Happy Independence Day from Israel’s President Shimon Peres. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hfLBRqsj41A&feature=player_embedded

We may be celebrating the birth of the Jewish State, but we can also be proud that a record 161,000 babies were born to Israeli citizens in the last 12 months. http://www.israelhayom.com/site/newsletter_article.php?id=4092

The website www.israelupclose.org contains a library of hundreds of videos that highlight Israel’s contributions to humankind. Please read this recent introduction to the site and then have a look at some of the films that you haven’t seen already. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/Articles/Article.aspx/11558

Since 2003, volunteers and donors to Standing Together have provided food to Israel’s soldiers and those civilians who are under threat of attack from Israel’s enemies. This year Standing Together organised a series of barbecues at army bases to celebrate … Continue reading →

Excellent advice from the Jerusalem Post Editor – Stop being negative and emphasise the positive aspects of the Jewish State. http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Editorials/Article.aspx?id=267459

This JPost blog describes some of the major categories of achievements that Israel can be proud of. The author has missed out one, however. See if you can spot it. If not, check the comments. http://blogs.jpost.com/content/celebrating-israels-six-great-achievements

Barbara Sofer writes an annual Yom Ha’Atzmaut article, each one containing fresh and exciting observations and events that celebrate Israel’s existence. Here is her list for Israel’s 64th birthday. http://www.jpost.com/LandedPages/PrintArticle.aspx?id=266752

Jewish immigrants from Kurdistan established the Moshav of Yardena in the Beit She’an Valley in late 1952. The history of the community will be told in the new Centre for Kurdistan Cultural Heritage and for the History of Kurdish Agriculture … Continue reading →

The Israel Air Force Museum at Hatzerim contains 150 aircraft including famous exhibits. Spitfires made from abandoned British spare parts; a MIG-21 flown by an Iraqi defector; the Boeing 707 used in the Entebbe rescue and the F-16 flown by … Continue reading →