Monthly Archives: December 2014

Discoveries at King Herod’s palace

Posted on December 21, 2014

Archeologists have uncovered an elaborate entrance to King Herod’s 2000-year-old palace at Herodian in the Judean desert.  They also found hidden tunnels used by Bar Kochba’s army, used in the 132-136 CE revolt against the occupying Roman forces. http://www.jpost.com/Israel-Elections/Hebrew-University-archeologists-uncover-elaborate-entryway-into-Herodian-Hilltop-Palace-385112

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Coffee for a shekel – to help drivers stay awake

Posted on December 21, 2014

Hundreds of intercity gas stations in Israel will lower their coffee prices to one shekel ($0.26) between midnight and 6:00 a.m. The one shekel coffee initiative will last until April 2015 to encourage late-night motorists to remain more aware on … Continue reading →

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When the Mayflower docked in Haifa

Posted on December 21, 2014

Remarkable recent account of a historic sea voyage by two lone soldiers to the fledgling Jewish State in 1948.  The Mayflower was a former US Presidential yacht; it previously served in the Spanish-American War and had later been sunk and … Continue reading →

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Five Israeli swimmers in Qatar

Posted on December 21, 2014

Five Israeli swimmers have qualified for this year’s world short course swimming championships in Doha, Qatar.  The organizers promised there would be no recurrence of the incident at Doha’s last event when the Israeli flag was erased on the display … Continue reading →

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Haifa’s festival of festivals

Posted on December 21, 2014

(Thanks to Stuart) For the past 21 years, thousands of visitors have been attending the annual Holiday of Holidays Festival in Haifa.  The festival falls on the crossroads of Hanukka, Id al-Adha and Christmas and has come to stand for … Continue reading →

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Tel Aviv is now a UNESCO creative city

Posted on December 21, 2014

Tel Aviv was among 28 cities designated by UNESCO as new members of its creative cities network, with a focus on media arts. http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Tel-Aviv-designated-UNESCO-creative-city-for-media-arts-383331

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A solar field for Georgia

Posted on December 21, 2014

Israeli solar company Energiya has won a $30 million contract to build a 17.68 MW solar field in the US state of Georgia.  It is the first of a dozen projects the company plans to launch in southeast USA. http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/New-Tech/Israels-Energiya-to-build-solar-field-in-Georgia-384734

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Jerusalem – the startup capital

Posted on December 21, 2014

Over 800 investors and entrepreneurs converged at OurCrowd’s Jerusalem offices to participate in its startup conference.  OurCrowd manages a network and website that has raised $80 million for hi-tech Israeli startups, with investors able to place $10,000 or more in … Continue reading →

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Productivity is rising

Posted on December 21, 2014

Israeli wages may be low compared to the US and Europe, but latest research from the Hebrew University shows that Israeli productivity is on the rise – contrary to previously disputed statistics. http://www.globes.co.il/en/article-productivity-is-rising-while-wages-are-being-eroded-1000990332

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New car sales soar

Posted on December 21, 2014

One indicator shows an improvement of confidence in the Israeli economy – sales of new cars for 2014 are 14% higher than the same period in 2013.  229,294 were delivered from Jan to Nov 2014. http://www.globes.co.il/en/article-new-car-deliveries-soar-in-november-1000990469

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