Bush proposes 26-point immigration plan; it immediately draws HIAS, Feinstein fire WASHINGTON D.C. (Press Release)— Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff and Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez today announced a series of reforms the Administration will pursue to address border security and immigration challenges. The following reforms represent steps the Administration can take within the boundaries of existing law to secure our borders more effectively, improve interior and worksite enforcement, streamline existing guest worker programs, improve the current immigration system, and help new immigrants assimilate into American culture. BORDER SECURITY 1. The administration will continue to strengthen security at the border with additional personnel and infrastructure. We are committed to implementing the following border security measures by December 31, 2008:
from China, the former Soviet Union, and El Salvador. Today, the President is directing the State Department and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to expand this list of dangerous organized gangs from other nations and to ensure that members of those gangs are barred from entry into the United States.
4. The
Administration will expand exit requirements so persons who overstay
limited-duration visits to the United States can be identified.
(Jump to continuation) Please click on above advertisement to visit the website Feinstein says administration plan a mere 'band-aid'; faults it for not solving agricultural worker crisis WASHINGTON (Press Release)— U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein (Democrat, California) today issued a statement in response to the Bush Administration’s announcement of more than two dozen steps it plans to take to tighten the borders, enforce immigration laws currently on the books, and improve some of the visa programs already in place. Senator Feinstein highlighted the ongoing need to pass legislation to address the agriculture worker shortages. Earlier this year, Senators Feinstein and Larry Craig (Republican, Indiana) introduced legislation, known as AgJOBS, that would ensure a stable, reliable supply of agricultural workers. The following is Senator Feinstein’s statement: “The Administration’s approach is a Band-Aid that will not stop the looming crisis American agriculture will face this fall. The crisis is that crops will not be harvested. Our nation’s $260 billion agriculture industry depends largely on undocumented workers. Today, it is estimated that at least 70 percent of the workers who plant, prune, and harvest American fruits and vegetables are undocumented. Without them, American farmers will not be able to fully harvest their crops. We have found over the years that there simply are not enough Americans willing to do this work. Today’s farm workers are highly skilled – they know how to harvest, how to pack, how to can. To take this workforce away would collapse the industry. In fact, we’ve already started to see the effect of worker shortages across the country: In Michigan, farmers lost 20 percent of their asparagus crop earlier this year because they didn’t have enough workers; In Washington, raspberries have died on the vine because there was no one available to pick them; In Georgia, melon farmers report that their crops are in danger of spoiling because their labor is short; In Idaho, there was an 18 percent shortage of farmworkers last year and potato growers predict greater labor shortages for the current cycle; and In North Carolina, farmers lost nearly a third of their cucumber crop last year because of worker shortages. Thus far in California, more than 11,000 jobs have been transferred to Mexico and 46,000 acres of Mexican farmland have been taken over by California farmers. The farmers simply cannot count on a farm labor crew to harvest their crops in the United States. The result of that transfer is a loss of market share, with Americans becoming more and more dependent on foreign food sources. And the food products that come into the United States present phytosanitary and pesticide concerns, from a country where there is little control on either of these. Secondly, if China is able to get a foothold on the American apple market and we see the importation of cheap apples, the American apple market will be decimated. There is not an administrative solution, and tinkering with regulations is not going to solve the problem. Therefore, we must pass a law that enables agricultural workers to continue working legally if they stay in agriculture for the next three to five years and meet other requirements. This is what AgJOBS does. In a couple of weeks, there is going to be catastrophe. The new regulations regarding no-match letters may require employers to fire every employee with an ‘unmatched’ Social Security number within 90 days, or face civil and criminal penalties.
Come
September, farmers will find themselves without enough help just as the fall
harvest begins. That’s why it is absolutely critical that we create a stable
and reliable supply of labor. The price of inaction is too high.”
For more information about Tifereth Israel please click on this ad
By Donald H. Harrison (Return to top) Commentary Some proposed parameters for U.S. immigration By Sheila Orysiek SAN DIEGO—A forum question asked: "How should the Jewish community respond to U.S. Senator Arlen Specter's new immigration proposal?" I do think that Sen. Arlen Specter's suggestion is a way forward. That being said let me go on to the question of "What should be the response of the Jewish Community - a community of immigrants to this country." All the people in this country are immigrants. However, there is little resemblance between the illegal immigrants pouring across our borders today and the historical Jewish immigrant. The Jewish community came here - overwhelmingly - as LEGAL immigrants for the most part fleeing real centuries long persecution. This includes my mother and all four of my grandparents. My mother and grandmother waited six years in Romania as aliens (after having escaped Russia on a raft at night) to qualify under the quota system in the USA. They didn't come here for jobs - they came here to escape persecution and certain death. As a Jew born in 1941, I understand the necessity for succor - but I don't understand sneaking into this country for a job and then demanding "rights." Let me take this in sections..... Border Security: Border security must be paramount in these days of terrorist threats. A country exists as an entity because of adherence and respect for its borders and laws. Israel is a prime example of how borders define a country and how important it is to respect those borders. So, as near to absolute border security as possible must come first. Temporary Worker Program: A well planned temporary guest worker program for those who wish to come here temporarily for seasonal jobs. I don't want them to come under unsafe conditions as they do now; paying huge amounts of money to coyotés who then abandon them, or have them trekking through the desert, or getting robbed, hurt, stuffed into trucks and cars. A safe, sane guest worker program so they can come - and go - with respect - unexploited by employers, and unafraid of being