Daytime Theft: Luggage Stolen

There was a theft reported in the N'shei Ramat Eshkol email. I am reposting to notify others to be careful and aware, while possibly finding the culprit:

My sisters hand luggage was stolen outside their apartment on Ramat HaGolan. If any one saw any suspicious people walking around or know of anyone with a surveillance camera near Ramat Hagolan 37 please call or email me-slehrfield@gmail.com 054-846-5467

Parshas Shoftim

6:37 - Candle Lighting
7:17 - Shkia
7:49 - Motzei Shabbos
8:28 - Rabbenu Tam
-Have a Good Shabbos!

The Rebellious Son and the Fundamentals of Education By Rabbi Zev Leff
When you go out to war against your enemy and you see horses and chariots, an army greater than you, do not fear them, for Hashem your G-d, Who took you out of Egypt, is with you. (Devarim 20:1).

How can we possibly expect to achieve such a high level that we do not fear when we go into battle? Even Moshe fled in terror when his rod was transformed into a snake. Yet if the Torah commands us not to fear the impending battle, it must be something within the capability of every Jew.

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.

Pervert Attempts to Snatch Child Near Shmuel HaNavi

A reader "M", sent us this near-frightening story that he'd like to share with others: 

For illustration purposes only

Today my son was riding his bike near Tzomet Bar Ilan, a little past the bus stop going towards Ramat Eshkol. A tanned man with dark hair, a white t-shirt, and navy shorts with white racer stripes, approached him. 

He grabbed onto my son and says, "Let me ride your bike, cutie, to my house". My kid in all his innocence asked the man "Why?". The man eventually got cold feet, as he ended up running away to the other side of Shmuel Hanavi street, while my lucky kid rode home to safety.

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)