In memory of Rabbanit Tzfia Goren ע״ה, a visionary and a great leader 2008-06-16 00:00:00

The Emunah women’s movement suffered a tremendous loss upon the passing of one it its founding leaders, Rabbanit Tzfia Goren, who passed away in Israel on Friday, May 30th, at the age of 82. She was the wife of Rabbi Shlomo Goren, a leader in the national-religious movement and one of Israel’s Chief Rabbis. Emunah published a eulogy remembering her as a leader in education and a woman with outstanding character. “Rabbanit Goren was an exemplary woman, in both her community activism and her special personality, who made a major contribution to the Jewish people, and to the State,”said Liora Minka, Chairman of Emunah-Israel. Rabbanit Tzfia Goren was born in Jerusalem in 1925. She was the daughter of the famed Rabbi David Hacohen the Nazir, and Rabbanit Sarah Hacohen, who was among the founders of OMEN women’s Mizrachi in Jerusalem. Rabbanit Goren studied to become a teacher at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and it is there that she met her future husband, Rav Shlomo Goren. The couple were married in 1945 in Jerusalem. When her husband was appointed the chief Rabbi of the IDF, Rabbanit Goren moved with him to Tel Aviv, where they lived for the next 23 years. Rabbi Shlomo Goren was on hand during the capture of East Jerusalem on June 7, 1967, and in what was a defining moment of the war, blew a shofar and carried a Torah scroll during the first Jewish prayer session at the Western Wall since 1948. Throughout the years that her husband was in this post, and then later as the Chief Rabbi of Israel, Rabbanit Goren stood by his side and her home was always open to everyone who sought guidance and advice. From a young age, Rabbanit Goren was involved in OMEN women’s Mizrachi, which later became Emunah. She was instrumental in Emunah’s foundation and leadership, eventually becoming the president of the organization, one of her many leadership roles in Emunah over the course of decades. Rabbanit Goren is survived by three children, 9 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. "A woman has passed away who was a noble and virtuous educator. Rabbanit Goren radiated tranquility and good spirit. She expressed par excellence the combination of loyalty to Torah and Mitzvot with a deep commitment to society and the State. Emunah will greatly miss one of its most outstanding leaders who paved a way and set standards of justice and integrity in our public life" stated Liora Minka, in her eulogy.

Children in EMUNAH Western Negev Nurseries Reeling from Barrage of Rocket Fire 2008-05-22 00:00:00

Written by Rita Goldstone It is a role that small children should not have to assume; bellwether of the state of the Jewish State. Each day children in the Western Negev stand on the front line, a symbol of Israel’s security and of the nation’s determination not to succumb to terror. Acting on orders of the Ministry of Defense, for the past 8 months the children from the EMUNAH Kfar Maimon Day Care Center have been housed in a local yeshiva. This building, ill-equipped for little children, is their shelter while the entire modern EMUNAH Day Care Center building is reinforced to withstand all rocket attacks. This town, only 6 km from Gaza, has been living in constant fear of kassam rockets. Most of the residents rely on the EMUNAH Day Care Center to provide their children with safe and secure day care while they work, trying to survive the difficult emotional and economic challenges they are facing. Last week there was a direct hit on Moshav Bet Hagedi, adjacent to Kfar Maimon. In what has become a tragic routine, the terrorized children were rushed to the yeshiva shelter. The caregivers have a brief 15 seconds to get the children, some as young as 3 months of age, from any unsecure part of the building to safety. It is a harrowing experience, and the young children are exhibiting the effects of trauma. The problems are only getting worse throughout the Western Negev. Having “upgraded” to Grad missiles, Hamas has been firing these larger, longer range missiles toward Ashkelon. Recently, one hit the shopping center in Ashkelon with tragic results. The area is also threateningly close to one of the two EMUNAH Ashkelon Day Care Centers. In the recently opened EMUNAH Crisis and Intervention Center in Sderot, Tami Beck, the center’s director, related that last week, while she was leading a support group for victims of terror, a kassam rocket fell nearby, cutting off the power in the Center. “The group sat in the dark. Some were hysterical, but all took strength one from the other,” recalls Tami. “It is eerie to be treating trauma victims while the cause of the trauma is literally at your door.” Ten EMUNAH facilities, located in the Western Negev, are facing the danger of rocket attacks; The Crisis and Intervention Center in Sderot, two EMUNAH Day Care Centers and a Counseling Center in Ashkelon, the Kfar Maimon Day Care Center, EMUNAH Day Care Center and Family Counseling Center in Netivot, Counselling Center and Community Center in Netivot, and the EMUNAH Day Care Center in Sdot Negev. In constant contact with the Home Front authorities, EMUNAH staff is acting on official orders, adding personnel, safeguards, and emergency equipment and supplies. The staff has expressed the urgent need for an additional 8 social workers, a full-time child psychologist for the day care children, help to refurbish shelters and to bring them up to the new safety standards, (previously there was a 3-minute warning period before a rocket hit; this has been reduced to 15 seconds), additional games and toys for the children in the shelters, and funds for more psychological counseling for families. Each time a code red sounds, there is a child who becomes the standard bearer for the resilience of the citizens of Israel. And while EMUNAH is determined to make life just a little easier, a little less traumatic, the organization can only be as effective as the support it is given by the Jewish people throughout the world. “In light of the terrible situation in the Western Negev, EMUNAH Israel is asking for help to assist the children and families in the southern part of the country,” stated Liora Minka, Chairman of EMUNAH Israel. If anyone would like to help the families by contributing to the EMUNAH Western Negev emergency campaign, please call EMUNAH at 212-564-9045 ext 303.

