Israel Active

The ELA Recycling Corporation and the Israel Association of Community Centers are enrolling half a million children in educational programs and activities to collect, sort and recycle beverage bottles. Israel surpassed the US and Europe in meeting its plastic recycling goals this year.

Immigration to Israel from the Ukraine has risen 70 percent in 2014 due to the instability in that country. 375 new immigrants arrived in Israel in the first three months of the year, compared to 221 in the same period of 2013. Over 100 came from Odessa – 3 times the number for Quarter 1 2013.

Israel is building a new 35,000-square-meternational archaeological center to store and showcase its rich collection of some two million ancient artifacts, including the world's largest collection of Dead Sea Scrolls. The Antiquities Authority's hoard of treasures dates back as far as 5,000 years.

Israeli archaeologists in the Jezreel Valley discovered a late Bronze Age tomb containing bronze and ceramic votive artifacts and a ceramic coffin - the final resting place of a man who died some 3,300 years ago.

Israeli charity Latet has launched Emojew - a free application for android smartphones that allows users to send Jewish and Passover greetings whilst donating a meal to families in need. Over 7900 Passover meals have been donated using Emojew.

Numbers of new immigrants to Israel have risen by 14% to 3,623 in the first three months of 2014. They included 899 from Russia and 802 from France.

86% of Israelis are satisfied with life in general and more than half of Israelis are happy with their financial situation. 40% also say they expect their situation to improve over the next few years.

The hareidi musical duo Aryeh and Gil Gat, who wowed audiences in the Israeli version of American Idol, are now raising funds in Toronto for an Israeli nature trail in honor of fallen IDF soldiers. From secular lives in Eilat, the brothers became observant but focused on their love of music.

Sussex Friends of Israel, the Norwegian Cruise Line and others have shown that it is possible to successfully counter those wishing to discriminate against the Jewish State.

Rare photos are on display in a special exhibition at Israel’s Knesset (parliament). It features Israel’s prime ministers after hours, in casual attire and at their most relaxed.