hunted or victimized. That's for our benefit as well as theirs. Permanent Immigrants: Must enter the country legally - going through the established channels. Anchor Babies: The law should be changed to eliminate this loophole. If the parents are here illegally - having broken our laws to get here - a child born of such parents on American soil should not automatically be an American citizen. Family Unification: Only available for those who have gone through all the channels to obtain legal citizenship. Anything else forfeits this opportunity. Family unification is not a "right" - but a privilege. Anyone who disrespects our laws forfeits that privilege. The family must show it is capable and willing to support its members. That's what my family had to do. Employers: Any employer who knowingly employs illegal immigrants is also breaking the law and should be penalized. The government needs to enforce this - the employer is as guilty as the illegal worker. I do realize the problem of the difficulty the employer faces in trying to identify who is legally here and who is not - but a full faith effort must be made on the part of the employer. Illegals already here: While by law they should indeed be deported - in reality it isn't going to happen. I think Specter's idea is workable (unless I learn otherwise), they should apply for green cards, if denied because of criminal records or other solid reasons - deported. Otherwise they should stay here as green card holders. However, for citizenship they must go back to their country of origin and begin the process just like millions of others have done and are doing. Being here illegally should not give them privileged access to citizenship - it's not a good beginning to life in a new country to start by breaking the law. And finally: Jews are indeed an immigrant community - but we are not law breakers and we have never condoned breaking internationally recognized law. We are not talking here about laws aimed at persecution such as the Nuremberg laws - by which a country set up a body of laws to persecute its own people. The Torah is a body of law and we pride ourselves on receiving that law and trying our best to live by it. It has taught us respect and the necessity for a law abiding society. Since when have we, as Jews, advocated breaking of legitimate civil law? It is the recognized right of every country to set up a system whereby aliens can apply for entrance - a country without borders and without law is not a country. As Jews we have much to lose if the law is disrespected - think of all the times we appeal to the law to protect us. We can't be selective. The immigration laws of the United States are not inhumane - the test of that pudding are the millions who have applied and been accepted.
I thank G-D that my
family was able to learn how America's immigration law worked, went through
the channels and entered the country with respect on both sides. I wouldn't
be alive to write this had there not been those laws.
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P.M. Fayad for paying Hamas salares in Gaza JERUSALEM (Press Release) –House Republican Chief Deputy Whip Eric Cantor (Republican, Virginia), Chairman of the Taskforce on Terrorism and Unconventional Warfare, sent the following letter to Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Salam Fayad today in response to the PA’s decision to pay the salaries of members of the terrorist organization Hamas: “Dear Prime Minister Fayad – Thank you for meeting with me and the rest of the United States Congressional Republican delegation on Wednesday, August 8th. While I was pleased to hear your reassurances that the Palestinian Authority will continue to isolate Hamas, the events of the past twenty-four hours have given me reason to question your representations. You can imagine my shock and disappointment the following morning, when our delegation learned from newspaper reports that your government is providing financial assistance to Hamas. This came less than twenty-four hours after you looked me and several other U.S. Congressmen in the eye and vowed that your government would not seek rapprochement with Hamas. Hamas is a terrorist organization whose mission it is to murder innocent civilians and destroy the state of Israel. There is no place for Hamas in your government and no room for their ideology among the Palestinian people. Without further explanation from you, I will feel compelled, upon returning to Washington, to forewarn my colleagues in the Congress that any visits with your government offer little value toward bringing peace and security to Palestinians and Israelis. Furthermore, I will help lead opposition in Congress to any proposed call for additional U.S. taxpayer dollars being sent to the Palestinian Authority. Peace and security in the Middle East will never be achieved without trust. I am pained by these events, and sincerely hope you will end your involvement with the terrorist organization Hamas. I look forward to your timely response explaining the misuse of U.S. taxpayer dollars.” The preceding story was provided by U.S. Rep. Eric Cantor, who currently is leading a delegation of Republican members of Congress on a visit to Israel Which U.S. college presidents have opposed the proposed academic boycott of Israel? Here's list NEW YORK (Press Release)—The following college and university presidents and chancellors have endorsed a statement by Columbia University President Lee Bollinger denouncing the United Kingdom’s University and College Union decision to promote a boycott of Israeli educational institutions. The American Jewish committee published as a public service the Bollinger statement and most of the names below in a full-page ad in The New York Times on August 8. We will continue to add names to this list. Any president who wishes to join should send an email to Harold Shapiro, president emeritus of Princeton University, at shapiroh@ajc.org.
California Institute of the Arts
Steven D. Lavine; California National
University for Advanced Studies L. Lolly Horn; California State
University-Fresno John D. Welty; California State University-Long
Beach F. King Alexander; Carnegie Mellon University Jared L.
Cohon; Catholic Theological
Union Rev. Donald Senior;
Central College David H. Roe; Central Connecticut State
University John W. Miller; Chamberlain College of Nursing
Susan L. Groenwald; Chatham College Esther L. Barazzone; The
Chicago School of Professional Psychology Michael Horowitz, Ph.D.;
The City College of New York Gregory H. Williams; The City
University of New York Matthew Goldstein; Claremont McKenna
College: Pamela B. Gann; Clark University John E. Bassett;
Clemson University James F. Barker; Cleveland State
University Michael Schwartz; Coe College James R. Phifer;
Cogswell Polytechnical College Chester D. Haskell; Colby College
William D. Adams; Colgate University Rebecca Chopp;
College of New Jersey R. Barbara Gitenstein; College of William
and Mary Gene R. Nichol;
Columbia College Chicago
Warrick L. Carter; Connecticut CollegeLeo
I. Higdon, Jr.; Cornell University David J. Skorton;
U.S. may need to accept Iraqi,
Afghan refugees This is a slogan appropriate not only for shops that sell glassware and other delicate objects, but also for countries.
