tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77479668650790499042024-02-19T19:39:13.584+03:00Rav Guy's שער הגיאRunning commentary by Rabbi Guy Avihod; mostly about Shaf Yativ, but also about Torah and life.
.
.
Shaf Yativ: Beit Midrash in ancient Babel, made of stones from the Temple “which was ruined and re-built and always had holy spirit in it” (Rashi Rosh Hashana 24)גיא אביהודhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16461618499944182959noreply@blogger.comBlogger41125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7747966865079049904.post-8047997710928513002010-11-21T01:05:00.000+02:002010-11-21T01:05:34.416+02:00sports Day 2010<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5V-7SW6CuhdDGJAUNedxDzm0Kcsr6ziz88XRX4bfwAtrdMkkB4yHryeh2Fwe6dimGgDvAK_nNPvvyM_stdgl4qe5UHY-_LRCZKR1CZcnXF0i5fju_KdK3tEZabqdFhTzK8hF-wHr9SY-b/s1600/IMG_0112.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5V-7SW6CuhdDGJAUNedxDzm0Kcsr6ziz88XRX4bfwAtrdMkkB4yHryeh2Fwe6dimGgDvAK_nNPvvyM_stdgl4qe5UHY-_LRCZKR1CZcnXF0i5fju_KdK3tEZabqdFhTzK8hF-wHr9SY-b/s160/IMG_0112.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7ICj_9asSPp-EPVr-R6szkHIvF2KZA1wBhyphenhyphenPugqjO2QLbfPt3QPHlrL3_ayfY017le3s8hMF9bm3LSWX5zvBVUAxyhmXtFzWhujwOCqEX5DSjKGS7PeiBgcGrfSy_HsSBBSiSDRl4DMXW/s1600/IMG_0102.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7ICj_9asSPp-EPVr-R6szkHIvF2KZA1wBhyphenhyphenPugqjO2QLbfPt3QPHlrL3_ayfY017le3s8hMF9bm3LSWX5zvBVUAxyhmXtFzWhujwOCqEX5DSjKGS7PeiBgcGrfSy_HsSBBSiSDRl4DMXW/s160/IMG_0102.JPG" /></a> <br />Sports Day 2010 in Jerusalem was again a great hit.<br /><br />The students didn't want to leave the learning behind, but after remembering the good times of our past trips, decided to make the treck down to the park.<br /><br />At the park our Social Workers took the time to welcome the new students and to play a friendly name memory game. It was great to see how the students are united and care about each other in a deep way.<br /><br />After the social acitvity we came to the important stuff -Soccer.<br />The Rabbis again showed off their abilities, and were by far the best our there, but some of the students, especially the goalies on both teams had flashes of genious.<br />Ariel the social worker proved to be a great addition to our soccer team. I think that when we finally have a tournament against Ramat Gan, Jerusalem will surely win the soccer part of it.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIi-HWcW0e04qFDaNIvJNpDjvFHb_akg_pMlgDxUjefErsiR9NmPG9oICqPiczH5m0UXXwYNHltqqrSac_xFN9lpUHjpXKUL3q79b8G6AF44CXYIy6MMvarwgLmvfDHKRNItZQ8VGXJ-NC/s1600/IMG_0094.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIi-HWcW0e04qFDaNIvJNpDjvFHb_akg_pMlgDxUjefErsiR9NmPG9oICqPiczH5m0UXXwYNHltqqrSac_xFN9lpUHjpXKUL3q79b8G6AF44CXYIy6MMvarwgLmvfDHKRNItZQ8VGXJ-NC/s160/IMG_0094.JPG" /></a> After all the games we had our traditional spread. Bread and hummus, cold cuts and soda... we were set!<br /><br />The day ended as we layed exhusted on the grass, energized to take on the world.<div style='clear:both; text-align:LEFT'><a href='http://picasa.google.com/blogger/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' style='border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;' align='middle' border='0' /></a></div>Guy Avihodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09815695871697013412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7747966865079049904.post-82660488895162909182010-11-02T22:49:00.003+02:002010-11-02T22:55:42.368+02:00One Year In Ramat GanI am so pleased! I am so excited!<br />These 2 weeks (between the Hebrew and English dates) mark our one year anniversary in Ramat Gan. We are definatly on the right track.<br />I must thank our staff, who are amazing and work together to achieve the most incredible things. We learned how to assist each other and use each one's strengths.<br />One month ago we had a great addition, Moshe, who's job is to help our students integrate back into society. In the past couple of weeks, he helped 4 of our students integrate in a most meaningful way. One is an assistant teacher, one is an assitant gardner, one works in a supermarket, and one is starting to learn in a regular Yeshiva a couple times a week and in the afternoons. And more are on the way.<br />I am happy to say WE ARE CHANGING THE WORLD, and I am so so proud.Guy Avihodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09815695871697013412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7747966865079049904.post-30127395129549315032010-11-01T23:15:00.001+02:002010-11-02T23:17:29.589+02:00English Speakers Program<p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; BACKGROUND: white; mso-outline-level: 3" dir="rtl" class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma', 'sans-serif'; COLOR: #555544; FONT-SIZE: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'" dir="ltr"><?