Israel Active

Hundreds of intercity gas stations in Israel will lower their coffee prices to one shekel ($0.26) between midnight and 6:00 a.m. The one shekel coffee initiative will last until April 2015 to encourage late-night motorists to remain more aware on the road.

Archeologists have uncovered an elaborate entrance to King Herod’s 2000-year-old palace at Herodian in the Judean desert.  They also found hidden tunnels used by Bar Kochba’s army, used in the 132-136 CE revolt against the occupying Roman forces.

A Jerusalem family chose to hold their baby’s brit milah (circumcision ceremony) as planned, in the synagogue where 5 Israelis were murdered by terrorists on Tuesday. "Judaism is all about moving from tragedies to happy days", said the baby's grandfather.

The Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) has launched an app that makes the Dead Sea Scrolls available on iPhone and iPad. The App transforms a kid’s iPhone or iPad into an archaeological tool and lets them play games to hone their skills, solve puzzles and piece the past together.

(Thanks to Sharon – ) For centuries, Ethiopian Jews celebrated the festival of Sigd – 50 days after Yom Kippur.  On a mountaintop, they prayed to return to Jerusalem. Their prayers have been answered - they have come to the Promised Land and can see it themselves.

From Nov 18 1984 until Jan 5 1985, Israel rescued 7,000 Ethiopian Jews in Operation Moses.  It was the first time in mankind’s history, whereby non-blacks came to Africa to save blacks from oppression by bringing them out of Africa as free people.

The level of Israel’s largest reservoir, Lake Kinneret (Sea of Galilee) rose by 3.5cm – the largest rise in a single day since the end of the summer.  Recent heavy rains are set to continue – just as well, as the Kinneret is only 16cm above the lower red line.

Internationally acclaimed Moscow-born pianist Oxana Yablonskaya has just become an Israeli citizen at the age of 76. Her son Dimitri, a famed cellist and conductor, made Aliya a few months ago. The musical family has scheduled its first concert in Jerusalem for Nov 20th.

Rabbi Yehuda Glick was shot 4 times at close range in the stomach, lungs, neck and arm by a terrorist on Oct 29.  Following multiple surgeries, Rabbi Glick is about to be released from hospital.

Students and young professionals thinking of moving to Israel from the US received plenty of advice at the “Impact Israel” conference in New York.  The message was – come to Israel for the economic and job opportunities, but stay for the lifestyle and chance to make your mark.