Important! Please VoteTorah or VoteZOA in WZC Elections deadline is tomorrow. Even if you don't call yourself a Zionist...(read Rabbi Lerner's reasons and my comments)

bs"d

If you are at least 18 years of age, live in the US, and accept the Jerusalem Program, see below, you are most likely eligible to vote. It costs $10 for over 30 years of age and $5 for under 30. You can pay by credit card.  There is pay back and you and others you know probably have already been a recipient.

Please send reminders to your friends and acquaintances.  TY. 

VoteTorah - THE TIME IS NOW, VOTE TODAY! VOTING ENDS TOMORROW! From Rabbi Pesach Lerner Vote Torah!

http://shemittahrediscovered.blogspot.com/2015/04/the-time-is-now-vote-today-voting-ends.html

or

VoteZOA - Your Chance to vote in an important election affecting the Jewish people: Please vote & spread the word to vote for the ZIONIST ORGANIZATION OF AMERICA/ZOA: Defend Jews & Israel Slate in the World Zionist Congress Elections!

http://shemittahrediscovered.blogspot.com/2015/04/votezoa-your-chance-to-vote-in.html

even if you just love Eretz Yisroel but wouldn't call yourself a Zionist and consider yourself a Chareidi,  please vote! Please check out the link to explain why. Thanks

VoteTorah or VoteZOA; WZO funds Mir Yeshiva and Bais Yaakov Seminaries in Eretz Yisroel catering to Diaspora Jews. That is why you should vote even if you don't call yourself a Zionist!  Important religious matters such as Mi Hu Yehudi legislation is addressed as per Rabbi Lerner's points above.

http://shemittahrediscovered.blogspot.com/2015/04/mir-yeshiva-and-bais-yaakov-seminaries.html

The WZO represents Jews Globally.  They have a billion dollar budget and are influential in deciding policy that affects World Jewry.  

Jerusalem Program

 

THE JERUSALEM PROGRAM IS THE OFFICIAL PLATFORM OF THE WORLD ZIONIST ORGANIZATION AND THE ZIONIST MOVEMENT 

Zionism, the national liberation movement of the Jewish people, brought about the establishment of the State of Israel, and views a Jewish, Zionist, democratic and secure State of Israel to be the expression of the common responsibility of the Jewish people for its continuity and future.

The foundations of Zionism are:

1. The unity of the Jewish people, its bond to its historic homeland Eretz Yisrael, and the centrality of the State of Israel and Jerusalem, its capital, in the life of the nation;
2. Aliyah to Israel from all countries and the effective integration of all immigrants into Israeli society.
3. Strengthening Israel as a Jewish, Zionist and democratic state and shaping it as an exemplary society with a unique moral and spiritual character, marked by mutual respect for the multi-faceted Jewish people, rooted in the vision of the prophets, striving for peace and contributing to the betterment of the world.
4. Ensuring the future and the distinctiveness of the Jewish people by furthering Jewish, Hebrew and Zionist education, fostering spiritual and cultural values and teaching Hebrew as the national language;
5. Nurturing mutual Jewish responsibility, defending the rights of Jews as individuals and as a nation, representing the national Zionist interests of the Jewish people, and struggling against all manifestations of anti-Semitism;
6. Settling the country as an expression of practical Zionism.

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Sincerely,

Robin Ticker
Activist emails sent to my list  are L'Ilui Nishmat Yisrael ben David Aryeh ob"m (Izzy - Kaplan) and Howard Chaim Grief great activists and lovers of Eretz Yisroel, Am Yisroel and the Torah. Yehi Zichronum Baruch.  May their memories serve as a blessing.

Most of these emails are posted on Shemittahrediscovered.blogspot.com 

Personal emails to individuals will not be posted to my blog. 