The United
States made a major contribution to breaking Vietnam and Cambodia,
with the result that there are substantial communities in the U.S.
that began as refugees admitted by administrations that admitted to
responsibility for their dislocation. No question, in my mind, that the United States broke Iraq. To be sure, the regime of Saddam Hussein was ugly, especially toward non-Sunni communities. However, the several reasons for attacking in 2003 are mired in controversy, and are a long way from having garnered significant support since then. Today's New York Times features a heart-rendering article on lives broken by what has happened in Iraq. My initial suggestion is to stop the aid given to the Palestinians by the United Nations and various non-governmental organizations, and give it to Iraqis. The Palestinians have had enough time, in almost 60 years, to put their lives in order. The real crisis is now elsewhere. That will not happen. There are too many Arab and Muslim votes in the United Nations, and so many years invested by non-governmental organizations in developing sympathy for the Palestinians, and setting up their infrastructure (and hiring Palestinians) in Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon, Jordan and elsewhere. The Vietnamese and Cambodians have been living in the United States long enough to have moved out, or to be ready to move out of their initial neighborhoods. Welcome to the Iraqis. The New York Times article indicates that the bulk of refugees are likely to be those not enthused about supporting any of the players in the civil war that has emerged out of the American invasion. Many will be hard working and educated middle class strivers. If we can make some guesses about what has happened elsewhere, it is their children, not feeling part of American culture, who will fill the Madrasas and begin causing the troubles apparent in Britain, France, and Pakistan. So George W. Bush and his supporters have, perhaps, a generation to bring democracy to the Iraqis (in Iraq or elsewhere) before they risk breaking their own country. The story of Afghanistan is something else. If that country was broken, the Russians contributed at least as much as the Americans. Or it may be closer to the truth to say that Afghanistan never was a real country. Insofar as it had never been put together, no one can claim responsibility for breaking it. There was more reason for the United States to attack the Taliban regime after 9-11 than there was to attack Iraq. More recently, in a repeat of what has been seen before in the cycles of Afghan history, the Taliban are coming back. Pakistan was the favored place of Afghan refugees from the Russians and the Taliban. Lots of them would prefer the United States. Some years ago, a young man in a village about 100 miles from Kabul asked me how long it took to get to the United States by bus. He had never heard of the ocean. There will be much to do for American school teachers as well as social workers and landlords. And for security personnel. The bit I know about Afghan and Iraqi culture tells me that the Afghans will be quicker to send their children to the Madrasas for schooling. Good luck.
Poland's President Kaczynski condemns desecrations In a letter to the head of the Jewish cultural and social association of Czestochowa, Halina Wasilewicz, the President wrote "This act of aggression is unusually shocking, especially because the Czestochowa graveyard belongs to one of the most impressive Jewish cemeteries in Poland. This act of hate serves not only an act of aggression against the place and respect for the dead, but against the heritage of Czestochowa, against the common history of its Polish and Jewish residents." Kaczynski has won praise from Poland's Jewish community in the past for supporting Jewish cultural projects and for condemning past acts of anti-Semitism. Poland's chief rabbi, Michal Schudrich, said the president's latest letter also sends an important message, that “while anti-Semitism does exist in Poland, as it does tragically in other countries, in today's Poland such hatred will never be tolerated."
The preceding story was provided by the World Jewish Congress
DVAR TORAH: Tzedaka Law demands that a poor person not be turned away SAN DIEGO—This week's tale: Rav Pappa was climbing a ladder when he suddenly began to slip. He grappled for a moment, then caught himself before falling. He was gripped with trepidation because he understood this as a sign from heaven that he had done something that was deemed worthy of death penalty. Rav Chiya suggested that perhaps Rav Pappa had failed to give tzedaka (charity) to a poor person. The Talmud teaches, "One who hides his eyes from tzedaka is considered as one who serves idols." Idol worship is punishable by death. The Maharsha (Baba Basra 10A) says that Rav Chiya was hinting to the following incident: Once a poor person came to Rav Pappa, who was in charge of the communal charity fund, for a donation from the fund. Rav Pappa denied him because this man was also going from door to door for donations and the law stated, "When a poor person collects from door to door, he is not given a gift from the communal fund." Rav Samma rebuked him saying, "If you don't give him, than others will not give and he will die." Rav Pappa responded, "What can I do? The law states 'When a poor person collects from door to door, he is not given a gift from the communal fund.' " Rav Samma retorted, "He is not given a large gift, but he is given small token gift." Rav Moshe Dov Harris explained that Rav Pappa could not be considered as one who "hides his eyes from tzedaka" just because he did not know a law. Rather, Rav Pappa failed to deduce the law because he lacked empathy towards the plight of the poor person. In addition to transferring funds, the mitzvah of tzedaka requires that one be sensitive to the plight of the poor person and feel his pain. Had Rav Pappa put himself in the poor man's shoes, he would have realized that 'no gift' could not be an option and therefore a small token gift must be in order. Rav Pappa's failing was in the essential mitzvah of tzedaka and thus is tantamount to Idol worship. How important it is for us to be constantly and acutely tuned in to the feelings of others. Dedicated by Dr. Scott A. Magnes in honor of Dr. & Mrs. J. Hennessey.
