Israel Active

Residents of Kibbutz Be’eri live on dry, arid land in Kibbutz Hatzerim while Be’eri is being rebuilt. 2,700 Birthright Israel volunteers in 100 groups will create 300 gardens - one for each Be’eri family and the surrounding areas. They will feature 1,500 trees, 41,000 herb plants, and thousands of flowers.

Released hostage Omer Shem-Tov told of a miracle he experienced in captivity. "For five months, I had half a bottle of grape juice that I used for Kiddush. The bottle never ran out, and the juice never spoiled. It showed me how good God is and how He was with me."

Tzachi Beck refurbished and gifted a 130-year-old Czechian violin d to freed hostage Agam Berger.  Agam played Amir Benayoun's "You overcame everything with me." breathing new life into its strings, decades after its original owner, an orchestral violinist, perished in the Holocaust.

Philanthropist Rabbi Shai Graucher (see previously) heard that ex-hostage Emily Damari needed a car to help her rebuild her life. So he surprised her with the gift of a brand-new BMW. She will be able to drive it more easily once her restorative hand surgery has healed.

Watch IDF troops stationed on snowy Mount Hermon affix a mezuzah to the entrance of their base.

The National Library of Israel is displaying a 15th century copy of the Province manuscript Mezukak Shivatayim, written by Rabbi Yosef Kimchi around 1380. It is a commentary of Maimonides Mishnah Torah and quotes Jewish sages whose names are unknown and works have been lost.

Ecuador is set to open an innovation office in Jerusalem that will have diplomatic status. Israeli Foreign Minister called his Ecuador counterpart, Gabriela Sommerfeld, and praised Ecuador’s decision.

Released hostage Agam Berger visited Joseph's Tomb alongside Samaria governor Yossi Dagan. Dagan said, “You are here with us, in this holy place, at the Tomb of Joseph the righteous, who came out of the pit to kingship.” He wished “all the captives out of the pit with a great victory”.

Yarden Bibas received a personal Torah scroll dedicated to the memory of his family. Yarden wrote three letters in the Torah scroll, - Shin, Alef, Kuf. for Shiri, Ariel and Kfir. The scroll was donated by Rabbi Moshe Scheiner at the initiative of businessman and Hasidic rabbi Shai Graucher.

Since its inception 42 years ago, Sar-El has brought in more than 240,000 volunteers from over 40 countries to help on IDF bases, with over 36,000 just since Oct 7 2023. 25% of the workers are not Jewish. Tasks can be vital, such as refurbishing medical kits for frontline troops.