Huge quarry unearthed in Jerusalem
A massive 2nd Temple period stone quarry from the time of King Herod is being excavated in the Har Hotzvim Industrial area in Jerusalem. Archaeologists have uncovered stone slabs, many 2.5 meters long and 40cm thick. Also a stone implement and a stone vessel, likely used by workers.
150 French Jews make Aliyah
The International Fellowship of Christians and Jews arranged an El Al flight to bring 148 men, women, and children, seven babies, and one small dog to begin new lives in Israel. They will take up residence in Netanya, Raanana, Hadera, Givat Shmuel, and Ashdod. More will certainly follow.
Speeding up the Aliyah process
Israel is to issue temporary licenses to lawyers, accountants, and teachers, enabling new immigrants to work in their professions immediately on arrival in the country. More than 10,000 Aliyah case files have been opened by North Americans since Oct 7 plus nearly 6,500 from France.
From Tisha b’Av to Tu b’Av
The emotional rollercoaster of the Hebrew month of Av was more noticeable this year. Positive Jerusalem events included Summer Nights at the Tower of David, the Puppet Festival, “Infinity” near the Pais Arena, Jerusalem of Gold, plus Tu b’Av itself - the “holiday” of love.
Look what they found in the drainage channel
Israel Antiquities Authority archaeologists, excavating a drainage channel in Jerusalem, have uncovered relics of life prior to the sacking of the city by Roman legions in 70 CE. A glass vial, grape pips, eggshells and ceramic lamps still with soot in them.
Reduced university tuition fees for reservists
Some 500 Tel Aviv University 1st-year students beginning their studies in the coming academic year who have served at least 30 days in the reserves since the beginning of 2024 will be entitled to a tuition discount of NIS 2,500, covering about 25% of total tuition fees.
Helping rebuild Israeli communities
Russell Robinson, CEO of JNF USA, describes how his organization is building a community center 2km from Gaza. Self-funded volunteers on JNF-USA trips are cleaning up schools so that children can resume their studies. In the north, JNF-USA is building culinary and medical centers.
Thousands of American volunteers
Another article publicizing the work of volunteers from America. They include some 3,500 who came on missions organized by JNF-USA since Oct 7, helping repair, rehabilitate, and rebuild Gaza border communities and giving vital motivational support.
Donations for Northern hospitals
The International Fellowship of Christians and Jews (IFCJ) is donating $1 million to the Tzafon Medical Center (Poriya) to bolster its Trauma Unit. It is also funding $620,000 worth of new equipment and medical supplies at the Italian Hospital in Nazareth.
Far-seeing enhancement
While regular IDF soldiers have modern weapons, reservists lacked precision scopes for their Negev guns. So, several Israeli civilians voluntarily developed the Tomer Adapter, named after Tomer Nagar - a “Negevist” who fell while bravely defending the Kissufim military post on Oct 7.