Israel Active

Archaeologists have discovered a fortified complex in the Golan Heights from the time of King David (1000-1100 BCE). They believe the fort was built by the kingdom of Geshur, ally of King David, to control the region. One of David’s wives, Maachah, was King Talmai of Geshur’s daughter.

Despite coronavirus restrictions, the Austrian grandfather of a new Israeli baby boy was able to be Sandak (holding the baby) at his grandson’s Brit Milah ceremony. The Fattal terminal hotel at Ben Gurion airport provided a sterile room so the grandfather could attend without entering the country.

The Jewish National Fund is building the Israel Education and Technology Campus in the Be’er Sheva River Park. See the video and description for details of its three components: tech center, tourist education and Israeli school.  Register for the launch event on 2nd Dec.

HRH Charles, Prince of Wales has made a private donation to Israel’s Peres Center for Peace and Innovation. “It is a great honor to be the first Israeli non-profit to receive support from a member of the Royal Family,” said Chairman of the center, Chemi Peres, Shimon Peres’ son.

On 9th Nov, the walls of Jerusalem were illuminated with projections on the anniversary of Kristallnacht – the Night of the Broken Glass, in 1938. Thousands of people around the world took part in March of the Living’s global interfaith campaign “Let There Be Light”. Houses of worship were lit up all night.

26-year-old Effi from Jerusalem said he volunteered to test the new Israeli Covid-19 vaccine because he had not seen his 89-year-old grandfather for almost a year. “I’m doing this COVID vaccine trial for every Jewish grandparent cut off from their family, and for every Jewish family divided by the pandemic”

ISRAEL21c’s 32 Digital Ambassadors from 23 university campuses are launching “Groundbreaking Israel” - a social-media campaign that focuses on the diverse people of Israel and their vision, accomplishments and tenacity. I hope they subscribe to this newsletter.

United Hatzalah volunteers respond to an average of 1,800 calls every 24 hours. On 1st Nov the NGO launched its 24 by 24 campaign to raise two months’ worth of lifesaving by 24th Nov. Each $1800 dollars will fund 24 hours of lifesaving.

The JNF is celebrating Veterans Day on 11th Nov with a virtual tour of Ammunition Hill in Jerusalem, the historic site of the battle for the reunification of Jerusalem in 1967. The Wall of Honor at the site bears the names of more than 500 Jewish veterans who have served their countries.

The Israeli government is co-sponsoring a $2.5 million project Limmud Labs. It aims to enlist former Soviet Jews to bolster Jewish community life in the FSU. Celebrities like Sergey Brin (Google) Jan Koum (WhatsApp) and Max Levchin (PayPal) can forge bridges between the FSU and Israel.