Preparing for Jerusalem Day
Jacob Richman has updated his Jerusalem pages in time for Jerusalem Day on Sunday evening / Monday.
Rings around Jerusalem
Archaeologists have unearthed in Jerusalem another 2,300-year-old gold ring, probably belonging to a child (see previously). There was a Hellenistic period custom in which betrothed women buried childhood objects as a symbol of the transition from childhood to adulthood.
Secret Chinese Jew goes public
When Cormac Lee was growing up in China, his mother revealed his family had Jewish roots and practices. His journey took him to ranches in Washington State, Seatle, and then to Israeli yeshiva. He formally converted with the name Uriah, but is known as the Asian Kosher Cowboy.
Israeli Arabs reject Hamas
After Oct 7, Israel’s 2-million-strong Arab minority didn’t riot, wave Hamas flags or cheer. Arab medics treated the wounded. Arab mayors calmed tensions. Arabs donated blood, delivered aid and helped evacuate families. Arab enlistment in the IDF grew. Israeli Arabs stood with Israel.
German TV features Herzog hospital Jerusalem
The German news network RTL featured how Herzog Medical Center in Jerusalem has helped Israelis cope with trauma during the war. The RTL Foundation also made a significant donation to the hospital. Turn on captions and auto-translate into English.
New El Al plane named “Acheinu”
El Al’s 17th Boeing 787 “Dreamliner” has not been named after an Israeli city, rather “Acheinu Kol Beit Yisrael”, meaning “Our brothers, the entire House of Israel.” It is from the morning prayer, asking G-d to protect and have mercy on Jews in captivity and bring them home in peace.
Wounded Fauda star performs at airport
Israeli singer-songwriter and Fauda actor Idan Amedi was filmed giving an impromptu performance at Miami airport. He was about to fly to New York on his first US tour since being wounded in battle in Gaza.
One in five combat soldiers is a woman
The IDF has reported that women now account for 20% of troops serving in both active and reserve combat units. It highlighted efforts to integrate women into additional roles and units.
Honoring Oct 7 victims at the highest level
Minyan Everest, a group of Jewish climbers, pray and unfurl a banner of 7th Oct 2023 victims’ names at the top of the highest mountains. On one climb their sherpa guides told them that Hamas had murdered 10 of their fellow Nepalese in the attack. Their names were on the banner.
Movie about female tank brigade heroines
On 7 Oct 2023, Israel’s first all-female tank unit (see previously) pitted their three armored vehicles against hundreds of Hamas terrorists in a battle lasting over 17 hours. The story of these fearless female soldiers is now to be featured in a new movie, entitled “Tankistas”.