Slated to go on sale on Feb. 28, the Chabad-Lubavitch postage stamp marks the first time that the Israeli government accords an honor of this type to a religious movement on official legal tender. The stamp, valued at 2.50 shekels, depicts the movement's Brooklyn headquarters - the building known as "770" because of its location at 770 Eastern Parkway - as a source of waves of light.



The stamp can be viewed here.



The picture represents the Chabad emphasis on spreading light and good deeds throughout the world. The Hebrew words for wisdom, understanding and knowledge (Chochmah, Bina, Daat; their initials spell Chabad) are painted atop the stamp. The accompanying sheetlet features Sabbath candles and tefillin, as well as the Hebrew word U'faratzta, meaning "You shall spread out."



Another stamp being released this month honors the memory of Ezer Weizman, the 7th president of the State of Israel. The stamp is valued at 7.40 shekels.



Weizman, whose uncle Chaim Weizmann was Israel's first president, died last April at the age of 81. As a pilot with World War II experience in the Royal Air Force of Britain, Weizman helped establish the Israel Air Force, becoming its commander in 1958. He helped expand and prepare it for one of its greatest achievements: the destruction of the air forces of the Arab countries during the Six Day War of 1967.



In 1977, when the Likud won power for the first time, he was appointed Minister of Defense by Prime Minister Menachem Begin. Weizman was originally a member of the pre-State right-wing Etzel underground and a self-proclaimed hawk, but later became a leading advocate of the need for territorial compromise.



Prior to the 1984 Knesset elections, Weizman formed the Yahad Party, which won three seats and tipped the scales in favor of a unity government based on a rotation plan between the Likud and Labor. He retired from Knesset politics in 1992, and a year later was elected President of Israel. He was known for visiting terrorist victims or their families, as well as for his outspokenness on many issues.



A set of four stamps, in a series known as Children of America Paint Israel, will be issued on May 28. They are based on a contest for Jewish schoolchildren in America to design an Israeli stamp expressing their solidarity with Israel. The contest was run by the Israel Postal Authority, Jewish Family & Life! and AVI CHAI Foundation. The four winning designs became Israeli stamps. They include:



* “Desert Bloom” by Yael Bildner, 5th grade, SAR Academy, Riverdale, New York.

Yael: "I wanted an image that would represent both the natural and cultural

beauty of Israel."



* "Together in Israel", by Jessica Deutsch, 8th grade, SAR Academy, Riverdale, New York.

Jessica:" My idea was to portray the beauty of Israel. Israel offers so much to so many."



* "Colors of Israel", by Marissa Galin, 8th Grade, Pardes Jewish Day School,

Scottsdale, Arizona

Marissa: "My idea was to portray the beauty of the older buildings in Jerusalem"



* "Harmony" by Michela T. Janower, 1st Grade, Rashi School, Newton, Massachusetts

Michela: "My idea was to show the earth at peace and that different people have

different ideas so you need to take the best from each person."



The four stamps can be viewed here.