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Rosh Hashana Recipe

Rosh Hashana 2008– I’m sure you’re already racking your brains out trying to figure out what to make for the chag. I know I am. Well, we start with the simanim (symbols). So let’s do the rundown – leeks, dates, pomegranates, carrots, string beans, beets and we added recently watermelon. You have honey and sweet challah on the table and oh yeah, the fish head (maybe some of you have clothespins on your noses). This year I want to do something different. I have a Yemenite cookbook written by Zion Levi and Hani Agrabria and will share one of their recipes with you – Stuffed potatoes, but first a cute story about cooking for our husbands: There was once a wife whose husband loved stuffed cabbage. It was so much his favorite meal that he could eat it every day. But he had the horrible habit of saying each day after every meal: “It’s good but not as good as my mother’s”. Disheartened, his wife didn’t know what to do! One morning she prepared her specialty. She left it to cook and went out of the house to talk to her neighbors. She completely forgot about the cabbage cooking on the fire (the gossip was good). When she returned to the kitchen she smelled something burning. What could she do now? She had no choice but to serve the burnt cabbage and hope he wouldn’t be angry. When he came home to eat his dinner she was very apprehensive. He proceeded to clean his plate and instead of being disgusted he said, “How delicious! It tastes exactly how my mother used to make it!” Stuffed potatoes Peel and core 10 large potatoes In a skillet, sautי onions until golden brown then add chopped meat Add the spices you like and cook till it’s brown Cool the mixture Preheat oven to 375 F Stuff the potatoes with the mixture (tightly) and place in greased pan- bake for 45 minutes Before you are ready to take them out, you can pour more gravy over them.(I think rice would be a nice thing to serve with this dish) Chag Samayach!!!!

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General Itamar News

Itamar News September 26th 2008

September 26, 2008

Special once in 7 years Mitzvah opportunity- read carefully.It is interesting, that although the Sabbatical year only applies to the land of Israel, there is a law in the Torah that is directly connected with the sabbatical year, which also applies to places outside of Israel. This law is called Shmitat Kisafim. This law is mentioned in the Torah in the Book of Divarim. (Deuteronomy 15:2) the law states “At the end of every seven years you shall make a release. This is the manner of the release: Every creditor shall relax his hand from the loan which he has lent to his neighbor; he shall not demand it of his neighbor, or of his brother; for a release to G-D has been proclaimed.” This means that any money that was loaned to someone during the seven year cycle of Shmita that was not yet paid back by the end of the sabbatical year becomes a gift to the debtor. This is the reason why the great scholar Hillel the elder enacted the Prosbul. The prosbul was enacted in order to prevent harm the lenders. As the Sabbatical year approached to remit all debts the wealthy were afraid to loan money fearing that they would not be reimbursed. Hillel, therefore, instituted the Prosbul which in short gives the power over the loan to the court and in such an instance the law of loan remission does not apply. Every orthodox Jew today writes out a Prosbul right before the end of the Sabbatical year in order to be allowed to collect his loans without transgressing the Torah.

THOSE WHO WANT TO MERIT IN THE SPECIAL MITZVAH OF LOAN REMISSION GIVE A LOAN TO THE NEEDY AND MAKE A CONDITION THAT THIS LOAN WILL NOT BE INCLUDED IN THE PROSBUL AND THUS AT THE END OF THE YEAR (THIS COMING MONDAY) IT BECOMES A GIFT TO NEEDY ONE SINGLED OUT IN THE LOAN. OUR SUGGESTION TO YOU DEAR FRIENDS OF ITAMAR IS THAT YOU SEND IN A LOAN TO THE FRIENDS OF ITAMAR EARMARK THE CHECK “SHMITTA REMISSION” MAIL THE CHECKS TO FRIENDS OF ITAMAR ATTN. LESTER GOLDSMITH 1483 EAST 34TH STREET BROOKLYN NY 11234 AND THIS WAY YOU WILL BE DOING THE MITZVAH OF LOAN REMISSION BY BUILDING THE LAND OF ISRAEL. PLEASE PASS THIS MESSAGE AROUND. AS LONG AS YOUR CHECK IS MADE OUT BEFORE MONDAY THIS OPPORTUNITY REMAINS VALID!

1. Mazal Tov to the Shtattman family from Yitzhar that had a Brit Milah for the new born boy this week. Two weeks ago there nine year old boy was stabbed in the back numerous times by a terrorist who burnt down their neighbors house.

2. Mazal Tov to the Chabrah family on the wedding of the daughter Orli and to the Avitan family on the wedding of their daughter Talya this week!

3. Itamar welcomed visitors this week from Tennessee, Virginia, Washington, and North Carolina. They were a real special group who came to spend a few months and help out farmers in the area. Yasshar Koach to them and others like them who are so devoted to the land of Israel.

