The ETZ CHAIM YESHIVA in Jerusalem

Jerusalem's ETZ CHAIM YESHIVA located right next to the Machane Yehudah Market has a long history. I only took a few pics from the backside of the empty building but have to admit that I just love being there. Local papers claim that the place around the Yeshiva has become a slum where drug addicts gather at night. This is a pity when you consider the great history of the Yeshiva. 

The Yeshiva doesn't exist anymore and I don't even know who the owner of the building is and what his plans are.

Photos: Miriam Woelke

Volozhin and a taste of Litvishe Yeshiva History

B"H

Wołożyn Voloshin. Little town in Belarus, pre war in Poland. There was located famous yeshiva - (Talmudic seminary), founded in the early 19th century by Rabbi Chaim Volozhin. I just found on Bialystok jewish cemetery grave of Mariashe, wife of the Genius Gaon Reb Nachman Zerach Simchowicz and daughter of HaRav Moshe Fridland Frydland a biblical scholar from the Volozhin Yeshiva.... Interesting coincidence between Bialystok and Wolozhin...

Today we all know Litvishe Yeshiva / Kollel students mainly as "Black Hats". Black suits, black hats (Borsolino) and white shirts. The history of the Litvishe clothing and their Yeshivot, however, was very different from today. Especially until before the Second World War, the Litvishe wore normal hats or even straw hats in the summer. Not everyone wore a black suit and a white shirt but the clothing style represented a regular life style. 

Some time ago, I read the biography of Rabbi Yosef Chaim Sonnenfeld, who told that in his Yeshiva days, students had to look and pay for their own accomodation. Yeshivot did neither provide dorms nor food and one was lucky to find a cheap room to rent somewhere nearby. Many Yeshiva students had to take part - time jobs in order to make a living and be able to buy food. Others were starving, as times where tough.

Today, studying at any Yeshiva is very comfortable. Dorms and food are being provided and there are books for everybody. Let alone computers and surfing the Internet.

4th Yahrzeit of Mercaz Harav Terror Attack

B"H

Exactly four years ago, the Palestinian terrorist Alaa Abu Dhein walked into the Mercaz HaRav Yeshiva in Jerusalem's neighbourhood of Kiryat Moshe and gunned down eight young students sitting at the library studying holy books. Jerusalem was in shock and the local police didn't look that courageous after failing to shoot the terrorist much earlier.

Besides the Fogel massacre a year ago, we should never forget the vicious terror attack where eight young Jews lost their lives and countless ended up injured ! 

EMERGENCY CALL FROM MERCAZ HA'RAV

"Machon Me'ir" and "Ohr Sameach"

B"H 

I have started a new series on my German religious blog, as one reader asked me to define various Orthodox groups in Israel. The main difficulty for German Jews seems to be not having a clue about national religious, litvishe, chassidishe, Carlebach, modern - Orthodox and further Orthodox directions. Chabad is automatically identified with the "Meshiach stuff and Prostelyzing" whereas there seems to be a total misunderstanding regarding national religious and Haredim. 

How I started the new series explaining "Who is Who", I chose an easy example: Two famous Yeshivot in Jerusalem. Please note that both Yeshivot are for male students only ! First of all there is the national religious Yeshiva “Machon Me’ir” in Jerusalem's national religious neighbourhood Kiryat Moshe. A neighbourhood where I used to live for a couple of years. The second Yeshiva I am referring to is “Ohr Sameach” (and I don't want to listen to any brainwashing accusations concerning Ohr Sameach :-))))) .

As I used to live very close to Machon Me'ir and even knew some students, I know the Yeshiva quite a bit. Machon Me'ir as well as Ohr Sameach are both Ba'al Teshuva (newly religious) institutions but besides all kinds of ideology differences, Machon Me'ir offers conversion courses to Judaism. Ohr Sameach doesn't but there is a rather well - known Rabbi in the neighbourhood dealing with conversions. 

