Israel Active

18 Ethiopian Jews, who immigrated from Ethiopia a year ago, celebrated their Bar Mitzvahs at the Western Wall in Jerusalem. They each received tefillin donated by the Lev L'Ahad organization and were joined via a live video call to the students of the Ben Porat Yosef School in the United States.

An oldie but goldie (but first time included in this newsletter) highlighting the freedom that Arab women have to walk, ride, drive, work, shop, eat and simply enjoy life amongst the streets of Jerusalem.

Israel’s Wildlife Hospital treats any injured animals, from hedgehogs and tortoises to eagles and gazelles.

Purim in Israel is very exciting. Even in hospitals, youngsters don’t miss out on the fun. At Rambam Medical Center in Haifa, the staff makes sure that the young patients at the Ruth Rappaport Children’s Hospital are not forgotten.

Hebrew University archaeologists have discovered an 8th century BCE seal impression in First Temple remains near Jerusalem’s Temple Mount. It is inscribed with the Hebrew letters that seem to spell out the name l’Yesha’yah[u] (belonging to Isaiah) and part of the word navi (prophet).

New Israeli stamps issued in February include Yotvata Hai-Bar (animal reserve) - 50 Years; WWI in Eretz Israel Centenary; Israel Television - 50 Years and Trains in Israel.

Great video, highlighting how Jewish and Arab Israeli citizens have equal rights.

After their exile from Israel 2,700 years ago, members of the “lost tribe” of Bnei Menashe finally arrived in Jerusalem for an emotional, early-morning prayer service at the Western Wall.

It’s common to see (and hear) the sub-group of Breslover Hasidim dancing and singing on Israeli streets.  But this sight of one dancing on top of a car with a Palestinian Arab is somewhat unusual.

Fred Maroun frequently writes blogs favorably comparing Israel against Arab states. In this article he explains why although he is Arab by birth, he is Zionist by choice.