Israel Active

Israel has just welcomed about 40 new members from Ethiopia. They include nine families from a sect of Jewish descendants called Falash Mura, a community who long ago were forced to convert to Christianity and currently seek to return to Judaism.

Nasrin Kadry (Qadri) is known to her thousands of Israeli fans as simply Nasreen. Since being reported , she has sung at Israel’s Independence Day celebration and converted from Islam to Judaism. Her Hebrew name is Bracha (Blessing). Interesting NYT article.

The Orthodox Union (OU) Israel helped organize a special prayer gathering at the Western Wall on behalf of those suffering from the coronavirus. OU Rabbi Avi Berman said “We know how to talk to God and say, ‘Please, bring a speedy recovery to all those who are sick.”

Israel’s extraordinary winter rains have not only replenished the Sea of Galilee (Kinneret) but also made the desert bloom. The shores along the northern Dead Sea have burst into carpets of color. Between Kibbutz Kalya and Ovnat, seeds that lay dormant for years have now germinated.

After 2000 years, Israel has re-opened an entrance to Jerusalem’s Old City, previously discovered in the 1930s. Buried underneath the Damascus Gate, the entrance and plaza were used by the Romans when they ruled Judea.

On the Jewish festival of Tu BiShvat (New Year for Trees), US Ambassador to Israel David Friedman planted an olive tree (a symbol of peace) at the US Embassy in Jerusalem.  And (TY Sharon) for photos and descriptions of how Tu Bishvat was celebrated in Jerusalem.

The Israeli cabinet has approved the next wave of 400 Ethiopian Aliyah – immigration to Israel. These Falash Mura (forced converts to Christianity) maintained their connection to Judaism in Ethiopia and their hopes of coming to Israel. Many have relatives in the Jewish State.

184 new immigrants (Olim) made Aliyah from Ukraine on Jan. 27, International Holocaust Remembrance Day. They landed in Israel on six separate flights financed by the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews.

From 1948 - 67 the Jordanians blocked access to the Kotel (Western Wall) and banned Jews. After the Six-Day War, Shoah survivor Eliyahu helped turn the Kotel plaza into an open space for all. 52 years later, Israeli NGO Ezer Mizion fulfilled Eliyahu’s wish to see it again.

Portuguese Ana discovered her Jewish roots after meeting Israelis in Nepal and then visiting Israel. She then understood the reason for her family’s strange traditions as a descendant of Anusim – Jews forced to convert to Catholicism. Now as Hannah Eyal, she shares her story all over Israel.