Start the New Year off by Giving Back and Volunteer

Welcome and Shana Tova. As they say in Hebrew-Kol Hatchalot Kashot" loosely translated to mean that beginnings are hard and this is a new beginning for you.
Now is the time though not to think about how hard it is for you,but think about how hard it is for others. True you are not going to be home with your family maybe for the first Rosh Hashana ever-but neither will many of our soldiers-who will be guarding our borders to ensure that we have a safe Chag.
True too that you are going to miss Mom's home cooked meals-but there are many families who will have no meals over the chag.

So take a step forward and volunteer!! Check out some great opportunities on our website:
http://here4theyear.com/pages/featured-columns/volunteer.php

And wishing you a Shana Tova!!!

Debra and Daniella

Welcome to Israel-Behatzlacha!

The young men arrriving today-women tomorrow and the learning begins in the yeshivot and seminaries around the country. The Chagim are "early" this year with Rosh Hashana, September 9th. This does not give you much time to adjust to your new surroundings, meet new friends, start learning. There are also feelings of anxiety and loneliness that will naturally come up during these first few weeks. Especially as the chagim are just 2 weeks after you arrive here-you will suddenly have to deal with a whole different way of davening. Much of the familiarity of your own shul may be missing from the davening that you will experience.
For many of you young women this year may be particularly difficult-Rosh Hashana is a 3 day chag and your school may be closed. This means you will have to find a place to stay for 3 days. The anxiety of having to be a guest possibly with a family you do not know, daven in an unfamiliar shu, may just be overwhelming.
Remember that we at Here4theyear are here for you. Please do not hesitate to be in touch with us with any issues, concerns you may have.

We look forward to being there for you throughout the year.

Debra and Daniella
here4theyear@gmail.com

The Hidden Treasures of Jerusalem

These August days of summer in Jerusalem have been "steamy" to say the least. And we could not even look forward to cool Jerusalem nights-it has been hot!!!

Well we discovered a hidden jewel-"Emek Hamatzlevah"-The Valley of the Cross. This area between Gan Sacher and the Botanical Garden has a bike path and beautiful areas where you can walk and find a quiet spot to picnic and look at the stars which is what we did last night.

Take a break from the hustle and bustle of Emek Refaim and Ben Yehuda and take a quiet walk through this quiet oasis in the heart of the city. You can even walk through and go to the Israel Museum!!!

For more information about this and other great ideas of how to spend these days contact us at:

here4theyear@gmail.com

Debra and Daniella

The 10 Plagues of Facebook by Rav Shlomo Aviner

As more and more of us post, read and refer Facebook and other internet social networking sites, this is a very important piece to read! We have a responsibility to be socially responsible in all of our behaviors.
http://www.ravaviner.com/2010/07/ten-plagues-of-facebook.html

Drink,Drink, Drink....

And we don't mean alcohol - we are talking-WATER!!!

Jerusalem and all of Israel has been experiencing a most unbelievable heat wave-temperatures in Jerusalem this week have been over 100 F. and not really cooling off at night. It is so important to drink-because we are in the Middle East-and in desert conditions you don't realize that you need to drink until it is too late.

Reminders-don't go out without a hat, sunglasses, sun screen and a bottle of water! I may sound silly and maybe a bit like your mother but these days it is important.

Keep cool and hydrated.

Debra and Daniella

Tips to help make your year in Israel a great one!

The year programs in Israel will begin in just a few weeks. Please check out our website with lots of information about finances while in Israel, adjustment issues and other information.

And don't foget, there is still time to order your bedding and any other items you may need from us. Why "shlep" blankets, pillows, mattress covers etc when you can have it all delivered to your dorm room. We can even purchase an "egg crate" for your mattress!!

So be in touch with us at here4theyear@gmail.com and we look forward to meeting you.

Debra and Daniella