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p> </o:p></span></b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Georgia', 'serif'; COLOR: #555544; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'">After a very long time we finally took the plunge and opened an English speakers track. It was very hard for me to turn people away from the program, but language is the most basic tools that we need for rehabilitation and integration.</span><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; COLOR: #555544; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ascii-font-family: Georgia; mso-hansi-font-family: Georgia" dir="rtl" lang="HE"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; unicode-bidi: embed; DIRECTION: ltr; BACKGROUND: white" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Georgia', 'serif'; COLOR: #555544; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'">Finally, we decided to go for it. We took the amazing <b>Rabbi Barry Rosen </b>as the leader of the group. He sits with the students lifts them up and gives them hope. There are not enough words to describe his dedication and level of caring, and he is showing amazing results.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; unicode-bidi: embed; DIRECTION: ltr; BACKGROUND: white" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Georgia', 'serif'; COLOR: #555544; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'">People who we thought were mute, are speaking. People who we thought did not believe in their ability to get up in the morning and keep a schedule are doing the unbelievable.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 10pt; unicode-bidi: embed; DIRECTION: ltr; BACKGROUND: white" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Georgia', 'serif'; COLOR: #555544; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'">Thank you Rabbi and good luck to us all.</span><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; COLOR: #555544; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><o:p></o:p></span></p>Guy Avihodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09815695871697013412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7747966865079049904.post-9357941782805908982010-09-08T08:49:00.006+03:002010-09-08T09:58:12.985+03:00Rosh HashanaIt says that on Rosh Hashana the meritorious are written in the book of life and the culpable are written in the book of death. When we look at it it seems improbable. We read and listen to the news during the year, and they speak of evil and corruptness. <strong>What about Rosh Hashana? Why are they still around???</strong><br />I think that with a different interpitation we can understand it better. The <em>meritorious </em>of whom the rabbis speak of are ones who look at all times to make the most of the opportunities god gave them. They look at the beauty of the world and thus they get the most out of it - they LIVE every moment. Their focus is outward so there is much to get out of life.<br />The culpable, are the ones who's vision is self centerd. For them, the world is dangerous, it is full of people -who are not them! who are not looking out for them!<br />When your definition of good is limited, your oppurtunity for happiness is limited and your life is limited.<br />I pray that this year we will be meritorious to look for the happiness of others, not just ourselves, and choose life!Guy Avihodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09815695871697013412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7747966865079049904.post-90722266628214609482010-08-25T00:51:00.001+03:002010-08-25T00:51:48.197+03:00I noticed i've been writing a lot lately, scroll down for picturesGuy Avihodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09815695871697013412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7747966865079049904.post-5317691707954649262010-08-24T12:49:00.001+03:002010-08-25T00:53:32.605+03:00My students the heroes<p style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 10pt; unicode-bidi: embed; DIRECTION: ltr" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">Yesterday I had a talk with my students. I told them about my ventures in America and recounted my speeches and meetings. The one thing that was most obvious was that my students are heroes. They are changing the way the world looks at mental illness. They show the world that it is possible to live a productive life even after being diagnosed with bi-polarity, or schizophrenia. They give hope to those who thought mental illness was like a death sentence. They give people who were scared of mental illness and thought that "those people" should be locked up, a different perspective. The fact that they are not giving up, that they get up in the morning, get on the bus, go and learn for hours, then continue to have<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>a full life, is a testament not only to their strength, but to the abilities of the human race to overcome difficulties.