Israel Active

Israeli Yoni Kahana, an ex-member of Chabad, is now owner of the Secret Forest retreat center in Paphos, Cyprus. He has assembled a team of trauma experts to provide free 5-day therapeutic retreats for groups of Supernova music party survivors. He is crowdfunding for more groups.

Some 80 children who have been evacuated from their homes near the Gaza border are keeping up with their studies. They follow the Sprint EdTech platform from Israel’s MindCET innovation center at its Yeruham HQ in south-east Israel (see previously).

So many couples continue to hold marriage ceremonies despite the war.  In many cases, the chupah takes place on army bases with the groom and many wedding guests in combat uniform. Sometimes (TY Leonie) both the bride and groom are wed in IDF uniform .

For the first time in decades, Israeli soldiers prayed at a 6th Century CE synagogue in the Rimal suburb of Gaza City.  Amazingly the building, built in 508 CE, is still standing. A mosaic of King David with a lyre and his name in Hebrew was moved to Jerusalem’s Israel Museum in 1967. Plus, Hatikvah on Gaza beach.

Here are some sites where newsletter readers can donate to Israeli organizations that provide vital help to Israelis at this difficult time.  Many thanks to those who have already contributed and to those who are helping by donating their own valuable time and resources.   Friends of the IDF (US donors): or IDF Soldiers Fund in Israel:  (select the English speakers’ option)   American Friends of Magen David Adom (US donors): or Magen David Adom (Israel):   Zaka (US donors):   or (Israeli donors): or (Canadian donors): https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/bellevue-foundation/   United Hatzalah:  or Canada Leket Food Israel: JNF USA -  or Canada Orthodox Union -   Hadassah Hospital Israel: Laniado Hospital (Netanya)   And many more charities here:   Buy Israel Bonds to support the Jewish State. (TY Larry B) USA - Europe - Canada -

IDF soldiers on their way into Gaza don’t forget about Shabbat and recite a heartfelt kiddush prayer. They also request divine protection for the IDF, for their Givati brigade and for peace.

I apologize to , but I hadn’t been expecting any good news on the streets of Jerusalem.  This article from two weeks ago highlights huge flags, weddings, Bat Mitzvot, messages of “Am Yisrael Chai”, volunteering, donating, Arab families, plus support and accommodation for evacuees.

On Oct 7, Hevda Malca was in a safe room in Sderot while Hamas terrorists were rampaging outside. Her sister-in-law Ayala Shlomo was in a safe room in Kiryat Gat when a Hamas rocket hit their house. Both Ayala and Hedva have just given birth at Laniado hospital in Netanya.

Since Oct 7, 75 members of the Bnei Menashe community from India have made Aliyah and joined IDF combat units. Another 140 new Olim have joined the reserves.

Finally, a positive Israel story from the BBC. How Israeli intelligence worked with a Gazan dentist to ensure that hundreds of Gaza civilians were unharmed as the IDF prepared to bomb tower blocks housing Hamas terrorists.