Israel Active

With a vote of 90-0, lawmakers of Capitol Hill’s Senate – the US upper chamber - voted through a resolution that stated, ‘Jerusalem should remain the undivided capital of Israel’. It was co-sponsored by 17 senators, including both Republican and Democratic party leaders.

At his Jerusalem residence, Israeli President Reuven Rivlin met 12 of the 4,554 Holocaust refugees who traveled on the Exodus, seven decades after the ship’s iconic voyage to the Land of Israel. All were deported in 1947 but many returned to the new State.

Israeli archaeologists excavating the Jerusalem’s City of David recently exposed evidence of the destruction of Jerusalem at the hands of the Babylonians. The excavations on the eastern slope of the City of David, revealed charred wood, grape seeds, pottery and rare artifacts.

Jews are fleeing the rapidly deteriorating conditions in Venezuela.  26 (from seven families) recently opted to use their eligibility for citizenship in Israel. The International Fellowship of Christians and Jews organized and paid for their flights and subsidized each family member.

Aliyah is a series of steps that leads to complete integration: papers, diploma, language, work, going to Ikea, etc. Now MyAliyah - a new iOS app - helps you follow the stages of relocation and absorption and receive your benefits, to ensure a successful Aliyah.

The words “Israel Police officers” have been added to the traditional prayer for the Israel’s Defense Forces, which is recited in synagogues around the world.

Israel’s Transportation Ministry has announced that Olim and returning residents with valid driving licenses for five years will now be able to get Israeli licenses immediately. Currently, all drivers must have lessons and do a practical test to get an Israeli license.

I recently visited the kibbutz (Sde Eliyahu) featured in this excellent video which charts the history of Israeli agriculture from its malaria-infested beginnings to its current model for alleviating world hunger. The kibbutz develops ecologically-friendly methods to eradicate pests for global benefit.

To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Six Day War between Israel and the surrounding Arab countries, here are 12 very short videos of the dramatic events in June 1967 that transformed the State of Israel.

Following 3 years excavating an ancient landfill in the City of David, Tel Aviv University has published that 2nd Temple Jerusalemites kept kosher. They dined primarily on sheep and goats, with much fewer cows and chickens. They ate plenty of fruit and vegetables, but no pork or shellfish.