</span></p>Guy Avihodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09815695871697013412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7747966865079049904.post-6123724421654186182010-08-23T00:32:00.001+03:002010-08-25T00:45:30.614+03:00The strength of community - in halacha<p style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 10pt; unicode-bidi: embed; DIRECTION: ltr" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">When I was in Los Angeles, back at the great community of Em Habanim congregation, it really dawned on me how important a community is. During those tough days, when I kept making phone calls and visits to donors to no avail, the thing that kept me strong was the community. And then I had an insight. When our great sages originally determined the times of prayer, they set them to be at dawn and dusk. Those two occasions are times of uncertainty, times of shadows and fears. They correspond to times in our lives when we are surrounded by uncertainty and are trepid of being overwhelmed with life. At those times, the sages told us we must cling to a community, a Minyan of our peers, to know that we are not alone in facing our fears. In fact, even when a person prays on their own, they should have in mind a connection to a minyan that takes place at the same time. This is to instill in us the knowledge that even though we may be alone, physically, we are always connected to our community in spirit. (same is true for Shiva, but that's for another post) <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span>Although we may have an instinct to become a virtual recluse and run away from everyone when facing challenging times, the wisdom of our fathers tell us we must seek company, supportive company. I see with my students, how unsure they are sometimes about opening up to others. I also see how, if they are able to overcome this initial instinct, the social interaction and bonding does wonders for their self esteem and functional abilities.</span></p>Guy Avihodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09815695871697013412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7747966865079049904.post-66468013521823515472010-08-20T12:30:00.001+03:002010-08-25T00:32:39.026+03:00Back in Israel<p style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 10pt; unicode-bidi: embed; DIRECTION: ltr" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">My trip to the states taught me a lot. First, after telling people about our institute so many times, and getting a lot of feed back, I grew even more confident in our way. I saw that the need for a new vision is great, and that the job we do is truly amazing. Second, I saw how much the Jewish people care for each other. I met with dozens of people, who were very encouraging of our job. Even though not all could participate financially in the undertaking, all wanted to encourage us and felt good about the project. Actually, when I came back I told my students we must pray for those Jews in America who work so hard to pay for kosher food and a Jewish education. I told my students we should pray Hashem will give them strength and emunah that things are going to be better. Third, I learned about the strength of community. More on that in the next post.</span></p>Guy Avihodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09815695871697013412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7747966865079049904.post-50025093430008425022010-08-15T09:29:00.002+03:002010-08-15T09:41:28.977+03:00California... part 2I'm finishing off my America trip these days. I had a wonderful Shabbat at <strong>Em Habanim</strong>, my dear friend <strong>Sidney chriqui</strong> really went out of his way to help us out. He presented our program beautifully and I was extremely touched by the response of the community and the pledges given. Later I was invited to speak to some friends from <strong>Shaarey Zedek</strong> and was very well recieved as well. It is a great feeling to be a shaliach for my students and a shalich for the community in North Hollywood.<br />Thank you!גיא אביהודhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16461618499944182959noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7747966865079049904.post-86856840076435037292010-07-26T18:51:00.002+03:002010-07-26T18:54:17.758+03:00California here I ... amit is nice to come back and visit in Los Angeles. I am very happy in Jerusalem and don't miss living here, but I am very happy to see the people I grew up with and learned from. It is heartwarming to share my mission with these people that shaped my life.Guy Avihodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09815695871697013412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7747966865079049904.post-79584664118800533112010-06-29T11:28:00.000+03:002010-07-13T11:32:19.850+03:00Day At The Beach<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkePW8K0gBOvlc4NASJ-Mk2SVKGnqJUOU0G5Zgw9PwnU6ci05cVxjN-04veSffkrMtxtltk2NMUnwgciEWmkQxx-YidyOMfraw9pHU-QGooBHTTwBkOpreqRMp2G8ygaCdZcei1CTkZ_1s/s1600/IMG_6878.