Israel Active

Archeologists have found the first physical evidence that the ancient city of Shiloh (in Judea and Samaria) was a religious center before the First Temple was built in Jerusalem. An Iron Age stone altar was accidentally exposed during a recent archeological dig.

Direct from the Schulich Faculty of Chemistry, five talented Technion students perform their version of Maoz Tzur (Rock of Ages) created in the lab.

Israel’s Masa (Hebrew for “journey) brings young Jewish adults from around the world to Israel for five months to a year. This year Masa celebrates its 10th anniversary when a record 11,000 young Jews from 62 countries will take part in Masa’s programs.

I was listening to a BBC interview last week where the BBC presenter accused Israel as being one of the countries where Christians were under threat. I would like to point out that Israel is the only country in the Middle East where the Christian population is on the increase.

Israel-born Arik met and married Indian-born Bat Chen – a member of the Bnei Menashe sect of Indian Jews – soon after Bat Chen immigrated to the Jewish State in 1999. Now their son Benayahu is celebrating his Barmitzvah and Bat Chen feels that she is now a fully integrated Israeli. www.breakingisraelnews.com/bnei-menashe-israeli-couple-celebrate-oldest-sons-bar-mitzvah-jerusalem/ Thousands at GA in Jerusalem. 3000 Jews from North America, Europe and Israel from across the political spectrum are attending the Jewish Federations of North America’s General Assembly held in the historic homeland of the Jewish people. They will hear 140 speakers - half of them women - and discuss issues facing Israel and the global Jewish community.

400 people gathered in New York to honor the legendary Bielski brothers, the partisan leaders who saved more than 1,200 Jews during the Holocaust. The Bielski grandchildren included an Israel Defense Forces battalion commander. Surviving brother Aron urged them all, “Supporting Israel is the most important. If they don’t, some day they will pay for it.”

Thousands of Ethiopian Jews gathered in Israel’s capital, Jerusalem, to celebrate Sigd. The Biblical holiday originally observed in Ethiopia 50 days after Yom Kippur to repent for sins, pray for their return to Jerusalem, the coming of the Messiah and a Third Temple.

More than 6,000 families up and down the country took part in Shabbat meals in an initiative to build community connections, with religious families hosting secular attendees. The Beit Hillel organization plans to make the initiative an annual event.

Newsletter subscriber Grant Crankshaw has had a great idea - a project to build a Bible-themed mini-golf park in Raanana. Grant is using Crowdfunding to raise funds - another great Israeli idea. Please support him by pledging to buy discounted tickets. Your contribution is only withdrawn from your bank if the campaign reaches its investment target. Please watch the video at the headstart crowdfunding site.

Israel’s high school graduation rate was 92% in 2010 (OECD average 84%). Israel spent 7.2% of GDP on educational institutions in 2009 (sixth highest in the world). And pre-school education is now free for all Israeli children from age 3 upward.