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4. There have been several attacks by terrorists on soldiers stationed at the near by Chawara junction just minutes from Itamar. In two incidents acid was thrown into the face of soldiers.

5. Special thank you to Allan Hirsch from Brooklyn for sending honey, wine, and grape juice for families in need of help for the holiday and Shabbat

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General Itamar News

Itamar News September 19th 2008

September 19, 2008

 

Important News Brief

You probably read about last Shabbat when a terrorist infiltrated the near by community of Yitzhar and stabbed a nine year old boy after setting fire to a house in the community. Thank G-D the boy survived the attack having been stabbed numerous times in his back. The boy happens to be the son of one of my friends and fellow Rabbis that teach in the Itamar Yeshiva high school – Chitzim. Another miracle in this story is that my niece’s husband’s sister had guests that Shabbat and they were supposed to sleep in the house that was attacked. The family that went away for Shabbat forgot to leave the key and it worked out that the guests slept in a caravan. If G-d forbid they would have been in the house they would have all been burnt to death.

On Sunday some terrorists set fire to the Itamar forest intending to burn down some of our houses that border the forest area. What is absolutely ridiculous is that the Israeli news reported that it was Itamar that set fire to the forest in order to burn down olive trees and prevent the Arabs from yielding their crop. The army verified the fact that Itamar did not set the fire. This of course did not stop the media from bad mouthing us as usual. (By the way this year alone tens of times the neighboring assailants have fire bombed our fields and caused fires in our community’s surroundings.) This terrible prejudice against the people of our area is, unfortunately, too commonplace here. Olmert together with other government officials and the media are always so quick to put the blame the Jews of Shomron and Judea in every opportunity. I didn’t hear a condemnation of the attempted murder of the boy and the burning down of someone’s house that he just finished building. Instead they focused on the fact the house was built illegally and the retaliation by the people of Yitzhar. What is illegal about building on our precious homeland? Let the truth be heard!

The people of Itamar and the other communities in Shomron and Yehudah are wonderful. Their whole lives are devoted in building the land of Israel and holding on to it for all of Am Yisrael. The soldiers that live on Itamar and the surrounding areas serve in the most elite units in the Israeli army. No matter how much our youth are abused by the media and left wing – their spirit is always high and they choose to serve in the army in the most elite units endangering themselves! They have one goal in mind and that is to help Am Yisrael survive. They deserve a Yashar Koach. I will give you one small example of an Itamar resident , who serves in a very elite unit, did not stop his training although he broke his finger and was told to rest up for a couple of weeks. Where is justice? Of course, the answer is with special friends like you all are, that love Israel with all your hearts and souls, I have no doubt that we will see very great things happening in Israel soon!    Moshe Goldsmith  width=

1. Mazal Tov to the Head Choshen and Richman families upon the marriage of their children!

2. The Itamar Yeshivah high school started a very special program this new school year. The high school boys have a few hours a week lessons on raising farm animals like – horses, sheep, donkey, chickens etc. The classes are given by the David Itzik; one of Itamar’s dear residents who built a petting farm and is always expanding. One great project that David wants to do with the boys is creating a bird watch center on his farm. Itamar is situated along the migration route of the numerous birds migrating back and forth from Africa to Europe. The idea is to set up a pond that will attract these birds and this way our students will be able to observe and study the birds from up close width= width=

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General Itamar News

Itamar News September 5th 2008

September 5, 2008 width=

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1) Itamar welcomes Rabbi Moshe and Leah Goldsmith back home after their three week speaking tour in the States on behalf of the Yishuv and its much needed projects. We want to thank our special friends from Fort Meyers, OKC, and New York for their warm hospitality.

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2) A special thanks to Jessica Katz from NJ for a huge clothing shipment that was sent to the people of Itamar. It really came in handy for the new school year and approaching holidays.

3) Schools opened this week on Itamar – we bless all our students with a happy and successful year of study. width=

 

4) Mazal Tov to the Demari family upon the engagement of their son Orel.
5) Mazal Tov to the Seri family upon the birth of twins.

6) Mazal Tov to the Head, Choshen, and Teneh families that are marrying off their children this week! Nehoray Choshen and Yshua Teneh both born on Itamar will be marrying each other and will live on Itamar. Over 30 new families have joined Itamar over the last year and a half.

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General Itamar News

August 1st 2008

August 1, 2008

1. A special thanks to Jessica Katz of Passaic NJ and all the people involved in her clothing Chesed drive. This week we received boxes of clothes for the Itamar families that are blessed with a lot of children! It went very well and people were just thrilled.

2. Thursday night Erev Rosh Chodesh Av the Yar Tzeit of Aaron Hacohen, there was a rear entry to the village of Awarta near by Itamar to the holy grave sites of Itamar and Elazar the sons of Aaron the High Priest. Our community is named after the grave site of Itamar which is just minutes away from our Yishuv. People came from all over Israel to participate in this event. It is a very special privilege to have such a holy place so close by. Enjoy the enclosed pictures. width=

3. Our teen boys had a very special week in Elat where they went scuba diving as part of the su width=mmer program on Itamar.

