Israel Active

Yanky Fachler writes that he sat in the Yael Synagogue (Emek Refaim) in Jerusalem next to a Nobel prizewinner, a former Israeli ambassador, and an Israel Prize laureate. The Torah scroll had been rescued by Yanky’s great uncle Gershon in Berlin on the morning after Kristallnacht in 1938.  (click on link and see last paragraph on page 1)

Beit Binyamin, near the spiritual town of Tzfat, is a therapeutic respite center for IDF soldiers and their families, displaced families and struggling spouses and parents.

Only in Israel story where a meeting between two IDF reservists resulted in the founding of Venture Capital organization TBC VC that has raised $35 million in three months for investment in Israeli startups. It will also donate money to non-profit Gav Lalohem to help others.

Great article by Arlene Kushner highlighting Israeli resilience.

In celebration of Israel’s 77th Independence Day, internationally acclaimed singer Netta Barzilai has partnered with the Jewish Agency for Israel to release a new rendition of the iconic Israeli anthem “Chai.” The 1983 Eurovision Song has been reimagined to reflect Israel’s resilience in the face of current challenges.

An IDF soldier, severely wounded in Gaza, took his first steps in recovery at Sheba Medical Center. Sheba is one of the few places in the world that offers the Atalante X robotic exoskeleton developed by the French-American company Wandercraft.

Noah’s great-grandparents hid a Jewish woman in their attic in the Netherlands during WWII. Her great-grandmother’s brother hid a Jewish couple and their three children, earning recognition as “Righteous of the Nations”. Today, Noah is proud to serve as a soldier in the IDF.

Aharon Karov, the most critically-injured soldier in Operation Cast Lead 16 years ago, has re-enlisted in the IDF as part of a team creating the Disabled Soldiers Department. Following Oct 7 2023 he helped create the "Continuing Life" initiative, to support the injured.

Many celebratory events went ahead despite the fires. Here are links to some of them.

So many events after Pesach in Israel’s capital, including Yom Hazikaron (Memorial Day) and Yom Ha’atzmaut (Independence Day), albeit rehearsals and rescheduled events. New Ambassadors presenting credentials to President Herzog included from the USA, India, and Philippines.