Israel Active

Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Trophy’s active armored defense system has saved the lives of many Israeli soldiers during the war. Finland's majority government-owned Patria group will now integrate it onto its vehicles to protect them from anti-tank missiles, UAVs, and other threats.

During the 2025 Spring recruitment, 1113 new immigrants enlisted in the IDF. It compares to 883 in Spring 2024 and 799 in 2023. Most of the recruits came from the US, Russia and Ethiopia. Over 700 lone soldiers joined the IDF this year – most of them new immigrants.

Reservists of the Israel Defense Forces’ 8110th “Yoav” Infantry Battalion recently celebrated the bar mitzvah of their commander in Rafah, Gaza. The commander, who had got engaged a few days earlier, had never celebrated his bar mitzvah, so his troops decided to surprise him.

Netzah Yehuda, the organization behind the founding of the Haredi Nahal unit, is set to launch a unique pre-military program designed for Chabad Hasidim. The new initiative will combine Torah study and Hasidic philosophy with preparation for meaningful military service.

A tragic fact of war is the number of casualties. But even here, Israel is setting global standards. We already know about the record low ratio of civilian to combatant ratios. But the IDF Medical Corps is also achieving the world’s fastest casualty evacuation times, saving hundreds of lives.

Shmuel Ranganathan’s journey to Judaism began on Jew Street, Cochin, India. Then in Montreal friends invited him to Bar Mitzvah celebrations and Shabbat dinners. He converted in 1983 and made Aliyah. He returned to Canada, but retired to Israel and saw his grandson Bar Mitzvah at the Kotel.

Jacob Richman has updated his Jerusalem pages in time for Jerusalem Day on Sunday evening / Monday.

Archaeologists have unearthed in Jerusalem another 2,300-year-old gold ring, probably belonging to a child (see previously). There was a Hellenistic period custom in which betrothed women buried childhood objects as a symbol of the transition from childhood to adulthood.

When Cormac Lee was growing up in China, his mother revealed his family had Jewish roots and practices. His journey took him to ranches in Washington State, Seatle, and then to Israeli yeshiva.  He formally converted with the name Uriah, but is known as the Asian Kosher Cowboy.

After Oct 7, Israel’s 2-million-strong Arab minority didn’t riot, wave Hamas flags or cheer. Arab medics treated the wounded. Arab mayors calmed tensions. Arabs donated blood, delivered aid and helped evacuate families. Arab enlistment in the IDF grew. Israeli Arabs stood with Israel.