Bringing the Dead Sea back to life
Two bills setting up funds for resurrecting the Dead Sea passed their first reading in the Knesset. It also voted in favour of harvesting salt that has built up over the years and now threatens nearby hotels with flooding.
“Latkes are healthy” (-ish)
The traditional high-fat potato and onion fried delicacy for Chanukah is not as bad for you as you may think. The potato ingredient fights colds, reduces cancer, heart and anaemia risks, helps digestion, lowers blood pressure, calms stress and protects bones. So go on – have one and enjoy it!
Ancient Iraqi Torah scroll smuggled out to Netanya
A Torah scroll, estimated to be 400 years old, has been secretly smuggled into Israel from Baghdad’s Beit Zilcha yeshiva. It is to be ceremoniously inducted to the Be'er Chana synagogue in Netanya.
The IDF diet
In order to be accepted into a combat unit, Haman Kemerman lost 29 kg in weight. "I am so happy the IDF had faith in me and helped me realize my dream of being a combat soldier," Kemelman said. "I want to tell every soldier not to give up. If you have grit and determination you can achieve your goal."
Ready for whatever comes next
Not really good news, but an article highlighting how Israel prepares for the worst whilst hoping (and praying) for the best. It also gives medical examples of how Israel treats friend and foe alike.
The first female pilot of an IDF helicopter gunship
Maj. Maya spent 10 years at the cockpit of her “Cobra” and fired her first missile during the Second Lebanon War. Now in the reserves, she gave her first interview.
Turning trash into energy
Israel’s Environmental Protection Ministry and local authorities will be collectively investing about NIS 600 million over the next three years in establishing waste-treatment plants that will generate bio-gas, fertilizers and traditional recycled materials.
Israel’s National Library on-line
The National Library of Israel has just launched a website giving the public access to a huge collection of materials, including books, periodicals, maps, photos and musical selections. The website, is the most comprehensive content-based website in Israel. It can be found at: www.nli.org.il
From Warsaw Ghetto to TAU Professor
Professor of medicine Dov Weissberg was shot during the Warsaw Uprising in 1944. The bullet hit his document wallet in his back pocket and stopped a millimetre from his skin. He has now donated the wallet to Yad Vashem together with the story of its bullet hole.
MKs to take etiquette lessons
Could this start a trend? A special workshop scheduled to open in the Knesset in two weeks will teach lawmakers the basic rules of etiquette, as well as some advice related to their special role as elective representatives.