Gerim: Shavei Yisroel sends rabbi to Bnei Anousim

YNET

Beginning this week, Rabbi Elisha Salas will be Shavei Israel’s new emissary to the Bnei Anousim, or crypto-Jews of North Portugal

Rabbi Salas, 53, was born in Chile and made aliyah to Israel in 1999. Salas now lives in Jerusalem and is married with four children. After graduating from Santiago University in Chile with two degrees in accounting and religious studies, Salas spent five years at the Beit Midrash Sepharadi in the Old City of Jerusalem. In addition to being an ordained rabbi, Salas is certified to practice as a "shochet" (kosher slaughterer).[...]

Deporting Children of Foreign workers II/Arab countries

YNET

The status of migrant workers and their children is a problematic issue not only in Israel, but in neighboring Arab countries as well.

In at least eight Arab countries, particularly in the Persian Gulf but in Syria too, when a citizen weds a foreign man, their children are not considered citizens and do not have the right to own property. In some of these countries, these children cannot even inherit their mothers' estate, in accordance with a law that forbids foreigners from owning property or real estate.[...]

Geurus - Rabbi Manny Vinas: Assisted in obtaining a Torah

Jewish Weekly

gerus wrote:

These people are not Jewish according to any definition, so how can Rabbi Vinas from Yonkers give them a sefer Torah?

http://www.jweekly.com/article/full/58867/black-proud-and-jewish-synagogue-founded-50-years-ago-takes-a-step-forward-/

Temple Beth’El is a predominantly black synagogue formed more than 50 years ago by the daughter of a Baptist preacher at a time when many blacks were rejecting Christianity as a slave religion. The same motivation led many blacks to move toward Islam.

The founder of Temple Beth’El, Louise Dailey, studied with a rabbi, but was not ordained by a recognized branch of Judaism. The synagogue has a kosher kitchen and a mikvah, but Dailey also adopted some traditions that are alien to the ancient faith. Congregants called her “Mother Dailey,” and she ordained Bowen, her daughter, before she died.

The Torah ceremony last year was a mix of Hebrew readings and shouts of “Hallelujah!” — a worship style typical of black churches. The booming music came from what Christians would call a “praise band” — with electric guitars, drums and a keyboard.

The Torah was acquired by Rabbi Emmanuel “Manny” Vinas, who leads a Spanish-Jewish synagogue in Yonkers, N.Y. Vinas noted that many suppliers had been reluctant to sell a Torah to Temple Beth’El because of its history, and he expected strictly traditional Jews would criticize him for brokering the purchase.

“I saw the service that was held for the Torah,” Vinas said. “You see those people crying and so deeply moved ... That’s a congregation that’s going to honor and uphold the Torah.”

Deporting Children of Foreign workers/USA & Israel

I received the following. It is important to note that this issue is a major one, not only in Israel but America where a child born in the USA is a citizen and the wisdom of that law is now being questioned.
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Bartley Kulp wrote:

Rabbi Eidensohn, I was wondering whether or not you would be interested in opening a discussion the decision and debate on deporting children of foreign workers.

I know that some people may be reticent on discussing these issue saying that it is not an issue for the involving the frum community. My claim would be that since there are both dati leumi  [and chareidi] politicians and rabbis who are involved with the debate and the formulation of policy, I would say that it is a legitimate discussion and an important one in light of the recent headlines.

I have not provided a link to any specific article because I know that most of us have probably read various articles and perspectives on this already. If you could provide us with a few thoughts on this issue or if anybody else may have comments I would appreciate it.

Elon scandal: Police say they have evidence for trial

YNET

The police announced on Sunday that there is enough evidence against Rabbi Mordechai (Motty) Elon, who is suspected of committing indecent acts by force against two minors, to put him on trial.
 The investigation material was handed over to the Jerusalem District Prosecution, which is slated to hold a hearing prior to submitting an indictment against Elon.[...]

Abuse book Cover 3

This was created by a reader. It is obviously a very stunning and powerful statement.

The issue right now seems to be whether to make an emotional appeal or to present a reasoned and calm legal statement

It seems the majority feel that I need to have a simple and dignified bland cover rather than something that grabs the eye and heart. I am  open to opinion. Obviously this is not simply a matter of taste but what will reinforce the message or cause it to be dismissed.

Waking up to the Shari’a threat?

Jerusalem Post

Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich sought to reframe the American foreign policy debate last week. The central issue, Gingrich told the American Enterprise Institute, is whether policymakers recognize the existence of a civilizational struggle between the West and those who seek to expand the domain of Shari'a, or Islamic law, across the globe. He located the beginning of the struggle as the takeover of the American embassy in Teheran by radical students, including Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

Gingrich pointedly refrained from painting the issue as one of terrorism. Terrorism and military conquest, jihad, is only one of the tools of political or radical Islam. Dawa, or proselytization, is jihad by other means. A fifteen-page 1991 document produced by the Muslim Brotherhood of North America, and subsequently revealed by the FBI, proclaims, for instance, its goal of "eliminating and destroying the Western civilization from within." The document includes a list of "our organizations and the organizations of our friends," including some of the best known Muslim "defense" organizations in the United States.[...]

See the following link which gives an example of the above.

Advocates of Anti-Shariah Measures Alarmed by Judge's Ruling