Aliya is on the way up
Almost 30,000 Jews made Aliyah (immigrated) to Israel this year compared with 28,220 new immigrants in 2017, a 5% increase. 10,500 came from Russia - a 45% increase from 2017. Over 3,500 Americans made Aliya in 2018, boosting Israel’s population to nearly 9 million.
Snow at the Kotel
Wednesday’s storm brought some vital rainfall to increase the level of the Kinneret (Sea of Galilee). It also turned to snow in the Jerusalem area – bringing delight to many schoolchildren and inspired some visitors to the Kotel (Western Wall) to join hands and dance.
Tu Bishvat
Useful information about the Jewish New Year for Trees, including vocabulary, activities, graphics, clip art, greeting cards, photos, recipes, songs, quiz, games etc. Also an article on the significance of the festival from Between The Lines
YU hub for Israeli startups
YU hub for Israeli startups. (TY Mechal) Yeshiva University is launching a hub based in New York City for Israeli startups to jump-start in the US. The initiative coincides with 20 undergraduate students from Yeshiva University visiting Israel to see successful hi-tech companies and get an understanding of the start-up culture.
WeWork founder is a proud Jew
Adam Neumann – Israeli co-founder of multi-billion-dollar company WeWork - delivered a great speech at a UJA Federation event on what being Jewish means to him.
PM has another granddaughter
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s daughter, Noa Netanyahu-Roth, has just given birth to a baby girl - her fourth child. Noa lives in the Mea Shearim district of Jerusalem. Her husband is one of the many ultra-orthodox Jews working in the hi-tech sector.
(2015 video of Netanyahu’s grandson’s brit)
Ethnically apt food for the poor
Israel’s “ingathering of the exiles” has resulted in many different cultures and cuisines. Israeli charity Colel Chabad has recognized this and ensures that the food they provide to the poor relates to the recipients’ ethnicity and culture.
Unique mineral found on Mount Carmel
The International Mineralogical Association (IMA) has recognized and approved a new mineral found in one of stones of Israeli gem miner Shefa Yamim. Named Carmeltazite, the mineral was found on Mount Carmel in a Carmel Sapphire.
Cancer victim gets soul time at the Kotel
When a 10-year-old terminal cancer sufferer requested to be taken to the Kotel (Western Wall), it was thought impossible. The car had to take him right up to the wall; his immune system meant no crowds; organizing police and medics. But NGO Ezer Mizion made it happen.
From Sudan to Israel to Judaism
Michael Derek Tanju was saved by IDF soldiers when (age 14) he was shot by Egyptian soldiers while crossing into Israel in 2008. A refugee from Sudan, he fell in love with his host families and those who supported his conversion to Judaism and becoming a citizen of the Startup Nation.