Israel Active

As part of Operation Rock of Israel (see previously), another flight has brought 219 Ethiopian immigrants to the Jewish State. Thanks to the support of the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews (IFCJ) it has united many Ethiopian families who had previously made Aliyah.

The Kushner Garden of Peace at the KKl/JNF Grove of Nations in the Jerusalem Forest was inaugurated by planting 18 olive trees to symbolize life (Chai) and Peace. After the ceremony, Jared Kushner flew to Morocco for the historic normalization agreement signing.

Israelis Michael Sussman, David Weinberg and Joseph Kohan gave positive accounts of their visits to the United Arab Emirates. They were warmly greeted everywhere in Dubai, especially as Israeli Jews. Until the latest lockdown, eight flights arrived from Tel Aviv each weekday.

10 volunteer medics from diverse backgrounds working for Israeli NGO United Hatzalah explain what they have learned on the frontlines. They share how they have become better EMTs and what has kept them going, through each obstacle they have faced over the last 9 months.

Herut North America presented its Ari Fuld Z”L Zionist Activist Of the Year Award to Ben Goldstein. Ben made Aliya in 1996 as a lone soldier; his Goldstein Experience website shows the beauty and history of Israel; his security expertise, videos and Unity Warriors website help protect the Jewish State.

There are currently 7,500 Masa Israel Journey participants from over 60 countries on programs to learn, teach, volunteer and intern in the Jewish state. In its 16th programming year, despite the pandemic, Masa has seen a 36% increase in applications for its programs.

Some special guests attended the Hanukkah candle-lighting ceremony at the Kotel (Western Wall) in Jerusalem on Monday. Western Wall Rabbi Shmuel Rabinovitch said, “It is a Hanukkah miracle to see a delegation from the Emirates and Bahrain that is taking part in the candle-lighting.”

252 members of the Bnei Menashe community from India, who retain their tradition of being a “lost tribe” of Israel, landed at Ben Gurion Airport during Chanukah. It follows months of preparation by the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration and the Shavei Israel organization.

Mark Halawa lights his Chanukiah in Jerusalem and recalls his unique journey as a Kuwaiti Muslim to Orthodox Judaism. Mark’s Jewish maternal grandmother married a Jordanian Muslim. The family moved to Kuwait and then Canada where Mark approached a Chabad Rabbi.

These words were said by the first Bahraini woman to make an official visit to the Jewish State. Mashael Al-Shemeri is a member of an Emirati and Bahraini delegation visiting Israel. “I won’t say Al-Quds or Jerusalem, but Yerushalayim. Thank God this dream has become a reality,” she said.