Filling the Gap.
Programs in Israel for High School Graduates
by Israel HighWay Staff

University, Yeshiva, Seminary, Volunteer work – those are the types of programs available for students planning their gap year [the year between high school graduation and entering college] in Israel. Within those categories there are dozens of programs and institutions to choose from. Recruiters from Israel are visiting schools across the U.S. right now to answer questions and collect applications. How can a student decide? In some cases older siblings or older school mates now in programs in Israel can help.

Siach is an Israeli gap year program affiliated with the Alexander Muss Institute for Israel Education. "Thousands of Jewish students worldwide come to Israel each year for a gap year experience," according to Siach, "and the number is growing. In addition to the benefits of a gap year abroad, Jewish students in Israel have the opportunity to learn about Judaism on yeshiva/seminary programs, explore Israel on Israel experience programs or earn academic credit on university programs. The impact of the gap year in Israel on Jewish students is incredible."

Issue of the Week is continued below

IDF: Hamas Steps Up Production of Rockets in Gaza by Amos Harel

Senior Israel Defense Forces officers believe that Hamas has succeeded in expediting its production of rockets. Senior officers say that with the smuggling into Gaza of large quantities of military-grade explosives, this has solved the problem of storing rockets for long periods without their becoming ineffective. (Ha'aretz)

Israel's Economy Is Back on Track by Neal Sandler

Less than three months after a costly war in Lebanon, investors have quickly regained confidence in the Israeli economy, driving the Tel Aviv stock market to all time highs. The index has gained 22% since its mid-July low when the war broke out. The war temporarily put the brakes on growth, but the Israeli economy is now back on track. Economists are now predicting growth of 4.5% for 2006, only half a percentage point down from pre-war estimates. Exports are also up sharply. The country's high-tech sector continues to lead the way, with sales abroad up 20% this year. (Business Week)

Israeli Teens Recall Rabin, Talk of Democracy by Jacqueline Reis

The life and assassination of former Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin 11 years ago this week was fodder for discussion of peace and democracy at the New Jewish Academy in Worcester MA, with two 18-year-old Israeli visitors leading the way. Tal Baron and Ron Marom, both of Israel, set up four stations for students to learn about Mr. Rabin’s life and talk about facets of democracy. The goal of the lessons was "to let them know about what Rabin stands for and make sure that this kind of action will not happen again," Mr. Marom said. (Worcester Telegram and Gazette)

Jewish Scouts Represented

An organization was launched to represent Jews in the worldwide scouting movement. The International Forum of Jewish Scouts, launched Thursday in Jerusalem, will represent Jewish scouts at international gatherings alongside Catholic and Muslim scouts. There are 80,000 to 100,000 Jewish scouts in the world, the vast majority - about 60,000 - in Israel. There are some 15,000 Jewish scouts in the United States and 4,000 in France.

The International Forum will work to coordinate activities and ties among Jewish scouts around the world, including sending Jewish scouts to one another’s camps and developing badges awarded for mastery of Jewish-related subjects, such as Jewish history. (JTA News)

Spreading the Wings of Relief Around the World by Shachar Zehavi

There is a true face of Israel. And it's not a face that most people see every day. It's the face of Israeli volunteers traveling to Sri Lanka and India to help victims of 2004's tsunami, the face of Ben-Gurion University of the Negev Prof. Rafi Bar-El, who's working with impoverished communities in Brazil to break their increasing cycle of poverty, and the faces of Israeli doctors from Sheba Medical Center who regularly fly to Peru to operate on children suffering from cleft lip/palate disorder.

When the tsunami devastated South Asia, almost immediately, dozens of Israeli and Jewish groups stood at the forefront of the relief efforts and quickly organized and implemented a plan bringing 60 tons of aid and dozens of trauma and rehabilitation experts to the regions most severely hit.

The writer is the founder of IsraAID. (Israel21c)

Solomon Schechter Schools Complete Project for Israel

David Ben-Gurion once said, "In Israel, to be a realist, one must believe in miracles." Indeed, the themes of miracles, hope and community were what the students from the Solomon Schechter Day School of Greater Monmouth County, Marlboro, and the Solomon Schechter Academy of Howell spent Oct. 17 exploring. Hosted by the Marlboro Schechter, almost 30 students gathered to support the efforts of the OneFamily Fund.

As the school year began, Chaya Friedmann, director of the Solomon Schechter Day School of Greater Monmouth County, was looking for additional opportunities for her students to show their support for Israel. With the help of Nancy and Izzy Steinberg, current school parents, the school made the connection with OneFamily.

