Bet Shemesh Weekly News

By Rabbi Dov Lipman

SELICHOT PROGRAM AT SECULAR HIGH SCHOOL
The uniqueness of Bet Shemesh was highlighted before Yom Kippur when the city's only secular high school held a midnight selichot program.  The program included the recitation of actual selichot, the singing of special songs, presentations about Yom Kippur, and the blowing of the Shofar.  

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CITY LEADERS DISPUTE COMPLAINTS ABOUT SCHOOL GUARDS
City leaders responsible for education reacted harshly to the criticism regarding school guards which emerged in the newspapers in past weeks.  City councilman, Richard Peres (Labor, pictured) who holds the education portfolio reported that no complaints ever reached his desk and that he checked with other education authorities and no one had heard a single complaint from parents before these reports emerged in the papers.  Peres stressed that he is in touch daily with principals of the schools and would act immediately if there were any actual problems with the school guards. 

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THOUSANDS FROM ALL OVER ISRAEL ATTEND BET SHEMESH FESTIVAL 
Citizens and tourists from all over Israel flocked to Bet Shemesh over Sukkot to take part in the annual Bet Shemesh festival.  Festival events included a bike tour, hikes which highlighted the rich Tanach history in and around the city led by Midreshet Bet Shemesh, child friendly activities in Beer Hatikva, and the one of a kind concert featuring Lenny Solomon, Yossi Piamenta, Chaim Dovid, Shai Gabo, and Shlomo Katz. 

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RAV OVADYA YOSEF'S MESSAGE TO MAYOR ABUTBOL
Rav Ovadiah Yosef visited Bet Shemesh before Yom Kippur to attend the ceremony marking the completion of renovations to the shul where Mayor Abutbol prays.  Many interpreted the visit as an attempt to bolster the Mayor's standing among the city's residents.  In his words at the ceremony, Rav Ovadiah strongly encouraged the Mayor "not to forget his Sephardic brothers" who voted him into office and to make sure that their needs are met as well.  

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MADA BLOOD DRIVE
Everyone is encouraged to attend the MADA blood drive this coming Sunday night, October 3rd, from 5:30p.m.-10:30p.m. at Beit Knesset Feigenson in Nofei Aviv.  The blood drive is for anyone ages 18 and older and 17 year olds can donate blood with parental permission.  For more information please call Yosi 054-763-7025 or Devora at 054-782-6332.   

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LEARNING IN MEMORY OF THE MENORA GIRLS
The Netzach Menashe shul has organized the learning of Tanach in memory of Rikki and Racheli Menora, z"l.  This could make for a very meaningful family project especially for those with girls in their early teens.  Please go tohttp://siyumtanach.orgfree.com to sign up and take part in this meaningful project.

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