A Bat Mitzvah for 100 Holocaust survivors
About a hundred Holocaust survivors, ages 75-95, celebrated their “coming of age” Bat Mitzvah ceremony at the Western Wall (Kotel) in Jerusalem. The event was arranged by the charity Ezer Mizion for women who were prevented by the Nazis from celebrating at age 12.
Re-planting the Garden of Eden
The Hava V’Adam (Adam and Eve) Ecological Farm near the Israeli city of Modi’in is organizing the planting of an ecological orchard – an edible forest of fruit trees and herbs. Residents of the Cramim neighborhood are able to take part in establishing and maintaining the garden.
Miracle at Entebbe
Please watch this exciting six-and-a half-minute video summary of the IDF raid to free 102 Jewish hostages at Entebbe airport Uganda, 40 years ago - hailed as the most daring rescue in the history of the Modern Jewish State.
The largest donation to an Israeli University
A $400 million gift to Ben-Gurion University from the estate of Howard and Lottie Marcus is believed to be the largest-ever bequest on behalf of an Israeli university. Much of it goes to BGU’s Zuckerberg Institute for Water Research, which studies sustainable use of water resources, desalination technologies, water quality, and microbiology.
Remembering Entebbe
40 years after the most daring rescue in the history of the Jewish State, former hostages and commandos recall the event that grabbed the attention and admiration of the world.
A new Israeli holiday – Aliya Day
The Knesset officially enacted a national day to celebrate Aliyah (immigration). Yom Ha’Aliyah will be celebrated on 7 Cheshvan (October-November), coinciding with the week of the Torah portion in which Abraham is commanded by God to migrate to the Land of Israel.
Google of the Bible
Herzog College in the Judean town of Alon Shvut has developed a website to access the Bible. Google of the Bible offers a search engine, biblical-era maps linked to contemporary satellite pictures, thematic cross-references, terminology, idioms, commentary, videos, curriculums and artwork.
No queues for the elderly
Israel is to introduce legislation exempting those over 80 from having to stand in line at post offices, banks, theaters, cinemas, supermarkets and more. Social Equality Minister Gila Gamliel quoted the biblical proverb from Leviticus, “Stand up in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly”.
Sheep may safely graze
Every summer the Jewish National Fund sends a herd of around 500 sheep to the fields surrounding the Israeli city of Modi’in. The sheep help prevent fires by eating dried grass and thistles. They also lower the herbarium, giving smaller plant species the opportunity to develop and blossom.
Two great songs in one
Ronny W – an ex-Israeli tank commander, now music artist – recorded this tribute for the recent Jerusalem Day. It combines “Jerusalem of Gold” with “If I forget you Jerusalem”. It received over 100,000 hits on Ronny’s Facebook site in one day.