Israel Active

More than 100 bicyclists are participating in the ninth annual Geerz “Israel Charity Ride” from March 23-25 - a two-day mountain-biking event aimed at raising funds to offer relief and resilience-building opportunities for 450+ children affected by trauma due to the war.

Dozens of ambassadors from foreign countries in Israel participated in a tour of southern Israel. It exposed them to the damage caused to the Gaza Envelope and rehabilitation efforts. Ambassadors included from the Netherlands, Argentina, Guatemala, Belgium, Greece, Cyprus and others.

Israel completed comprehensive flight tests of the Iron Dome missile defense system. The exercises, conducted by the Israel Missile Defense Organization and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, evaluated the system’s effectiveness against advanced threats, including rockets, cruise missiles and drones.

Israel’s Settlements and National Missions Ministry delivered 21 off-road “Ranger” vehicles to Jewish farmers in the Samaria region. The vehicles were provided in cooperation with the Israel Defense Forces’ Central Command, which includes Judea and Samaria.

When Hamas attacked the Nova party revelers on 7 Oct 2023, Barak Nixon hid in a chemical toilet stall for 8 hours. He promised that if he got out of there alive, he would become religious. He subsequently moved to Mea Shearim, the ultra-orthodox area of Jerusalem. This is his story.

Israel opened its border to allow hundreds of Syrian Druze dignitaries and leaders to visit Israel. They visited the Galilee tomb of the Biblical Yitro (revered as a prophet) for the first time since 1948.  Amazing video. Useful article about the Druze at the second link below.

Israeli lawmakers from the coalition and opposition exchanged mishloach manot, gift baskets filled with food, on the last working day before the Purim holiday. “Purim is a holiday of unity,” explained National Unity Party Chairman Benny Gantz.

Firefighters from the Jerusalem District Fire and Rescue Authority dressed as Batman, Superman, and Spiderman to give Purim presents to children and youths. They descended from the rooftop of the Feuerstein Institute, an educational center for individuals with disabilities.

See the innovative Purim costumes and parade floats in Jerusalem.

The Jewish Futures Project has shown that children of Birthright Israel participants are more likely to be raised as Jews, have had a Jewish circumcision or a baby-naming ceremony, and be enrolled in formal and informal Jewish education compared to the children of nonparticipants.