Author draws sellout crowd to EMUNAH event in Teaneck 2008-05-22 00:00:00

Completely absorbed by the haunting tale of acclaimed author Lucette Lagnado, over 100 people filled the magnificent Teaneck home of Joanne and Ephraim Zayat. This EMUNAH Libby Kolb Chapter Evening of Inspiration was held to commemorate the 10th Yartzheit of Libby Kolb, a past president of this Teaneck EMUNAH chapter, and after whom the chapter is named. Ms. Lagnado discussed her memoir, “The Man in the White Sharkskin Suit,” a deeply affecting portrait of her family and its journey from wartime Cairo and its circuitous journey to the United States. She is also an investigative journalist for the Wall Street Journal, and a recent winner of the prestigious Sami Rohr Prize for Jewish Literature. The response was so overwhelming that the event committee had to close reservations well in advance of the scheduled date. “It was an absolutely incredible response,” said Ronnie Faber, EMUNAH representative. “People came out not only because they loved the author, but also to pay tribute to the memory of Libby Kolb, and to support the Libby Kolb Center for Creative Arts in the EMUNAH Torah and Arts High School in Jerusalem. The young women in this wonderful Creative Arts Center are the beneficiaries of the success of this evening,” said Mrs. Faber. The eclectic crowd made for an effervescent evening, and one which was a highlight for the Teaneck community. A delicious buffet dinner of Sephardic food complemented the Middle Eastern theme, and most of the dishes were prepared by the EMUNAH volunteers. The success of the event can be attributed to the talent and leadership of the committee; Hila Abenain, Joyce Bendavid, Ronnie Faber, Estelle Glass, Dena Heller, Sharon Kolb, Rivkie Lerner, Mindy Orlinsky, Susan Sklarin, and hostess, Joanne Zayat.

Nazi Convert to Speak at Emunah Holocaust Event 2008-03-12 00:00:00

Liesel Appel, daughter of Hitler’s Minister of Education in Poland, and a convert to Judaism, will be the keynote speaker at Emunah of America’s Annual Holocaust Commemoration, scheduled for Wednesday evening, March 26th at 7:30 P.M. at Manhattan’s Fifth Avenue Synagogue. This year’s event celebrates “The Power of Good” during the holocaust, honoring the rescuers, liberators, and heroes who provided pinpoints of light during the darkest of times, and were responsible for saving the lives of tens of thousands of Jews. Liesel Appel will bear stark testimony to the theme of light borne from darkness, as she is emblematic of a little known phenomenon -- children of Nazis who converted to Judaism. In addition to Ms. Appel’s address, a musical interlude with internationally renowned chazzan, Cantor Joseph Malovany, will enhance the proceedings, together with another musical program, featuring Elliot Weiss, talented vocalist. Original music is composed by Cecelia Margules and Rami Yadid. Also showcased at the event will be the reading of the winning literary compositions in EMUNAH’s annual Holocaust essay contest in which yeshiva elementary, high school and college students participate from across the New York area. The contest represents EMUNAH’s commitment to heighten holocaust awareness among younger people, now two or three generations removed from the nightmarish worlds of their relatives. Admission to the event, chaired by Cecelia Margules, is free of charge, but donations to EMUNAH are welcomed. For further information, please call the EMUNAH office at 212-564-9045. EMUNAH maintains 250 social welfare and educational facilities in Israel which reach out to that country’s underprivileged and immigrant population.