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkePW8K0gBOvlc4NASJ-Mk2SVKGnqJUOU0G5Zgw9PwnU6ci05cVxjN-04veSffkrMtxtltk2NMUnwgciEWmkQxx-YidyOMfraw9pHU-QGooBHTTwBkOpreqRMp2G8ygaCdZcei1CTkZ_1s/s320/IMG_6878.JPG" /></a> We had a most amazing experience at the beach yesterday.<br /><br />We hired a bus and took the students from Jerusalem and also Ramat Gan.<br /><br /><br />Unfortunatly, words, or even pictures, can't describe it. It is a feeling of life and rebirth. The students were elated, and there was amazing bonding.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfe1BVmODrfD4b3U9bRa8nQXv8uN0O8rmPcItMGsB85E6v88Gzdn_Arf2NI5W2E12dBDfnr1r4ffBZCFX4x0gsCtsP1hHLv1jOzL66SPcY_qf8H9XaoDyj_gPB9H63ggOwYlu0jn3gU0mJ/s1600/IMG_6881.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfe1BVmODrfD4b3U9bRa8nQXv8uN0O8rmPcItMGsB85E6v88Gzdn_Arf2NI5W2E12dBDfnr1r4ffBZCFX4x0gsCtsP1hHLv1jOzL66SPcY_qf8H9XaoDyj_gPB9H63ggOwYlu0jn3gU0mJ/s320/IMG_6881.JPG" /></a><br />Some students have not been at the beach in years...<br /><br /><br />I can't wait to get back to the beach<br /><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; CLEAR: both"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; BACKGROUND: 0% 50%; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial" border="0" alt="Posted by Picasa" align="middle" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" /></a></div>Guy Avihodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09815695871697013412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7747966865079049904.post-88364411569754408492010-06-20T06:24:00.002+03:002010-07-13T11:33:17.271+03:00English TrackI am so excited. We are developing a track for English speakers in the Yeshiva. Unfortunatly, I had to turn down a few interested students because they did not have a good enough hold on the Hebrew language.<br />We decided to open a new track to cater to new immigrants. This track will feature learning in English, learning with an Israeli partner and learning how to speak and read basic Hebrew with professional support staff.<br />We are currently looking for sponsors to help us get the program off the ground - wish us luckGuy Avihodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09815695871697013412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7747966865079049904.post-40234379974234330502010-05-13T08:18:00.001+03:002010-07-13T11:34:02.991+03:00Welcoming Itai- the integration specialistI haven't updated my blog in such a long time but things have been going so great I was swamped. We have a new staff member - Itai. His Job is to get guys integrated in regular settings. He is currently helping five new guys find a regular learning setting in Yeshivot.<br />He is also supporting three more of our students in their integration into WORK. They manage to combine learning (and staying in touch with thier friends) with working part time. Excelent!<br /><br />Itai is a life coach as well and I want to expand his position into work training and goal setting workshops, please g-d.<br /><br />Rav GuyGuy Avihodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09815695871697013412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7747966865079049904.post-38815627590752934932010-03-22T17:57:00.001+02:002010-04-27T09:49:37.090+03:00Pessach 2010<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDtXZEjg2aYrZG-7V3zPA5M8n7rJSgpbmTIiICkBDsV5QODQs6EEhIdRycSk0Ld9-PEK_F-l1n_I2tZJKAxYP1louTVKS05AqATW3JWus13rJEiCl3gJv-pBGFjD_Cj6EbS_dUnP0dnjho/s1600/03242010.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDtXZEjg2aYrZG-7V3zPA5M8n7rJSgpbmTIiICkBDsV5QODQs6EEhIdRycSk0Ld9-PEK_F-l1n_I2tZJKAxYP1louTVKS05AqATW3JWus13rJEiCl3gJv-pBGFjD_Cj6EbS_dUnP0dnjho/s400/03242010.jpg" /></a> This year we continued our tradition of volenteering in the community before Pessach and again joined hands with "good neighboor" foundation to make food baskets to needy families.<br /><br />We got to the warehouse in the morning and started packing... carrots, onions, eggs... it was quite a physical activity.<br /><br />We sang along while we worked and felt like this bit of manual labor was exactly the opposite of slavery in Egypt. What were doing here was helping our fellow Jew and giving up some of our physical comfort so we can be part of the Jewish nation.<br /><br />After a whole morning of work, and hundreds of kilos of food, we came out of there exhusted but very very proud and happy.<br /><br />Happy Passover. <div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; CLEAR: both"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; BACKGROUND: 0% 50%; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial" border="0" alt="Posted by Picasa" align="middle" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" /></a></div>Guy Avihodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09815695871697013412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7747966865079049904.post-79699005665373711372010-03-16T23:21:00.003+02:002010-04-11T23:29:27.110+03:00TrippingWhat a wonderful time we had. I feel absolutly blessed!