Israel Active

After hiding from the Nazis, Knesset Yossi Peled emigrated to the Jewish State, served in the IDF for 30 years and then another 30 as a member of the Knesset. But for the first time he returned to Berlin to say the Kaddish prayer for a father that he never knew.

Construction work has started on Eilat’s new inland port. It involves digging 140 million cubic meters of earth, which may be re-used, for agriculture or other purposes. The port will also include a new high-speed railway link to the rest of Israel.

An encounter between 1 year-old Imad Gadir from Shfaram and a 35cm coin snake ended in a surprising outcome Thursday, when the infant’s mother walked into his room to find he him chewing on the dead reptile. The infant had left his parents' bed and headed to his room, where he found the snake. He then grabbed it and bit its head off.

Ayelet Hashahar, which aims to bring different parts of Israeli society closer together, arranged for Israel’s Chief Rabbi Yona Metzger to spend Shabbat on Kibbutz Ein Harod. Dozens of secular kibbutznikim, wearing jeans and T-shirts, sat down for the Shabbat eve meal with the Chief Rabbi and recited prayers.

Latest article describing the work of Chabad in Israel.

Matt Gross, a totally unaffiliated Jew, had zero interest in Israel, and then made his first visit to the eternal city. Read through the 3 pages to find out how he slowly connected.

Professor Karen Gelmon is a senior medical oncologist Vancouver’s University of British Columbia and clinical head of the investigational drug unit at the British Columbia Cancer Agency. She is on her 12th (at least) visit to Israel, working with Israel’s cancer experts.

(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.