Mindy Stein Installed as President at National Convention 2008-03-12 00:00:00

EMUNAH of America held its National Convention on Sunday, March 9th at Manhattan's Lincoln Square Synagogue in New York City. Celebrating the shared 60th birthdays of EMUNAH and Israel, the Convention also marked the installation of Mrs. Mindy Stein, of Teaneck, New Jersey, as EMUNAH National President. It was also an opportunity to thank Mrs. Heddy Klein, EMUNAH’s outgoing National President, for her outstanding leadership and dedication during her term. The all-day event featured noted guest speakers who explored how much has changed in the last 60 years, both in Israel and in the world. Israel has developed into a strong, vibrant country with amazing technological and military capabilities. Yet along with this power comes tremendous new challenges. With the growth of Islam and rising anti-semitism, Jews both in Israel and around the globe must face these burgeoning realities. The panel of noted speakers at the Convention addressed the question, “What in the World is Wrong with the World—and How Can We Fix It?” Steven Emerson—internationally recognized expert on terrorism and national security, best selling author of American Jihad, and Jihad Incorporated, spoke, along with Dennis Prager—nationally syndicated radio talk show host, author and lecturer. Phyllis Chesler-bestselling author of Women and Madness and The New Anti-Semitism added her own unique perspective. The noted roster of speakers included Rabbi Cary Friedman, spiritual consultant to the FBI; Ari Goldman, Professor of Journalism at Columbia University; Martin Peretz, Editor-in-Chief of The New Republic Magazine, and Rabbi Kenneth Brander, Dean of The Center for the Jewish Future of Yeshiva University. Convention Chairmen were Bonnie Eizikovitz, Helena Goldstein, Sharon Kolb, and Debbie Schwartz

ART FOR TORAH’S SAKE: Unique Art Show Showcasing the Work of Twenty Orthodox Women 2007-11-19 00:00:00

What a difference a generation can make! When Chaim Potok wrote “My Name is Asher Lev” -- his searing portrait of the lonely artist in the orthodox world – there was no outlet for the creativity, no venue for the expression, of a gifted person wishing to integrate his talents and Torah. Indeed, there was little respect rendered -- and not much acceptance, either -- for such a struggling individual. Happily, this situation has radically changed in the thirty-some years since “Asher Lev” was first published, and EMUNAH of America now finds itself in the forefront of the revolution with the opening last year of “Emunah V’Omanut” -- an innovative program in Israel for post-high school women from English-speaking countries. Although there are many high-caliber “seminaries” and prestigious institutions that cater to foreigners seeking an intensive year or two of advanced Torah learning in Israel, the concept of “Emunah V’Omanut” is unique: It currently offers a dual-track program that combines an in-depth Torah curriculum with an equally rigorous course of study in various modalities of the Arts. “Up until now, orthodox young women with artistic interests and talents had no recourse but to attend schools like Parsons, FIT, and the School of Visual Arts,” explains Rabbi David Debow, director of Emunah V’Omanut. “Our program integrates Torah and Art into a single religious pursuit. We provide an environment imbued by religious Zionism where Torah learning is informed by art and art is infused with Torah. By means of Torah study and a developing aesthetic sensibility, our students will deepen their appreciation of G-d’s world.” In the Fall of 2008, the scope of “Emunah V’Omanut” will be broadened and enhanced by the addition of a music program that will offer music studies parallel to the afternoon art program. Both programs are housed in and affiliated with the fully accredited EMUNAH College for Women in Jerusalem -- recipient of many prestigious awards in Israel, including the “Israel Prize for Excellence in Education,” and the “Religious Education Prize for Innovation and Excellence.” Because of its affiliation with the EMUNAH college, the “Emunah V’Omanut” program will offer transferable college credit and the opportunity to utilize all of the College’s resources. Housing is available either in the EMUNAH College’s dormitories or in near-by apartments. An Art Show showcasing the achievements -- in various modalities -- of the first graduating class of the “Emunah V’Omanut” program will be held on Motzei Shabbos, November 10th, at 8:30 P.M. at the M2L Showroom on 58th Street in Manhattan. Prospective students and their parents are warmly invited to attend the show which will give them the opportunity to interact with the recent graduates and learn first-hand about the program. Rabbi Debow is also currently touring the United States, Canada and Europe to recruit students for the Fall 2008 program. For further information about both the upcoming Art Show and/or the application process, please call Emunah at 212-564-9045 ext. 315.

	Emunah Wine Trail 2007-07-19 00:00:00
	Emunah's Wine Trail was featured on www.israelwines.co.il. You can view the article by clicking here.

Beaded Bookmarks help Bet Elazraki 2007-03-05 00:00:00

Rachel Ashe and Sarah Samuels were looking for a way to maintain their connection with the children they met at EMUNAH’s Bet Elazraki Children’s Home, while being able to help them at the same time. These two extraordinary girls who attend the Moriah school in Englewood, teamed up to design and create beautiful and unique beaded bookmarks. They have raised money for the children from Bet Elazraki through the sale of the bookmarks which sell for $18 a piece. The project continues and they welcome all buyers. To buy a bookmark, please check our EMUNAH shop.