VoteZOA - Your Chance to vote in an important election affecting the Jewish people: Please vote & spread the word to vote for the ZIONIST ORGANIZATION OF AMERICA/ZOA: Defend Jews & Israel Slate in the World Zionist Congress Elections!

bs"d

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Liz Berney <lizberney@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, Mar 27, 2015 at 6:44 PM
Subject: Fwd: Thank you! VoteZOA - Your Chance to vote in an important election affecting the Jewish people: Please vote & spread the word to vote for the ZIONIST ORGANIZATION OF AMERICA/ZOA: Defend Jews & Israel Slate in the World Zionist Congress Elections!
To: Robin Ticker <faigerayzel@gmail.com>

Once every four years, Jews from around the world get to vote for legislature that represents worldwide Jewry - the World Zionist Congress.  The World Zionist Congress  decides funding priorities and policy for our major Jewish organizations.  The  Zionist Organization of America/ZOA: Defend Jews & Israeli Rights slate will fight for the right priorities - please see below flyer and/or visit VoteZOA.org.   Both the flyer below and VoteZOA.org contain the link for voting online, which is     https://myvoteourisrael.com/

The Zionist Organization of America/ZOA: Defend Jews & Israeli Rights slate is also single-handedly spearheading the fight against groups that boycott Israel that are running in this election.  We need votes to help us defeat BDS (boycotts, divestment & sanctions),and to enable us to fight for all the other important issues we face.

Please let me know if you  or anyone on your email list has any questions!  Liz   liz@zoa.org (cell:  917 687-8233)

ZIONIST ORGANIZATION OF AMERICA / ZOA: DEFEND JEWS & ISRAEL'S RIGHTS Please Vote Here Today.    for the Zionist Organization of America:DefendJews&Israel'sRights slate for the 2015 World Zionist Congress to help defend Israel and rescue Jews throughout the world. Your Vote Matters!   The Zionist Organization of America/ZOA: DefendJews&Israel'sRights slate has the right priorities for our times: The Zionist Organization of America/ZOA: DefendJews&Israel'sRights Slate's Number One Priority Is To Assist and Rescue Jews Endangered By Global Anti-Semitism: Your vote for the Zionist Organization of America/ZOA: DefendJews&Israel'sRights slate will help us ensure that the Jewish Agency has the priorities and resources needed to rescue and assist Jews in France, Sweden, Iran and all over the world who are in grave danger due to rising worldwide anti-Semitism. This is an absolutely critical life-saving priority now. Now is the time to focus on saving and protecting all Jewish lives.    A Vote For The Zionist Organization of America: DefendIsrael'sRights Slate Is Also A Vote to: Help Jewish Students Who Are Under Attack On College Campuses Defend Undivided Jerusalem and Jewish people's rights to live in Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria Oppose a Fatah-Hamas terrorist state and oppose sending tax dollars to the Fatah-Hamas regime Fight Against BDS (boycotts, divestment and sanctions)   Expose the truth about the Arab war against Israel, and the Palestinian Authority's incitement to violence against Jews in schools, mosques, media and speeches Promote Zionist and Jewish Education Support freeing Jonathan Pollard PLEASE CLICK HERE TO GO TO VOTE NOW The Zionist Organization of America: DefendIsrael'sRights slate is YOUR slate - a slate of America's leading Jewish activists*, who will fight to defend Jews and Israel's Rights.  Every stream of Judaism and every Jewish ethnic group is represented in the Zionist Organization of America/DefendJews&Israel'sRights slate.     * including top officials of the Zionist Organization of America (ZOA), StandWithUs, NORPAC, Sephardic Community Alliance, One Israel Fund, Israel Bonds, JCCWatch, Americans for a Safe Israel (AFSI), Eye on the UN, and Americans for Peace & Tolerance (pro-Israel film producers); CAMERA activists; Award-winning author of "The New Anti-Semitism" Phyllis Chesler; a fmr. U.S. Congressman; Student leaders from many universities; Prominent Rabbis, physicians and attorneys; and more!        PLEASE CLICK HERE TO GO TO VOTE NOW It only takes 2 minutes of your time & $10 (only $5 if you are under age 30). For further info: VoteZOA.org or liz@zoa.org STAY CONNECTED

--

Sincerely,

Robin Ticker
Activist emails sent to my list  are L'Ilui Nishmat Yisrael ben David Aryeh ob"m (Izzy - Kaplan) and Howard Chaim Grief great activists and lovers of Eretz Yisroel, Am Yisroel and the Torah. Yehi Zichronum Baruch.  May their memories serve as a blessing.

Most of these emails are posted on Shemittahrediscovered.blogspot.com 

Personal emails to individuals will not be posted to my blog. 

