Israel Active

Archeologists have uncovered roof tiles in Jerusalem from the 2nd century BCE. They must have been in situ when the Maccabees were eliminating the Syrian-Greek Hellenists around 164 BCE - the time of king Antiochus IV and the events that led to the festival of Chanukah.

Israel has approved plans for a new town, named Nitzana, to be built near the borders with Egypt and Gaza. The 1,500 acres will initially include 1,000+ residential units, public buildings, tourism facilities, some 200 hotel rooms, special housing, education, businesses, and open public spaces.

70,000 people, including 16,000 children, who were evacuated from border communities, are now housed in Eilat hotels. Chabad-Lubavitch of Eilat has organized hotel washing machines, social activities, playgroups, story time, new toys, teen clubhouses, cooking, and of course Shabbat services.

Philanthropist Sylvan Adams (see previously) has donated $100 million to Ben Gurion University. The funds are to be “allocated for an extensive plan aimed at advancing education and campus life at BGU while rebuilding and strengthening the south.

A very useful recent article summarizing the history of the Jews in the holy land, from Roman times through the Mamluk period. Looking forward to part 2.

Jerusalem’s Kadosh bakery is honoring Israeli soldiers with its ‘sufganiya’ collection named for IDF units. Pastry chef Keren Kadosh began with the Golani, as her son is in the 13th battalion of the Golani Brigade. Others match the color of the beret using fillings made from pineapple, pistachio, pecan etc.

When Elchanan Kalmanson heard on Oct 7 about the Hamas invasion, he drove to Kibbutz Be’eri where 1,100 residents were under attack. Driving an armored truck, he rescued dozens of families before going house to house checking for survivors. He gave his life but saved hundreds.

Another account of extreme bravery on Oct 7. Ido was the sole survivor of his IDF tank crew. He fought terrorists for hours and by distracting them he allowed hundreds of festivalgoers to escape.

Thai agricultural worker Wanchai Monsana survived Oct 7 but arrived at Sheba hospital with severe burns, all alone, and unable to speak Hebrew or English. An Israeli woman publicized his plight on social media, and he had dozens of visitors, bringing other Thais, phones, cash, and restaurant meals.

On Oct 7 Israel’s all-female tank crews made history when they fought Hamas terrorists and prevented them from overrunning many Israeli southern communities. They are the first female armored crews in Israel, and perhaps the world, to participate in active battle.