Israel Active

More than 2,000 participants on Birthright Israel programs gathered for the Mega Event at Mini Israel Park in Latrun – the highlight of the organization’s summer trips to Israel. Israel’s 2024 Eurovision singer Eden Golan and others gave performances in solidarity with the IDF.

Reggae icon Bob Marley’s son Ziggy is married to an Israeli, Orly – of Jewish, Iranian descent. Ziggy posted a photo of himself with his son Abraham at “his celebration of becoming a man according to the ancient tradition he has reached that age of responsibility and change.”

There are some 15,000 Israelis of Ethiopian decent living in Beer Sheva, including Naftali Aklum, whose brother was key to the mass Ethiopian Aliya. Naftali relates two of the legends as to the Jewish origins of today’s Ethiopian Israelis.

An IDF unit in Gaza has completed the study of the Talmud tractate Bava Metzia during pauses in their battles with Hamas terrorists. These soldiers exemplify resilience and commitment to their faith during these tumultuous times.

Following the successful launch of Café Otef in Tel Aviv’s Sarona Market (see previously), Cafe Otef – Re’im has opened in Tel Aviv’s Florentin neighborhood. It will sell Dvir Chocolates, the line of confections created by Re’im resident Dvir Karp, murdered on Oct 7.

Cousins Yael and Terri are known by IDF soldiers as “Terri’s Angels.” Since Oct 7 they have distributed hundreds of bags of gear to thousands of IDF reservists requesting gloves, tents, sleeping bags, scissors, medical kits, and more, supplied by donors and brought to Israel by volunteers.

The fund, Valoo for the Kids, has so far raised around $20 million in stock donations to help support Israeli child victims of Oct 7.  Founders, angel investors, and employees donate shares in tech companies. As the company’s value grows, so does the value of their donation.

Several videos are circulating showing brothers in the IDF meeting up unexpectedly in Gaza.  Here is one where a father is reunited with his son.

Dr Yoav Bichovsky, of the intensive care unit at Soroka Medical Center in Beersheba, was wounded beyond recognition by Hamas in Gaza. He is now regaining his speech and motor skills at the Loewenstein Rehabilitation Center in Ra’anana and is resolved to return to treating patients.

50 meters above Moshav Netiv HaAsara flies is probably the biggest flag in Israel at 17 meters wide and 12 meters tall. It is visible from Gaza, as a symbol of defiance to the Hamas terrorists who tried to overrun the Moshav on Oct 7.