Yerushalayim Comes To Rosh HaAyin

Meital Chori, Naamah Kusten, and Tamar Cohen
Third-Year Students, Social-Communal Education Department

In honor of Yom Yerushalayim, the junior high school students at Ulpanat Zevulun in Rosh HaAyin went on a magical “journey” to Yerushalayim. This very special program was organized by second- and third-year students from Orot Israel College’s social-communal education department.

Several days before Yom Yerushalayim, the second-year students delivered a shiur – which was prepared by the third-year students – entitled, “The Importance of Yerushalayim.” The shiur focused on questions, such as: Why do we have Yom Yerushalayim but not Yom Tel Aviv? What are the sources of Yerushalayim’s sanctity for the Jewish people? What does Yerushalayim mean to me?

Then, on Yom Yerushalayim itself, the seventh, eighth, and ninth graders took part in an entertaining treasure hunt, run by the Orot students. Each of the Ulpanat Zevulun girls had to stop at six different stations, where they solved secret codes; learned about Yerushalayim’s many names; studied psukim from the Tanach which pertain to Yerushalayim; watched a slide show; identified Yerushalayim’s neighborhoods and gates; “visited” the Machaneh Yehudah shuk; and heard stories about many of Yerushalayim’s famous residents.

The girls had a wonderful time uncovering many of Yerushalayim’s fascinating secrets.

“To Lie In Your Shadow, Carmel”

Na'ama Bindiger,
Land of Israel studies department

“The mountain is green throughout the year.

I still dream and ask

To breathe your winds as at first,

To lie in your shadow, Carmel.”

With songwriter Yoram Taharlev’s beautiful words on our lips, Orot Israel College headed out on a tiyul of Nachal Rakefet in the Carmel on 14 Iyar (May 18). As we hiked the lovely trail, we discussed geography, history, and current events. And a surprise awaited us…

Our tiyul to Nachal Rakefet was part of Orot’s series of trips - each one to a different location and with a different theme. The ultimate goal is to show the students – the teachers of the future – how tiyulim can be a valuable tool for forging an unbreakable bond with Eretz Yisrael.

We were privileged to have students from Orot’s Land of Israel studies department as our guides, and they taught us about the Carmel’s unique topography, geology, and botany – including the lush Mediterranean vegetation, which covers its slopes and keeps the mountain “green throughout the year.”

Our excellent guides also focused on the human element. They told us about Jewish settlement in the region, and as we overlooked Daliat-El-Carmel, a Druze village, we heard about the Druze, their religion, and their warm ties with the State of Israel. In addition, we spoke at length about this past Chanukah’s devastating forest fire – its deadly course and the slow rehabilitation process. And lastly, we concentrated on Eliyahu HaNavi’s famous clash with the nevi’ei haBaal on the Carmel, which apparently took place at Muchrakah – our final stop.

During our hike, we also had an unexpected encounter with the animal kingdom: an “attack” of pine processionary caterpillars! Apparently, we had arrived just before the pupation period, and the caterpillars were everywhere – climbing on our skirts, and falling from the trees onto our knapsacks. An unforgettable experience… and thanks to the caterpillars, we all walked much faster than usual…

But without a doubt, the highlight of our trip was the gorgeous scenery and the delightfully-pastoral trail.

News from Orot Israel College’s Computing Center

Rachel Evers,
Chief Information Officer

To our great delight, there have been a number of exciting new developments here at Orot Israel College. The administration recently devoted considerable resources to improving and upgrading the computing equipment, and as a result, Orot’s students and faculty – on both the Elkana and Rechovot campuses – now have access to the cutting-edge technology necessary for tomorrow’s teachers.

Rechovot Campus

Computer lab

Computer Lab A, which was completely overhauled, serves the continuing education students as well as the Masters’ degree candidates. New workstations and advanced software were installed:

• A graphics software package, including Photoshop, Flash, Acrobat 9 and more

• Video editing software

• Music editing software

• Visual Studio – for the computer science department

• Control software for teachers, with an option to broadcast video files

Wireless environment

Throughout the campus, newly installed high-speed endpoints allow students and faculty members to connect their laptops to the Internet via our secure wireless network.

Elkana Campus

Language lab

A new language lab, with state-of-the-art computers and a high-speed communications network, lets students practice their English with special software, such as:

• Babylon online dictionary

• Text-to-speech software

• A pronunciation program, which allows users to record themselves

• Control software for teachers, with an option to broadcast video files

In addition, this lab contains special choreography and practice software for the dance department.

Projection rooms

Three new projection rooms were added, and new software – which controls all the audio-visual equipment for the user’s convenience - was installed.

