenu Tam
-Have a Good Shabbos!

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. 

Shabbos Pinchos

7:11 - Candle Lighting
7:51 - Shkia
8:28 - Motzei Shabbos
9:03 - Rabbenu Tam
-Have a Good Shabbos!

The Miracle Recovery of R' Rephael Shmulevitz

I don't usually post non-Ramat Eshkol articles, but this story definitely deserves attention. 

The Rosh Yeshiva of Mir, Rav Rephael Shmulevitz has been cured from one of the rarest, incurable, fatal diseases in the world. The disease is ALS, also known as Lou Gherigs disease, which until now had no cure to even just halt its progress. This past month though, not only has the Rosh Yeshiva's disease stopped progressing, he actually is starting to return to regular health. Amazingly, he is the first person in the world to be cured from ALS. He isn't at 100% yet, but the turnaround so far is nothing short of miraculous.

Shabbos Balak

7:13 - Candle Lighting
7:53 - Shkia
8:30 - Motzei Shabbos
9:06 - Rabbenu Tam
-Have a Good Shabbos!

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)

Shabbos Chukas

7:13 - Candle Lighting
7:53 - Shkia
8:31 - Motzei Shabbos
9:06 - Rabbenu Tam
-Have a Good Shabbos!

English Siyum HaShas Controversy

Two organizations, two separate events, two different dates, one venue, one English speaking crowd, and one Siyum HaShas. 

In celebration of the 12th Siyum HaShas, there will a matchup of organizations competing for the English speaking crowd. First up, on Tuesday, 12 Av/July 29th, Dirshu will host an event held in Binyanei Ha’uma. Though, just five days later, another Siyum HaShas is being planned and hosted by Kollel Iyun Hadaf; and where else does it take place if not for Binyanei Ha'uma?

To me it seems rather perplexing that the events weren't combined into one. After all, how many English speakers will be around this summer to attend? More so, it is quite decieving that Dirshu is advertising its Siyum as "the major event for English speakers", forcing the KIH to recently advertise its own Siyum as "The Original English Siyum HaShas in Yerushalayim".

Readers Write-In/Suspicious Man On Paran

(For illustration purposes only)

(Editors note: The following was emailed to us by one of this blog's readers.)

This afternoon, I saw a man on the Paran shopping strip acting in a suspicious manner. He was dressed like he was religious, with a beard and a cap. He was hanging out near the candy store for a bit, not doing anything in particular. I felt uneasy because he was near my young child, so we went down the block to look at merchandise outside a different store. 

About 10 minutes later, he appeared in front of that store and picked up something from the floor, passed near my kid, then acted like he was browsing through their wares...not really doing much besides looking busy. He hung around there for some time, while I watched him and my kid carefully. He finally went back the way he had come. I did not see him do anything wrong, but feel that parents should be extra vigilant in busy areas such as in front of those stores.

Signed, 
Anonymous

Bus Line Changes

New Bus Map (click to enlarge)

Yeshiva World reported today that many bus lines are going to change on June 29th. One of the main changes is that there will be 220 less busses a day passing Rechov Agripas. This is because Agripas, traffic wise, is the worst street to be on, ever since the light rail tracks began being built on Rechov Yaffo. On the official website, there is a map of all the upcoming changes. Affecting us Ramat Eshkol'ers, the 4/4A, 25, and 45 will all undergo changes. The 4/4A will now also stop at the Givat Ha'Mivtar Train Station. The 25 and 45 will now travel Betzalel and Eliyash to Ha'nevi'im towards Levi Eshkol, instead of traveling through Agripas to Ha'Nevi'im. 

There a couple new lines that will be serving Ramat Eshkol. The 40 will make its way from Levi Eshkol towards Bar Ilan and then Golda Meir, thereby being the first bus to take that route. The 52 will go through Ma'avar Mitla and Yam Suf and make its way though Ezrat Torah, Sorotzkin, Givat Shaul and eventually Har Nof. 

Also newsworthy, the 2, 9A, 10, 15/15A bus lines will all be cancelled.

Shabbos Korach

7:13 - Candle Lighting
7:53 - Shkia
8:31 - Motzei Shabbos
9:06 - Rabbenu Tam
-Have a Good Shabbos!

Kids Being Targeted All Over Jerusalem

The following was reported on Kikar HaShabbat and translated by YWN: 

Residents of the Jerusalem neighborhoods of Maalot Daphna, Shmuel HaNavi, Golda Meir and Arzei HaBira (ed. note: also Ramat Eshkol) are concerned over attacks against children in those communities, Kikar Shabbat reports that a small girl in a playground (ed. note: playgrounds seem to be abusers' favorite place to work) in Arzei HaBira was targeted on Monday, 28 Sivan 5772 as she entered a closed slide. It appears the attacker, dressed in chareidi clothing, was waiting inside. M, a female resident of the community saw the girl crying her heart out explaining “At first none of us understood what was going on. A bit later she explained that she entered the slide and was attacked by a man there, a strange man.” 

Residents explain this is another attack in the community and they are more than a bit concerned. They are not sitting around waiting for miracles, and they have begun by posting announcements to increase awareness and hoping to obtain information that may lead to his apprehension. P, a resident of Maalot Daphna was a witness to such an attack a number of weeks ago. “I saw a chareidi male attacked by residents. It appears he tried to attack a child. He was spotted and they ran after him”. The perpetrator managed to flee and remains at large at this time.