Israel Active

850 new apartments are to be built in the historic Jerusalem neighborhoods of Katamonim, Kiryat HaYovel, and Arnona. Hopefully this (and similar projects) will alleviate some of the demand for accommodation in Israel’s capital – currently home to nearly one million residents.

Video of the unearthing by archeologists from Ariel University of the remains of ancient Libnah at Tel Burna in Judea. The site is mentioned in the Biblical texts of Joshua (ch.10), King Rehoboam (Chronicles ch. 21) and King Hezekiah (II Kings ch.19).

The first Birthright Israel group of Ukrainian Jews since the start of the war with Russia has arrived in Israel. 24 young Ukrainians were flown on the private jet of Miriam Adelson, Birthright’s largest donor. An additional Birthright group from Ukraine is planned to travel to Israel in March.

Jews around the world, including Israel, will be interested in this. A recent follow-up to a 2018 pilot Cincinnati study has confirmed that people who wear tefillin (phylacteries) every weekday, are less likely to suffer heart attacks. Will tefillin be added to the Israeli health basket?

Several Members of the Knesset have submitted a bill proposing that all banknotes issued by the Bank of Israel include the Hebrew phrase for “In Hashem we trust.” They claim that the phrase would be “a talisman for the economic success of Israel.”  A similar phrase is on all US banknotes.

This video from NGO Stand With Us briefly features Jerusalem’s Western Wall Tunnels - a well-engineered system of ancient passageways and cisterns that reveal hidden parts of the Kotel. A longer visit provides a glimpse of Jerusalem during the Second Temple period and immediately afterwards.

Archeologists have discovered a 133CE bronze coin at the Nahal Darga Nature Reserve. One side has “Shimon” in ancient Hebrew, referring to Shimon Bar Kokhba, the leader of the Jewish revolt against Rome. On the reverse is the inscription “Year Two of the Freedom of Israel.”

The Mesha Stele is a basalt stone containing chronicles by Mesha, King of Moab during the late 9th century BCE. Photographic technology has verified that references to events about the “House of David”, recorded on the stone, correspond to the historical account in the Book of Kings.

As usual, the media missed most of these. Nefesh b Nefesh’s Living Financially Smarter in Israel 2023; a shop for Ukrainian refugees; 30 years of the Naale educational program; five new foreign Ambassadors to Israel; the InPrint Art Book Fair, and a beautiful rainbow.

A study of 500+ Israelis has determined that 42% of the population regularly volunteered, mostly in welfare, with the disadvantaged or in education. Among the ultra-Orthodox, this rose to 60%. Israel ranked 5th of the list headed by Canada (79%), the UK, Australia, and New Zealand.