Israel Active

Over 2,500 Israelis have moved to Gaza border communities, bolstering the over 90% of residents living in the area before the Hamas-led onslaught nearly two years ago, who have since returned home. The new arrivals include 50+ families who moved to the 13 worst affected communities.

Israeli non-profit OneFamily organized a 3-day retreat at Utopia Orchid Park, Kibbutz Bahan near Netanya for 47 widows and 120 children who lost spouses and parents on or after 7 Oct 2023. OneFamily also runs summer camps and regular activities for children and siblings of victims.

The historic amphitheater in Gvar’am Forest near Gaza has been restored and reopened. The site is the official memorial for the 68 IDF soldiers who fell during Operation Protective Edge. The natural complex also contains 68 oak trees, a botanical garden, and will serve as a community and cultural hub.

In the first of the Sept IDF drafts, 240 ultra-Orthodox Jewish men enlisted in combat and combat support positions. 198 joined combat units while 42 were placed in combat support roles.

Pastor Jentezen Franklin and his Ministry (JFMM) are installing 800 fortified safe rooms in Israeli border communities that previously had no inside protection.

Shlomit has left her job as a nurse at Meir Medical Center in order to enlist in the IDF reserves. She treats wounded soldiers in the IDF’s 401st Armored Corps deep inside Gaza where her husband (600 days reserve duty) and two sons (total of 10 months in the reserves) all serve.

The Moon passed completely through the shadow of the Earth on Sun 7 Sep.  The full “Blood Moon” was visible in Israel from 8:30pm until 9:52pm. The next time the event will occur is on 31 Dec 2028.  But in the auspicious Jewish month of Ellul – who knows?

Those familiar with the Biblical book of Genesis will know that Abraham weighed out 400 shekels of silver to purchase the Cave of Machpelah where he buried his wife Sara. Now Israeli archaeologists have proved that silver was used locally for commerce and payment over the centuries when coins did not exist.

Ben J. and Dorit Genet have donated $1.6 million to the Ohr Torah Stone network for its modern orthodox women’s seminary in the central Israeli city of Lod. Renamed Lod Midreshet Dorit, it supports women wishing to learn Torah, work in the community and serve in the IDF.

No, not SMS. Today, an unprecedented number of American Jews are seeking new ways to grapple with the complexity and nuance that is needed to understand Israel. The Jewish Education Project has the answer: return to the core texts of your people.