Israel Active

Two paramedics from Israel’s Magen David Adom delivered their first babies during their recent shifts. One paramedic was nervous with his first delivery in 3 years but was more confident delivering the second one 4 hours later. The baby delivered by the second paramedic was his wife’s!

Bird Rides Inc. is providing free access to its fleet of scooters to volunteer paramedics of Israeli non-profit United Hatzalah. The paramedic locates the closest available scooter, opens the Bird app, enters the code they received from United Hatzalah and rushes to the scene in seconds.

Nice article about Rabbi Ami Pykovski - the Israeli Chabad Lubavitch rabbi and former soccer player - who has been nicknamed “The Soccer Players’ Rav” across the Israeli sports scene.

Israel in Ireland tweeted that Israel stands for Inspirational, Stunning, Radiant, Ancient, Eclectic and Lively.  My version is Inclusive, Spiritual, Revolutionary, Accessible, Exciting and Limitless. Send your suggestions to . I hope to publish the best one next week.

Excellent lecture by Rabbi Dr Jonathan Lieberman. He suggests that Ezekiel’s prophecy of the return of the lost tribes of Israel is becoming a reality.

On 18th July 2010, the very first issue of the VeryGoodNewsIsrael newsletter was emailed only to some 30 family and friends.  Current editions now reach many thousands every week. For information in the newsletters, search by subject or keyword.

Last year, in his “Covenant and Conversation” essay on this week’s Torah portion (Masei), ex-UK Chief Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks wrote “Only in Israel can the Jewish people construct a political system, an economy, and an environment on the template of Jewish values.”

Jerusalem has started building part of an $870 million major highway that will serve as a ring road around Israel’s capital city, with the goal of significantly alleviating traffic throughout the capital. It will complete the “American Road” which was planned in the 1960s but halted due to the Six-Day War.

Rabbanit Shira Sapir is the 9th woman to have completed the 5-year course of studies in Ohr Torah Stone's Susi Bradfield Women's Institute of Halakhic Leadership. Certified as Morat Hora'ah and Spiritual Leader, she is authorized to provide direction in matters of Jewish Law.

The renovations and replanting in Jerusalem’s Sacher Park have made a huge improvement to one of the largest public outside green spaces in Israel’s capital.