VoteTorah - THE TIME IS NOW, VOTE TODAY! VOTING ENDS TOMORROW! From Rabbi Pesach Lerner Vote Torah!

bs"d

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Rabbi Pesach Lerner <Rabbi_Pesach_Lerner@mail.vresp.com>
Date: Wed, Apr 29, 2015 at 4:05 PM

Wed, 29 April 2015 , 10 Iyyar, 5775   י׳ בְּאִיָּר תשע״ה

THE TIME IS NOW, VOTE TODAY! VOTING ENDS TOMORROW! It is not every day that we can do something simple and easy that will provide tremendous short and long term benefits for Jews in Israel and worldwide. Often, our dinner-table debates have no impact, but today we can actually make a difference. BUT TIME IS SHORT – we must act before April 30!   The Israel based World Zionist Organization, the WZO, has a direct impact upon the way both private donations and Israeli government funding – hundreds of millions of dollars – are spent to encourage Aliyah, build new communities throughout greater Israel, and service Jews and Jewish communities in Israel and abroad. Its decisions affect whether the shlichim sent by the Jewish Agency to communities around the world are Torah observant or not, the type of geirus-conversion encouraged by those and other representatives of Israel, the nature of the Jewish education provided to thousands in the former Soviet Union, South America, and small communities in Europe, and many other areas of critical concern. Their decisions may even affect what the Kotel looks like in the near future. The WZO purports to represent world Jewry, with elected parties that reflect the sizes of their constituencies – similar to the parties in Israel's Knesset. It has major influence with Knesset representatives and government officials. Voting for representatives to the next WZO Congress is now in progress; voting ends on April 30. The greater the Orthodox representation in the Congress, the greater our influence will be upon Knesset decisions affecting millions of Jews in Israel and beyond. This is not a situation in which a large sum of money will be spent either on behalf of Torah, or on neutral activities that might or might not be beneficial. On the contrary: if the funds and influence are not used to invest in authentic Judaism and in Torah education, much of these resources will be spent trying to change Jewish tradition and the religious status quo in Israel. Will Orthodox standards be preserved, and funding for Torah endeavors maintained or increased, or will the very meaning of the word "Judaism" – and critical matters such as conversion, marriage, divorce, Shabbos and Kashrus – be watered down to the most liberal of American definitions? Consider the battle in Israel today for the definition and future of Judaism in the Jewish state (and across the Jewish world). The previous government radically decreased support for Torah, threatened imprisonment for young men who remain in yeshiva, and endangered both authentic Jewish standards and the offices that preserve them. Much of the agitation for these changes came from liberal American movements, which claim to represent the majority of American Jews but in actuality face a lack of interest and involvement from their purported members – only 25% of American Jews are now members of their synagogues and temples, hardly the 90% they claim to represent. It is precisely because these American movements are in decline and losing relevance that they have taken their fight to Israel, hoping to regain recognition and legitimacy on holy ground. They are allocating serious financial and manpower resources to acquire votes – in the words of the Reform movement itself: "a successful election... is the single most effective way for the Reform movement to influence policy and shape the society of Israel." Their statement continues: "In short, these elections are the strongest way for U.S. Reform Jews to promote and encourage the progressive ideals... A Jewish state that holds true to the ideals of religious pluralism, the growth of Reform Judaism in Israel, women's equality in all areas of life, democracy, a solution to the ongoing conflict and so much more." Not to be outdone, Mercaz, representing the American Conservative movement, plans to leverage a successful performance in this election to demand full recognition of conversions, marriages and divorces failing Halachic requirements, and to divert funding from shuls and yeshivos to build and support Conservative synagogues. Millions of WZO dollars were distributed over the past several years to support the agenda of liberal American movements, and they hope to receive a still larger share of the pie this time around. This is a key moment for Orthodox participation. We, who are much more active and more honestly concerned for Torah and mitzvos, can easily match and exceed their efforts. We are all well aware that Orthodox Jewry is much younger, expanding rapidly, and that our typical family stays active and within Orthodoxy. Yet, what is self-evident to us is unknown to the typical Israeli, the typical Member of Knesset, and even to many of those who represent the "Jewish establishment" here in America. Now is the time for the Orthodox community to step forward and show our strength and our commitment. If and when the majority of votes in the WZO election's North American section come from the Orthodox, this will dramatically change the perception of who is American Jewry. Knesset members will recognize that the Orthodox community represents the majority of active Jews in the United States, those deeply committed to the future of Judaism and the welfare of our brethren in the Holy Land. The liberal movements are claiming members who are, sadly, disappearing from the Jewish community and losing interest in Israel. During a recent meeting with Israel's Chief Rabbi, Rav Dovid Lau, he told me that the Torah community's turnout in this election is extremely important. I encourage you to vote for the RELIGIOUS ZIONIST slate (slate #10) to preserve Torah standards and oppose the efforts of the liberal American movements. Every one of us that does not vote gives non-Torah voices greater influence, with repercussions for our brethren in Israel and beyond. Dialogue with your Rabbi and colleagues, with family and friends, and cast your ballot, and encourage others to cast their ballot, TODAY, for the RELIGIOUS ZIONIST slate (slate # 10) at www.myvoteourisrael.com. Please see www.voteTorah.org for additional information about this important election. Your voice will not only count today, but will have ramifications in Israel, and around the world, for years to come.   Rabbi Pesach Lerner Executive Vice President, Emeritus National Council of Young Israel, Co-Chairman, American Friends of  The International Young Israel Movement, Israel Region

