Jerusalem’s 3000-year-old moat discovered
Israeli archaeologists in the City of David have uncovered a 70-meters ancient fortification moat that once protected Jerusalem during the Kingdom of Judah nearly 3,000 years ago. This moat formed a massive channel that separated the City of David from the Temple Mount.
Jerusalem is busy
Despite the war, much has been happening in Israel’s capital. Huge crowds at the Western Wall, especially on the 9th of Av; new roads being built; the annual Yom Iyun Bible study; Knesset committees; Indigenous Peoples Day; National Library children’s exhibit; and Olympic medalists.
Brothers saved thousands
On Oct 7, South African brothers Keith and Brett Isaacson risked their lives to protect Gaza border communities. Brett, defended the Mivtahim Junction, the main access point to 7 moshavim. Keith, head of security for 32 Eshkol region communities, blocked further attacks.
2,000 BGU student hospital volunteers
More than 2,000 medical, nursing, and social work students from Ben-Gurion University volunteered in hospitals throughout Israel in the days immediately Oct 7. They provided medical and psychological assistance to the thousands of injured Israelis and their families.
Survivor rates
IDF medics are measured by the metric CFR (case fatality rate) - the percentage of wounded soldiers evacuated from the battlefield whom they failed to save. In the Second Lebanon War in 2006, the CFR stood at 15%. In the Gaza War, the CFR is 6.5%, due to more medics, faster evacuation and blood products.
The most moral army in history
The High Level Internatiotional Military Group comprises former NATO chiefs of staff, generals, senior officers, political leaders and officials. Its July 2024 analysis of the IDF’s war against Hamas was sent to the International Criminal Court. It praises the IDF’s moral conduct of the war.
180 Nova survivors at Haredi Shabbaton
180 secular Nova survivors joined a Shabbaton in Jerusalem run by the haredi Kesher Yehudi (“Jewish Link”) whose founder Tzili Schneider said, “The media says we’re separate. We’re not. We’re one people.”
Lifting our spirit
Ziv Shilon lost an arm in Gaza in 2012, but he didn’t lose his spirit. Here, he performs hagbah (lifting the Torah scroll) in the Chabad of Savyon, Nothing stops these heroes - they are now a defining and meaningful part of the fabric of Israeli society. See also Ari Spitz, wounded in Feb 2024.
Baby names
Israel’s Central Bureau of Statistics reported the most common Jewish baby girl names in 2023 were Avigayil (1,278), Ayala (1,171), Tamar (1,113), Sara, Maya, Noa, Yael, Esther, Libi and Chana. For boys, David (1,760), Lavi (1,415), Yosef (1,324), Rafael, Ariel, Ori, Ari, Moshe, Noam & Yehuda.
Roman ring found on Mount Carmel
13-year-old Yair, hiking on Mount Carmel, uncovered an 1,800-year-old ring engraved with a goddess of war from ancient Roman and Greek mythology. It was found near the ancient Kdumim quarry site that lies below the Mishmar HaCarmel Farm.