Israel Active

For the past year, volunteers from all over the world have been running a 24x7 refreshment station for IDF soldiers entering and leaving the Gaza strip. The Shuva brothers’ refreshment stand has served half a million IDF soldiers. It also stocks all the supplies that soldiers need.

Israel’s Chief Rabbis for the next 10 years, Dovid Yosef (Sephardi) and Kalman Ber (Ashkenazi) were officially installed at President Herzog’s residence in Jerusalem. Chief Rabbi Yosef concluded his remarks, “Let’s make the rabbanut great again.”  (It was the day before the US elections).

The first President of Israel, Chaim Weizmann was born on Nov 27 1874. His discovery of synthetic acetone helped the Allies win WW1. His friendship with British Prime Minister Arthur Balfour influenced the publication of the Balfour Declaration (see previously).

Nefesh b’Nefesh has opened an Aliyah center in Tel Aviv, aimed to facilitate the absorption of new immigrants. It will also support the 3,500 “lone soldiers” - those in Israel without close family - from more than 70 countries who are serving in the IDF.

Israel has allocated NIS 12 million for improving the Rachel’s Tomb complex near Bethlehem. It will make the site more accessible, particularly for people with disabilities, and includes a new bus station plus better security. The site has hundreds of thousands of visitors every year.

Jerusalem’s Zappa Club features a series of special Friday afternoon concerts.  Next event is on Nov 29.

A team led by Tel Aviv University archaeologists analyzed fingerprints on 450 pottery vessels made in Tel Hama in Syria around 2,000 to 2,400 BCE. They found that two-thirds of the vessels were made by children, some only 7 or 8 years old. The children also made figurines for themselves.

Zablon Simantov, 65, one of the last Jews to leave Taliban-controlled Afghanistan, arrived in Israel from Turkey where he had been living for the last 3 years. His rescue in 2021, was led by Moti Kahana, a well-known activist specializing in evacuations from conflict zones.

One of many near misses, as a Hezbollah rocket landed between cars on an Israeli highway.

28 altruistic individuals and partnering organizations were honored in Gush Etzion at the Ari Fuld Project’s annual “Lion of Zion” awards ceremony, for their tireless support of Israeli soldiers during Israel’s current multifront military campaign. The awards are in memory of Ari Fuld z”l (see previously).