Israel Active

Thousands of Israeli Jews, including President Isaac Herzog, have been completing letters on new Torah scrolls in memory of the victims of Oct 7, and raise awareness for the hostages still in captivity. One scroll is for Kibbutz Be’eri and has connected the religious and the secular.

I admit that I shed a few tears when I read this story and then saw the video on Instagram.

Rabbi Moshe Chaim Klein donated a defibrillator to NGO United Hatzalah after its volunteer EMTs saved his life 3 years ago. Last week his grandson, a UH volunteer, used the same defibrillator to deliver six shocks to revive a man who had suffered a heart attack in Jerusalem.

Mosaic United and the Israeli Ministry for Diaspora Affairs are investing $1 million to help bring thousands of young Jewish volunteers to Israel. Mosaic and Birthright Israel aim to bring 2,000 Jews age 18 to 40 to Israel for two weeks, picking crops, packing veg, etc..

The holiday of Hanukkah is a celebration of miracles and light over darkness. The colors and lights in Jerusalem last week were stunning.

Rambam hospital’s Dr. Arik Schechter has been serving in the IDF reserves deep inside Gaza since the outbreak of the Swords of Iron War. With three sons and a son-in-law also serving, perhaps it should not have been such a surprise when he was reunited with one of his sons in the fighting.

Israel’s Sports Association for the Disabled and Israel’s Paralympic Committee have launched a voluntary initiative for IDF personnel who have lost limbs. Rehabilitation and recovery include personal trainers, coaches, physiotherapists, and sports psychologists. More than 20 have already joined.

Jerusalem book publisher Koren produced a special wartime edition of the Book of Genesis and sent copies to thousands of Israeli soldiers. The paperbacks contain Rashi and Onkelos commentaries and can fit in uniform pockets. Koren had already sent 8,000 books of prayer and psalms.

The olive oil that will be used to light the IDF’s Chanukah menorahs has been specially extracted from 182 olive trees planted at Ammunition Hill in Jerusalem after the Six-Day War, in memory of fallen IDF soldiers. The oil will light 90 IDF menorahs, including in Gaza (see 2nd link).

Watch the Hanukkiah lighting every evening, live, at the Kotel.