* Not to be missed is Rishon's Cinema Club on Wednesday 2nd March  we will show “The Beetle” - the highly entertaining movie  nominated for the Israeli Oscar awards for best documentary 2008. The story of Yishai Orian, the director of the movie and the owner of a very old Volkswagen.  The film tells the exciting, funny, sad and intimate story of the beetle’s previous owners, blended with the director’s own personal story.

Our membership and the interest in ESRA Rishon is expanding very fast.
Recognition of ESRA by The Municipality of Rishon is growing daily and they are approaching us more and more frequently to enquire how we can help them in some new and very exciting projects.

*  We desperately need volunteers to be involved in these new projects a) helping disadvantaged youngsters with their studies in English, maths or any other subject. or b) helping to create a warm atmosphere for various activities, either in the morning or afternoon. If you have any experience, a specific skill or would just like to help on a regular basis, please contact me and we will slot you into the position that would suit you.

* We are planning another party for Purim at our adopted Moadonit Ofakim for children at risk. Naomi Aharoni organized a successful birthday party for seven children with December and January birthdays and the children were delighted. Would you like to come and help, to give of yourself but reap loads of pleasure with these unfortunate children on whom life has not smiled. If you would like to get "Nachus" from doing something good, this is the place to volunteer. Phone me to get information.

* This month's social activity was a "book and games" evening hosted by Henrietta Wolffe-David in her artistic home. This was very well attended, and provided a wonderfully friendly atmosphere with both old and new faces present.

* March 8th is International Women's Day. ESRA is setting up a stall in the Foyer of the Municipality in Hacarmel Street where we will be distributing information about joining and volunteering for ESRA. We will sell articles from the range of products in ESRA's Ethiopian embroidery project. Come and visit and/or help - we would love to see you.

* April 3rd is our next monthly social event - details to be announced shortly. We plan to have the first Sunday of each month as the date of our ESRA social evenings in Rishon so - mark your diaries.

*   After the success of the 1st Bridge course in English, we are now in the process of setting up another beginner's class to start shortly after Pesach. We need  another 6 participants in order to have 4 tables. If you are interested please contact me.

*   We are planning for April a Friday morning guided walk in  Rishon le Zion – including a visit  to the Museum and to the “Be'er” (The Well).  Please contact me NOW if you would like to join us.

*  Plans are underway for setting up an “ESRA Bookclub” . The number of people interested will affect the setup of this group so please contact me if you are interested.

*  We have heard that there are many families with young children in the area who would like to meet with others so that their kids can play together and retain some of their "mother tongue".
Please contact me to be added on to my "young" ESRA list and perhaps we can find a coordinator who will arrange some suitable activities

All profits received from ESRA events are used entirely  for the benefit of ESRA projects in Rishon le Zion.

Janet Kiesari, Chairperson
054-733 5055