Our Webalizer program tells us the number of visitors to our website, usually over 3,000 per day. So we know you are out there. But, so far, our forum questions have not elicited much response from readers. Should we keep the feature? Should we change it somehow to be more reflective of your interests? Please let us know. In fact, we will make that our weekend forum question: "How can the Forum feature of San Diego Jewish World be improved?" Meanwhile, our columnist Sheila Orysiek (who writes with equal comfort about the ballet and world affairs) has written a column to help kick off the immigration debate. We print it above, and will also post it to the string of commentary for Topic #4-immigration. Your comments are welcome, indeed solicited, on immigration as well as any of the previous topics. Here are links to the various forum discussions underway. #4 What do you think of Senator Arlen Specter's proposal to grant green cards rather than citizenship to the undocumented workers already in this country? #3 Holocaust history and the Bergson group #2 Removal of Jewish residents from Hebron #1 A protest and the letter; did NJDC help or harm? To share your thoughts on any of these topics, please send an email to us at sdheritage@cox.net. Please be sure to include at the bottom of your letter your full name and the city and state (province) in which you reside. ________________
COMMUNITY CURRENTS—Tifereth Israel Synagogue is staging a sale on Judaica and other items at its Traditions Gift Shop off the main lobby of the sanctuary building at 6660 Cowles Mountain Boulevard. There are 50 percent discounts on jewelry and kiddush cups, and 20 percent discounts on other items except parchments and candles. the sale lasts through September 30... CYBER-REFERRALS—Israel's Consulate General in Los Angeles passes along a story on YNET that guerrilla bands of Fatah loyalists have been infiltrating the Gaza Strip and have been performing acts of sabotage against Hamas in Gaza. Here is a link to the story... StandWithUs refers us to a story in the Jerusalem Post about a professor of Palestine University in Gaza who was kidnapped by Hamas authorities and forced to convert from Christianity to Islam. Here is the link.
Prior to serving as a vice principal, he was project coordinator with the Success for All Foundation. This school reform program was developed at Johns Hopkins University and is currently used in over 3,000 K-5 schools nation-wide. During these three years, Mr. Sussman observed, assessed and provided specific feedback to over 100 K-5 teachers. He reviewed school wide data and worked with school and district staff to design appropriate interventions to meet the needs of all students. Sussman served for three years as an instructor for the Maryland State Department of Education where he wrote curriculum in the area of teaching elementary Mathematics, in which he developed theories, methods and current practices. Sussman has been a classroom teacher at both primary and intermediate grade levels. He has taught gifted students in grades K-5 and has worked with special needs students in inclusion classrooms. “I am honored to be joining this premier learning institution,” he said. “San Diego Jewish Academy will continue to be focused on meeting the needs of each individual student. Through our rigorous general studies and Judaic curriculum, students are given the opportunity to reach their full academic, social, and emotional potential in a nurturing educational environment. I am grateful for the opportunity to be a part of the students, parents, and staff members that make up the San Diego Jewish Academy family.” San Diego Jewish Academy extended another warm welcome to Rabbi Leslie Lipson, formerly a congregational Rabbi in New Jersey, who has been appointed as Maimonides Upper School Dean of Jewish Studies for the 2007-08 school year. Rabbi Lipson recently completed the Avi Chai Foundation's Day School Leadership Training. In addition to his ordination, Rabbi Lipson received a Masters in Education from the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York. Rabbi Lipson has earned an MBA in International Economics from York University and his B.A. is in history with a minor in economics from Haverford College. He has taught Bible and Modern Israeli History in Jewish day schools, served as the Director of Education in supplemental schools, and has served as a counselor and educator at Camp Ramah for five years. He has served as pulpit rabbi for almost ten years and is a Fellow of the Jewish Day School Leadership Training Institute.
Rabbi Lipson is married to Adina Lipson,
a California native. They have four children: Rebecca, Hannah, Yardena,
and Eitan. Rabbi Lipson looks forward to bringing to SDJA his passion
for Jewish learning and his philosophical commitment to integrating
Torah and Modernity.
The class will be instructed by Donald H.
Harrison, publisher of San Diego Jewish World, and former reporter for
the San Diego Union, Jewish Press-Heritage and Jewish Times. SDJA has one of the most technologically advanced campuses around the country, with Smart Boards in every classroom and more than 650 fully networked computers throughout the school. An extensive offering of extracurricular activities, sports, performing and fine arts programs enable SDJA students to develop socially, emotionally, physically and creatively. SDJA holds accreditations from the California Association of Independent Schools (CAIS) and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). San Diego Jewish Academy (SDJA), one of the country’s premier K-12 Jewish day schools, challenges students to achieve their full academic potential and become individuals of strong moral and ethical character, while inspiring them to make Judaism a vital and relevant aspect of their lives. For information, please contact Judith Gross, Admissions Director, at jgross@sdja.com or 858-704-3716. JFS University City Senior Center to move Oct. 1 from Chabad to larger facilities at Congregation Beth Israel SAN DIEGO—The University City Senior Center of Jewish Family Service of San Diego provides social, recreational and educational activities for older adults. On October 1, 2007, the University City Senior Center will be moving to Congregation Beth Israel, located at 9001 Towne Centre Drive, San Diego, 92122. The new facility will provide the senior center with program growth and flexibility, a commercial kitchen, facilities for large events, more resources and equipment, large office space, and higher visibility in the community. The newer facility provides a much larger and more accessible space, allowing the center to expand its programs and recruit new members. Congregation Beth Israel will be providing a very large social hall and several classrooms, allowing