Israel Active

Israeli authorities have erected the ceremonial menorah at the Western Wall for Chanukah, marking a deeply spiritual moment in the Jewish calendar for the nation.

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Americans for Ben-Gurion University (A4BGU) has launched “David Ben-Gurion Speaks”, a 3-part, AI-powered video series that brings Israel’s founding prime minister to life. Together with Jewish IdeaLab, archival images and recordings were enhanced through generative AI.

A segment of an ancient wall, over 40 meters long, and about 5 meters wide dating back to the latter part of the second century BCE, has been discovered in the Old City of Jerusalem. See the video to understand why this wall was dismantled during the reign of King John Hyrcanus 1.

Howie Danao grew up in an affluent Tel Aviv home as the adopted son of a secular Israeli family, alongside his Filipino mother who worked as a caretaker. His success as a singer, IDF service and a Jewish-identity program changed his life.

Reminder – Marina Shear, wife of Newsletter subscriber Glen, can help any reader wishing to make Aliyah or purchase a property in Israel.  She has teams of English-speaking lawyers, mortgage brokers, builders, property managers, inspectors and designers. Read her guide and see her website for more details.

KKL-JNF’s “Iron Swords” blue box seeks to tell the national story of the past two years. It features broken glass, red anemones and, in Hebrew, the phrase given to the “Rising Lion” operation against Iran. “Am Ka’Lavi Yakum, v’Ka’Ari Yitnasei”.

The La’aretz Foundation (see previously) gala raised funds to help reservists rebuild livelihoods, support families in financial crisis and establish an emergency grant fund. It will also assist families affected by post-war trauma and continue to provide education scholarships to ex-IDF.

SafeHeart, a nonprofit mental-health organization created to support survivors of the music-festival massacre, was founded that very day. Since then, it has reached more than 2,500 survivors, and currently provides long-term therapy for about 1,000.

Ditza Or, mother of ex-hostage Avinatan tells how her son was strengthened when he heard his Hamas captors praising the Biblical “Joseph The Righteous”. Ditza uses this episode to urge Israelis to unite in the same way that Joseph united his family and built a nation.