Wedding on the front lines
Victoria and Asher were all set to marry in a beautiful ceremony, but then Asher was called up. Rather than postpone the celebration, Asher’s friends from the Carmeli (Golani) Brigade, along with a rabbi, took it upon themselves to create a memorable wedding on the eve of Rosh Hashanah.
We can fly
More than a dozen patients from the Kaylie Rehabilitation Medical Center at ADI Negev-Nahalat Eran took to the southern Israel skies with pilots from the partner organization “Ananim: Flights for the Community”. It gave a moment of joy, respite, and motivation to continue their complex battle with disability.
Oct 7 survivor’s heroism in Jaffa
Lev Kreitman, who survived the Oct 7 Nova Music Festival massacre, eliminated one of the terrorists responsible for the deadly attack at the Jaffa light rail station. Having served five months in Gaza, he had successfully applied for a pistol, with which he saved many innocent lives.
Mia leaves hospital
Former hostage Mia (Maya) Regev was discharged from hospital after a long rehabilitation process following her release from Gaza in November. Hamas terrorists shot her at the Nova festival. A “doctor” in Gaza reattached her foot sideways, and Israeli surgeons had to operate to correct it.
IDF soldier saved by his prayers
An IDF soldier was praying in Gaza, wearing tefillin (phylacteries). When warned about a nearby Hamas terrorist, he removed his tefillin, but had no time to remove the metal night vision support plate on his helmet. The terrorist shot 3 bullets at his head, which were absorbed by the plate.
Biblical seed regrown
A mystery seed dating from 993 C.E.-1202 C.E. that was uncovered four decades ago by archaeologists in a cave in the Judean Desert has been revived. It is believed to be the biblical healing balm tsori (Genesis 37:25 & 43:11) as it contains high levels of medicinal compounds e.g., the antioxidant squalene.
Israel’s population reaches 10 million
On the Jewish new year, Israel’s population is estimated to exceed 10 million. The Central Bureau of Statistics reported a total of 9,915,000 at the end of 2023, and a growth rate of 1.2% to 1.6% will by now have exceeded 10 million (77% Jews, 20.8% Arabs). And 183,000 babies were born.
Quiet diplomacy at work in Europe
Israel has many supporters in Europe, "but they are in need of relevant information," says IDSF’s Brig-Gen Amir Avivi. Meetings between IDSF and Italian Chamber of Deputies officials resulted in the Italian Parliament’s lower house passing a multifaceted pro-Israel resolution in July.
Starlink for the north
Dozens of satellite internet stations from Elon Musk's Starlink have arrived in Israel's north for government offices, hospitals and emergency centers. Israel’s Communications Ministry approved Starlink’s use, enabling Israelis to access broadband services if ground-based communications are disrupted.
Quiet heroism is everywhere
Reporter Canaan Lidor lives in the north of Israel. He was looking for ordinary brave people who are inspiring others. He found people eating outside bomb shelters; zoom-learning schools; sharing safe rooms with neighbors; plus ex-pats returning to Israel to defend the country.