Israel Active

New research by the Israel Antiquities Authority has identified a unique linen (from flax) wick, of the type used for Sabbath lamps in Mishnaic times, 1,500 years ago. It was originally found in excavations conducted in the 1930s by the American Colt expedition to the Negev site of Shivta.

A first for my newsletter – a joke about the Jewish State.  And it’s so true!

As memories of Hanukkah flicker away, here are 24 photos of in Jerusalem to dispel the darkness of winter. Then Jerusalem streets see Christmas decorations, a band for special needs, Art of Jazz, Crossroads/Janglo night run, ArtBnB, Hullegub (Ethiopian arts) and more.

Saul Singer, co-author of the amazing book “Startup Nation”, has just written this article about the 1946 Broadway play “A Flag is Born” starring Marlon Brando. It galvanized American support for the Jewish State.

Israeli charity Ta’suChayil (Tasohil) provides an employment-based program for impoverished IDF soldiers. It finds paid jobs that they can do during IDF vacations. After being discharged, ongoing counseling and mentoring helps them to remap their future and enjoy professional growth.

Archaeologists excavating at Shiloh have unearthed a 20 cm-long clay pomegranate dating back well over 3000 years to the time of the Mishkan (Tabernacle) in the First Iron Age. It is the same shape as the pomegranate-shaped bells on the priests’ cloaks and probably decorated the Mishkan.

Some 6,000 Jews from Israel and around the world participated in the first-ever International Jewish People’s Parade in Jerusalem. The marchers carried Macy’s Day Parade-like floats. Characters included Chinese dragons, a Muppet, a Smurf, Ben Gurion and Herzl. (TY Jacob Richman)

Australia’s Prime Minister Scott Morrison has announced, "Australia now recognizes West Jerusalem, being the seat of the Knesset [Israel's parliament] and many of the institutions of government, is the capital of Israel." Australia is to establish a trade and defense office in West Jerusalem.

I reported previously about the Siebenberg House Museum built on top of the remains of a 2000-year-old house in Jerusalem. Recently archaeologists discovered large stones from a Hasmonean era building, and the time of the Maccabees of Chanukah fame.

The first evidence of the use of vanilla has been discovered in residue from a 3,600-year-old (Bronze-age) tomb at Megiddo in Israel. Traders probably brought the spice from orchids grown in Africa. Scientists previously thought that vanilla originated in South America, several thousand years later. (see page 134)