Machon Me'ir teaches Torah, Halachot, some Philosophy but especially the love to Eretz Israel. The Jewish connection to the land of our forefathers. It is a very Zionist Yeshiva and the students come from all over the world. Israelis, new immigrants from France, the US, South America, Russia or from the UK. The Yeshiva is quite famous in Israel but some people participating in the conversions courses told me that their dormitories are too crowded, that theft between the conversion candidates has been taking place and that potential Russian converts get drunk at night. 

Ohr Sameach is located in the haredi neighbourhood of Ma'alot Dafna: Between Mea Shearim, Sanhedria and Ramat Eshkol. I have lost some touch but I used to know some students from there. Some years ago, the Yeshiva offered Talmud classes for beginners. The policy was to attract more newcomers to sign up. Ohr Sameach which is mainly seen as more intellectual than “Aish HaTorah” in Jerusalem's Old City, thought that new students who are just finding their Jewish heritage would love to study something more advanced. Why not Talmud then instead of "AISH'S" "Free Will" programme by Rabbi Motti Berger. Ohr Sameach even offered the first year of study for free. However, I cannot say whether this is still the case. On the other hand, various Ohr Sameach students used to claim that AISH has the better food. :-))). 

Both Yeshivot accept Jews only (except for Machon Me'ir conversion course). The Machon is partly sponsored by the Jewish Agency and tuition costs are rather low: About 300 $ per month / including accommodation. For exact prices, please ask Machon Me'ir directly !

I suppose that Ohr Sameach, as most American institutions is much more expensive unless you are asking for a scholarship.

OHR SAMEACH

Machon Me'ir 

Germans in haredi Society

Seen in Jerusalem

Photo: Miriam Woelke

B”H 

Hatred towards Haredim got much worse due to the anti - haredi media reports from Israel: The vast majority of today's German population doesn't know any Jew. Not personally but from TV reports. There aren't any Haredim in the country except for Chabad (Lubavitch) and a couple of Litvaks. Do Germans see or know any Haredim in their country ? No. Even German Jewry hardly knows any Haredim beyond some Chabadnikim walking around but many of them think that this is haredi society. Whoever wants to learn about the real haredi society has to move to New York, New Jersey, London, Manchester, to Zurich or Vienna oder simply to Israel. And in those places, it is not enough to walk through haredi neighbourhoods (Example: Golders Green in London) but one has actually to become part of haredi society. 

For almost two years I went to a litvishe Yeshiva. The correct Hebrew expression would be “Michlalah”. I had already left the Yeshiva and, due to very personal reasons, distanced myself a bit from haredi society, when I got to know a young German woman living in Jerusalem. It happened, more or less, by accident that I met her. Although many of you will now tell me that there is nothing like "by accident" in this world, as everything is "Hashgacha Pratit". However, the young woman was German and had converted to Judaism. In Germany and not in Israel. 

After her conversion she moved to Israel and started studying in a certain women's Yeshiva in order to learn more about Judaism. I don't want to mention the name of the institute but I can say that it was Litvish. I myself went there for a few days but decided that it wasn't for me. Not the mentality and my desire was getting into higher Jewish studies such as Gemara. That particular Yeshiva didn't offer any talmudic studies and eventually I ended up in a different institute but also run by Litvaks. 

Israel's haredi world doesn't only consist of ultra - Orthodox Jews being born in the country. On the contratry, as many Haredim have moved to Israel from abroad. Many have officially made Aliyah with "Nefesh be’Nefesh”. Haredim from the United States, Canada (especially from Toronto), South Africa, Britain or Australia. Generally speaking, there is a difference between those Haredim being born and raised in Israel and those coming from the Diaspora. Some may get the idea that Diaspora Jews moving to Israel are more modern and haredi "light". Even Israeli Haredim consider Diaspora Haredim not as strict and traditional as them. Example: The Israeli girl's school Beit Yaakov differs a lot from those in London or New York. 

