Fwd: New Anglo Demographic in Israel; Making Education Better; The Reality Facing Today’s Jewish Teens

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From: Shabbat Shalom <shabbatshalom@ounetwork.org>
Date: Thu, Feb 12, 2026, 5:01 PM
Subject: New Anglo Demographic in Israel; Making Education Better; The Reality Facing Today's Jewish Teens
To: <agentemes4@gmail.com>

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Plus: Early Shabbos – Eating Before Davening? PARSHAT MISHPATIM February 13-14, 2026 / 27 Shevat 5786   THIS SHABBAT Shabbat Shekalim Mevarchim Hachodesh for the month of Adar   SPECIAL DAYS THIS WEEK Rosh Chodesh Adar is celebrated on Tuesday, February 17, and Wednesday, February 18.  FEATURED Emergence of a New Anglo Demographic in Israel Requires a Change of Priorities OU in Israel Esti Moskovitz-Kalman, OU in Israel director of Anglo Engagement in Israel, emphasizes that for olim of all ages and financial backgrounds to put down roots, raise families, and contribute meaningfully to Israeli society, we must collaborate to create spaces where affordability, identity, and belonging coexist. Read in the Jerusalem Post The Morning After the Super Bowl: The Reality Facing Today's Jewish Teens NCSY Rabbi Micah Greenland, international director of NCSY, reflects on the realities Jewish teens face today, as spotlighted in the recent Super Bowl commercial on antisemitism. Through the lens of Jewish Student Union advisors and students nationwide, he shows that real impact comes from ongoing support that helps teens grow in pride, confidence, and community. Read in eJewish Philanthropy Gov. Shapiro Can Lead in Making Education Better OU Advocacy and Teach Coalition In a recent op-ed in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Nathan Diament, executive director of OU Advocacy Center, and Sydney Altfield, national director of Teach Coalition, describe the new Federal Scholarship Tax Credit program as a once-in-a-generation opportunity to expand educational choice and strengthen schools. They add that Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro has the chance to demonstrate national leadership by supporting it. Read More  AROUND THE OU SPIRIT and Fred and Rose Distenfeld OU Relief Missions Retirees Support Puerto Ricans Still Recovering From Hurricane Maria Retirees from various communities recently traveled to Puerto Rico on a joint SPIRIT-Fred and Rose Distenfeld OU Relief Mission to assist residents still recovering from Hurricane Maria in 2017 and subsequent earthquakes. Read More OU Women's Initiative Torat Imecha Nach Yomi Fourth Cycle Learn all of Nach in two years, just one perek a day, with the OU Women's Initiative's Torat Imecha Nach Yomi. Our renowned educators will bring new insight and inspiration to the fourth cycle of Nach Yomi. Sign Up Now All Torah Learn Nach Yomi on All Parsha! New this cycle: Rabbi Shaya Sussman's Perek at a Glance, featuring quick summaries of each perek, along with a Nach Daily shiur. Shiurim are available from Rabbi Shalom Rosner, Rabbi Ya'akov Trump, and Torat Imecha guest speakers. Download the All Parsha App OU Antisemitism Taskforce Unsilenced Jewish Voices Podcast This week's guest, Eliana Birman, a Barnard College student and assistant digital editor at The Jewish Link, shares her experience navigating rising antisemitism on campus. She discusses online harassment, doxing, protests, and how she has used her voice to advocate for Jewish students at Barnard and Columbia. Listen on PodBean OU-JLIC When the Sefer Closes, Learning Begins Uri Lorkis, JLIC director at the University of Michigan and a startup coach, shares his unconventional journey from IDF paratrooper to JLIC director, revealing why the biggest challenge facing both his students and his startup clients is one and the same. Listen on PodBean Jewish Action A Presidents' Day Tribute: Abraham Lincoln's Unique Bond With Jews In honor of Presidents' Day, Jewish Action reviews a compelling book that explores Abraham Lincoln's extraordinary friendships with American Jews—and how those relationships deepened and shaped his enduring commitment to equality and justice for all. Read More  UPCOMING EVENTS OU Women's Initiative Torat Imecha Nach Yomi Third Cycle Siyum From motzaei Shabbat, February 14, through Sunday, March 8, at various locations in the U.S. and Israel Register Now SPIRIT Dor L'Dor: Jewish Resilience as a Pathway to Lifelong Brain Health and Prevention Tuesday, February 17, at 12:00 p.m. EST Register Now Living Smarter Jewish Money Skills for Life for Newlyweds Webinar Wednesday, February 18, at 8:00 p.m. EST Register Now Savitsky Communal Growth Initiative The Savitsky Home Relocation Fair Sunday, February 22, at 9:00 a.m. EST – Virtual Register Now Halacha Initiatives and NASCK Men's Chevra Kadisha Leadership Conference Monday, April 27, in Edison, NJ Register Now  TORAH Rabbi Moshe Hauer, zt"l Angels and Snakes Written a year ago in the immediate aftermath of the release of the bodies of Shiri, Kfir, and Ariel Bibas, who were brutally murdered by Hamas, Rabbi Hauer, zt"l, contrasts Shiri's love, rooted in Jewish values, with the despicable behavior of Hamas. Read More L'Kadsho Early Shabbos: Eating Before Davening? Can you light early, make Kiddush and eat, and then daven later? Rabbi Akiva Willig investigates! Plus… Rabbi Yosef Zvi Rimon begins the melacha of meraked (sifting)! Early Shabbos: Eating Before Davening? Learn Now More on L'Kadsho Rabbi Menachem Genack Laws of Cooking Meat in Milk, Explained What is the nature of the prohibition against cooking meat in milk? And is it connected to the prohibition against eating meat and milk? Read in Hebrew Rebbetzin Dr. Adina Shmidman From Half a Shekel to Shared Responsibility Shabbat Shekalim asks us to think beyond how much we give. Do we show up only for moments of inspiration, or also for the steady work that keeps something standing? This is not only the story of the Mikdash. It is the story of every sacred space we build together. Read More Rabbi Dr. Norman Lamm, zt"l Enlightened Self-Interest As Jews, we must care for our own first. But we must also care for others. The right way is for charity to begin at home, and then to extend in ever-widening and concentric circles outward, to encompass all people. Read More Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks, zt"l