Wounded doctor returns to work

Seven months after being severely injured in a Gaza helicopter crash and undergoing intense rehab, senior pediatrician Dr. Eyal Hayman has returned to work at Jerusalem’s Shaare Zedek Medical Center.

Ex-hostages receive priestly blessing at the Kotel

This Passover’s traditional priestly blessing ceremony at the Western Wall had special significance. The thousands of participants included ex-hostages, families of those still held captive, and wounded IDF soldiers. One of the priests was ex-hostage Eliya Cohen.

Family dog returned from Gaza

A reservist soldier found a frightened dog among the ruins in Rafah. Its electronic chip identified it as Billie, a 3-year-old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel that was kidnapped on 7 Oct 2023 from Kibbutz Nir Oz. It was treated and then returned to the surviving members of the Dancyg members. (see video)

Yom HaShoah in Israel

Watch as all traffic stops when the 2-min siren sounds. Also ex-hostage Agam Berger plays her 130-year-old violin with bereaved Oct 7 survivor Daniel Weiss at Auschwitz. WWII survivors light memorial torches at Yad Vashem. And the great-granddaughter of Righteous Gentiles is now an IDF soldier.

A message of peace from the US

The newly appointed US Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, placed a note from US President Donald Trump in the Western Wall. It said “For Peace in Israel”. The Ambassador said, “Trump told me to pray for the hostages’ return.”

Matzah baking therapy for special children

At the Aleh Center in Bnei Brak, children with severe disabilities receive therapy from their involvement in Pesach preparations. Matzah-making enhances fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and sensory processing. It also deepens their connection to their Jewish heritage.

Solomon’s pools opened during Pesach

Three reservoirs that brought water to Jerusalem during the Second Second Temple period were opened to the public during Passover for the first time since 1995 when they were transferred to the control of the Palestinian Authority. (See Ecclesiastes 2:6 for King Solomon’s connection).

The logo for Israel’s 77th Independence Day

The official logo for the torch-lighting ceremony at the 77th anniversary of the State of Israel reflects the theme "Bridges of Hope", and the connections within Israeli society. The Magen David (Star of David) is fused with the number 77 in yellow, as a tribute to the hostages.

Biblical-era dye factory found

Researchers have discovered the tools proving that the blue (tchelet) and purple (argaman) dyes were produced in industrial quantities in the Land of Israel in biblical times. They have documented how the material was produced for hundreds of years at Tel Shiqmona on Israel’s Carmel Coast.

Battlefield Chatbot

As you may have guessed, Israel is using AI to help conduct military operations during the war.  It allows commanders to ask intelligence questions and get vital answers fast. Aaron Cohen tells more.