The differences between those two haredi groups also influence the Shidduch business, as you can surely imagine and, many times, it is an issue. On the other hand, I have faced plenty of situations where Diaspora Haredim where less tolerant than their Israeli counterparts. Not to forget mentioning the difference between "born Haredim" and the "newly religious Ba'alei Teshuva". But I am going to write about those conflicts later on. 

Coming back to the young woman: I was quite amazed when I realized that she had turned into an American copy. Usually Jews moving to Israel turn into Israelis. At least those who make an effort of being part of Israeli society including speaking Hebrew. This young woman, however, became American in Israel. Not a US citizen but her mentality, way of living and expressing herself. Of course, her Yeshiva was the main reason for the transformation. The institute offers programmes in English, Hebrew and, as far as I know, also in French and Spanish. The young woman participated in the English programme and lived with Americans in the dorm rooms. 

As life goes on, a member of haredi society needs a spouse and thus, the Shidduch process is taking place. The young woman is looking for a marriage partner and, as I assume, it should be an American Litvak living in Israel. However, as a German convert joining haredi society, it isn't that easy finding a American Haredi Shidduch. Why ? Because haredi society as a whole has neither forgiven nor forgotten the Holocaust. Meaning that the grandparents of the German convert may have voted for Hitler or somehoe interacted in with the Nazi regime. Let alone of being an SS - member. By the way, I heard that a descendant of Heinrich Himmler married an American Jew. The son on Holocaust survivors. 

The Germans have murdered several 100,000 Jews during the Holocaust and after the War was over, many Eastern European and German Jews not only moved to Palestine (Israel) but to the United States. Especially to New York. They escaped the Nazi terror and gas chambers and suddenly their grandchild is walking in with a German Shidduch ? 

Actually there are other ways of getting to know Haredim and people don't only marry because a Shadchan or Shadchanit is introducing them. Other ways may not be so accepted but they do exist. For instance: A couple may meet on a bus or at a family celebration with friends. Or may be introduced by friends. Furthermore, Haredim of Sephardi origin don't necessarily have the Holocaust history in their family although many Sephardic Jews got killed when the German General Erwin Rommel invaded the northern countries of Africa.

Parashat Vayigash: "The Jewish Task in Galut"

Yeshiva in Bnei Brak

Photo: Miriam Woelke

B"H

This week's Torah reading is Parashat Vayigash. Yehudah approaches Yosef (Vayigash elav Yehudah). Yehudah is the only one of the brothers confronting Yosef and making a point. 

Chassidic commentaries ask the question why the Torah doesn't make it clear that Yehudah is really approaching Yosef, as it only says that he approaches HIM. Who is HIM ? When you read a bit further you know that it is Yosef he approaches. However, there are commentaries, e.g. the Sefat Emet or Rabbi Elimelech of Lejansk, stating that Yehudah is also getting closer to G - d. He is trying to protect his brother Benjamin and puts the material world aside. Yehudah uses his emotions without loosing any tact towards the Egyptian viceroy Yosef. Just like a Zaddik (righteous person) should stand before G - d.

In Parashat Vayigash we see how the Jews (then Yaakov's family) is slowly moving into Galut (Diaspora). G - d has a special plan and Jewish literature is providing answers why we have to live outside Israel. The Jewish Kabbalah teaches us about sparks (Nitzozot), the fallen sparks during the creation process. G - d's plan was to give mankind free will and thus He had to withdraw during the creation process in order not to create an entirely perfect world. If G - d had created a perfect world, we could not have any free will but behave in a perfect sense. However, our task as Jews is to perfect this world by doing Mitzvot, pray, giving Zedakah, etc. 

