Israel Active

A new Tel Aviv University study has determined that about three thousand years ago, the Arava Valley’s copper industry became the largest and most advanced smelting center in the ancient world. This was due to advanced management methods and impressive technological creativity.

For a limited time, the City of David Foundation is offering free premium access to its virtual “Unearthed” tour of the City of David in Jerusalem.  It is fascinating.  Free registration is required.  Then watch Israel’s Ambassador to Italy give a tour in Italian (English subtitles).

Israel’s Public Diplomacy Forum has met for the first time in several years, “to lead a unified, precise and clear message on significant issues and events”. Prime Minister Naftali Bennett stated that Israel’s image is “a main component of our national security and our national strength”.

An anti-Israel group in Canada promoting the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement against Israel has been found to be using software from Israel’s Wix to circulate its message. The response to the hypocritic organization went viral and the BDS site no longer exists.

Nearly two-thirds of Israel’s ultra-Orthodox are now online and half use social media, according to a poll by the Israel Democracy Institute. Email is the most popular app (88%), followed by search engines, digital banking, work, and government services. Very few do online shopping.

Magen David Adom (MDA) and Zichron Menachem held a “Double Donation Day” across Israel, during which many Israelis donated hair for cancer patients and blood for MDA bloodmobiles.

Club Z rallies young American Jews around their people and Israel. Some 200 high schoolers enjoy Club Z’s full menu of seminars, trips, guest lectures, conferences, projects, and hands-on activism. Plus, of course, parties, picnics, day trips and holiday celebrations.

When two Palestinian Arab women arrived at a checkpoint with an unconscious baby, 19-year-old IDF Corporal Adam quickly began CPR on the infant. A few hours later, the family returned to the checkpoint to thank Adam and tell him that the baby was fine.

This year’s Jerusalem Biennale (see previously) included the works of 48 Jewish artists. Each was based on one of the 48 ways that Torah is acquired, as listed in the sixth chapter of Pirkei Avot.

Anyone searching for a deeper reason for Israel’s modern economic miracle should read this blog article.