VoteTorah or VoteZOA in WZC; WZO funds Mir Yeshiva and Bais Yaakov Seminaries in Eretz Yisroel catering to Diaspora Jews. That is why you should vote even if you don't call yourself a Zionist! .

bs"d

Dear Friend, Neighbor, Relative, Fellow Parent and/or Shul Member, amv"sh

The WZC or the World Zionist Congress elections are ending this Thursday.   If you don't consider yourself a Zionist but you consider yourself Shomrei Torah UMitzvoth, Yirei Shamayim, an Ohev Yisroel this email is also for you!  This vote affects Torah Hashkafa and funding for Torah education for Jews like yourself and your family members  Please read on!

If you consider yourself a Zionist than this email is definitely for you and is a reminder for you to vote in the WZC election and to send a reminder to all your contacts whom you think should vote. 

The deadline is coming up. Just a few more days. Voting closes this Thursday night April 30th midnight . Fyi the delegates are voted for every 4 years so the ramifications of these elections will continue for 4 years until the next vote.  

The WZC have 450 delegates from throughout the world,145 come from America. The Conservative Movement, the Reform Movement and the Orthodox Community are all represented.

If you are more Chareidi, "black hat" camp, or have a Chofetz Chaim Hashkafa, and  think it doesn't affect you directly, than let me ask you this.   Perhaps you or your child or a friend or a friend's child or relative attended Mir Yeshiva in Eretz Yisroel which gets funded directly from WZO or  received a scholarship for a Bais Yaakov Seminary like Bnos Sarah, that receives funding from Masa? Check out these Bais Yaakov Seminaries which are funded by Masa coming from the WZO? http://www.masaisrael.org (search for "bais yaakov")  

 This information alone should suffice to convince you to vote and to convince others to vote. Hakoras Hatov if nothing else.

Part of the billion dollar budget that comes from WZO had been allocated to these Yeshivoth as well as other programs.  This happened because delegates within the 450 member of the WZC (World Zionist Congress) within the WZO (World Zionist Organization) appreciate the value of Torah and Jewish Education. 

This may surprise you but that is the reality.  The Vote Torah slate from America for example has 35 delegates. VoteTorah.org. Some very influential members of important committees come within their ranks. 

Well I'm not a Mizrachist  nor a Religious Zionist you say.  

Let me beg you to have an open mind.  This should not be a political decision.  People may convince you it is politics and concerns helping a Zionist organization and better not to get involved.  They advise your focus to be on learning Torah, davening, being ehrlich and convince you this is nisht inzere sugia.  (not a concern of ours)

Please think logically about this argument. How is this election any different than any election.  Don't you want a Torah position to dominate politics rather than the opposite.  Our Rabbanim always encourage us to vote so that our values will be represented properly. This is no different. This vote actually does affect you directly and indirectly.   It affects the Mi hu Yehudi vote, the  Who is a Jew vote in the Knesset and it affects allocations to Jewish education which includes educational grants for Jews in the Diaspora. We all know how expensive it is to study a year in Israel.   If you do not vote, you indirectly empower those who do not share Torah values because they will get the most votes and the most funding.