the senior center to operate multiple programs at a time. With this expansion the center will incorporate more active older adult programs into their offerings, coinciding with the current low impact programs. Some exciting new programs of the center will include Wednesday field trips, intergenerational programs, fitness classes, musical performances, educational lectures and more. A hot, nutritious kosher lunch is served at noon for $5 for members and $6 for non-members. Transportation is provided for participants living in the University City area for a roundtrip fee of $5. Currently the senior center is open Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 10:00am-2:00pm. Beginning on October 1, 2007, the senior center will also be open on Wednesdays. Discover the University City Senior Center at an Open House on November 7, 2007 from 10:00am-2:00pm at its new location at Congregation Beth Israel. The open house will provide an opportunity for prospective participants, their families, and community members to experience an exciting day of programming and meet our caring, professional staff. For more information about the University City Senior Center or Open House contact the University City Senior Center at (858) 550-5998 or visit www.jfssd.org. To learn more about Jewish Family Service’s wide range of older adult programming, from transportation to in-house care services, call our Information & Referral line at (858) 637-3040 or visit www.jfssd.org
The preceding story was provided by
Jewish Family Service
KIBBUTZ GEZER, Israel—The second-place Tel Aviv Lightning defeated the third-place Modi'in Miracle 3-2 on Friday. Tied at two runs apiece through four innings, Dominican Stewart Brito slugged a solo homerun in the top of the fifth to put the Lightning up for good. Jason Bonder pitched 4 2/3 innings and allowed two runs before giving way to Nate Fish, who picked up his first win of the season. Modi'in's Eladio Rodriguez raised his average to .478 with a 2-for-3 day and tied the league lead with his 16th homer of the season, but manager Art Shamsky's club still lost its third straight game. Meanwhile in Petach Tikva, the Bet Shemesh Blue Sox stayed 3.5 games ahead of the Lighnting and moved seven games ahead of the Miracle with a 13-9 victory over the Ra'anana Express. Israeli Alon Leichman gave up six earned runs early on, but Jason Benson bailed him out with 4 2/3 scoreless innings, giving up just two hits while striking out five batters. The Ra'anana defense committed seven errors, but the Blue Sox offense did its part as all but two starting position players collected at least one hit on the day. Centerfielder Sean Slaughter led the way by going 2-for-4 with three RBI and three runs scored. Express leftfielder Ben Field of Atlanta, Georgia went 2-for-3 with two RBI, but it wasn't enough as the Sox won for the third consecutive game. The Petach Tikva Pioneers were forced to forfeit the first game of a doubleheader against the Netanya Tigers after leftfielder Ryan Crotin was ejected in the first inning for arguing a called strike, but refused to leave the field. The Tigers were automatically awarded the victory. The second game of the doubleheader was played as scheduled with the Tigers beating the Pioneers 6-2. Colombian righty Rafael Rojano picked up his fourth win of the season with five innings of work,allowing two runs on three hits with a strikeout and a walk. The Netanya offense gave Rojano early support with five runs in the first inning when Dominican shortstop Hector De Los Santos hit a three-run triple and added a double later in the game. Indiana native Josh Doane chipped in by going 2-for-4 with an RBI as the day's two wins give manager Ami Baran's squad a four game winning streak. On Monday, August 13th the Bet Shemesh Blue Sox and manager Ron Blomberg will make their first official visit to their namesake city. The players will be welcomed at the Mayor's Office Municipality Building at 11:30 am by children from the local youth baseball league and Bet Shemesh Mayor Daniel Vaknin. The Bet Shemesh Blue Sox and Ron Blomberg look forward to seeing the city they represent and meeting the fans who have been supporting them all season long in their quest for the IBL championship! Summaries: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E Tel Aviv 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 3 7 1 Modi'in 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 5 1 W: Nate Fish (1-0); L: Maximo Nelson (5-3); HR: Eladio Rodriguez (16), Jamie Aimar (1), Stewart Perez Brito (4) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E Bet Shemesh 4 0 0 3 0 3 3 13 10 0 Ra'anana 1 5 0 0 0 0 3 9 12 7 W: Jason Benson (6-1); L: John Thew (2-5); HR: None 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E Petach Tikva 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 2 5 1 Netanya 5 0 1 0 0 0 x 6 7 2 W: Rafael Rojano (4-3); L: Ari Alexenberg (0-6); HR: Alper Ulutas (3) Standings: Team W L % GB Bet Shemesh Blue Sox 27 9 .750 - Tel Aviv Lightning 24 13 .649 3.5 Modi'in Miracle 20 16 .556 7.0 Netanya Tigers 17 20 .459 10.5 Ra'anana Express 15 22 .405 12.5 Petach Tikva Pioneers 7 30 .189 20.5 On Sunday at 5 pm the Modi'in Miracle and Tel Aviv Lightning play at Kibbutz Gezer while the Bet Shemesh Blue Sox and Petach Tikva Pioneers play at Sportek in Tel Aviv. At 6 pm the Netanya Tigers take on the Ra'anana Express at Yarkon Field at the Baptist Village
26-Step Immigration Plan... (Continued from above) By the end of 2008, the U.S.-Visit exit requirement will be underway at all U.S. airports and seaports. The Department of Homeland Security will continue to explore effective and cost-efficient means of establishing biometric exit requirements at land border crossings. The Administration will establish a new land-border exit system for guest workers starting on a pilot basis. This will help ensure that temporary workers in the country now follow the mandate to leave when their work authorization expires. 5. The Administration will require all travelers to our ports of entry to use passports or other similar secure documents. Since January 2007, air travelers have been required to carry a passport for entry into the United States. Because of passport processing backlogs, a temporary accommodation has been made for U.S. citizens traveling in the Western Hemisphere, which will be phased out. Starting January 31, 2008, DHS will phase in a requirement for passports or other secure documents for sea and land ports of entry. 6. Beginning this fall, the Secretary of Homeland Security will deliver regular "State of the Border" Reports. These reports will keep the American people informed of the Federal Government's progress in securing the border and hold the Administration accountable for continuing improvement.
