Israel Active

Israel’s population grew by 187,000 (2%) in the last Jewish year, including some 177,000 babies. The average life expectancy for males is now 80.5 years, whereas for females it is 84.6 years - one of the world’s highest.

Another example of it never being too late to make Aliyah. Stellah Rokoff is 101 years young. Born in Jerusalem, her family left pre-state Israel for the USA in 1926, when she was five. Israel has changed a bit in the last 96 years!  Welcome back Stellah.

A flight carrying 209 olim (new immigrants) from Ethiopia, including 41 children and toddlers, landed at Ben Gurion Airport as part of Operation Tzur Yisrael (Rock of Israel) to bring Ethiopia’s Jewry to Israel. They will celebrate Rosh Hashanah together with their relatives in Israel (see 2nd link below).

The Real Jerusalem Streets were filled last week with the sounds of pre-New Year prayers (Selichot). They take place not only at synagogues but also at the International Conference Center and even in Jerusalem’s public parks.

Members of the Makuya Japanese Christian group came to Jerusalem to show support for Israel.

Nothing surprising here, you may think.  But this building in the Old City of Jerusalem was once a Jewish kosher hotel, right up to the 1930s as can be seen from the grooves where mezuzahs used to be.  And after renovations, it hopefully will be a kosher hotel again.

A Judean quarter-shekel silver coin (one of only two in existence) was returned to the State of Israel in ceremony in New York. It was minted in 69 CE by the Jewish leaders of the Great Revolt (66-73 CE) as a declaration of independence by the Kingdom of Judea from the Roman empire.

Useful summary of four initiatives to help talented individuals make Aliyah and fill the gaps in Israel’s high-tech industry. Israel Innovation Authority grants; MasaTech career relocation program; Government fast-track Law of Return; plus, specific company programs.

United Hatzalah volunteer EMT Yair had spent Shabbat with a family in Tiberias when he was called to save the life of a 73-year-old family member who suffered cardiac arrest. After 20 mins his pulse returned. Yair said afterwards he felt he had been wrestling with the Angel of Death and prevailing.

Nefesh b'Nefesh is celebrating 20 years of moving Jews from North America to Israel. NbN’s tremendous efforts have enabled 75,000+ Jews to begin new lives in the Jewish State.