Israel Active

Here is a beautiful Israel21c film about Israeli scientist and ornithologist Yossi Leshem. Yossi took advantage of Israel being the route for 500 million migratory birds to devise solutions that allow man and bird to share the same airspace in safety.

Israel’s National Library will be digitizing the Palatina Library’s collection of about 1,600 documents dating to the Middle Ages. Items to go online include one of the oldest existing copies of the Mishna – the Jewish Oral Law.

(Thanks to Israel21c) About 1,500 Israeli teens (often from problem homes) are involved in the fire scout movement. They learn to operate fire trucks, ladders, hoses, rescue techniques and all about fires. In 2010 fire scouts helped save two 18-month-old babies from a burning apartment.

My wife cheered when she read this. The Ministry of Environmental Protection plans to end the use of disposable plastic bags at shops. Multiuse plastic bags will be distributed to the Israeli public for free over several months, after which the use of throwaway plastic bags will be ended.

Over a quarter of a million volunteers from 250 localities removed litter across the country on International Cleanup Day. Organizer KKL-JNF’s chairman Efi Stenzler said, “By respecting the environment we also show our respect for other people, and we all want our country to be clean and beautiful.”

Gordon Robertson’s video for CBN.com explores the ruins of the palace of King David and the wall of King Solomon in Jerusalem from 1000 BCE. Dr Eilat Mazar of the Hebrew University describes how current excavations continually confirm the text of the Book of Kings.

The blessing of the Cohanim (priests) during the festival of Sukkot (Tabernacles) was a spectacular event.

Jewish and non-Jewish men, women and children from more than 30 countries gathered in solidarity to march in Jerusalem’s annual Succot Parade. Thousands also visited the succa (booth) of President Peres, which featured colorful carpets, unusual fruit, flower and vegetable displays.

Immediately following Sukkot (Tabernacles) is the Jewish festival of Simchat Torah (Rejoicing of the Law) when Jews celebrate the completion and re-starting of the weekly Synagogue reading of the Torah. During and after the festival, Israelis took to the streets to celebrate with dancing and music.

Efraim Inbar, Professor of political studies at Bar-Ilan University, writes about security, economy, society, democracy and international relations and concludes, “At age sixty-five, Israel is a great success story, and if it can continue to inculcate the Zionist ethos into new generations, its future looks bright.”