Israel Active

(Thanks to Shirlee) Andrew Lustig performs his original five-minute monologue about Jewish identity.

To mark Martin Luther King Day, here is a reminder of his support for the Jewish State.

Just in time for Tu Bishvat – the Jewish New Year for Trees, when the first almond blossoms appear in Israel. Israeli almonds are apparently far larger and contain more protein, calcium and vitamin E than imported varieties. For Israelis, they are also fresher and more ecological (no fossil fuel wasted on import). Almonds also contain magnesium, phosphorus, and are high in potassium, zinc, copper and manganese. They’re also a rich source of B vitamins, especially niacin (B3) and folic acid (B9), fibre and antioxidants and are, of course, extremely delicious.

The Rambam (Maimonides) wrote that to help someone get out of poverty was the highest level of charity possible. So it was fitting that Professor Eliezer David Jaffa collected the Knesset Speaker’s Prize last week (awarded last year) for his Israel Free Loan Association. The IFLA has provided $130,000,000 to help 40,000 impoverished Israelis overcome financial difficulties and even saved lives. 99% of the loans were repaid in full, proving that the Rambam was right!

Twenty-four groups, containing over 1200 Jews aged 18-26 participating in the Taglit (Birthright) program, landed at Ben Gurion airport on Monday 9th January – the highest number ever in a single day. They begin a free 10-day tour of the Jewish State.

A ceramic stamp from the Byzantine period (6th century CE) was uncovered in excavations by the Israel Antiquities Authority at Horbat Uza, east of Akko. The stamp has a seven-branch menorah and was used to identify baked products, according to Dr. David Amit of the IAA, who has made a study of bread stamps. It probably belonged to a bakery that supplied kosher bread to the Jews of Akko. It proves that Jews lived amongst the mainly Christian residents of the area. There were no Muslims at that time.

Sar-El, the National Project for Volunteers for Israel, brings approximately 4,000 Jews and non-Jews from 30 countries to Israel. Volunteering in the IDF for several weeks, Sar-El volunteers save the IDF hundreds of thousands of hours in manpower.

Tel Aviv’s “Fast Lane” was opened in early 2011 and is a big success in reducing traffic flow from super-congested Highway 1. Hundreds of users pay tolls ranging from about $5 to $15 US depending on the time of day. A great feature is that it includes optional free parking and a shuttle bus to inside the city.

“The year in one-minute” review from the IDF and its hopes for 2012.

om. This year, 2012, will be the most important year in Israel's history. The world will never be the same again. With revolutions erupting across the Middle East, elections in the United States of America and the European economy in turmoil, Now is the time to stand with Israel.