Author Archives: MichaelOrdman

Delayed passengers break into song

After a 4-hour delay on a Delta Airlines flight from New York to Tel Aviv, two musicians led passengers in singing “Adon HaSelichot” and then “Am Yisrael Chai”. https://www.jns.org/hold-passengers-on-delayed-delta-flight-to-israel-break-into-song/

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A home in Israel

Reminder – Marina Shear, wife of Newsletter subscriber Glen, can help any reader wishing to make Aliyah or purchase a property in Israel.  She has teams of English-speaking lawyers, mortgage brokers, builders, property managers, inspectors and designers. Read her guide … Continue reading

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Ancient Jewish synagogue unearthed in the Golan

Another historical Jewish link to the Land – in the Golan Heights recaptured by Israel in the 1967 Six-day War. Excavations at the Yahudiya Nature Reserve revealed lintels and basalt columns of a 1,500-year-old synagogue – the 26th discovered in … Continue reading

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Zikim Beach reopens

The IDF is reopening to the public, Zikim Beach, located near the Gaza border, on Oct. 16, marking the first time the area has been accessible since the start of the war two years ago. The IDF views the opening … Continue reading

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PM Prize to Mossad operatives

The Israeli Prime Minister’s Prize has been awarded to the Mossad operatives involved in the “beepers” attack against Hezbollah, and the 12-day Operation Rising Lion war against Iran. https://www.jns.org/netanyahu-barnea-award-mossad-operatives-pm-prize/

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Hummus in Damascus

Israelis used to speak about the day when we’d be eating hummus in Damascus as a longed-for era of peace. We’re now eating kosher hummus in Damascus, says Mendy Chitrik, the Safed-born rabbi of Turkey’s Ashkenazi community and the chairman … Continue reading

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Maintaining Mankai production

Israel is the only country in the world where the superfood Mankai (see here previously) is grown commercially. So it was vital that the man managing the Mankai at Kibbutz Be’eri returned two days after the Hamas 7 Oct 2023 … Continue reading

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Seeds of renewal

More about the 3-year initiative to rehabilitate and redesign 32 early childhood educational centers of excellence for ages 3–6 across the Gaza Envelope and northern Israel. (See here previously) https://ejewishphilanthropy.com/philanthropys-role-in-rebuilding-early-childhood-education-in-israel/

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Bereaved father seeds “honoring” startups

After Izhar Shay lost his son on 7 Oct 2023, he launched “Next October” to support early-stage businesses that agree to commemorate one of the approximately 2,000 people, killed on 7 Oct and in the ensuing war, in perpetuity. In … Continue reading

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Giving thanks

US President Donald Trump had a tumultuous welcome when he spoke at the Israeli Knesset (parliament). His first words were, “We gather on a day of profound joy, of soaring hope, of renewed faith, and above all, a day to … Continue reading

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