Israel Active

The Founding Fathers set sail from England to America in 1620, inspired by the Israelites’ Exodus from Egypt to the Promised Land of Israel. Symbols of America’s Biblical heritage can be seen right across the USA and most US Presidents have championed the Jewish State.

A nine-year-old boy discovered a First Temple-era piece of gold jewelry during wet sifting of earth from the Temple Mount. The minute cylinder bead was originally found in August in such good condition that it was initially dismissed as modern and only verified 3 months later.

For the last two decades, Israeli graphologist (handwriting expert) Shaul Halali has been helping religious Jews find potential marriage partners. Handwriting can reveal a person’s character traits and state of mind – vital in coronavirus times when face-to-face meetings are difficult.

In celebration of Ben-Gurion Day, Prof. Paula Kabalo, the director of the Ben-Gurion Research Institute for the Study of Israel and Zionism, provides a rare glimpse into the Ben-Gurion Archives. Hear excerpts from Ben-Gurion’s personal diary about the days preceding Israel’s declaration of independence.

An abandoned water tower in Jerusalem is being converted into a synagogue, Torah learning center and a museum commemorating Sir Moses Montefiore. It will also house a visitor educational center for medicine, science and halacha (Jewish religious law).

Mike Pompeo was the first US Secretary of State to visit Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria and the Golan Heights. He visited the Samaria Psagot winery, which named a red wine “Pompeo” in his honor and presented him with a 1st century CE Jewish coin depicting a wine vessel, found in a cave near the winery.

Jewish News Syndicate (JNS) has compiled a list of 40 individuals, Jews and non-Jews from all walks of life, from around the world who are making a real difference as a fearless and tireless on-line advocate for the Jewish state.  Kol Hakavod!

The “Israel Philharmonic Pre-Hanukkah Global Celebration,” on Dec 6, will stream globally free of charge. It features compositions by Hans Zimmer with special guest stars. Register using the second link below.

Israel’s capital was a mixture of on-line and in-line this week as stores opened, some with long lines of customers waiting outside. Meanwhile Chabad, ALYN wheels and the Jerusalem Pianos festival (mentioned above) all connected virtually with their audiences.

20,000 students from 155 countries have registered and paid for a Tel Aviv University on-line course on Islamic history. They include from Pakistan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Iran, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan the PA and more.