Israel Active

Jewish residents wrote letters in the Chabad movement’s Sefer Torah for Jewish Unity in a poignant ceremony near Rome’s Coliseum and Arch of Titus. Jewish spiritual and political leaders, Nobel Prize winners and intellectuals from all over the world have also written letters. The scroll was instigated by Israel’s national airline, El Al, and will accompany flights of national significance.

History was made when Israel took a seat on the executive board of the UN Development Program. The UNDP’s one billion dollar budget supports health, welfare and women empowerment projects in 177 countries. Israel’s technological and agricultural know-how is a key resource.

In a recent interview with the Wall Street Journal, Mr. Anwar Ibrahim responded to the question of whether he would open diplomatic ties with Israel by stating his “support” for “efforts to protect the security of the State of Israel.

An Israeli team of bakers won two first-place awards at the International Baking Championships held in Rimini. They won in the healthy bread and dessert categories.

Tel Aviv’s Planning and Building Commission has approved a plan to build Israel's highest skyscraper. Eurocom Global Real Estate is to build a 70-storey skyscraper in Givatayim.

The most rain since the Israel Meteorological Service began keeping records. Most stations in northern Israel recorded at least 26 rainy days in January and some 29 rainy days. The previous record was set in January 1947, with 25 days of rain in the north. The Kinneret rose 55cm in January.

A report from the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development indicates that Israel ranks second in percentage of population with post-secondary degrees. With 45% of Israelis completing university degrees, Israel ranks ahead of countries such as Japan (44%), the US (41%), the UK (37%), only lagging behind Canada (50%).

The Egyptian authorities have pardoned Maikel Nabil after being imprisoned for 10 months for “defaming the Egyptian military”. In February he posted a video clip that said, “I believe that democracy and human rights and women’s rights are basic Israeli values.”

According to the Better Life Index of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, Israelis devote relatively little time to family and hobbies each week. Yet when asked, according to the OECD, "72% of people in Israel said they were satisfied with their life, above the OECD average of 59%." I reckon that we must be working so hard to save this planet! Full article in Haaretz.

A new survey by the Guttman Centre of the Israel Democracy Institute has shown that 84% of Israelis believe in God and the numbers are rising. Over 76% eat kosher at home and 90% hold a Seder.