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbtgt6Vuotwi7zpwcMB3zNMsd7Lm6mgB2OQc5O3PXQExR2CHTgI8FCYToziQ1bTH1ff0KlBNZqC_LTXr8OtYL6TUo-6CXiheG7Txslsveh28ZXgWypwfYhOKRUOUWdMwR3VdOFLI2q7bwT/s1600/PIC_0949.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 229px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 174px; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbtgt6Vuotwi7zpwcMB3zNMsd7Lm6mgB2OQc5O3PXQExR2CHTgI8FCYToziQ1bTH1ff0KlBNZqC_LTXr8OtYL6TUo-6CXiheG7Txslsveh28ZXgWypwfYhOKRUOUWdMwR3VdOFLI2q7bwT/s320/PIC_0949.JPG" width="257" height="240" /></a><br /><br />In honor of Rosh Hodesh Nissan and our <strong>2 year anniversary,</strong> we took a bus and went for a whole day trip up north.<br />We met in Jerusalem at 8:30 and soon after that we were on our way. We picked up some of the students along the way and continued over to our Ramat Gan campus.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS0o2oVEqtCbqMJlWRdp9qSV9hK_RVBED3pGyMNWC_JsjdTA7RA-nhREJmsw06WatcR8JsJanLsjT3SvCJmTxRQd37VkSVVyTy6lx54ELTrY9_HakX7tpQkQf9xpJOFMY8sVDVg6B8S_-G/s1600/PIC_0937.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS0o2oVEqtCbqMJlWRdp9qSV9hK_RVBED3pGyMNWC_JsjdTA7RA-nhREJmsw06WatcR8JsJanLsjT3SvCJmTxRQd37VkSVVyTy6lx54ELTrY9_HakX7tpQkQf9xpJOFMY8sVDVg6B8S_-G/s320/PIC_0937.JPG" /></a><br />We picked up the rest of the guys in Ramat Gan - we actually filled up a whole bus - not to bad considering we started 2 years ago with six students and a dream.<br /><br />We had an awsome time on the bus. It was a real party on wheels. We had music, jokes, tour guiding and torah. Many of the guys were encouraged by the incredible mood and came to the front of the bus to pick up the microphone.<br />It was touching to see how we all came together - from throughout the counrty, each with his background and culture, and really came together as friends making lasting relationships.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjLL14JAG0cBOrVDvFVYef3pJh2mZZzfy_BQiEgUcEQzcg_5imodMDI__kSJ0sX-oZdQuIvtIQ2Di8Giw23BgynGoYlzGuCAsrwI6mb-SF3Q_ghm_9cNwhh5Aqvkb5X403zghHz8aBXdmB/s1600/PIC_0953.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjLL14JAG0cBOrVDvFVYef3pJh2mZZzfy_BQiEgUcEQzcg_5imodMDI__kSJ0sX-oZdQuIvtIQ2Di8Giw23BgynGoYlzGuCAsrwI6mb-SF3Q_ghm_9cNwhh5Aqvkb5X403zghHz8aBXdmB/s320/PIC_0953.JPG" /></a><br />We had a great lunch on the north shore of the Kinneret. Some of us were brave enough to dip in the water of the hidden waterfall.<br />We continued to the Tzefat region and finished the night at Miron, tomb of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai.<br /><br />We came back at 11:30 at night. Everyone was safe and sound, filled with memories that would last a lifetime.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCXq7Hbh5sIJcadQPWXHKIKEq30cER-U0aztg_X-tk_DEe9Yi1qMP77f849XhDVqM5KYlvmF5CvAB02qnKreGJhikEsyL0jykvSM33lUYTABDi7VOHEb0FxqA9pk7IJErVTo5bng_Ao_N6/s1600/PIC_0982.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCXq7Hbh5sIJcadQPWXHKIKEq30cER-U0aztg_X-tk_DEe9Yi1qMP77f849XhDVqM5KYlvmF5CvAB02qnKreGJhikEsyL0jykvSM33lUYTABDi7VOHEb0FxqA9pk7IJErVTo5bng_Ao_N6/s320/PIC_0982.JPG" width="227" height="164" /></a><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; CLEAR: both"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; BACKGROUND: 0% 50%; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial" border="0" alt="Posted by Picasa" align="middle" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" /></a></div>Guy Avihodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09815695871697013412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7747966865079049904.post-8349178519483942512010-02-22T11:24:00.004+02:002010-02-22T11:55:29.663+02:00Thank God I Was SickI was very sick last week.<br />It started on Thursday, I was feeling weak and a little hot. Things got intense on Friday, somehow I got out of the house for an hour on Shabbat and <strong>then</strong> <strong>crawled back into bed, where I stayed for three days</strong>. I had high fever, took advil Tylanol and Acamol, trying anything that will work. I also put cold compresses on and took four showers a day.<br />It felt absolutly awful not to be in contorl of my body. <strong>The high fever made me unrestful and weak</strong> (sorry enough for me???)<br />Finally, my fever broke and I felt a little better, physically. Although I felt drained psychologically. When I went back to teaching I felt that it was a lot harder to concentrate. I felt frustrated with it. Things that I used to be able to handle with ease took me a lot longer all of the sudden.<br /><strong>Yesterday I finally got it!</strong> I was explaining to some of my students (saturday night) how weak I felt and how I still felt the effects of the illness. All of the sudden I realized that I've heard this story many times before - from my students in the Beit Midrash.<br />I Yelled out THANK YOU GOD ! <strong>I understood that this short illness that I went through was so that I could better understand and feel what my students are saying</strong>. It's not that I'm really comparing three days in bed to what some of my students went through, but it is a microcosm, a peek into this reality. For this I thank God. I am now truely happy that I was sick on those days and felt miserable for it made me a better person. Baruch Hashem!