Israelis rescued in Himalayas
Israeli-born Nepal Chabad Rabbi Chezki Lifshitz called in a rescue helicopter to evacuate two Israeli women backpackers who had been stranded in Annapurna in the Himalayas and were suffering from hypothermia. The women used Chabad-supplied GPS devices, donated by an Israeli family.
Welcome to Israel
This video by Ezri Tubi highlights Israel’s uniqueness. On the one hand, it is progressive and profound for its technology. And on the other, it is the revival of an ancient historical dream.
2nd Temple tools discovered
A 2000-year-old incense shovel and jug have been discovered at Magdala, a 2nd Temple Jewish town in the Galilee region. The Israel Antiquities Authority has been leading extensive excavations at the site and has uncovered Jewish ritual baths and a synagogue with a mosaic floor.
Honoring Italian cyclist who saved Jews
On 20th March, Israel’s pro cycling team set out on the route from Florence to Assisi that Italian champion road cyclist Gino Bartali took secretly during World War II to save Jews escaping from Nazi persecution. He hid forged documents in the handlebar and seat of his bicycle.
Hero’s widow remarries
In the 2006 Lebanon war, Major Roi Klein saved his unit by jumping on a live grenade thrown by a Hezbollah terrorist. His widow Sarah has now married Rabbi Yigal Levenstein, one of Roi's former pre-military academy teachers. Rabbi Levenstein’s wife passed away in November.
Visa-free access to Filipinos
An act of Filipino hospitality - opening the Philippines to Jews fleeing the Holocaust - earned the gratitude of Israel, which now shows it by welcoming Filipino pilgrims, tourists and even skilled workers.
Where anyone can make an historic discovery
Hiking is very popular in tiny Israel and you have the potential to find things almost everywhere at its 37,000 registered archeological sites. Israel Antiques Authority chairman Yisrael Hasson has used educational programs to engage schools in archeological activities.
Increased rent subsidy for Olim
In February, the Israeli government nearly doubled the rental assistance benefit given to immigrants aged under 49, in the 2nd to 5th years after Aliyah.
A safer Shabbat hotplate
After a hotplate caused a deadly Brooklyn house fire in 2015, an Israeli designer, Rafi Gabbay, developed a safer version. HotMat, is a new foldable 4-ring hotplate, to give observant Jews a safe, portable and rabbinically sanctioned method of heating up food on the Sabbath. Shipping for Passover.
Protecting wildlife
As forecast, the eco-bridge over Highway 1 between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv is now being constructed. Wildlife will soon be able to cross the highway in safety.