Israel Active

Last week’s positive Israel newsletter was featured for the first time in two international media publications – San Diego Jewish World and Israel Bonds.

Harold Grinspoon’s Foundation HGF runs PJ Library, the world’s largest children’s Jewish book program. In 2009 it partnered Israel’s Ministry of Education to launch Sifriyat Pijama (Hebrew) and Maktabat al Fanoos (Arabic “Lantern Library”) the world’s largest Arabic book-gifting program.

Dr David Kupferberg volunteers for Israel’s emergency NGO United Hatzalah. But he did not expect to have to go into action at his own son’s wedding. Shortly after the chuppah, one of the female guests had a major allergic attack and the mother of the bride pulled him from the dance floor.

A first-of-its-kind charter flight from Mexico carried 50 Mexican Olim (immigrants) to Israel, plus 150 Hanoar Hatzioni graduates. Dubbed “Operation Home,” the flight also carried dozens of Israelis who had been stranded due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Another Canadian philanthropist, Marcel Adams (born Meir Abramovici), passed away nine days after his 100th birthday. He survived Nazi labor camps and Israel’s War of Independence. He funded brain research at Tel Aviv University and Israel’s Academy of Sciences and Humanities. A great story.

Canadian philanthropists are funding Israeli education and cancer research. The Goodman family is funding scholarships for Ethiopian Israelis and the Shapiro family is funding scholarships for IDF veterans. The Soyka Foundation is supporting the Hebrew University and Sheba Medical Centers.

2nd and 1st century BCE oil lamps excavated in and around Jerusalem were different to lamps from that time found in other Middle East countries. Researchers from Bar-Ilan University have suggested that Jews in the Hasmonean period wanted to keep their identity separate from the Hellenists.

Israel has offered Lebanon medical and humanitarian assistance in the wake of the blast at Beirut port. Even the & reported this. Israeli doctors and citizens sent messages of support and Israeli hospitals are on standby to receive wounded. Israel Flying Aid is raising funds for supplies.

140 Olim (immigrants) from France have just arrived in Israel thanks to the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews. They included medical and hi-tech professionals and many who suffered from anti-Semitism in France. Also, see the World Zionist Org’s plans for 50,000+ French Olim.

12 years ago, a United Hatzalah paramedic saved Yaakov Bar Yochai’s life after he almost drowned in Eilat. It inspired Yaakov to also become a paramedic, but he was sad that he could not find and thank the person who saved him. 12 years later, Yaakov finally found Meir Hajbi.