גיא אביהודhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16461618499944182959noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7747966865079049904.post-83872308969962496752010-01-31T17:57:00.005+02:002010-02-22T11:24:28.956+02:00Tu Bishvat<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-EUx-MVyt4iZfnAeJBODMNT7prGM47gOUYLNS9kcyod1hyGZ5yXKBFq15KwQe1WBoO_Gilvh32U3OJ3PAKgNVT-RdGWcemSPsgwx2mQxS6w4yym9o8qrq-bGCrzZMe7hKu3fhBkJcqW4/s1600-h/01282010(012).jpg"><span style="font-size:0;"><span style="font-size:0;"></span></span><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436897633408205890" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-EUx-MVyt4iZfnAeJBODMNT7prGM47gOUYLNS9kcyod1hyGZ5yXKBFq15KwQe1WBoO_Gilvh32U3OJ3PAKgNVT-RdGWcemSPsgwx2mQxS6w4yym9o8qrq-bGCrzZMe7hKu3fhBkJcqW4/s320/01282010(012).jpg" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://localhost:51064/da812ca11cd426098f8d4d31309f781f/image/d0fdaba367a6d881.jpg"></a><br />Tu Bishvat !!!<br /><br />What a wonderful day we had last Thursday. We took the guys to Tu Bishvat trips. We went with the guys in Jerusalem to the Botanical Gardens - which are right across the street from our new location.<br />We had a nice trip around the gardens. The tour guide blew everyone away with his amazing knowledge.<br />We also had a great time planting some flowers, it's such a good feeling to plant - amazing.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEJvrqEc-87V1_3K678HGDal2Zl3OZkSNltTXbdpTImYdVzYlK7O1jrNnGC1OgEg3gamEAwml0Fbjrep9wADup5NszSvSUEhxyV8gQKiYL7iPTnqib9An-tZW3r9p2zZb_f2OAMZO25jw/s1600-h/01282010(010).jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436897639838457474" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEJvrqEc-87V1_3K678HGDal2Zl3OZkSNltTXbdpTImYdVzYlK7O1jrNnGC1OgEg3gamEAwml0Fbjrep9wADup5NszSvSUEhxyV8gQKiYL7iPTnqib9An-tZW3r9p2zZb_f2OAMZO25jw/s320/01282010(010).jpg" /></a><br />With our Ramat Gan branch we went on our first outing - the the national park in ramat Gan, we took the guys, brought lots of food and had a great time running around on the lawns.<br /><br />These outings are great, they give a chance to relate to each other on a different level, to connect better and they enhance the feeling of belinging and the learning experience.<br /><br />Can't wait for next month. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfii_JguVPyDS9zou1p9HgGZz8bFFY2qp8rTWywhvu64JKHgDkXTMHyFqEiUAYAh4RGFaDdT7XTbz4PPhWB_FhEx8wzi6R4boxNxT3-drbc4tt6ONVscYtr5AQfp1EMYMnMli2clP9aOk/s1600-h/01282010(005).jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436897627397157170" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfii_JguVPyDS9zou1p9HgGZz8bFFY2qp8rTWywhvu64JKHgDkXTMHyFqEiUAYAh4RGFaDdT7XTbz4PPhWB_FhEx8wzi6R4boxNxT3-drbc4tt6ONVscYtr5AQfp1EMYMnMli2clP9aOk/s320/01282010(005).jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://localhost:51064/da812ca11cd426098f8d4d31309f781f/image/8f885c218704dc37.jpg"></a><br /><a href="http://localhost:51064/da812ca11cd426098f8d4d31309f781f/image/82d091a3ac03b750.jpg"></a>גיא אביהודhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16461618499944182959noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7747966865079049904.post-76467653431227139222009-12-22T18:03:00.003+02:002009-12-22T18:23:27.492+02:00The power of hopethis week I understood - really understood the power of small jestures. During the weekly shiur at the yeshivah we spoke of the darkness that surrounds us. these are the shortest days of the year, where the nights are long and even the days are dark. This physical darkness leads many times to emotional darkness, fears and depression surround us. But, there is dgreat hope, as in times of darkness, every small light is meaningfull. At times of great light, your own light is sometimes lost and unseeming. At times of uncertainty, between light and dark, it is sometimes even more scary, you can't tell the difference between reality and imgination. In an ironic way, when the darkness envelops you, your light has more potential and can help you better see the road ahead. The darker it is, the greater the potential is. In this way, <strong>the darker it gets, the more hope there is to snap out.</strong>Guy Avihodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09815695871697013412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7747966865079049904.post-57622433722437768662009-11-23T11:43:00.001+02:002009-11-24T15:13:38.972+02:00<div align="left">We went out to a sports day in Gan Sacher in Jeruslem,<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivjctXu4upGKpLXfROjKEJmPak5PwEamECaHB4cRVHYdS96XkM9ZrR9F1MDkFgb4qwPp7nqKKPATbQRrU86pW92xoGi4anYtj1fhX_kr1iNKDkaFRM-veGwaLTROOHvAC2TWvHV5vyS39F/s200/070.JPG" style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407657157966042498" />this is the first time we attmpted this type of activity and I must thank <b>Rabbi Yosef Palavani </b>for the initiative.