The 4th best place to raise your kids
InterNations’ Family Life Index, says that of the world’s 41 top countries to raise a family, the best are Austria, Finland, Sweden and Israel. The UK was 22nd; The USA was 25th. Saudi Arabia was 41st.
Pharaoh’s amulet found in Temple Mount debris
Archaeologists have deciphered a 3,200-year-old Egyptian amulet found whilst sifting debris dumped by the Muslim Waqf when building on Temple Mount. It contains the name of Pharaoh Thutmose III, who reigned Egypt from 1479 BCE to 1425 BCE
Pope’s skull cap raises money for SACH
Two years ago Pope Francis swapped one of his white skullcaps (calotte) with a TV journalist who has now donated it to an online auction to raise money for the Israeli charity, Save a Child’s Heart. SACH doctors perform life-saving cardiac surgery on children from developing countries.
From Biblical town to modern city
Beer Sheva, the capital of the Negev desert, was one of the towns where Abraham lived. It is now a modern city containing Ben Gurion University, a leading cyber-technology park, interesting museums and a vibrant night life - all contributing to the economic and cultural boom of the city.
If on-line media told the Exodus story
This humorous yet educational video questions how today’s media would have handled the reporting on the Jewish exodus from Egypt over 3000 years ago.
Woman’s seal from First Temple discovered
A rare 2500-year-old seal, inscribed with the name of Elihana bat Gael in ancient Hebrew letters, was unearthed at the City of David in the Jerusalem Walls National Park. The seal, found in a building from the First Temple period, showed the high legal status of the woman owner.
Where miracles are brought to life
The Technion-Israel Institute of Technology tells the Passover story in an exciting new way, using breakdance to combine creativity and technology.
The Seder safety procedure
Fasten your seatbelts as the Passover exodus departs from a table near you.
Judean glass kilns discovered
Ancient glass kilns have been discovered at the foot of Mt. Carmel, showing that Israel was at the center of the global glass trade during the late Roman period. An edict by the fourth century CE Roman emperor Diocletian refers to Judean glass.
If you cannot get to Ben Gurion airport
Further to my previous newsletter about the exhibition at Ben Gurion airport of posters showing Israel’s world-changing achievements, here is a site where you can read about each individual poster.