INTERIOR ENFORCEMENT 8. By this fall, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement teams will have been quintupled in less than three years. There were 15 seven-member Fugitive Operations Teams in 2005. As of this week there are 68; there will be 75 by the end of September. 9. The Justice Department will initiate regulatory action to close the "Voluntary Departure" loophole manipulated by many illegal immigrants. Illegal immigrants who settle their cases by agreeing to voluntarily depart sometimes then gain extra time inside the United States by filing a procedural motion to reopen the case. New regulations will clarify that filing such a motion will terminate the voluntary departure status and make the alien subject to the order of removal. They will also set a presumptive $3,000 civil penalty for failing to comply with a voluntary departure agreement. WORKSITE ENFORCEMENT 10. Today, the Department of Homeland Security issued a 'No-Match' regulation that will help employers ensure their workers are legal and help the government identify and crack down on employers who knowingly hire illegal workers. In cases in which an employer has a significant number of employees with inaccurate personal identity information, the Social Security Administration will send the employer a "No-Match" letter. The regulation clarifies that employers may be held liable if they ignore the "No Match" problems by failing to take specified steps within 90 days of receiving the letter. 11. In the coming months, the Administration will publish a regulation that will reduce the number of documents that employer must accept to confirm identity and work eligibility of their employees. Presently, no fewer than 29 categories of documents can be used to establish identity and work eligibility. Employers have little capacity to verify the authenticity of these documents, and the sheer quantity of accepted documents is an invitation to fraud. This regulation will reduce unlawful employment by weeding out insecure documents now used often for identity fraud. 12. As a civil counterpart to the Administration's strategy of using criminal investigations to deter illegal employment, the Department of Homeland Security will raise the civil fines imposed on employers who knowingly hire illegal immigrants by approximately 25 percent. Efforts to secure the border will fail unless the "magnet" that attracts illegals is turned off. Unfortunately, the fines for relying on illegal workers are so modest that some companies treat them as little more than a cost of doing business. DHS will use existing authority to update civil fines for inflation in order to boost fines by about 25 percent, as much as is allowed under current law. 13. The administration will continue to expand criminal investigations against employers who knowingly hire large numbers of illegal aliens. Arrests by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for criminal violations have increased from 24 in FY 1999 to a record 716 in FY 2006. There have been 742 criminal arrests since the beginning of FY 2007 (through July 31), and there is anecdotal evidence that companies are taking notice and adjusting their business practices to follow the law. 14. The administration will commence a rulemaking process to require all federal contractors and vendors to use E-Verify, the federal electronic employment verification system, to ensure that their employees are authorized to work in the United States. The Federal government ought to lead by example. As there are more than 200,000 companies doing Federal business, this will significantly expand use of E-Verify, and make it more difficult for illegal immigrants to obtain jobs through fraud. 15. The Administration will help states make greater use of E-Verify. Some States already mandate the use of E-Verify by some or all of their hiring agencies, and other States are considering similar requirements. The Administration will assist such efforts through outreach and offers of technical assistance. 16. The Administration will bolster E-Verify by expanding the data sources it can check. This will make it easier to catch individuals who commit identity theft. New sources of data will include cross-checks of visa and passport information. 17. The Administration will seek voluntary state partners willing to share their Department of Motor Vehicles Photos and Records with E-Verify. Agreements to allow E-Verify access to the repository of photographs in state DMV databases will help prevent illegal immigrants from using fraudulent driver’s licenses to obtain employment. Such agreements will also lay the groundwork for further expansion of the electronic employment eligibility verification system. STREAMLINING EXISTING GUEST-WORKER PROGRAMS 18. The Department Of Labor (DOL) will reform the H-2A Agricultural Seasonal Worker Program. No sector of the American economy requires a legal flow of foreign workers more than agriculture, which has begun to experience severe labor shortages as our Southern border has tightened. The President has therefore directed DOL to review the regulations implementing the H-2A program and to institute changes that will provide farmers with an orderly and timely flow of legal workers, while protecting the rights of laborers. 19. The Department of Labor will issue regulations streamlining the H-2B Program for non-agricultural seasonal workers. Because businesses in seasonal industries such as landscaping and hospitality frequently have a difficult time locating temporary workers, the H-2B program has proven quite popular. Some employers report significant processing delays, however. DOL's proposed rule will speed processing by moving from a government-certified system to an employer-attestation system akin to the PERM system that has reduced backlogs in other areas. 20. The Department of Homeland Security will extend the visa term for professional workers from Canada and Mexico to attract more of these talented workers to the United States. The United States must compete for foreign professional workers, and those who elect to lend their talents to the U.S. economy should be welcomed with open arms, not given a bureaucratic runaround. Yet the roughly 65,000 workers who enter the United States each year on the TN visa must go to the trouble of renewing their visa every year. This regulation will extend the TN visa duration to three years – the same term as other popular professional visas. 21. The Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Labor will study and report on potential administrative reforms to visa programs for highly skilled workers. IMPROVING EXISTING IMMIGRATION 22. The Administration will reform and expedite background checks for immigration. Current mechanisms for conducting immigration background checks are backed up, slowing processing times and endangering national security. The Administration is investing substantial new funds to address the backlog, and the FBI and USCIS are working together on a variety of projects designed to streamline existing processes so as to reduce waiting times without sacrificing security. 23. The President is directing the Department of Homeland Security and the Social Security Administration to study the technical and recordkeeping reforms necessary to guarantee that illegal aliens do not earn credit in our Social Security System for illegal work. Currently, aliens who make Social Security payments while working here legally can continue to accrue credits even if they overstay their visa. Improved data-sharing can lay the foundation for eventual Congressional action to eliminate this practice (which proved an obstacle to comprehensive reform). The relevant agencies are ordered to report to the President with a detailed plan for eliminating the problem. ASSIMILATION 24. The Office of Citizenship will announce a revised naturalization test in September 2007. The new test will emphasize fundamental concepts of American democracy, basic U.S. history, and the rights and responsibilities of citizenship. It will inculcate the basic values we share as Americans, and encourage civic knowledge and patriotism among prospective citizens. The new standardized test will ensure fairness by eliminating current wide variations in the quality of testing between regional offices. 25. The Office of Citizenship will provide additional training for volunteers and adult educators who lead immigrants through the naturalization process. In October 2007, the Office of Citizenship will introduce a web-based training program that covers U.S. government, civics education, and the naturalization process. To complement these on-line materials, USCIS will convene eight regional training conferences, beginning in October 2007, to improve the ability of citizenship instructors and volunteers to teach American history, civics, and the naturalization process to immigrant students. An on-line training module will also be available by the end of the year.
