Israel Active

A rare coin depicting the last Hasmonean king of Judah, Antigonus Mattathias II (40 BCE – 37 BCE) has been recovered in East Jerusalem. The coin features a cornucopia – a horn of plenty, with a Hebrew inscription reading, “Mattia Kohen Gadol,” as the king was also High Priest.

Archaeologists and volunteers have begun to dig and research the magnificent Hyrcania fortress in Judea. Its history begins in the 2nd century BCE Hasmonean period. It is linked to Herod the Great, and also to the treasure mentioned in the Copper scroll from the Dead Sea scrolls.

Yoseph Haddad shows viewers a different side of Israel to the one the MainStream Media wants to portray. Abu Hani opened his shawarma restaurant in Afula and obtained the top kosher license so that all Jews could enjoy his food.

The British Friends of United Hatzalah dinner in London raised £630,000 to help fund the Israeli EMS NGO’s future Southern Command Center. The bomb-proof command center will include a dispatch center, medical supply and equipment base, and volunteer sleeping facilities.

30 residents of Connecticut, including adults with disabilities, their parents and staff members who work with them, spent nine days in Israel learning about accessibility in the Jewish state. They visited Nazareth, the Kinneret, the Hula valley, Tel Aviv, the Kotel, Tower of David, and even Masada.

Alfred Moses purchased the Codex Sassoon at Sotherby’s in New York for $38 million. It was the most ever paid for a book at auction. He then generously donated it to Tel Aviv’s ANU Museum of the Jewish People where it will be displayed as part of the permanent collection.

A stone tablet fragment was recently discovered during excavations in the City of David, Jerusalem. It bears the name “Shimon”, the letter Mem (for ma’ot – money) and symbols for numbers. It has been identified as a receipt and allows a glimpse into everyday life in Jerusalem 2,000 years ago.

If you are in around New York and Long Island, don’t miss the opportunity to join the festivities at the “Celebrate Israel Parade” on Sunday, June 4. This year’s theme of “Israel @ 75: Renewing the Hope”. Floats, bands and performers will parade up Fifth Avenue from 57th Street to 74th Street.

Please watch this inspiring video to accompany Jerusalem Day – Yom Yerushalayim.

Jacob Richman has been updating his website resources for the recent festivals.  Please have a look, use, and share.