 Is it any surprise that Israel politics is dominated by those without a Torah Hashkafa. if you or others like you don't take the time to vote nor appreciate why it is relevant to you who can you hold accountable that you are not represented and that they get all the benefits and funding?

 Wouldn't you want delegates who believe in Torah to carry key positions on the committees which help to decide how funds are allocated?  Surely you do.  If that is the case, doesn't it make sense to vote for a slate and for delegates who are likely to vote to allocate monies into programs and Hashkafa most to your liking?

Torah Observant Jews have demography on its side.  Torah observant Jews should have more delegates representing them because it is a truthful representation of their demography. This demography will not be represented nor reflected if they have no representation.

Let me explain how the secular "Zionist" effectively convince the Torah community, (and unfortunately the leaders fall for it),  to take less of what they truly deserve.   They convince them that being a Zionist is to be anti Torah. They convince the community to be passive by feeding on the desire to stay away from anything labeled as "Zionist" which translates to something secular and by extension treif..  

But they are fooling you and don't fall for it.  This will keep you out of the picture and they will make decisions that affect you according to their values and beliefs.

Torah Observant Jews daven 3x a day or at least try to.  We daven for Zion and cry for the Beit Hamikdash, and for Zion whose literal translation means a marker.  Hamakom (The Place) Asher Yivchar Hashem, refers to the designated spot assigned by Hashem for the Beit Hamikdash. That is the accurate and truthful definition of Zion.  It is in all of our prayers be in Shacharit, Mincha and Maariv not to mention bentching. We sing it each time the H-ly Ark, the Aron HaKodesh is opened when we read from the Torah.  "Ki Mizion Tezei Torah Udvar Hashem  MeYerushalyim".  From Zion, Torah will go Forth and the Word of G-d from Jerusalem?

By definition, as a Chareidi Torah observant Jew that makes you a Zionist even if you don't want to call yourself one or be labeled as such.  

However, like so many other truths, the lexicon, the terminology has been hijacked.  "Peace" Now stands for support of the Palestinians who speak of wiping Israel off the map.  "Human rights" council in the UN are headed and  represented by regimes known for their worse abuse of human rights, who deny freedom of religion and turn women into their slaves and deny them the freedom to safely walk the streets unaccompanied.  

Unfortunately the term Zionist has morphed into a false mental image of someone who is anti Torah. 

One who is knowledgeable in Torah knows that only in the Land of Israel, specifically Zion, the place of the H-ly Beis Hamikdash can Torah Law, truth and justice be actualized to its fullest. 

But don't we need a Sanhedrin for this to actualize? Moshiach has yet to arrive!

In answer, surely we can all agree that in order to actualize our dream of returning to Zion of thousands of years, we first must acknowledge that Zion is fundamental to Torah rather than the opposite.. 

By definition, a true Zionist is one who desires Torah and G-d's Word to spread to the 4 corners of the earth.

So don't feel that by declaring yourself a Zionist you have turned your back on Torah.  

Quite the opposite, you are representing  Torah and you are voting for Torah.  Don't let strangers, a wolf dressed in sheep clothing convince you otherwise. We must take back our Heritage and be a proud Zionist, the bearer of Torah, truth and justice.

It is for this reason Mishpacha Magazine, Rabbi Twersky active in the Agudah in Chicago and many Rabbanim have called upon their constituents to vote in this election. The importance to vote or a debate regarding the matter was written up in Matzav.com. http://matzav.com/the-time-is-now-vote-today and Yeshiva World  http://www.theyeshivaworld.com/coffeeroom/topic/voting-for-the-world-zionist-congress

I hear you say. The sponsors for VoteTorah.org slate is predominantly Dati Leumi and not Chareidi. 

in answer let us take our cue from the Talmud.  The Talmud is the perfect example that within the framework of Torah we have our differences.  Hillel and Shamai are the perfect examples. Hopefully next election we will be united around Torah and not be divided by false narratives that convince Torah Jews that to be a Zionist means to be anti Torah. 

I hope you are convinced to vote! 

There are different slates in this election which resonate with Torah Hashkafa.  VoteTorah.org is obviously one of them.  

