Israel Active

For the first time since Oct 7 2023, Kibbutz Nir Oz residents gathered to mark the Shavuot holiday in the community’s fields. The traditional agricultural exhibition was led by former Israeli hostage Gadi Moses who blessed the volunteers and Thai workers.

Itay and Moran, who survived Oct 7 2023 at Israel’s Kibbutz Be’eri, held the first brit milah ceremony there since the attack. They named their newborn son Bar Shavit after Moran’s parents Yuval and Maayan Bar - murdered by Hamas, and Shavit Lev - the IDF soldier who rescued them.

The first Israel Youth Conference of HaShomer HaChadash (see previously) opened with hundreds of teens from across Israel rehabilitating the Philip Farm in the Negev. The farm’s manager, Yochai Hershberg, fell fighting Hamas on Oct 7 2023 and the farm had been unattended since.

At 80 years old, lifelong armored corps veteran Moshe Peled was busy hauling tanks on reserve duty - until the IDF Chief of Staff surprised him with a promotion to Reserve Brigadier General in front of his proud family. IDSF article reflects his dedication and loyalty to the Jewish State.

The inside story of the unprecedented successful development timescale of Israel’s new laser defense system. Already operational for several months, the rapidly deployed system’s success rates surpassed all projections.

During the Swords of Iron War, the IDF successfully intercepted dozens of drones using new laser interception systems operated by air defense personnel. Israel is the first country in the world to field high-powered, operational laser systems at scale. Rafael’s Iron Beam should be ready end-2025.

The Flag March on Jerusalem Day 2025 is a festive procession from the City Center to the Western Wall to mark the 58th anniversary of the liberation of Jerusalem. As Avi Abelow describes it, “Jerusalem – we are living the dream of our ancestors.” See the giant Israeli flag unfurled in the Kotel Plaza.

Finally, we may one day see all Israeli children growing up knowing their historical connection to the Land.  Reforms placing Jewish and Zionist studies at the heart of the core curriculum in all publicly-funded state schools will start in 2026.

NGOs and have partnered to take thousands of Jewish teens from Israel this summer to Hungary, Portugal, Italy, Germany, Spain and France. In each locale, the students will study issues related to local Jewish history and strengthen the spirit of solidarity with Israel.

Birthright Israel has launched its summer session, welcoming the first groups of U.S. participants to Israel. Running from mid-May through Sept, the program expects to bring more than 20,000 young Jewish adults from across the United States, Canada, and 30 additional countries.