Israel Active

Another “best of” 2019 article this time focusing on the most important archaeological discoveries in Israel over the past year. They include the ‘Ikkar Ben Matanyahu’ and Adoniyahu seals. Goliath’s city, the Pilgrim’s Path, 5th century synagogue mosaics, a 7000-year-old sea wall and Biblical beer.

Between Jerusalem and the Dead Sea, 20,000 plants are cultivated on the 2-acre Balm of Gilead Farm. They include species mentioned in the Bible, such as frankincense trees and myrrh bushes. Many of these plants were lost to the Holy Land for centuries and are now beginning to flourish again.

Fascinating history of Mordechai Ben-Porat, whose leadership of Operation Ezra and Nehemiah resulted in the rescue of 130,000 Iraqi Jews and their journey to Israel. He later became a member of the Knesset, Israel’s parliament; and he founded the Babylonian Jewry Heritage Center.

Georgia has announced plans to open a cultural center in Jerusalem, joining the embassies of the US and Guatemala and trade offices of Honduras, Hungary, Australia, Brazil and the Czech Republic. Slovakia and Ukraine are also expected to open such offices.

Another article about Israeli non-profit Yedidim (Hebrew for “good friends”) whose 20,000 volunteers help any motorists who have problems with their cars. Last year they attended hundreds of thousands of incidents, including rescuing 1,500 infants from locked cars.

A new photo exhibit entitled “One to Ninety” at Ben-Gurion airport depicts the story of the Jewish Agency for Israel as it celebrates its 90th anniversary. These photos will welcome those flying to and from the Jewish State until 30th March.

34,000 people immigrated to Israel during 2019 – the largest annual figure in the past 10 years. Over the decade Israel received 250,000 immigrants from 150 countries. More than three million people have immigrated to Israel since 1948, with around 44% of them arriving after 1990.

Here are some of Sharon’s photos of this year’s biggest and best Chanukah happenings this year in Jerusalem.  And her photos show that Jerusalem is for all religions.

Geula Cohen, who passed away recently aged 93, joined the Jewish underground at 17 years old as a radio announcer during the Mandate period. She escaped twice from the British – including from prison.  After Israeli Independence, Geula became a Member of Knesset and won Israel’s highest civilian honors.

Eurovision song contest winner Netta Barzilai and Israeli President Reuven Rivlin sang to Bar and Bat Mitzvah boys & girls who had been bereaved or injured in terror acts. A separate ceremony was held earlier for the children at the Kotel (Western Wall) in Jerusalem.