4. The Itamar campers are having a fantastic summer!

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General Itamar News

Itamar News July 25th 2008

July 25, 2008

1. Itamar expresses condolences to Benny Zagron upon the death of his brother this week. May we only hear good news.

2. This week the Itamar campers were returning from their welding course on the Gilad road and were attacked by a mob of Arabs that were rioting. The Itamar youth director who was driving his van and had his windows smashed. Thank G-d he managed to back up and get the teenagers out of danger. One camper was hit with a boulder in his arm. Thank G-d he is only bruised. The army was there and was hesitant about responding. Unfortunately, they did not stop the Jewish cars from getting attacked. Many other cars were hit as well, in one instance the Arab mob tried to pull the driver out of his car. Finally, one brave man shot in the air with his pistol and was later arrested by the Israeli police. Is this not absurdity? Enclosed is a picture of the car. width= width=

3. On a happier note Itamar sold two more houses this week! The community is looking beautiful. Please enjoy the picture of the Itamar forest which is really taking off. We planted over 30 thousand trees about 15 years ago and now we are seeing the results of our labor.

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General Itamar News

Itamar News July 4th 2008

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1. Itamar expresses condolences to the families that lost their dear ones in the terrible terrorist attack this week in Jerusalem. One of the victims was a mother of a girl that is a very close friend of Rabbi Goldsmith’s 17 year old daughter Merav. They learn together in high school in Bet El. Merav has been broken ever since she came back from the funeral. What is so painful here is that the daughter was living alone with her mother – she now has to find a new home. It is unbelievable what these young teenagers have to go through. The brave soldier that jumped on the tractor and killed the terrorist studied on Itamar for a few months.

2. The Itamar Yeshiva student who was injured two weeks ago in a terror attack is still recuperating from his wounds. Please pray for Avraham Meir Ben Malkah Chaya.

3. This week a memorial service (Yartzeit) was held for of Eliyahu Asheri HYD the son of Miriam and Yitro Asheri. Eliyahu was kidnapped and murdered two years ago. Rabbi Drukman, Eliyahu’s adopted grandfather, came to Itamar and gave a class about Tefillah in his memory. Eliyahu was know for his powerful Tefillah! Attached is a picture of Rabbi Drukman with the father Yitro. width=

4. Mazal Tov to Matanyah and Chagit Ben Shitrit upon the Brit Milah of their son. Matanya serves on the Itamar counsel and is in charge of security.

5. A group with representatives from 11 different countries visited Itamar this week. Some of these counties included Uganda and Kenya. width=

6. The Itamar children’s camp started this week. Those who have helped sponsor it thank you and Yashar Koach. The children are so happy as you can see in the picture. We still have to finish the project so spread the word to those who may be interested in helping out!

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General Itamar News

Itamar News July 18th 2008

July 18, 2008

1. A memorial service was held this week for the four members of the Shabo family and Yosef Twitothat were killed by a terrorist 6 years ago see link. width= width=

2. Mazal Tov to the Avitan family upon the birth of a grandson (last week their other daughter got engaged)

3. The Itamar housing committee held a special meeting with the community this week about the importance of purchasing houses. The results were fabulous as six families decided to make the commitment!

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4. As part of the Itamar campers’ summer program the teenagers are renovating an old store room and transforming into their new clubhouse.

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General Itamar News

Itamar News July 11th 2008

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1. Mazal Tov to the Head family upon the engagement of their daughter Nihorah.

2. Mazal Tov to the Avitan family upon the engagement of their daughter Talya. It was pretty amazing that both girls got engaged on the same day!

3. Mazal Tov to Esther Miller on the Brit Milah of grandson who was named Shlomo Zur after – named after Esther’s husband who was ambushed and killed by a terroriston Itamar three years ago.

4. The Itamar children are enjoying a wonderful summer thanks to our wonderful friends who made this possible. We still need to complete the project so any help is strongly welcomed.

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General Itamar News

Itamar News June 27th 2008

June 27, 2008

1. Mazal Tov to Avri and Sharona Ran upon the marriage of their son Pinchas to Zuriyah. They will be living on the famous Ran farm known as Givot Olam on the hilltops of Itamar. Enjoy the pictures of the wedding.

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2. Itamar hosted a group of young students from Norway that came to tour our community. The Norwegian trip organizer felt that it is very important for these young students to learn the truth about what is happening in Israel. He expressed how unfortunate it is that most of the Norwegians are misinformed. width=

3. We want to wish the Itamar children who finished school this week a happy summer vacation. width=

4. The Itamar summer camp program begins this coming Sunday. A special thanks to all those who have contributed and we welcome all those who would like to participate in this project