Laptops

Two new laptops were purchased to be used with our portable projectors.

Dance studio

A professional sound system, a projection system, a video/DVD player, a state-of-the-art computer, and sound editing software were all installed in Dance Studio B.

Auditorium

The auditorium now contains a sophisticated sound system, a network of speakers, two mixers, and a powerful new projector. In addition, the podium was upgraded, and a new control station – including two computers, a touch screen, and a control panel for the digital mixer – was installed in the upper control room. This control station manages the auditorium’s three computers, lights, electronic screen, projector, and sound system.

Computers and monitors

The student computers on the first floor of the library were upgraded, and all of the library’s computer monitors were replaced with thin LCD monitors. Also, new student computers were installed in the pedagogic center.

Windows 7

We have begun migrating all of our newer computers over to the Windows 7 operating system.

Infrastructure

The optical fiber network - which connects every building on campus to the servers in the computing center – was upgraded and expanded, in order to allow for increased traffic, in terms of both speed and volume, on our computer network. In addition, we purchased new switches for further upgrades.

An integrated college

As part of our continued efforts to connect Orot Israel College’s two campuses, the accounting software used by the Elkana and Rechovot campuses has been fully integrated. Also, the mail server, which is located on the Elkana campus, now serves both campuses.

Upcoming developments

Our future plans include launching a new website for the two campuses and installing a wireless network on the Elkana campus.

We hope to keep you updated as we continue to meet our students’ technological needs.

Article: The Omer Imbalance

By Rabbi Reuven Spolter

Over the course of history, the Jewish people have endured unspeakable suffering. From Churban to pogrom to exile to Inquisition, all leading up to the unimaginable losses during the Holocaust, we have plenty to mourn for. Yet, when we look at the Jewish calendar, while Chazal set aside Tisha B'av (and the Three Weeks) as a mourning period for basically everything else, we devote almost five full weeks to remember the deaths of Rabbi Akiva's students.

How can we devote so little of our calendar to the Holocaust, and so much of it to a seemingly smaller tragedy in the course of Jewish history? The answer to this question lies in a deeper understanding of why we mourn during Sefirat Ha'omer.

Click here to download the article in pdf format.

Western Culture Yom Iyun

Rav Ami Danino
Rosh Yeshivat Orot Yaakov, Rechovot Campus

On Monday, 17 Adar I 5771, Rechovot’s Yeshivat Hesder Orot Yaakov hosted a thought-provoking yom iyun about “Western Culture”. Open to the public, the yom iyun attracted an overflow crowd, who flocked to the yeshiva’s beit midrash to hear the fascinating talks by several prominent rabbis and educators.

After Rav Chaim Saban, Orot Yisrael College’s Vice President and Dean of the Rechovot Campus, greeted the attendees and gave a brief introduction, Rav Chagai Londin, Ra”M in Yeshivat Hesder Haifa and Yerushalayim’s Machon Meir, delivered a captivating lecture on the topic of “Confronting Western Culture” – based on Rav Kook’s writings. Using a slide show and specific examples, Rav Londin demonstrated that Rav Kook’s teachings continue to be relevant today and stressed that we must recognize Western culture’s pervasive nature.

Next, Chief Rabbi of Ramat Gan HaRav HaGaon Yaakov Ariel discussed “Recreational Culture”. He began by defining culture and then noted that contemporary Western culture does not necessarily have to clash with Judaism – as long as the focus is on modern communication tools and media. The important thing, Rav Ariel observed, is to ensure that these tools are not utilized to transmit inappropriate or problematic content. Rav Ariel detailed the inherent dangers in being exposed to Western cultural content during one’s leisure time - with particular emphasis on visual media, such as television and unfiltered Internet access.

A short recess and refreshments followed Rav Ariel’s intriguing talk, and afterwards, the attendees returned to hear Rosh Yeshivat Orot Yaakov Rav Ami Danino examine the question of “Western Culture: Is It More Than Just a Tool?” Rav Danino distributed a well-organized source sheet and highlighted the complex relationship between life’s inner, sanctified matters, which must originate with Am Yisrael, and life’s external, worldly matters, which Am Yisrael can accept from the nations of the world. In addition, Rav Danino touched upon the fundamental differences between Western culture and Jewish culture – including significant issues, such as the individual versus society; the end versus the means; the present versus eternity; privileges versus obligations; the relative versus the absolute; and externalization versus internalization.

