Israel Active

So said Samir – a Muslim Arab who voluntarily enlisted in the IDF. Samir was born in Syria but now lives in Israel. He serves in the Tavor battalion, one of the Home Front Command's search and rescue battalions, whose men also perform combat activities in addition to their rescue efforts.

Here is a news item that may (but should not) surprise you. Members of an Ultra-orthodox IDF battalion saved the lives of three Palestinian Arabs who were trapped in a car near Nablus in a swollen stream growing violent due to the stormy weather. Plus, another rescue video.

Haaretz is surprised by evidence of the true wish of Arab residents of Israel’s capital. More applications for Israeli ID cards; more students taking the Israeli matriculation exams; more enrolling in Israeli academic institutions; and a rising number of youth volunteering for national service.

At the four-day Agritech-Asia business summit in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India Israel’s Consul General revealed the nature of the Centres of Excellence that Israel is setting up in the Indian state. These will focus on mangos, date palms and bananas.

The Hebrew University of Jerusalem is creating a program for students from minority backgrounds to encourage access to higher education. To lead these efforts, the University has appointed Prof. Nayef Jarrous as the Minority Affairs Advisor to Hebrew U President Menahem Ben-Sasson.

English-born teacher, lecturer and writer Penny Ur from Moshav Amnon has just been awarded the Order of the British Empire in the Queen’s New Year’s Honors List for her work promoting English language-teaching methodologies. Penny made Aliya in 1967.

20 young North American Jews with Asperger’s Syndrome have just experienced Israel together on a special Taglit-Birthright tour. They also met Israelis with Asperger’s at Shekel, an umbrella organization for Israelis with special needs.

A major Lebanese supermarket chain is selling Israeli goods, contrary to the 64-year-old Arab boycott of the Jewish State. Amazingly, according to a Tel Aviv University report, Israel’s exports to Middle Eastern markets in 2011 were over $6 billion, about 13 percent of overall Israeli exports.

The tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School invoked much empathy from Israeli leaders and organizations. Both President Peres and Prime Minister Netanyahu sent condolences. Israel Humanitarian Aid donated boxes of fresh food to first responders in Newtown. And Hadassah has raised funds to plant a grove of 3,000 trees in Beersheva River Park, Israel, in memory of the 26 victims.

New and veteran immigrant (olim) families, who have a special needs child or adult at home in Israel have been granted further access to a government and private sector outreach services. As of last month, they will now receive increased rent subsidies.