Israel Active

Healing in Nature (HIN) runs weeklong retreats on an isolated Montana ranch for IDF combat vets traumatized by their Gaza experience. Tel Aviv University psychiatrist Dr Roi Sar-el, uses biofeedback to track soldiers’ vital signs before, during and after the ranch trip.

The International Christian Embassy in Jerusalem visited the south and asked Rafi Babian, security chief of the Sadot Regional Council, what he needed. “Paramedic kits for all 16 communities under my watch, please,” he replied. The life-saving kits have now been delivered.

There are some 50 cattle ranches in Israel’s Golan Heights, under fire from Hezbollah rockets and drones. One, Merom Golan, has around 1,500 head of cattle. Shay Zerbib owns another ranch; he says, “Someone has to take care of the animals; they need to get fed no matter what,”

Technion alumna Maya Shnur is a business manager at Israel’s Rafael Advanced Defense Systems. “When the sirens start and I take my little boy down into the bomb shelter, I say ‘thank you Rafael for saving our lives.’” Maya contributes to Israel’s security and raises the profile of women in the workplace.

The world’s oldest journalist, Walter Bingham (see previously), celebrated his 100th birthday by skydiving over Israel – as he had done on his 95th birthday. Before he boarded the plane he said he looked forward to “seeing the country from the River to the Sea”.

Amichay Shindler saved his family by absorbing a bomb planted by Hamas terrorists outside the door to their safe room. Ten months and one prosthetic hand later, it is still not clear how he is alive today. His wife Avital manages a group for the wives of injured Israeli reservists.

Israeli President Herzog launches the Voice of the People initiative on Sun 15th Sep with an inaugural online symposium, featuring Israeli actress Gal Gadot. The event aims to unite Jewish voices from around the world to emphasize the resilience and unity of the Jewish people amid current global challenges.

This week, the Real Jerusalem Streets stretched from Israel’s capital to Sderot to show the unity of Israelis. The Kotel (Western Wall), Hersh Goldberg-Polin’s funeral, wedding photos at the Botanical Gardens, and new buildings for the many people wanting to live in restored Sderot.

A five-year-old girl from Kiryat Gat was released from Barzilai Hospital in Ashkelon after falling eight floors and only suffering minor bruising and scratches. She had woken in the night, climbed out onto the balcony and fell into bushes, eight floors below. The parents plan to celebrate the miracle.

The National Library of Israel has received the original version of the Moss Haggadah. The 1980’s masterpiece, by renowned Judaica artist David Moss, is a large-format, handwritten and hand-illuminated rendition of the classical Passover seder liturgy in a traditional style.