The so - called sparks can be found all over the world. Nevertheless, don't take this concept literally and start digging out fallen sparks.:-) This is simply a symbolic kabbalistic concept developed by Rabbi Yitzchak Luria (the ARIZAL) ! What the concept means is that we have to elevate those sparks in order to perfect the world. For instance, by saying a blessing over food. After elevating everything, Meshiach will come. However, the Talmud Tractate Sanhedrin lists us further varieties how Meshiach is going to come. 

What fascinates me about this Parasha is Yehudah speaking up and Jews being send to Galut. I like people standing up for their rights and ideas. As someone growing up in the Diaspora I know what it means living outside Israel. American Jewry as well as the English may have a much more convenient Diaspora life, as I had in Germany. Although Chabad has become a large institution in Germany, it is still hard finding kosher food. Finding the right Synagogue, as there are too many Reform communities. And even if you are part of an Orthodox community, one needs to go according to their German rules and doesn't have a choice by looking for another community. 

I do not envy Yosef and the rest of his family moving down to Egypt. They already knew that living in Israel (then Canaan) is not that easy but from my point of view it is worth living here. But this was G - d's plan and one of the reasosn why the Jews had to move there was the task of picking up sparks. Elevating the negative into something positive. Commentators tell us that there aren't any sparks left in Egypt, as Moshe and the Israelites had collected them all. 

South Korean Film Team at the Ponevezh Yeshiva

B”H

A film team from South Korea was visiting the famous PONEVEZH Yeshiva in Bnei Brak. The South Koreans were investigating an interesting thought: Why are many Jews so intelligent ? Just look at the high amount of Noble Price winners. Thus, the answer must have its roots in the history of Talmud study. 

It is true that Talmud study is anything but easy and it always drives me mad myself when, after a couple of minutes, a former question ends up in another new ten questions.

Ponevezh is located in Bnei Brak near Tel Aviv and is considered a posh Yeshiva. Your father shouldbe a well respected Rabbi and you should have a great reputation. Otherwise you will not get accepted there. Moreover, Ponevezh is a kind of conservative, meaning that the students don't go to watch movies or destroy their reputation in any way.

The result of Talmud study should be that the student is changing his life in a positive way !

"Loneliness" or The "Being Invited" Holiday Pressure

B”H 

Especially before Pessach and Rosh Hashana, the holiday pressure reaches its peak. When saying this, I am only referring to ISRAEL, simply as I don’t know about other places in the world. 

In the secular world, neighbours, friends and even the press give people a feeling of doing something for the Pessach Seder as well as for the first night of Rosh Hashana. Then, according your ebvironment, you need a family in order to be invited. If not, so, at least, go away. Either travel abroad or stay at an Israeli hotel. Thus, it doesn’t come as a surprise that the suicide rate is much higher on those two days because lonely people feel their painful situation. 

I was talking to someone the day before yesterday but cannot remember how we got to the subject. Anyway, he suddenly said: “Do you see all those people here ? Over there, the family with the three kids. They are all people no one wanted for the holiday. This is why they are here in Tel Aviv”. 

Right away I knew that the person saying this was 100% correct. It is very sad but realistic. 

Let’s say you are a new immigrant without a family in Israel; where are you going to spend the Pessach Seder or the first night on Rosh Hashana ? No one is inviting you and you end up thinking about spending the high holidays alone at home while everyone else is sitting together with his family ? But, let me tell you, it doesn’t only concern new immigrants but many many Israelis too. No matter if singles or families. 

I have always had the attitude of “arranging something on my own” but others are desperate for sitting with a family. I, on the other hand, like being alone sometimes and I am not desperate for sitting with other people. In particular, Yeshiva students are looking for places with friends or families. I have been through all this and what I found out where two things: First of all, many families don’t really want guests when a Yeshiva is calling up and asking whether they can send some students over. In fact, a former friend of mine told me, that she went to a family with another two or three Yeshiva girls and the family showed its dislike. They had just agreed taking the girls as a kind of Mitzvah but nothing more. 