Finally, in honor of the month of Adar, Beit Midrash Mahut’s Rav Elisha Vishlitzky spoke movingly about “Western Culture and Happiness”. He distinguished between Jewish happiness – which revolves around giving – and Western culture’s version of happiness, which centers on the “I” and the ego.

In short, Rav Vishlitzky’s inspiring talk was the perfect conclusion to what proved to be a stimulating and very well-received event. Thank you to all the speakers and to the many participants!

Special Education Yom Iyun 5771

Dr. Avia Guttman
Head of the Department of Special Education, Elkana Campus

“Olam chessed yibaneh.” (Literally, “a world of loving kindness will be built.” - Tehillim 89:3) This idea is what motivates anyone working with special needs children: whether it is the close, supportive circle of parents, siblings, and other family members - the people who are in contact with the child on a daily basis, during the day and at night, on weekdays and holidays - or the team of professionals, who regularly treat and help the child. Clearly, each of these roles requires considerable physical and emotional strengths.

With these hardworking and dedicated individuals in mind, Orot Israel College’s Department of Special Education hosted a yom iyun about “The Special Needs Child, the Parent, and the Therapist,” on Sunday, 23 Adar I 5771.

The first speaker was Mr. Eli Kellerman, Executive-Director of Simcha LaYeled, who lauded his organization’s volunteers – including many Orot Israel College students - for their valuable contributions. He also screened a movie about Simcha LaYeled’s assorted programs – including summer camps, programs for hospitalized children, Shabbat activities, and much more – and concluded his talk with a call for widening the circle of volunteers. Citing the organization’s motto, he observed that volunteers can help special needs children “replace the pain with happiness.”

Next, Mrs. Orli Azouriel delivered an extremely moving talk entitled “Al Tikri Banayich Ela Bonayich” (“Do Not Read ‘Your Sons’ But ‘Your Builders’” – Based on BT Brachot 64a). She presented the touching story of her son, who suffers from ataxia telangiectasia (AT) – an incurable genetic disorder, which affects the central nervous system in the cerebellum. During the course of her lecture, she shared some of her experiences as the mother of an AT patient. Mrs. Azouriel said that she feels that she herself has changed and developed as a result of her son’s birth.

“Silent Angels: The Time Is Now!” was the topic of the third lecture, delivered by Dr. Meir Lotan. Dr. Lotan, author of “Silent Angels”, is a physiotherapist, lecturer and researcher at Ariel University Center, and a leading expert on Rett syndrome. He discussed the syndrome’s causes, clinical manifestations, and treatments. Intriguingly, Dr. Lotan noted that the Rett syndrome gene has been identified and that he is optimistic that a cure will be discovered within the next decade.

Dr. Lotan’s fascinating lecture was followed by a session about ACI, the Autistic Community of Israel – a community-based independent forum comprised of people who help and support each other. Indeed, ACI is a living manifestation of the pasuk: “Each man shall help his fellow; and to his brother he shall say: be strong.” (Yeshaya 41:6) Mr. Ronen Gil, ACI’s Executive-Director, captivated the audience with his personal story and his descriptions of how he handles social interactions.

Finally, the audience enjoyed “There’s No Such Thing as a Bad Child”, a play directed and produced by Oshi Gross. The play, which is based on Mr. Gross’s own childhood, uses humor to portray some of the challenges faced by a child with learning disabilities and demonstrates how the educational environment can be adapted to meet the child’s needs. Afterwards, the students participated in a lively discussion about learning disabilities.

Thus, the thought-provoking event touched upon many of the issues confronting those working with special needs children. The students walked away with a newfound appreciation for this multifaceted field and were able to expand their knowledge in an interesting and experiential fashion.

Educational Savings at Orot

Orot students can now receive up to a full year scholarship for their college studies in Elkana.

Among the many factors that a potential student must take into account when choosing a school, finances play an increasingly important role. Orot is pleased to share two new important developments which will lighten the financial burden of students studying at Orot.

Tuition Subsidy of up to a Year

This year, the Knesset passed a new law authorizing a scholarship through the Ministry of Defense for all veterans of the IDF and National Service, should they choose to study in preferred institutions of higher learning in the south, north and Judea and Samaria - including the Orot Israel College of Education in Elkana. Any student who served in Sherut L'eumi will now receive a scholarship for up to an entire year of study at no cost. To download the flyer, click here.

Psychometry Course Subsidy
In addition, many applicants have not yet taken the psychometry exam required for college admission. Orot recently entered into a partnership with "Hakima", offering Orot applicants a special price on their preparatory course, as well as a subsidy for a percentage of the course tuition for students who enroll at Orot. For more information about these developments, contact Rabbi Reuven Spolter.