Israel Active

Israel has allocated NIS 12 million for improving the Rachel’s Tomb complex near Bethlehem. It will make the site more accessible, particularly for people with disabilities, and includes a new bus station plus better security. The site has hundreds of thousands of visitors every year.

Jerusalem’s Zappa Club features a series of special Friday afternoon concerts.  Next event is on Nov 29.

A team led by Tel Aviv University archaeologists analyzed fingerprints on 450 pottery vessels made in Tel Hama in Syria around 2,000 to 2,400 BCE. They found that two-thirds of the vessels were made by children, some only 7 or 8 years old. The children also made figurines for themselves.

Zablon Simantov, 65, one of the last Jews to leave Taliban-controlled Afghanistan, arrived in Israel from Turkey where he had been living for the last 3 years. His rescue in 2021, was led by Moti Kahana, a well-known activist specializing in evacuations from conflict zones.

One of many near misses, as a Hezbollah rocket landed between cars on an Israeli highway.

28 altruistic individuals and partnering organizations were honored in Gush Etzion at the Ari Fuld Project’s annual “Lion of Zion” awards ceremony, for their tireless support of Israeli soldiers during Israel’s current multifront military campaign. The awards are in memory of Ari Fuld z”l (see previously).

Amitim is a pro bono mentoring program, which links former Jewish federation CEOs to the needs of the leadership of nonprofits in Israel and kibbutzim affected by Oct 7. It recognizes that US Jewish retired executives have skills and experience to benefit Israelis.

The IDF’s Har Zion 0710 Unit represents a unique phenomenon in modern military history: hundreds of Israelis aged over 45 years old, many decades past their military service, have voluntarily returned to uniform to defend their nation. The unit was spontaneously established overnight after Oct 7 2023.

The IDF is examining the possibility of establishing anti-tank units using the huge number of weapons and missiles seized from the Hezbollah terrorist organization, including tens of thousands of Russian Kornet and Iranian Almas anti-tank missiles.

Nati Ganon was seriously injured by Hamas terrorists at the Nova party on Oct 7 2023. After enduring nearly 400 grueling days of treatments and rehabilitation, Nati stands tall again and able to continue to raise his three children. See him dance with Israeli-Arab Zionist Yoseph Haddad (2nd link).