Israel Active

11-year-old Israeli Meital Sterntha is halfway to raising $4000 to purchase 100 water filters for the citizens of Puerto Rica still rebuilding after devastating hurricanes. In honor of her Bat Mitzvah, Meital founded PuertoTiko, which hand-makes and sells textile bags to raise aid money.

On 22nd Jan, U.S. Vice President Mike Pence made history as the first American Vice President to address the Israeli Knesset. His references included the end of the Shechechyanu blessing, which gives thanks for a significant event in one’s life.

Israeli researchers have finally decoded two of the Dead Sea Scrolls discovered in the 1960s. Believed to be written over 2000 years ago by a Jewish sect known as the Essenes, the scrolls revealed their 364-day calendar and four previously unknown festivals.

Reasons retirees give for making Aliya include a view over the Mediterranean; or following the kids or grandkids; or fulfilling a dream. Whatever the reason, this article gives advice on how to get here. And the second article (TY ) gives advice about retirement homes.

Despite being a non-Jew from a UK center-left political background, Luke Akehurst has made it his mission to teach people about Zionism, as he does in this video. Luke is Director of “We Believe in Israel”. To find out more and sign up, please visit their website.

Great scoop by my friend Sharon, of the red-carpet welcoming ceremony for US Vice-President Mike Pence with a military honor guard. US flags adorned main streets along the route of the Vice-Presidential motorcade and supporters outside the Knesset waved “thank you” signs. Sharon also captured his visit to the Western Wall (Final video is by Arutz Sheva)

When Yisrael Amar’s grandmother collapsed, he was so impressed by the response from United Hatzalah that he started its paramedic training course. One of his first lessons was how to treat a choking victim. Shortly afterwards, his daughter choked on some plastic and Amar knew what to do.

It’s amazing what you can find in your own backyard in Israel. One family in the Galilee town of Eilabun discovered a 2000-year-old labyrinth of caves under their house that was used for storage by the Jewish residents of Eilabun during the Roman occupation.

Israel’s 70th anniversary of the establishment of the Jewish state begins on 18th Apr with 70 Hours of Celebrations. Torch lighting, global singing, folk dancing, fireworks and parties. The overall theme is “Heritage of Innovation”. It will link modern and Biblical; earthly and Heavenly.

President Rivlin welcomed new foreign Ambassadors to Israel from the EU, Italy, Denmark and Nigeria. EU Ambassador Giaufret’s son was born in Israel during previous service. And Italian Ambassador Benedetti is an academic who initiated the translation of the Talmud into Italian.