Israel Active

This article describes the journey of a Sefer Torah scroll. Written in Russia over a century ago, it survived the Holocaust, the siege of Leningrad and communist Russia. It made Aliyah to a synagogue in Netzarim, Gaza but had to leave in the 2005 disengagement. It is now being used by IDF soldiers in Gaza.

A welcome addition to the (sadly too few) sites giving continuous unbiased news from Israel. Backed by famous Israeli Middle East expert Prof Mordechai Kedar.  Available on the web and mobile app.

The organs of IDF Staff Sergeant Yehonatan Yitzhak Semo (/Samo), 21, who died from wounds inflicted in Gaza, were donated to six patients including a 10-year-old child and an 8-month-old infant.

Rabbi Daniel Kind, the rabbi of the IDF’s Givati Brigade, hung a mezuzah in Gaza City. He said afterwards, "I wish the entire Brigade to continue in our special work, in the great mission. G-d willing, we will succeed.”  More Mezuzot have been placed on other buildings in Gaza.

In the very first week of the war, Israel’s Technion Institute set up a “Give Help / Get Help” center to help evacuees, and IDF soldiers. Initiatives include daycare for kids, free secondhand shop, free haircuts, donated goods, computers for kids, toys, books, and crafts, music & dance events, and much more.

Israeli NGO Machshava Tova is providing innovation workshops to Israel’s evacuated children of the south. It helps them get over the traumatic events of Oct 7 as well as develop new skills.

Israel’s Technion Institute is awarding NIS 6,000 to all its 2,500 students who were mobilized by an emergency call-up order for ‘Operation Swords of Iron.’ The Hebrew University of Jerusalem has also announced an aid package for its roughly 4,000 students who are serving in the IDF.

Some 100 young Jewish men and women from around the world have made Aliyah and are completing a Defense Ministry course to prepare them physically and mentally for IDF service.

This Israel21c article lists dozens of organizations who can provide exciting and rewarding experiences while helping the disadvantaged and the whole of Israel at this time.

The Jewish Agency, Nefesh b’Nefesh and Israel’s Aliyah Ministry are setting up a database to help global physicians (Jewish and non-Jewish) volunteer in hospitals and medical facilities around the country as quickly and efficiently as possible. 70+ have already arrived and begun work.