At KE & In the Community

Information on coming events and news at Kol Emeth:

• Remembering Michael Levin z"l - added 7/30/11
  Aug. 1st
  
  Michael Levin was raised in a small town outside of Philadelphia. Michael grew up in a traditional, suburban Jewish home, was active in the Conservative Movement, attending Camp Ramah, USY, and spending a year in Israel on Nativ. At sixteen, while studying in Israel, Michael decided that one day he would move to Israel and join a combat unit in the Israeli Defense Forces. 
  
  That dream was fulfilled when Michael made Aliyah in 2003 and joined the elite paratrooper unit. On August 1, 2006, Michael was killed in combat during the Second Lebanon War.
  
  This coming Monday, August 1, 2011, will mark five years since Michael's death in service of his country. Michael has become a household name for millions of young Jews around the world not just by how he fell in battle, but for how he lived his life - with purpose, surrounded by friends, always with a smile. Thousands have followed in his footsteps. Today there are over 5,000 lone soldiers serving in the IDF. They leave their friends and family at home to help defend a country and people they love: Israel.
  
  In honor of Michael's memory and heroic choices, in 2009, a group of former lone soldiers created the Michael Levin Memorial Center for Lone Soldiers. Confronted with the harsh realities lone soldiers can face - at times going without adequate food or knowing where they will sleep on weekends off base - the Center's volunteers quickly went about establishing infrastructure and programs to deal with these basic needs.
  
  The MLMC for lone soldiers was founded in the midst of a global financial meltdown, but has still managed to stay on its feet because of the leadership and hard work of the former lone soldiers who themselves volunteer at and manage the center. The Center currently assists over 1,300 lone soldiers and hopes to one day expand to help all 5,000 lone soldiers overcome obstacles in the path to learning, serving, and making a life for themselves in Israel.
  
  To help with this vital issue, this year the United Synagogue's Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center established a room in our Jerusalem youth hostel called "Michael's Room", which enables lone soldiers (up to 4 at a time) to spend Shabbat and enjoy delicious meals for free. We are grateful to Marc Savenor of Needham, MA, for providing the funding for this inaugural year and for sponsoring this year's Rosh Hashanah and Succot meals for lone soldiers. For many of the lone soldiers, the Michael Levin Memorial Center and this room at Fuchsberg have become a much needed oasis far away from home.
  
  One of the most powerful moments of the recent United Synagogue Family Israel Experience was the group's visit to Har Herzl and Michael's grave. We heard Michael's story and talk about what he stood for and what his courage meant to an entire nation.
  
  This first ever family mission had already met and been inspired by three lone soldiers who joined the group for Shabbat dinner and Kaballat Shabbat. Special kudos to the USCJ Israel Commission and the Michael Levin Memorial Center for organizing this special Shabbat encounter with lone soldiers.
  
  Michael Levin z"l and all lone soldiers are heroes. The Michael Levin Memorial Center and Michael's Room at Fuchsberg were created with the sole purpose of helping these young modern day heroes of Israel succeed. You can help too!
  
  To make a donation towards the lone soldiers room at the Fuchsberg Center, please contact Barry Mael, Chief Development Officer, at mael@uscj.org.
  
  To arrange to meet with lone soldiers during your next trip to Israel, please contact Rabbi Paul Freedman at freedman@uscj.org.
  
  To learn more about Michael Levin, Lone Soldiers and the Center go to: http://lonesoldiercenter.com/

• Remember Gilad - added 6/24/11
• 
   
  Shabbat, June 25th, marks the fifth anniversary of the kidnapping of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit. To assure that Gilad is not forgotten, the Shalit family allowed unprecedented access to documentarian Tal Goren who has created the powerful film: "FAMILY IN CAPTIVITY".
   
  The film is an intimate story that follows the day to day efforts of the Shalit family to cope and bring Gilad home. Through their story, we exit the political realm and see the human angle of an ordeal that is relate-able to everyone, showing how these private and anonymous individuals rise to become national symbols.
   
  On Wednesday, June 29th at 7:30 PM, the Oshman Family JCC will screen the film in their Schultz Cultural Arts Hall in support of Gilad and his family. Help us keep Gilad in our hearts and in the news!
   
