Israel Active

Coins were minted by the Romans in CE 71 to celebrate their defeat of the Jews of Judea. Coins minted earlier by Jews were inscribed “For the freedom of Zion” (Jerusalem).  Coins of both type were found in Jerusalem and in 1958 Israel minted a medallion depicting both coins to signify that Zion is again free.

Masa Israel Teaching Fellows (MITF) is celebrating its 10-year milestone. MITF has brought some 1,700 college graduates from countries including the US, Canada and UK as volunteer English teachers at schools in 19 Israeli cities.

Over 30 communities in the US have teamed up with Israel’s Colel Chabad to provide gift packages to young children in Yavne, Ashdod and Sderot. The age-appropriate gifts included books and hand-written notes to help the Israeli children through a scary, confusing time.

IDF Paratrooper Liron and his IDF bride Yarona decided to help Israel defend against Hamas rather than embark on their honeymoon. They decided to gift their honeymoon B&B break in Israel to a couple in the South allowing them to get respite from the thousands of Hamas rockets.

Shavuot - The Jewish festival of Weeks, also known as Pentecost, celebrates the first time in history that the Jewish people were united. They were described in the singular when receiving the Torah at Mount Sinai. This year, Jews are again united in defending Israel against terrorists and antisemitism.

Hundreds of Jews and Arabs marched for coexistence near Jerusalem between the Arab town of Abu Ghosh and the Jewish community of Mevaseret Zion. Pro-unity demonstrations also took place in Haifa and the Jezreel Valley. At Israeli hospitals, Jewish and Arab medics sang together in favor of peace.

Last week, philanthropists Mark and Erica Gerson matched all donations to Israeli Emergency Medical NGO United Hatzalah up to $1 million.

Great article by Israel21c Editor Nicky Blackburn.

Jacob Richman’s resources for Sun/Mon Jerusalem Day include a Trivia Quiz, 7,000 photos, 108 videos, 55 songs and 230 relevant website links. Also, KKL-JNF has released never-before-seen photos of Jerusalem. And (TY Sharon) The city itself prepares for the big day.  Yom Yerushalayim Sameach!

On Sunday, Israel’s Shon Weissman, scored a goal for Spanish soccer club Real Valladolid, which he then dedicated to the 45 victims of the Mount Meron tragedy. Instead of celebrating, Weissman repeatedly gestured with his fingers the numbers 4 and 5 and pointed to the heavens.