Israel Active

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.

On the fourth night of Chanukah, Israel’s Education Ministry held the final of the International Bible Quiz for Adults at the Hebrew University. The winners were Israel’s Liron Ben Moshe from Alfei Menashe and Yair Yosef Guggenheim from Karnei Shomron.

Great article advocating immigration to Israel. 10 months’ sunshine; exotic food; vaccination success; Government tax incentives and support for hi-tech training to fill 14,000 vacancies; entrepreneurship programs; demand for English speakers with Western culture experience and more.

An 11-year-old Israeli girl found a 2,000-year-old shekel of pure silver whilst sifting dirt excavated from under the Pilgrimage Road in the City of David. Inscribed Shin Bet (2nd year) it was minted by Jews during the Great Revolt against Rome around 67-68 CE.

Archeologists found a 2000-year-old amethyst seal under the Pilgrimage Road in Jerusalem. It is inscribed with a bird and a branch of a plant identical to the persimmon plant grown at the Balm of Gilead farm., The farm reproduces the balsam balm, as was used in the 1st and 2nd Temples.