Israel Active

The 1,000 pastors reported last week (see ) also went to see the site of the Hebrews’ Tabernacle when it was first brought to the Land of Israel by Joshua. Friends of Zion founder Mike Evans emphasized that Shilo, in Judea & Samaria, preceded Jerusalem as Israel’s first spiritual capital.

Israel’s national tennis team will host a Davis Cup playoff in February for the first time since 7 Oct 2023. The evemt, against Lithuania, is scheduled to take place on Feb. 6-7 at the Arena Hall in Netanya as part of World Group I of the Davis Cup,

Maxim Herkin, recently freed from Hamas captivity, underwent a circumcision ceremony in Moscow. Chief Rabbi of Russia Rabbi Berel Lazar presided over the ceremony, offering a blessing and granting Herkin the name Zalman Zelig in honor of his maternal grandfather.

The Jewish victory that lead to Hanukah also established the Hasmonean dynasty. Israeli archeologists have just discovered remains of a Hasmonean palace at Alexandrium above the Jordan Valley. And a 40-meter wall, built by the Hasmoneans was uncovered in Jerusalem’s City of David.

A thief broke into the car of ex-hostage Bar Kupershtein and stole his cell phone. But he was still upbeat. He was “going to the police station to file a complaint, and not being in the tunnels thinking about what I need to eat now and whether they will bring me food.”

The Jewish holiday of Hanukah celebrates the victory of the Maccabees against the Seleucid Greeks. A survey at Horbat Bet Zecharia, south of Jerusalem, has found objects that match the date and profile of the famous battle described in the Book of Maccabees in 163 BCE.

Israeli authorities have erected the ceremonial menorah at the Western Wall for Chanukah, marking a deeply spiritual moment in the Jewish calendar for the nation.

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Americans for Ben-Gurion University (A4BGU) has launched “David Ben-Gurion Speaks”, a 3-part, AI-powered video series that brings Israel’s founding prime minister to life. Together with Jewish IdeaLab, archival images and recordings were enhanced through generative AI.

A segment of an ancient wall, over 40 meters long, and about 5 meters wide dating back to the latter part of the second century BCE, has been discovered in the Old City of Jerusalem. See the video to understand why this wall was dismantled during the reign of King John Hyrcanus 1.