</div><div align="left"><br />we started the day at the Yeshiva with a short class. Around 10:30 we w</div><div align="left">ere on our way, by foot, to Sacher Park. It took us about 25 minutes through a beautifull hidden walkway. When we finally arrived we took out the soccer ball. One of the students wanted </div><div align="left">to demonstrate his kicking skills. he definatly had skills, he kicked the ball</div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNeKRXhYJHnQhdEkkrcU55bHp7GnmB8PzkIEmsOY2qs3Rymnuor2pFJPb7EaLn7XD5Jfuz5ZDGn5bW7Ss2rfJgdIQT0PRCvkgwe2vqcrk_l8w4b71PN7igSzEHtje2M37xx74HEEaa_r2b/s200/066.JPG" style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407657145566487826" /><div align="left"> so high, it got stuck on a very tall tree. We attempted to throw another ball up to the tree to try and get the ball down from the tree, for about 15 minutes we threw and kicked the ball up in our attempts to rescue the ball and finally... the other ball got stuck as well... we thought that this may be it for sports day buy then we managed to hold on to one of the branches. we shook it down and finally both balls fell down.<br /></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFothPH-2mJLbDPLQlA5k5C7QJP_gIQvWRqMsZz7S63rweDWDhz0Jm5Bkbler8wNzQi4NPJOM4PSEo0xQ4NVfnG-AegiHc9t4_WfdThHe2WzFZKxoCHj7iASyhOch99Nx4REKU55xXF0da/s200/068.JPG" style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407657149761076818" /><div align="left">We split into two groups and the rabbis showed incredible soccer tallent as they be</div><div align="left">at 7 teams of contenders in a row. We also had frisbees for low intensity workout. <b>Oded</b> showed great skill and some amazing moves.</div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left"> At the end of the day we split into two groups and had a running contest and found some surprise sprinters between the students. We sealed that part of the day with baguettes, hummus, hamburgers and fries.<br /></div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left">After the bountyful meal, we dragged ourselves up the hill to a hidden spot where a great Tzadik is burried, we prayed there, asked god to deliver our wishes and left from there. It was an exciting day, capping off a most amazing week. None of us can wait to do this again.<br /></div>Guy Avihodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09815695871697013412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7747966865079049904.post-58854423243802415822009-11-15T10:47:00.000+02:002009-11-22T10:48:11.722+02:00<div style="text-align: right;"><p class="MsoNormal">Dear Friends,</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Today is a great day. Today is a milestone for our program as it marks the opening of our second center. From our modest beginning a year and a half ago, with 6 students, pushing towards a new frontier, today we counted 30 students in Jerusalem and an 8 student nucleus in out new Ramat Gan center. Today, sitting on the bus to Ramat Gan, I had the pleasure of sitting next to one of my veteran students. I listened to him as he told me about his plan to join a gym and his longer term plan / dream to start a small business. I was elated as he thanked the staff of the Beit Midrash for helping him find the strength within to bring forth his potential. When he told me that he gets up every day to pray before starting his day, I couldn't help but swell with pleasure as I remembered the student that walked into our program a year ago, contending everyday with the seemingly simple task of getting up out of bed in the morning. As you can imagine, it was a wonderful boost of confidence for me as I literally and symbolically rode forward to try and bring more hope to people.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">I would like to end by thanking you for being a part of this endeavor and thank you for your support, both financial and emotional. If you know of more people that would like to partner with us in this life altering program, please send them for a visit. <a href="http://www.shafyativ.com/">www.shafyativ.com</a> </p></div>Guy Avihodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09815695871697013412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7747966865079049904.post-542555691995825152009-08-17T15:33:00.003+03:002009-08-17T15:44:03.666+03:00Short Trip<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW9wSiqluTEMZ5urjllQIKGy-OgFsvJhCnb3xIeAcb3oZDBFvB9Xg1d3gCtkgW18rpbOw8bs6wWfuSB9FvbPUhS8GjIuPXZPqPlwfW3ow9S36MwHKlVH6xCpUYY1Jspvnu7_LoQN6053S6/s1600-h/08172009(006).jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370912315439853778" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW9wSiqluTEMZ5urjllQIKGy-OgFsvJhCnb3xIeAcb3oZDBFvB9Xg1d3gCtkgW18rpbOw8bs6wWfuSB9FvbPUhS8GjIuPXZPqPlwfW3ow9S36MwHKlVH6xCpUYY1Jspvnu7_LoQN6053S6/s320/08172009(006).jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>While everyone seems to be on break, we at Shaf Yativ kept on going. We were considering taking a vacation with the rest of the world. But our students didn't want it at all. They asked us to keep the place open and we did. Turns out more people showed up then regularly.