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B86sGl9yfinjNEJJUjQ1VENZR1BzVGpuZGo5ZTctN1JWM0N3/view?usp=sharing The other slate is ZOA.    VoteTorah.org slate and voteZOA.org slate share Torah values. VoteTorah had 35 delegates and ZOA has had 4 to 5 delegates in the Congress.  Here is a promotion for ZOA as well. ZOA has been a strong defender for our rights in Judea and Samaria and does important work to stop BDS which targets Jews and business in Judea and Samaria. from ZOA: Your Vote Matters!   The Zionist Organization of America/ZOA: DefendJews&Israel'sRights slate has the right priorities for our times: The Zionist Organization of America/ZOA: DefendJews&Israel'sRights Slate's Number One Priority Is To Assist and Rescue Jews Endangered By Global Anti-Semitism: Your vote for the Zionist Organization of America/ZOA: DefendJews&Israel'sRights slate will help us ensure that the Jewish Agency has the priorities and resources needed to rescue and assist Jews in France, Sweden, Iran and all over the world who are in grave danger due to rising worldwide anti-Semitism. This is an absolutely critical life-saving priority now. Now is the time to focus on saving and protecting all Jewish lives.  A Vote For The Zionist Organization of America: DefendIsrael'sRights Slate Is Also A Vote to: Help Jewish Students Who Are Under Attack On College Campuses Defend Undivided Jerusalem and Jewish people's rights to live in Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria Oppose a Fatah-Hamas terrorist state and oppose sending tax dollars to the Fatah-Hamas regime Fight Against BDS (boycotts, divestment and sanctions)   Expose the truth about the Arab war against Israel, and the Palestinian Authority's incitement to violence against Jews in schools, mosques, media and speeches Promote Zionist and Jewish Education Support freeing Jonathan Pollard PLEASE CLICK HERE TO GO TO VOTE NOW The Zionist Organization of America: DefendIsrael'sRights slate is YOUR slate - a slate of America's leading Jewish activists*, who will fight to defend Jews and Israel's Rights.  Every stream of Judaism and every Jewish ethnic group is represented in the ZionistOrganization of America/DefendJews&Israel'sRights slate. * including top officials of the Zionist Organization of America (ZOA), StandWithUs, NORPAC, Sephardic Community Alliance, One Israel Fund, Israel Bonds, JCCWatch, Americans for a Safe Israel (AFSI), Eye on the UN, and Americans for Peace & Tolerance (pro-Israel film producers); CAMERA activists; Award-winning author of "The New Anti-Semitism" Phyllis Chesler; a fmr. U.S. Congressman; Student leaders from many universities; Prominent Rabbis, physicians and attorneys; and more!  It only takes 2 minutes of your time & $10 (only $5 if you are under age 30). For further info: VoteZOA.org or liz@zoa.org

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Sincerely,

Robin Ticker
Activist emails sent to my list  are L'Ilui Nishmat Yisrael ben David Aryeh ob"m (Izzy - Kaplan) and Howard Chaim Grief great activists and lovers of Eretz Yisroel, Am Yisroel and the Torah. Yehi Zichronum Baruch.  May their memories serve as a blessing.

Most of these emails are posted on Shemittahrediscovered.blogspot.com

Personal emails to individuals will not be posted to my blog. 

Isis and Iranian Threat

bs"d

• Libya – ISIS mass murder of Christians continues
  

http://www.lisadaftari.com/libya-isis-mass-murder-christians-continues/?

• Op-Ed: Obama's Last Red-Line: Blockade of Iranian Weapons to Yemen 

The all-too realistic scenarios that will follow if Obama fails to set a red line for Iranian arms supply to the Houthis. Pub

lished: Sunday, April 26, 2015 7:30 AM 

http://www.israelnationalnews.com/Articles/Article.aspx/16838#.VT3cPyFViko

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Sincerely,

Robin Ticker
Activist emails sent to my list  are L'Ilui Nishmat Yisrael ben David Aryeh ob"m (Izzy - Kaplan) and Howard Chaim Grief great activists and lovers of Eretz Yisroel, Am Yisroel and the Torah. Yehi Zichronum Baruch.  May their memories serve as a blessing.

Most of these emails are posted on Shemittahrediscovered.blogspot.com 

Personal emails to individuals will not be posted to my blog.