The second thing I learnt is that from a certain age, you are expected either to have your own family or make arrangements on your own. In your own home. I a kind of did it this Rosh Hashana and it was the best celebration I have ever had. No pressure with finding a place but just a small celebration with a very few people. All arranged due to our own efforts. Neither depending on anyone nor sitting with strangers I don’t really know. 

My personal opinion is that constantly sitting with other people shows your dependency on others. Instead of taking your own initiative, you are running after others and, many times, you don’t even realize that you are going on their nerves. 

Live your own life and arrange your own holiday celebrations ! No matter how much or less money you have but don’t depend on others and try pleasing them because you are so desperate. If you are desperate, then you are lonely, without self - esteem and this is very sad.

Yeshiva Students have to go to bed early

B”H 

Jerusalem's Municipality is planning a new law and when you take a quick look, you may get the wrong impression. The haredi council member Yossi Deutsch suggested that local restaurants and shops must close at 11pm.

Sounds like Jerusalem is going to turn into a village !

However, the snag is that Deutsch is only talking about restaurants and shops in or near haredi areas and NOT about the secular parts of town. His intention is to get all those young haredi Yeshiva guys out of bars and restaurants where they sit for hours watching TV. 

Yossi Deutsch is right and for many years, plenty of young Yeshiva students (Israelis as well as those from abroad) have been looking for entertainment in the evening hours. For instance, in downtown Jerusalem, Jaffa Road. Boreka bars or further snack bars. Every place with a TV is highly welcomed. The Yeshiva guys watch the news, soccer or movies of all kinds. They don't really bother but the Municipality claims to received hundreds of letters complaining about the noise. The neighbours of those places freak. Especially when those neighbours are haredi.

On the other hand, I don't think that a person's life should be limited in such a way !

I don't really understand the story, as many Yeshiva guys find their TV set at places in and around Jaffa Road. A secular area which is not supposed to shut its gates at 11pm. How is Yossi Deutsch going to interfere in this particular area ? Even if places near haredi areas have to close earlier, the students will search for other places with a TV. Internet Cafes or elsewhere in town.

In the haredi Ge'ulah neighbourhood in Jerusalem. I took the picture randomly and it has nothing to do with the above subject !

Photo: Miriam Woelke

A Virtual Look into a YESHIVA

B"H

A great virtual look into a Yeshiva

http://vt.panovision.co.il/rabbi_flayshman_colel/virtual_tour.html

Yeshiva Students on FACEBOOK

B"H

Several Yeshivot in Bnei Brak and Modi'in Illit (Kiryat Sefer) threw out those of their Talmidim (students) who hold a Facebook account.

I am not surprised, as I see it myself. Plenty of chassidic or litvish looking guys are on Facebook and accept women and Gentiles as their friends. Their talks (messages) are not only about religion but also about pop music and very worldly matters.

If I was a Chassid I would only be on Facebook if I had a business or was a writer. Thus, for PR purposes. The same with haredi organizations depending on donations or trying to do some serious Jewish outreach.

What I find interesting is that many Ba'al Teshuva Haredim have a Facebook account and it looks to me as if they haven't said goodbye to their former lifestyle yet.:-)))

Just a thought !

I am just wondering whether those Yeshivot would accept FACEGLAT - The kosher social Network ...

Yeshiva Pressure

Photo: Miriam Woelke

B"H

Although more than ten years have passed, my life still depends on the same kind of thoughts !

A poetry I wrote eight years ago:

Once upon a time, I was a yeshiva student.

A student of a well - known

religious haredi school.

I hated this school.

I loved this school.

We had a firm schedule.

Studying in the late afternoons and

in the evenings.

Torah, Talmud and Jewish law.

I hated the classes.

I loved the classes.

The pressure was enormous.

To dress modestly.

To behaved appropriate.

To pray.

To think.

I hated the pressure.

I loved the pressure.

One day I had a nervous breakdown.

Caused by the pressure.

Pressure I put upon myself.