</div><br /><div>Last week we spoke about the importance of breaking the norm and taking some time out, while not losing ourselves altogether. we told them that if anyone wants to take time off, they are free to do it. Although I did ask them to plan things out and try to plan it with someone else, so that their time is not wasted.</div><br /><div>Today we took a mini-break. we took a trip down the street, to a park next door. We brought drinks and ice pops. We had some games and had a shiur under the trees (R' Eli Cohen with his guitar). Amazing! at the end we capped it off with some cold watermelon and went back to pray at our shul.</div><br /><div>we learned how it is not how far you go, but the thought you put into vacationing that gives you the real meaning.</div><br /><div></div>Guy Avihodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09815695871697013412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7747966865079049904.post-69322661227259293932009-06-30T00:44:00.000+03:002009-06-30T00:44:23.841+03:00<div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJJscI7YPHahZJWDMizCngyhoYeT7vmp2PsmVUrsPhbI8o2qGpW2OmUvm5-s9vZfbzgwGJ_SG5euHVzQV0o1nr5KCDGVsurTmU8bCWsuPt3Bns8lGm-tv5a9H0Nzl7ptDxbN_4dVv7GAQQ/s1600-h/newsletter+6-09.jpg"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJJscI7YPHahZJWDMizCngyhoYeT7vmp2PsmVUrsPhbI8o2qGpW2OmUvm5-s9vZfbzgwGJ_SG5euHVzQV0o1nr5KCDGVsurTmU8bCWsuPt3Bns8lGm-tv5a9H0Nzl7ptDxbN_4dVv7GAQQ/s400/newsletter+6-09.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><div style='clear:both; text-align:CENTER'><a href='http://picasa.google.com/blogger/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' style='border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;' align='middle' border='0' /></a></div>Guy Avihodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09815695871697013412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7747966865079049904.post-84380411079157520092009-06-23T17:02:00.003+03:002009-06-23T17:13:09.793+03:00catching upwell,<div>it's been a busy SIX MONTHS since i updated this blog.</div><div>I know this is a great tool to use, it gives a great feel for how we progress, it's just a hard habit to adopt. It really takes time and thank g-d we've been so busy lately.</div><div><br /></div><div>we have grown much - at the end of our first year in operation, we have almost 30 guys signed up. most of them come regularly, but we try to adapt to students who can not come five days a week, so we have a few coming for two or three times a week program.</div><div><br /></div><div>some more of our students incorporated work in their day, and some have extended their learning to the afternoon... </div><div><br /></div><div>we've been going on trips, and improving amazingly in the learning - real high level.</div><div>i'll update soon -B"H.</div><div><br /></div><div>We've gotten much moral support from the ministry of health and have been encouraged to open two more learning centers in Israel. one around ramat gan area and one up north. did I mention busy???</div><div><br /></div><div>we miss rabbi Rosen, who is packing up in America, but are sure he will come back with his wonderfull energy soon enough.</div><div><br /></div><div>I do realize no one is actually reading this, but it's fun to update. I'll try to be better at it.</div><div><br /></div><div>Rabbi Guy</div>Guy Avihodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09815695871697013412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7747966865079049904.post-8612956867660219512009-01-26T22:14:00.000+02:002009-01-26T22:15:32.345+02:00New article on N.Y's Forward check it out<a href="http://www.forward.com/article/14989/">http://www.forward.com/article/14989/</a>Guy Avihodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09815695871697013412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7747966865079049904.post-65327181802580079692009-01-07T22:25:00.003+02:002009-01-08T11:04:48.468+02:00Standing by our brothersI want to do something for our brothers in the south. I threw some ideas around with my good friend <strong>Rabbi Barry Rosen</strong> and got very enthusiastic about it. I think the guys in the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Yeshivah</span> also want to contribute and that for them it is a great way to feel part of mainstream society.<br />I spoke to my friend <strong>Josh Hasten</strong> about sending food baskets to the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Hesder</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Yeshivah</span> in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Sderot</span>, Any other ideas???Guy Avihodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09815695871697013412noreply@blogger.com0