Life in the fast lane
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.
2011 was a year of hope, growth and challenge
“The year in one-minute” review from the IDF and its hopes for 2012.
Best wishes from The Land of Israel
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.
A “capital” academic investment
The Israeli government has approved NIS 110 million for academic institutions in Jerusalem. Finance minister Yuval Steinitz said, “"The city should again become a focus of academe, a draw for creativity and an environment for leading-edge technology. We will increase the number of engineers and research infrastructure to attract young and fresh forces to the city."
The Vilna Gaon at Haifa University
The president of Haifa, University Prof. Aaron Ben-Ze’ev, dedicated the new Vilna Gaon synagogue as “a place for Torah learning and imparting the magnificent values of Jewish life”. Vice President Amos Gaver said “Rabbi Eliyahu ben Shlomo Zalman, the Vilna Gaon, was a man of education and sciences who combined Judaism with the values of knowledge. So it is most appropriate that the University’s synagogue be named after such an individual.”
An alternative university
Tiyul B’Aretz has no campus and no classrooms. Students “study” the Land of Israel by visiting sites on a bio-diesel bus and using the country as their teacher and guide. Founder Tamar Gersh is a Threshold Fellowship winner.
Keep fit – tips from the IDF
Israeli soldiers are mostly 18-to-21-year-olds who have the skills of veteran warriors. Why? Because they’re trained from day one to be in top shape, both physically and mentally. Here are some tips from the sports instructor of the Egoz Unit, one of the army’s most elite commando forces.
The best B&B in the Middle East
What an accolade. TripAdvisor have awarded top slot to the Artists’ Colony Inn in Safed (Tzfat) in its 2012 “Travellers’ Choice” list of the top 25 B&B’s and inns in the Middle East. Some of the guests were “blown away by its character, comfort and charm”.
Olive oil from the Mount of Olives
The Land of Israel fund has planted groves of olive trees on the Mount of Olives overlooking Temple Mount. They expect that the trees will produce pure olive oil for lighting the lights for Chanukah 2012.
“It is pure”
That is the Aramaic inscription on a 2000 year-old seal discovered by archaeologists during excavations in the City of David, Jerusalem. Education minister Gideon Saar stated that the find demonstrated the Jewish people’s bond to Jerusalem. “Everything uncovered here strengthens us." He said.