Now I have a free life.

Nevertheless, sometimes

I hate it and sometimes I

love it.

Lecturing Judaism

My Parashat HaShavua (Torah Portion) Preparation

Photo: Miriam Woelke

B"H

I am a person who has always been sitting down with books. As a matter of fact, I grew up with books and nothing has changed until today. However, for the past 14, 15 years, I have almost exclusively studied "Sifrei Koidesh - Jewish Religious Books". Gemara in a professional litvishe women's seminary and some courses at Bar Ilan University. I have participated in an academic university course about "Jewish Symbolism" but I have remained a Yeshiva person. I am not at all into Chavrutah but going to lectures of great Rabbis and sometimes university professors. I love it when the lecturers are professional and really know their field ! In other words, I am not wasting my time with people lecturing who actually know nothing and will always remain Internet Content Thieves as well as Wikipedia Fans.

Once I went to a lecture of such a person at the "Orthodox Union" in Jerusalem. A lecturer quite known in the modern "Orthodox" Anglo world. Whatever the person said sounded interesting although the person concentrated on many subjects at the same time. As a scholar or student in Judaism, you cannot do this but limit your research. However, some people don't even bother with research.

There were some subjects this particular lecturer mentioned and I became interested. As I always do, I got the right books in order to find out more. To my regret, I realized that he had made some vital mistakes. One huge mistake regarding the false Meshiach Shabtai Zvi and I noticed that this mistake has its roots in a Wikipedia site. Since, I am not too excited anymore about going to "any" class but choose lecturers according to their knowledge, background and amount of research. There are plenty of people lecturing and trying to sell any subject but do they really have a clue about what they are talking ?

I also think that certain specific information should not be published but remain within a small circle. After all those years of study, I have topics which I wouldn't publish and even if, only parts of it.

American Yeshiva Students in Jerusalem and their Drug Abuse

Last Simchat Beit HaShoeva in Mea Shearim: Drunk American Yeshiva students yelling out of a window in Mea Shearim. 

All Photos Here !

 

B"H

"Hi, my name is Jacob, in Hebrew Yaakov, and I originally come from Boca Raton / Florida. Now I study at Ohr Sameach (a litvishe Yeshiva in Jerusalem) and this changed my life. Back in Boca Raton, I used to be a drug addict and was hanging around with really bad people. My parents sent me to Ohr Sameach and now I have discovered my Jewish heritage and that life offers so much more than drugs. I don't need any drugs anymore but have Torah !"

I heard this speech of a young guy in his early twenties a three or four years ago. Everyone hearing it was impressed. Forget about AISH and Ohr Sameach doing a bit of brainwashing but this guy getting away from drugs ... wow. What a story !

Only a few months later, a friend of mine and I saw the saw guy running and screaming around near Mea Shearim. Drugged again and this was the last time we saw him. Maybe Ohr Sameach kicked him out and Yaakov is back in Boca Raton where his parents have to deal with him again.

Drug problems are nothing new in Israeli Yeshivot and it is well - known that especially American youngsters studying in Israel either deal with drugs, use them or both. Not every student and I am not generalizing but many. Today almost every Israeli Yeshiva has a drug advisor or social worker. Especially since the deadly incident some years back where a young Anglo student studying in Telshe Stone (near Jerusalem) died of an overdose.

Unfortunately, many American, South African, Australian or British parents have the idea that by sending their looser children to Israel, they are getting rid of the problem. Kids using drugs at home will continue doing so  elsewhere. The same with violent kids and those getting drunk all the time. However, plenty of parents think that a Yeshiva should deal with the child and maybe the looser child turns into a normal person being able to deal to live his life. 

Those parents choose the easy way out and push all responsibility over to the Yeshiva, the Israeli police and social workers instead of dealing with the problem at home. No one is getting sober in a Yeshiva programme but only disturbing other or even trying to get others into trouble. Parents, in particular the ones with money, obviously don't see it this way and just want the kid out of the house. Even better, send the child as far away as possible. 

