Israel Active

The 2025 Israeli Presidential Medal of Honor was awarded to Dr. Miriam Adelson, Dr. Mathias Döpfner, Judge George Karra, Moti Malka, Prof Avi Ohry, Prof Dina Porat, Galila Ron-Feder Amit, Sheikh Muwaffaq Tarif, and Dr. Yossi Vardi. Click on the links below to read about their achievements.

A rare hoard of 22 copper coins (4th century CE) was discovered in an underground hiding complex beneath the ruins of the Lower Galilee ancient settlement of Hukok. They date from the Gallus Revolt (351-352 CE), the lesser-known and last Jewish revolt under Roman rule.

I missed this article from Dec 2024. Maia and Oshri Bouganim escaped the 7 Oct 2023 Hamas attack and married just days later. After a little over a year, they celebrated the birth and circumcision of their first son, “the baby we've been blessed with is nothing less than a great miracle”.

A beautiful comment from Keenan Simms, volunteer on Sar-El, helping on IDF bases. “You walk into a coffee shop in Israel, and you tell people that you're not Jewish but you're here to help and you see grown men cry."

One group of high school teachers (mostly non-Jewish) from Springfield Massachusetts were given first-hand experience about the true situation in Israel.

A group of pro-Israel musicians and songwriters have launched Right Side Music to get the truth out, harmoniously. They create and stream music that clearly differentiates good from evil, particularly when it comes to Israel’s war with the legions of terror.   (“Palace of Lies” – United Nations General Assembly) (Bring them Home – 1,000 musicians)

The Swiss Friends of Yad Sarah raised $1.4 million at its inaugural gala in Zurich, Switzerland. It will fund Yad Sarah initiatives supporting the rehabilitation and healing of individuals in Israel since 7 Oct 2023.

Over 2,500 Israelis have moved to Gaza border communities, bolstering the over 90% of residents living in the area before the Hamas-led onslaught nearly two years ago, who have since returned home. The new arrivals include 50+ families who moved to the 13 worst affected communities.

Israeli non-profit OneFamily organized a 3-day retreat at Utopia Orchid Park, Kibbutz Bahan near Netanya for 47 widows and 120 children who lost spouses and parents on or after 7 Oct 2023. OneFamily also runs summer camps and regular activities for children and siblings of victims.

The historic amphitheater in Gvar’am Forest near Gaza has been restored and reopened. The site is the official memorial for the 68 IDF soldiers who fell during Operation Protective Edge. The natural complex also contains 68 oak trees, a botanical garden, and will serve as a community and cultural hub.