Israel Active

Just ahead of Israel’s 74th birthday, Aliyah organization Nefesh B’Nefesh welcomed its 74,000th new immigrant. Charley, from Florida, said “It is incredibly special to finally be here, and we are looking forward to beginning this new chapter in our lives and growing our family here,”

of Draiman Consulting has recorded his favorite charitable individuals and organizations that he ranks as among the most efficient and most effective Israeli non-profits. Essential for donors, philanthropists and anyone wishing to give tzedakah wisely. See also his home page.

After suffering a stroke, 29-year-old Jennifer Lopez (no not that one) was told by doctors that another pregnancy would be fatal. But thanks to Professor Jose Cohen, Director of Hadassah Ein Kerem’s Cerebral Catheterization Unit, Jennifer now has a son.

Four years ago, Eliyahu emigrated from Ukraine to Israel, leaving his parents behind. Thanks to Chabad of Kyiv the family had a long-awaited, tearful reunion at Ben Gurion Airport. Also, just before Yom HaShoah, 21 Holocaust survivors were rescued from Ukraine and flown to Israel.

Eytan Stibbe, the first Jew to celebrate Passover in space, reveals how he relates to children the meaning of the Exodus story in the current technological age. .

Israeli astronaut Eytan Stibbe gave fourth graders a lesson called “Lighting Shabbat Candles in Space – the Halacha and Science Challenge.” Scientists are still learning how fire behaves in zero-gravity and may use the knowledge to develop more efficient combustion engines.

Members of the Adelson family, children of Dr. Miriam Adelson and the late Sheldon Adelson, recently sponsored flights for more than 500 Jewish Ukrainian refugees to find sanctuary in Israel. The flights were part of United Hatzalah’s Operation Orange Wings.

Rafael Advanced Defense Systems has a special cyber division in Jerusalem that includes 55 ultra-Orthodox employees, some former yeshiva students, that help make sure no one penetrates the air defense system.

Israeli archeologists have discovered remnants of vanilla spice in wine jars bearing the symbol of trade from the Kingdom of Judah during the 7th century BCE first Temple period. The exotic spice originated in the far East and was unknown in the West until the time of Columbus.

Israeli Astronaut Eytan Stibbe has taken a box of handmade shmurah (guarded) matzah and 4 cartons of grape juice to the International Space Station to observe the Jewish festival of Passover. He was given provisions by Rabbi Zvi Konikov of Chabad of the Space & Treasure Coasts. See also UWI link below.