  Co-sponsored by: Israeli Cultural Connection (ICC) at the OFJCC , Jewish National Fund, Kol Emeth Israel Action Committee, Jewish Community Relations Council, Consulate General of Israel to the Pacific Northwest, Anti-Defamation League
   
  Community Partners: Jewish Study Network, Beth Jacob Israel Action Committee, Etz Chaiym Israel Action Committee, Emek Beracha Israel Action Committee, Congregation Beth Am and Friends of the IDF SF Bay Area Chapter and the Israel Center of the SFJCF.
   
  FREE Event. The OFJCC's address is 3921 Fabian Way in Palo Alto. Questions? Contact Ronit Jacobs at 650-223-8692 or icc@paloaltojcc.org
   
• TRACK WATCH PROGRAM -- *information updated 6/01/2010*
   
  A critical component of our collective efforts in response to the recent cases of teen death by suicide at the train tracks should be to make sure the train crossings are monitored. It has been established that, particularly for cases where impulsivity is a factor and where there are no obvious warning signs, restricting the means to self harm can help in prevention. The Palo Alto Police have hired a private firm to monitor the Meadow crossing throughout the day for the next few months and volunteers are taking shifts at the Charleston crossing.

This effort has made a visible difference. It is believed to have prevented at least one suicide, and it has contributed to a sense of safety in the community. Monitoring the tracks can save lives and allow us to heal; it must be maintained for as long as possible.

Here is how you can help:

(i)  The City of Palo Alto is accepting tax deductible contribution to help pay for the patrols. Donation at any level will send a clear message to the City that we support track monitoring and want it continued. To donate visit

http://www.cityofpaloalto.org/depts/csd/community_and_family_resources/safetynet/p4.asp

(ii)  Consider becoming a volunteer Track Watch monitor. Come whenever you can, for as long as you can. You will find the gratitude of the community rewarding. To volunteer, write to hopepaloalto@gmail.com.

PLEASE HELP SUPPORT THIS CRUCIAL EFFORT TO KEEP OUR KIDS SAFE!!

TrackWatch needs additional volunteers to help to monitor the tracks as the school year ends (and we transition into summer). This time of year is especially important because it includes final exams, major life decisions, and big transitions for our youth.   Our community has been putting resources into place to help our youth. However, the number of instances of teens requiring police/mental health assistance in May strongly indicates that we need to support the community effort with TrackWatch as we transition out of the school year.  Many volunteers came out in response to the request from Gunn Principal Likins.  Of that group, most have already done what they can.  This is why we are asking for additional support. Without further community support, TrackWatch will not be able to cover this critical period. If you are able to volunteer, please write to hopepaloalto@gmail.com."   

 

A message from GUNN HIGH SCHOOL
May 14, 2010

As we near the end of the year, change is in the air at Gunn. This time can be very exciting for students, but it can also be very stressful. We really need your help to watch the tracks as the school year comes to a close.

As you may know, paid patrols are guarding the track crossing at Meadow. Where we primarily need help is at the Charleston crossing. We also need parents to provide extra support at Meadow at high stress times. The job is easy and only requires caring adults to be stationed at the crossings. Volunteers can take any shift from 1 to 3 hours. Bring your friends and a chair —more than one volunteer at a time is welcome.

To volunteer, email hopepaloalto@gmail.com. The Track Watch coordinator, Barron Park parent Caroline Camhy, will send you the link for sign-ups and an instructional memo with some important phone numbers.

Our sincere thanks go to the many volunteers who have already taken a shift at the tracks and to those of you who can find time to help out over the next several weeks. I hope we can end the school year on a positive note, and keep all our kids safe.

Good wishes,
Noreen Likins, Principal

• The Virtual Kol Nidre Food Drive with Second Harvest Food Bank Continues
  
  We are continuing the Virtual Food Drive. It is easy to donate online and your dollars will go even further.
  Go to www.VirtualHarvest.net to make a monetary donation. Every dollar donated can provide two meals. You will then be taken to the “virtual store” where you can select specific items to donate. If you don’t want to donate specific items, scroll to the bottom of that page where you will see a box that allows you to enter a specific amount.