26. The Department of Education will launch a free, web-based portal to
help immigrants learn English, and expand this model over time. Knowledge of
English is the most important component of assimilation. An investment in
tools to help new Americans learn English will be repaid many times over in
the contributions these immigrants make to our political discourse, economy,
and society. College Presidents... (Continued from above) Daniel Webster College Robert E. Myers; Dartmouth College James E. Wright; Des Moines University Terry E. Branstad; DePauw University Robert G. Bottoms; DeVry University David J. Pauldine; Dickinson College William Durden; Doane College Jonathan Brand; Dominican University Donna M. Carroll; Drake University David E. Maxwell; Drew University Robert Weisbuch; Duquesne University Charles J. Dougherty;
Earlham College
Douglas C. Bennett;
East Central University
Richard S. Rafes;
Eastern Washington University
Rodolfo Arevalo;
Eckerd College
Donald R. Eastman, III;
Elms College
James H. Mullen, Jr.;
Emerson College
Jacqueline W. Liebergott;
Endicott College
Richard E. Wylie;
Escuela de Artes Plásticas de Puerto Rico
Marimar Benítez;
Hamline University Linda N. Hanson; Hannibal-La Grange College Woodrow W. Burt; Hardin-Simmons University W. Craig Turner; Haverford College Stephen Emerson; Hebrew College David M. Gordis; Hebrew Theological College Rabbi Jerold Isenberg; Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion Rabbi David Ellenson; Herzing College Donald G. Madelung; Hilbert College Cynthia Zane; Hillsdale College Larry P. Arnn, III; Hiram College Thomas V. Chemal Hofstra University Stuart Rabinowitz; Howard University,H. Patrick Swygert; Hunter College, Jennifer J. Raab; Illinois Institute of Technology, Lewis M. Collens; Indiana University, Michael A. McRobbie; Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Charles R. Bantz; International Import-Export Institute, Donald N. Burton; Jewish Theological Seminary, Arnold Eisen; John Jay College of Criminal Justice Jeremy Travis; Johns Hopkins University William R. Brody; Johnson & Wales University John J. Bowen; Kenyon College S. Georgia Nugent; Kettering College of Medical Arts Charles W. Scriven; Keuka College Joseph G. Burke; Kutztown University of Pennsylvania F. Javier Cevallos; Lafayette College Daniel H. Weiss; Lesley University Joseph B. Moore; Lincoln University Mikhail Brodsky; Lindsey Wilson College William T. Luckey, Jr.; Long Island University David J. Steinberg; Louisiana State University Sean C. O’Keefe; Loyola Marymount University Robert B. Lawton, SJ; Loyola University New Orleans Rev. Kevin W. Wildes, SJ; Lynchburg College Kenneth R. Garren; Macalester College Brian C. Rosenberg; Manchester College Jo Young Switzer; Marist College Dennis J. Murray; Marymount Manhattan College Judson R. Shaver; Massachusetts Institute of Technology Susan Hockfield; Massachusetts School of Law at Andover Lawrence R. Velvel; McDaniel College Joan Develin Coley; Medical University of South Carolina Raymond S. Greenberg; Miami Dade College Eduardo J. Padron; Miami University David C. Hodge; Michigan State University Lou Anna K. Simon; Middlebury College Ronald D. Liebowitz; Minnesota State University, Mankato Richard Davenport; Montclair State University Susan A. Cole; Moore College of Art and Design Happy Craven Fernandez; Moravian College Christopher M. Thomforde; Mount Holyoke College Joanne V. Creighton; Mount Ida College Carol Matteson; Muhlenberg College Peyton R. Helm; Myers University Richard J. Scaldini; Naropa University, Thomas B. Coburn; Nazareth College of Rochester, Daan Braveman; Neumann College, Rosalie M. Mirenda; New College of Florida, Gordon E. Michalson, Jr.; New Jersey Institute of Technology, Robert A. Altenkirch; New Life Theological Seminary, Eddie G. Grigg; New Saint Andrews College, Roy Alden Atwood; The New School, Bob Kerrey; New York College of Podiatric Medicine, Louis L. Levine; New York Institute of Technology, Edward Guiliano; New York University, John Sexton; Northeastern University, Joseph Aoun; Northern Arizona University, John D. Haeger; Northwest University, Don H. Argue; Northwestern University, Henry S. Bienen*; Norwalk Community College, David L. Levinson; Nova Southeastern University, Ray Ferrero, Jr.; Oberlin College, Marvin Krislov; The Ohio State University, Joseph A. Alutto; Oklahoma Christian University, Mike E. O’Neal; Pacific Northwest College of Art, Thomas Manley; Palm Beach Atlantic University, David W. Clark; Palm Beach Community College, Dennis P. Gallon; Park University, Beverley Byers-Pevitts; The Pennsylvania State University, Graham B. Spanier*; Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Matthew Schure; Point Loma Nazarene University, Bob Brower; Polytechnic University, Jerry M. Hultin; Princeton University, Shirley M. Tilghman; RainStar University of Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Jody Russell; Ramapo College of New Jersey, Peter P. Mercer; Randolph College, Virginia H. Worden, Reconstructionist Rabbinical College Dan Ehrenkrantz; Regent University M. G. “Pat” Robertson; Rice University David W. Leebron; Richard Stockton College of New Jersey Herman J. Saatkamp, Jr.; Rider University Mordechai Rozanski; Ringling College of Art and Design Larry R. Thompson; Ripon College David C. Joyce; Robert Morris University Gregory G. Dell’Omo; Roger Williams University Roy J. Nirschel; Roosevelt University Charles R. Middleton; Ross University Thomas Shepherd; Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey Richard L. McCormick; Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey-Newark