Israel Active

The first-ever all-Haredi paratrooper company of 40 soldiers was sworn in at an IDF ceremony at the Kotel (Western Wall) in Jerusalem. Rabbis associated with the Nahal Haredi Foundation, which provides support to Haredi soldiers, praised the new paratroopers as trailblazers.

This new video from the Pardes Institute connects an incident in the Talmud with the sights and sounds of modern day Jerusalem.  Should Torah be taught in the market place?

Our friend DJ Antithesis broadcast an Israeli Tu Bishvat Music Special on Israeli radio station TLV1.

Click on the United with Israel link to support Tu Bishvat tree-planting activities in Israel.

Two Israeli activists got Jerusalem’s Municipality to properly recognize the women identified in the street signs for Beruryah Street and Ruth Street. Beruryah’s now says (in Hebrew) that she was Righteous and amazing in Torah. Before, she was just Rabbi Meir’s wife.

Whilst Yaakov Berg was planting his vines in Psagot, Judea, he discovered a cave containing a 2000-year-old wine press.  Their “new” vineyard was exactly on the site where wine for the ancient Temple in Jerusalem had been made.

Thanks to Marlene for arranging my presentation to the T.E.A.M. (Together English-speakers Achieve More) group in Rehovot.  I am now available to talk about my newsletter to groups elsewhere in Israel.  Meanwhile, please read about our discovery of family history in Rehovot.

Jerusalem has re-dedicated “Pilgrim’s Way” a 2000-year-old street currently being excavated in the City of David. During 2nd Temple times, pilgrims would immerse in the Siloam Pool and then walk up Pilgrims’ Way to enter the Temple.

Israel’s President Reuven Rivlin told delegates at the recent international Jewish Media Summit in Jerusalem to report not just the bad that happens in Israel, but the good as well. “I urge you all: be sure you give a voice to those working for a better future.”

New article about the Canaan dog - Israel’s national dog breed. It has been around for at least 2,500 years as evidenced by first-century rock carvings in Sinai. And in 1987, the largest dog cemetery in the ancient world, with 700 Canaan dog skeletons, was unearthed in Ashkelon.