Middle school students from the Solomon Schechter Academy in Howell joined Marlboro's students to create a colorful patchwork quilt of well wishes to hang in OneFamily's new center. Students were given quotes that represent the spirit of Israel from a variety of religious, humanitarian and political sources and asked to create squares inspired by the quotes. (News Transcript)

Israeli-Palestinian 'Peace' Team Competes at World Karate Event by Adinah Greene

In a rare example of constructive interaction, a group of Israeli Jewish, Israeli Arab and Palestinian youngsters are competing on a joint team at this weekend's World Shotokan Karate championships in Tokyo. The team - which was welcomed at a party hosted by Israel's Ambassador to Japan Eli Cohen, himself a high-level "5th Dan" in karate - marched together at the tournament's opening ceremony last week under their "Budo for Peace" flag (budo is the Japanese term for martial arts) and received a standing ovation from the 10,000 people who packed the stadium. (Jerusalem Post)

Salaam Alaykum by Julie Meyer

I am often asked why I study Arabic. Eyebrows are raised even higher with they hear I study it in a yeshiva. The simple answer is utility. It is widely spoken around the world, and especially in a part of the world that I care about.

My study of Arabic made my foray into another culture and my comfort in it possible. Being comfortable in different settings makes things easier. If Jews and Arabs can be comfortable with each other, maybe the Israelis and the Palestinians could have beneficial talks. The way I got comfortable with the people I met this summer was by bringing something to the table. I worked hard at knowing Arabic, and they worked hard at learning English. I spoke to them in both languages, and they were more willing to talk to me because I made an effort.

The writer is a junior at Salanter Akiba Riverdale High School, NY. The article appears in Fresh Ink for Teens. (New York Jewish Week)

Black And White In Vivid Color by Estie Neff

Walking back from my trip to Mea Shearim, I no longer felt frightened in the dark streets of Jerusalem. I felt accomplished, having finally experienced the part of Jerusalem I had never wanted to appreciate. I felt that I had atoned for one part of my sin that was "baseless hatred" by learning to accept chasidim in their many different shapes and forms. I was now able to tell my family and friends that, in my opinion, Jerusalem is truly a masterpiece. I hope that every Jew can learn to forgive their fellow Jews for their various nuances and faults because only when there is peace among our own nation will there be peace in the world around us.

The writer is a junior at Bruriah High School for Girls in Elizabeth, N.J. The article appears in Fresh Ink for Teens. (New York Jewish Week)

Israeli Arts and Entertainment Breaks Through to the Big Time
by Viva Press

No matter where you look on the cultural landscape, Israeli musicians, filmmakers, actors and dancers and artists have been shaking up the international scene in growing numbers over the last five years. Whether it is four indie rockers who appeared last week at New York's premier music industry conference, the CMJ Marathon, or films and authors regularly receiving rave reviews in American media, the proliferation of Israeli culture throughout North America, has succeeded in exposing an overlooked side of Israel and its people.

In the music field, three trends have brought Israeli musicians to the global conscience. As exemplified by the CMJ performances of Anat Damon, Rockfour, Katamine and Ex-Lion Tamer, more Hebrew-speaking singers now prefer to sing in English. "There's a great music scene in Israel and great art and people should know that," says Elran Dekel of the English-language groove-funk band Funk'n'stein. (Israel21c)

Israeli Boxer Defends Inter-Continental Heavyweight Title
by Mike Hochman

Roman Greenberg (24), Israel's premier heavyweight boxer, successfully defended his Inter-Continental Heavyweight title by knocking out 31-year-old Russian Champion Alexei Varakin in the sixth round, at Monte Carlo, Monaco. It was the usual steady, patient Greenberg who came into the fight 22 and 0, with 15 KO's, ranked 48th in the world.

Greenberg's story begins at age 11 when he made aliya with his parents. The difficulties he faced trying to become Israeli did not break the young boxer's spirit who, in 2000, won the silver medal at the World Boxing Championship. (Ynet News)

A Thanksgiving Message to the Young People of Chicago
by Skip Scrayer

Please, please don’t take Israel for granted. You have never known a time when there hasn’t been an Israel (and, to be honest, neither have I). But the Jewish state is a very new, and in some ways, very vulnerable country. It is beautiful and vibrant, with an energy you have to experience for yourself. But as we saw in the last war, its enemies are so near and so full of hatred and intolerance that even poorly made and badly aimed missiles destroyed thousands of buildings and took many lives, including those of children. Stand up for Israel. Support Israel. Visit Israel. (Chicago Jewish Community Online)

Prepare for War in Gaza by Mortimer B. Zuckerman

Israel pulled out of Gaza more than a year ago, but instead of using their independence to build a Palestinian state, the Gaza Arabs have been killing each other, as well as trying to kill Israelis. Israel cannot be expected to stand aside as it did to its cost in southern Lebanon. The long-run prospect is grim, because Hamas simply isn't interested in peace; in the latest survey, two-thirds of Gazans reject peace with Israel while almost as many believe in shelling Israeli cities. For now and the foreseeable future, the seat on the other side of the table across from Israel is occupied only by a death's-head. (New York Daily News)