Steven J. Diner; Sacred Heart University Anthony J. Cernera; Saginaw Valley State University Eric R. Gilbertson; Sarah Lawrence College Karen Lawrence; St. Bonaventure University Sr. Margaret Carney, OSF St. Cloud State University Earl H. Potter, III; St. John’s University Rev. Donald J. Harrington, CM; Saint Joseph’s University Fr. Timothy R. Lannon, SJ; Saint Leo University Arthur F. Kirk, Jr.; Saint Norbert College William J. Hynes; Salve Regina University M. Therese Antone, RSM; San Francisco State University Robert A. Corrigan; Seton Hall University Msgr. Robert Sheeran; Simmons College Susan C. Scrimshaw; Smith College Carol T. Christ; Southeastern Oklahoma State University Jesse O. Snowden; Southern California Institute of Architecture Eric O. Moss; Southern Illinois University Glenn Poshard; Southern Nazarene University Loren P. Gresham; Southern New Hampshire University Paul LeBlanc; Southern Utah University Michael T. Benson; Spelman College Beverly Daniel Tatum; Springfield College Richard B. Flynn; State University of New York-Binghamton University Lois B. DeFleur; State University of New York-Buffalo State College Muriel A. Howard; State University of New York-College at Cortland Erik J. Bitterbaum; State University of New York-Morrisville State College Raymond W. Cross; State University of New York-Purchase College Thomas J. Schwarz; State University of New York-Stony Brook University Shirley S. Kenny; Susquehanna University L. Jay Lemons; Syracuse UniversityNancy Cantor; Temple University Ann Weaver Hart; Texas A&M University Ed J. Davis; The Chicago School Michael Horowitz; Thomas Edison State College George A. Pruitt; Touro College Bernard Lander; Touro University International Yoram Neumann; Towson University Robert L. Caret; Trinity College James F. Jones, Jr.; Trinity University John R. Brazil; Tufts University Lawrence S. Bacow; Tulane University Scott S. Cowen; University of Arizona Robert Shelton; University of Arkansas at Little Rock Joel E. Anderson; University of Baltimore Robert L. Bogomolny; University of California-Berkeley Robert J. Birgeneau; University of California-Irvine Michael V. Drake; University of California-Los Angeles Norman Abrams; University of California-San Diego Marye Anne Fox; University of Central Missouri Aaron M. Podolefsky; University of Cincinnati Nancy L. Zimpher; University of Colorado at Boulder G. P. “Bud” Peterson; University of Connecticut Philip E. Austin; University of Dayton Daniel J. Curran; University of Florida J. Bernard Machen; University of Georgia Michael F. Adams; University of Hartford Walter Harrison; University of Illinois at Chicago Sylvia Manning; University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Richard Herman; University of Iowa Sally Mason; University of Maryland-Baltimore County Freeman A. Hrabowski, III; University of Maryland-College Park C. D. Mote, Jr.; University of Miami Donna E. Shalala; University of MichiganMary Sue Coleman; University of Minnesota Robert H. Bruininks; University of Minnesota-Duluth Kathryn A. Martin; University of Missouri-Columbia Brady J. Deaton; University of Missouri-Saint Louis Thomas F. George; University of Montana George M. Dennison; University of Montevallo Philip C. Williams; University of Nebraska Medical Center Harold M. Maurer; University of Nevada-Reno Milton D. Glick; University of New Hampshire Mark W. Huddleston; University of New Haven Steven Kaplan; University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill James C. Moeser; University of Oregon Dave Frohnmayer;; University of Pennsylvania Amy Gutmann; University of Pittsburgh Mark A. Nordenberg; University of Puget Sound Ronald R. Thomas; University of Rhode Island Robert L. Carothers; University of Rochester Joel Seligman; University of San Francisco Rev. Stephen A. Privett, SJ; University of Scranton Rev. Scott R. Pilarz, SJ; University of South Florida Judy L. Genshaft; University of Texas at Arlington James D. Spaniolo; University of Texas at Dallas David E. Daniel; University of Texas System Mark G. Yudof; University of the Cumberlands James H. Taylor; University of the Incarnate Word Louis Agnese, Jr.; University of Tulsa Steadman Upham; University of Utah Michael K. Young; University of Vermont Daniel M. Fogel; University of Virginia John T. Casteen, III; University of Washington Mark A. Emmert; University of West Georgia Beheruz N. Sethna; University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Carlos E. Santiago; University of Wisconsin-Superior Julius E. Erlenbach; Ursinus College John Strassburger; Utah Valley State College William A. Sederburg; Valley Forge Christian College Donald G. Meyer; Valley Forge Military Academy & College Tony McGeorge; Virginia Wesleyan College William T. Greer, Jr.; Voorhees College Lee E. Monroe; Wagner College Richard Guarasci; Washington and Lee University Kenneth P. Ruscio; Washington College Baird Tipson; Washington University in St. Louis Mark S. Wrighton; Wayne State University Irvin D. Reid; Webb Institute R. Adm. Robert C. Olsen, Jr., USCG (ret); Wellesley College H. Kim Bottomly; Wesleyan University Michael S. Roth; West Suburban College of Nursing Rebecca A. Jones; Westminster College Michael S. Bassis; Wheelock College Jackie Jenkins-Scott; Widener University James T. Harris, III; Willamette University M. Lee Pelton; Williamson Christian College Kenneth W. Oosting; Worcester Polytechnic Institute Dennis D. Berkey; Yeshiva University Richard M. Joel; York College Wayne Baker
The preceding article was provided by the
American Jewish Committee
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