The results we see in Jerusalem and it doesn't matter if it is MIR, AISH or OHR SAMEACH. Young students with problems at home will always carry their problems with them and suddenly Israel has to deal with them. A very easy way of life until the kiddies are being thrown out and sent back to where they came from.

AISH HATORAH is washing your Brain ?

Seen in Jerusalem

Photo: Miriam Woelke

B”H

A secular Israeli colleague of mine keeps on teasing me with my religious knowledge. Now she met this young American who is studying at the beginner’s programme of the AISH HATORAH Yeshiva in Jerusalem. Actually he doesn’t seem to know himself whether he wants to stay at AISH or leave. Sometimes he escapes to Tel Aviv and then he changes his mind and runs back to Jerusalem.

My colleague asked me several times whether AISH is brainwashing its students. I know that there are different opinions going around about the AISH policy and if the programme is still the same Rabbi Noah Weinberg z"l once introduced.

My colleague, although female, went to Jerusalem and spoke to some of the students. However, she wasn’t convinced and still thought that AISH may brainwash her friend. I told her that it is everyone’s choice whether he wants to study at AISH or not. Every student has a free choice and if he doesn’t like it or doesn’t want to get involved, he is free to leave.

On the other hand, once a guy enters the real AISH programme in Jerusalem, he may be forced to wear a white shirt, black pants and a black litvishe hat after a while. Still in the beginner’s Essential Programme, you can do whatever you want and no one makes a comment on your Bob Marley Rasta look or your jeans. Things change when you stay longer and become a real student. Then the pressure starts and the Rabbi’s may push you into a certain direction. However, not only AISH is following this kind of policy but also other Yeshivot. 

________________________________

Links:

Criticism on AISH HATORAH

Danielle Kubes: "You've been Aish'd"

AISH answering Danielle Kubes

The Belz Yeshiva in Nachlaot / Jerusalem

Photo: Miriam Woelke

Rabbi Me'ir Schuster Update

B"H

Many readers have asked me about an update on Rabbi Me'ir Schuster who is very ill. 

Here is an update:

http://www.rebmeirschuster.org/

News Update: Two Minors arrested and a new fire near Jerusalem

B"H

Most fingers are pointing at Israel's Minister of the Interior, Eli Yishai (Sephardi - haredi SHASS Party). Yishai and his party keep on demanding money for Yeshivot but totally ignore the rest of the population. For instance, the litvishe MIR Yeshiva and Jerusalem received a government budget of 50 million Shekels (approx. 13 million Dollar). All kinds of Israeli website reported this news about two weeks ago and I was asking myself for what the MIR Yeshiva needs such a budget. The highest budget in the country and more than any education programme, sports club or culture institutions. Fifty million Shekels for some guys sitting around the whole day and who have no interest in the State of Israel ?

People are now asking why Yeshivot receive such a high budget and the fire department doesn't. If it had been the other way around, the fire catastrophe on Mount Carmel could have been avoided. It makes people angry when a bunch of guys from a closed society who don't contribute anything to the country receive the highest budget. I may sound like a secular but the truth is, it is a disgrace that everybody else in this country has to get along with less money than the MIR Yeshiva.

About twenty planes were throwing water and chemicals into the flames in order to get the fire under control. Even planes from Turkey. A huge Russian plane was appreciated and admired most. 12,000 Liter water can be stored inside this gigantic Russian plane but what we really need is American and maybe Canadian experience.

Inhabitants of certain villages on the Carmel are allowed to return to their homes. However, Kibbutz Beit Oren and the artists village Ein Hod were suffering a lot and houses were destroyed by the fire.

Two minors from the Druse village Osfiya got arrested. Originally the fire started near Osfiya and reports state that the minors were neglecting a lit fire. However, many fires were lit in the area. Mostly by Arabs in order to cause a bigger fire. The same happened near Jerusalem today.

