Educational Resources for International Holocaust Remembrance Day (Jan. 27)

Shalom.

International Holocaust Remembrance Day is Wednesday,
January 27, 2010.

I posted on my website 164 links to learn about the Holocaust. Site languages include English, Hebrew, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish.

All 164 links have been reviewed / checked this week.

The web address is:

http://www.jr.co.il/hotsites/j-holoc.htm

Please forward this message. Thank you.

We must not forget.

Jacob

IDF Search and Rescue Team Saves Man

Hi Everyone!

I created a page with the three YouTube videos of Israeli doctors and IDF search and rescue in Haiti.

http://www.jr.co.il/t/haiti.htm

1. Footage from the IDF Field Hospital that has been set up in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, after the earthquake. This video includes footage of the first baby born at the field hospital on January 17, 2009.

2. IDF Search and Rescue teams in Port-au-Prince Haiti pulled a 52 year-old Hatian man from the rubble of a collapsed building. The team worked for 8 hours to extract the man, who was in good condition despite wounds on his limbs and dehydration. He had been trapped in the rubble for 90 hours, and had managed to communicate his location to rescue forces via sms.

3. Fox news last night interviewed the IDF doctors in the Israeli Field Hospital in Haiti.

http://www.jr.co.il/t/haiti.htm

"Whoever saves a life,
it is considered as if he saved an entire world."

Shavua Tov,
Jacob

Educational Resources for Tu B'Shvat (The New Year for Trees)

Hi Everyone!

Tu B'Shvat, the New Year for Trees, falls on the 15th of the Hebrew month of Shvat, January 30 this year (5770 / 2010). This Jewish mini-holiday is of major importance to our appreciation of Nature and our relationship to it.

It is customary to plant trees and partake of the fruits of the land of Israel to mark the occasion. This year Tu B'Shvat falls on Shabbat - therefore many of the holiday activities this year will take place on Thursday, January 28.

Jewish Trivia Quiz: Tu B'Shvat
http://www.jewish-trivia.com

Which fruit is used to make wine ?
When did Kabbalists originate the Tu B'shvat Seder ?
How many glasses of wine are drunk at the Tu B'Shvat seder ?
What branch of a tree did the dove bring back after the flood ?
How many days does the Hebrew month of Shvat have ?
What is associated with both Chanukah and Tu B'Shvat ?
In Israel, what happens to trees starting on the 15th of Shvat ?
Since 1901, how many trees has the Jewish National Fund planted in Israel ?
According to the Torah, which fruits did the spies bring to the children of Israel in the wilderness ?

The above questions are examples from the multiple choice Flash quiz. There are two levels of questions, two timer settings. Both kids and adults will find it enjoyable.

The Jewish Clipart Database: Tu B'Shvat
http://www.jewish-clipart.com

Whether you need a picture for your child's class project, a graphic for your synagogue, Hillel or JCC Tu B'Shvat announcement, the Jewish Clipart Database has the pictures for you. You can copy, save and print the graphics in three different sizes.

My Hebrew Song Book - Tu B'Shvat Hebrew songs
http://www.my-hebrew-songbook.com

Tu B'Shvat Hebrew songs (with vowels) for viewing and printing. All songs are in graphic format so you do not need Hebrew installed to view or print them.

Tu B'Shvat YouTube Videos
http://www.jr.co.il/videos/tu-bshvat-videos.htm

Over 25 YouTube videos about Tu B'Shvat.

The above sites have something for everyone, but if that is not enough, I posted on my website 48 links about Tu B'Shvat, from history and customs to graphics and recipes. Site languages include English, Hebrew, Russian, Spanish, French, Portuguese and German
The web address is:

http://www.jr.co.il/hotsites/j-hdaytu.htm

Please forward this message to relatives and friends, so they may benefit from these holiday resources.

Enjoy!
Jacob

Welcome Home to the New Olim (and 400 photos)

Hi Everyone!

Congratulations and welcome home to the 210 new olim that made aliyah to Israel from North America. The aliyah charter flight arrived in Israel on Wednesday morning and included 40 children in 41 families, 81 singles, and 13 IDF Soldiers. The youngest oleh in the group is 2 months old and the oldest oleh is 86 years old.

I took 400 photos of the exciting, historic event and I posted them online at:
http://www.jr.co.il/pictures/israel/history/2009/a560.htm

I also posted the 400 photos on Facebook for name tagging. There are two sets of photos and you can access the albums via:
http://bit.ly/olim-photos-facebook

If you have a Facebook acccount and you are in the photos or see someone you know, please feel free to name tag the photos.

May the aliyah from all over of the world grow and bring more Jews back to their homeland, Eretz Yisrael.

Have a good day,
Jacob

New Website: My Hebrew Programs

Hi Everyone!

I created a new website called:

My Hebrew Programs
http://www.my-hebrew-programs.com

This new site includes updated versions of two useful programs.

The Hebrew Sign Maker
Print Hebrew signs without Hebrew support. There are 11 fonts and two sizes to choose from. There are two special script trace fonts that will help your students learn how to write Hebrew script.

In Memory Of
When you visit a Jewish grave site, it is a Jewish tradition to read selected Tehillim (Book of Psalms). There are fixed verses and special verses that are read for each letter of the person's name. The special verses are called "Otiyot Neshama". The program also includes an option to print a transliterated and translated English version of the mourners' Kaddish.

Please share this new educational resource with friends, relatives and co-workers. Thank You!

As always, feedback is welcome!

Have a good day,
Jacob

I highly recommend the book: Start-up Nation

Hi Everyone!

Every fews years I buy a book that turns out to be a great read. I just finished the new book: Start-up Nation. The book is about Israel's economic miracle. You can watch an CNBC video about the book at:

http://www.jr.co.il/recommend/books.htm

I highly recommend buying and reading the book. If you can not get the book at your local bookstore, there is a link on the page to buy the book online.

Enjoy!

Have a good day,
Jacob

171 Chanukah Videos including these new ones....

Hi Everyone!

There are now 171 Cool Chanukah Videos listed at:
http://www.jr.co.il/videos/chanukah-videos.htm

The updated list includes:

- Gord Lindsay: Chanuka Funicula
- Chanuka 2009 Beit Krakow, Poland
- Chanuka em Curitiba 2009
- Chaverim - Ma'oz Tzur
- 2009 Major League Dreidel at Full Circle Bar
- YUAcapella Maccabeats Chanuka 2009
- The Mama Doni' Band's "Chanukah Fever"
- Episode 1: Hanukkah Special - Dreidel
- Episode 27: Hanukkah Special - The Auto Menorah
- Kindergarten Song Practice for Chanukah Party
- Belz Chanukah Lighting in Jerusalem
- Chanukah Lighting - Trip to Poland group
- Chanukah 5770 - Philadelphia Annual March of Lights
- Menorah Lighting on Clearwater Beach
- New Ma'oz Tzur Tune
- HaRav Zev Leff Lighting the Menorah
- 2H Productions - Al Hanissim
- Shloime Daskal - Al Hanisim
- CNN: Matisyahu lights up
- Menorahs - NJN News
- Hanukkah With A Chinese Twist
- Go Latkes 2009 Hanukkah Champions
- Chabad Naples Chanukah Menorah Lighting - 12/13/09
and many more....

Enjoy!
Happy Chanukah!
Jacob