Israel Active

Nearly 4,000 men and women ran in this year's International Bible Marathon. The 42.2km race began and finished at Ancient Shiloh, where the original Biblical Tabernacle was sited on entering the Land of Israel over 3,300 years ago. The race always takes place during the Jewish feast of Tabernacles.

The International Christian Embassy Jerusalem (ICEJ) held its annual Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot) for 2 nights by the Sea of Galilee and the next 5 days in Jerusalem. The event was attended by more than 1,700 Christians from over 70 countries.

Sharon captured the colors and crowds of Sukkot (Tabernacles) in Jerusalem; at the Kotel, at the President’s residence and almost everywhere in between. Meanwhile some two million people visited the Western Wall during the holidays.

Some 50,000 people attended the once-in-seven-years’ “Hakhel” communal ceremony at the Kotel (Western Wall in Jerusalem). Israel’s President Isaac Herzog participated with Israeli religious and political leaders in the dedication of three Torah scrolls. In Biblical times the King read the whole scroll.

Surfside, Florida is to establish a twin city relationship with Israel’s Samaria Regional Council. Its purpose is to thank Israel for its help its help in the search and rescue operation at the site of the collapse the 12-storey Champlain Towers South condominium last year.

Two volunteers from Israeli NGO United Hatzalah rescued a wounded 86-year-old Shoah survivor from the fighting in the Ukrainian city of Lyman. Alexander and Vadim traveled over 2,500 km to bring the woman to the Slovakian border, where she received medical treatment.

100 babies were born on the Jewish New Year, at Shaare Tzedek Medical Center in Jerusalem - 51 girls and 49 boys. Prof. Sorina Grisaru, Director of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, said "… there is no greater happiness than starting a new year with a new baby in the family.

As last year (see previously), 800 children who lost one or more parents celebrated their bar and bat mitzvah at Israel’s Superland amusement park. Israel’s National Insurance Institute (Bituach Leumi) Rehabilitation branch sponsored the event together with Colel Chabad.

50-year-old Eyal, a father of five from Holon, received a stem cell transplant to save his life from an Israeli donor who was a perfect match on Ezer Mizion’s bone marrow database. Eyal’s daughter was so grateful, that she registered with Ezer Mizion and her stem cells recently saved the life of a baby.

Pre-Yom Kippur services feature prayers to ask for forgiveness – “Selichot”. In Jerusalem, these are major events, taking place at the Kotel, the President’s residence, Sultan’s Pool, and Kikar Safra. After Yom Kippur, preparations for Sukkot (Tabernacles) and tree planting begin.