Terrorist leader Hassan Nasrallah was celebrating the fourty dead prison wards and a Palestinian village was celebrating as well.

Now the planes have stopped working until tomorrow morning. Darkness has come and thus the planes are unable to fly.

The fire is still not under control but the fire department is optimistic.

Rapper Shyne goes Haredi

 B"H

I admit that I am not into any Rap at all and that I have never heard about a black American Rapper called Shyne before. The secular Israeli press is making a big fuss about him because he became a Baal Teshuva. In the morning he is studying Gemara at a Jerusalem Belz Yeshiva and in the evening he continues to rap. Today the Israeli daily "Yediot Acharonot" publishes a huge article showing Shyne in Belzer clothes. He even wears the black socks and shoes without laces. Totally Belz and only the colour of his skin shows that he is different. 

Yediot's English website Ynet, however, shows Shyne in old Yerushalmi Yishuv clothes, and I assume that Shyne is undergoing some typical Baalei Teshuva transformations. I know many male Baalei Teshuva from abroad who constantly change his haredi dressing including their Rebbe. Usually they start with Breslov but then move to an extreme group of the Edah HaCharedit. After some time they are fed up, try Belz or a bit Boyan, come back to Breslov and then start all over again. In fact, there are haredi Baalei Teshuva from aborad with an whole collection of different hats. Sometimes the collection even includes a litvishe hat. 

Honestly this behavour is driving me nuts. Why can't people make up their mind and try chassidic directions without instantly changing their clothes. I can learn in Belz, Boyan, litvish or even in Toldot Aharon without changing my entire life including my clothes right away. Obviously those Baalei Teshuva freaking out need the new clothes for their own feeling of being accepted. Being part of the group although they are not and without having studied Shabbat Halachot. 

If it doesn't work out, they switch to somewhere else and buy new clothes. 

Rapper Shyne is another example and we will see how many hats he is going to collect.

Shyne wearing old Yerushalmi clothes.

The Neve Bitch

B"H

Jerusalem consists of people from all over the world. It is not always easy to get along due to all these different mentalities.

One large group you cannot overlook anymore are the newly religious girls from abroad coming to Jerusalem for one year and studying Yiddishkeit at frum seminaries. One of the biggest seminaries is "Neve Yerushalaim" in the ultra - orthodox Har Nof neighbourhood. Neve Yerushalaim doesn't do much advertising for its several programmes but works due to mouth to mouth advertising. Neve girls recommend it to their friends and so on.

No doubt, one has to be the type for Neve. I was once studying at the Mechinah (preparation course) for three days and fell asleep. It wasn't my cup of tea. Not only because they didn't teach Gemara to girls but also many girls turned out to be real bitches. I have no idea if this had been the case before they entered Neve or whether they had only developed such a messed up mentality while studying there.

To make it clear: Not every Neve girl is like that and their programmes in Hebrew, Russian and French are very different to begin with. However, Anglo Neve Baalei Teshuva can turn out nasty. If you don't function, as you have been taught by your teachers, other girls don't hesitate turning you in. Even when you mention that there exist also other opinions on this and that subject.

Until today, I keep on meeting many Neve girls (I am sooo glad to be here) and those drop - outs who hated it and left (I am still recovering). If I had a daughter and she came home with the plan to study at Neve, I would jump up the roof. First of all, young adults should have different choices in their frum directions but what the English courses at Neve don't offer is using your brain too much. Of course, Neve Yerushalaim does offer academic classes but on what level ?

It is hard to describe the Neve mentality. Friends told me that it doesn't matter too much anyway. Why using a brain when you get married off to another Baal Teshuva who is probably not much smarter (not because he is a BT but in general). Why bother with a Neve girl who likes this way of life ?

I don't bother but still think it is funny when other frum seminaries in Har Hof tell their students: "We are not at Neve here where girls don't use a brain".