Israel Active

An archeological discovery announced on the first day of Chanukah was a lead slingshot stone found at Tel Zif in Judea. It was inscribed in Greek with the name of Diodotus Tryphon, who reigned over the Seleucid Empire between 142 and 138 BC and fought against the Hasmoneans.

Ludmilla (85) and Boris (88) made Aliyah from Russia with their daughter and granddaughter in the 1990s. After studying Judaism at Giyur K’Halacha, all three women decided to convert on the same day, followed by Boris and Ludmila remarrying under a chuppah (wedding canopy).

Archeologists have uncovered more verification of the account by the Biblical Prophet Isaiah of the battle of Lachish (see previously) where the Assyrian army under Sennacherib defeated the Judean forces some 2700 years ago. They found the quarry used by the Assyrians to build their siege ramp.

Religious Jews in Israel can receive the priestly blessing Birkat Cohanim every day. Award-winning Christian and Jewish musicians from the US, Africa and Israel wanted to show solidarity with Israel and they united to produce a beautiful musical rendition of the blessing.

Only 1,000 Christians remain in Gaza – mostly Greek Orthodox. Israel has granted them 500 permits to visit family members and Christian sites in Israel and Judea & Samaria during the holiday season. Israel is also increasing access to Jerusalem for Christians in Judea & Samaria.

Jeremy’s Circle is the first organization in Israel focusing on children and teenagers whose parents or siblings have cancer. It has created a “community of fun” with events (such as for Hanukkah) to entertain the children and allow them “just to be kids”.

Israeli Chanukah highlights included kits sent by Israeli charity Yad Lachim to Jews in Iraq, Yemen, and Kurdistan to enjoy the festival. Also, Israel’s National Library displayed some very rare Chanukah artifacts. And a 700-year-old Chanukah lamp was just excavated in Susya, in the Hebron hills.

3,000 young professionals and organizers gathered at Tel Aviv’s Hayarkon Park to celebrate 18 years since the founding of Masa Israel Journey (see previously). They participated in community-building workshops to launch Masa Israel’s new year for gap year students, interns and volunteers.

Jerusalem is always even more beautiful at Chanukah time, when the streets are illuminated with oil lamps. And visitors can experience the Festival of Light on a Chanukah tour.

The Bible Lands Museum Jerusalem (BLMJ) has opened a new exhibit – “Digging Down: Art of the Pre-Future”. It is a group exhibition of 42 contemporary Israeli artists whose main subject is archaeology: painting, sculpture, photography, video art, and sound.