Israel Active

An 80-year-old man collapsed in Petach Tikvah after a falafel (fried chickpea ball) got stuck in his lungs. Two passing paramedics tried CPR, the Heimlich Maneuver, fluids, and a respirator, to restore the man’s pulse. Finally, they used an intracanal tube, removed the falafel, and his pulse returned.

For readers of this newsletter in the US, this link will help you find events organized by the Israeli American Council to enjoy the Jewish festival of Purim.

Good summary of ancient Jewish archaeological finds in Israel last year. They include a 2nd Temple period synagogue, more Dead Sea scrolls, King David’s purple die, Gideon’s inscription, an 8th century BCE earthquake site. Plus the Yavne site of the Sanhedrin, a Temple shekel and a royal toilet.

Due to the current tense security situation, Israeli emergency NGO United Hatzalah is strengthening its volunteer teams in Kyiv, Uman, and Odessa, to provide a continuous medical response in the Jewish communities as the needs arise.  Israel’s SmartAID is also flying in relief  

Here is the write-up of VeryGoodNewsIsrael’s visit to the “Hadar Young Ambassadors” at Haifa’s Hebrew Reali School. The “ambassadors” previously had visits from Dr Noga Cochavi of Haifa University and IDF Spokesperson Kelly Odes, each promoting positive images of Israel around the world.

2021 saw 4,000 US Olim (new immigrants to Israel) – the most since 1973.  The 3,500 arrivals from France were the most in the last 4 years. Other large increases were from Russia (7,500), Ukraine (3,000), Ethiopia (1,636), Argentina (900) UK (650), Brazil (550) and South Africa (550).

Two Israeli policemen spotted an object protruding from the Ashdod beach after recent heavy rains. What eventually emerged was an impressive, 1,500-year-old marble pillar that was probably part of a Byzantine church originally on that site.

Hebrew University of Jerusalem researchers examining a shipwreck off the Israeli coast have been able to trace 3,200-year-old trade links. Lead ingots show that Cyprus imported metals from Western Mediterranean ports 1,500+ miles away, to create luxury goods for sale throughout the Levant.

Good article about the USIEA and its role in establishing Israel’s Iron Dome defense system. The US Israel Education Association, comprised of non-Jews, aims to educate, and serve government leaders who are directly involved in advancing important dialogue between the United States and Israel.

Last week I gave a talk to students at the Reali Hebrew school in Haifa. Before the lecture, I attended the morning (Shacharit) service in a Haifa hotel that coincidentally was hosting the Bar-Ilan University Conference on Nanotechnology. After prayers, dozens of young scientists learned about VeryGoodNewsIsrael.