Technician for planes that brought family to Israel
Ortal Ayaso’s family were flown to Israel in 1991 when Operation Solomon, brought 14,325 Ethiopian Jews on 34 planes in just 36 hours. Staff Sergeant Ayaso is now a technician in the Israeli Air Force and works on the exact same plane that rescued her family.
Israeli-Arabs find ancient Jewish ritual bath
Two Israeli Arabs working for the Israel Antiquities Authority were key personnel involved in the Galilee excavation of a Second Temple (2000-year-old) mikveh (ritual bath). One discovered the mikveh and the other authorized it to be re-sited to a nearby religious kibbutz.
IDF opens its largest synagogue
The IDF soldiers at Camp Ariel Sharon training camp, in Southern Israel, can now pray and celebrate in the largest IDF synagogue to date. The synagogue was donated by Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (FIDF)and includes 350 seats, a Torah study room and a new Torah scroll.
NbN books 16 summer Aliya flights
Aliya organization Nefesh b’Nefesh has made 14 block bookings on El Al flights from New York’s JFK airport between July and September. It has also booked seats on two flights from the West Coast during July and August.
United with Israel is a Genesis Foundation winner
Newsletter supporter United with Israel (UWI) is among the NGO winners of a Genesis “Speak Out for Israel” grant. When applying for the grant, UWI focused on the theme: “Israel’s Global Fight Against Covid-19”, which (as newsletter readers know) Israel excels.
They are coming in their thousands
The International Christian Embassy Jerusalem has just brought another 57 Russian-speaking Jews to Israel, making 1,000 Olim that the ICEJ has sponsored since Feb 2020. Israel expects 90,000 new immigrants in the next 18 months. Many young US professionals are now applying.
Celebrate Israel Parade – virtually
The Virtual Celebrate Israel Parade 2020 will be streamed on Sunday, June 21st at 1:00 pm (EDT) on-line and on Facebook and YouTube. It will also be available on-demand after the broadcast.
MyLChaim
The Israel Innovation Fund together with Wine on the Vine have launched a new Israeli on-line wine store Israwines. They have also announced the #MyLchaim Campaign to encourage Jews around the world to drink and make Kiddush with Israeli wine every Shabbat.
Four religious women to enter Knesset
Several Israeli ministers have just made way for four religious women to become new Members of Israel’s Parliament. Tehila Friedman, Michal Cotler-Wunsh, and Einav Kabala are all law experts. Hila Shay Vazan was a journalist.
The Holy City
Jerusalem doesn’t stand still. It is installing defibrillators; also small fridges where residents can donate food for those in need. Streets and buildings have been deep cleaned; pathways repaired, and new traffic lights installed at busy crossings. Meanwhile, the Tower of David Museum has re-opened.