They Built To Last

While on a Western Wall Tunnel tour, my curiosity was piqued when our tour guide pointed out a section of a wall under the arch that was constructed of various sized stones. These appeared very different from the quarried stones of the ancient arches and wall below, not only because of their varied shapes but

The Quirks of Israel—Floating in the Dead Sea

From the pen of Peter Fast, national director of Bridges for Peace Canada and the future CEO of Bridges for Peace International, comes the fourth installment of the Quirks of Israel. Join Peter on a journey through the wonderfully peculiar culture, traditions, heritage and daily life of this singular nation as he unpacks, introduces and

Israel: The Cultural Kaleidoscope

Don’t let the term “Jewish state” fool you into thinking that Israel is a homogenous nation. After 2,000 years in exile, spread across the globe, the Jewish people have returned to their ancient homeland—bringing their Diaspora (outside Israel) cultures, languages, holidays and traditions with them. Population and Demographics This tiny country boasts a population of

‘Operation Rock of Israel’ Brings Ethiopian Jews to Israel

I stood on the tarmac at Ben Gurion airport with Israeli officials and numerous journalists as we anxiously awaited the arrival of 180 new Ethiopian immigrants. Also present were members of Israel’s Ethiopian community, who were eager to see family that they hadn’t seen in years. The flight was the first of several slated to

Suriname and Liberia to Open Official Offices in Jerusalem

In June, two nations announced their intentions to move their official offices to Jerusalem. Liberia, a country in West Africa, announced it would open an official office in Jerusalem that will serve as a precursor to a full-fledged embassy in the future. Suriname, a South American country, announced it would open an embassy in Jerusalem.

Kugel

The kugel is a firm Jewish favorite that will have a place of honor at most Sabbath meals and traditional holiday tables. Described as a casserole or a pudding, the kugel had its humble beginnings 800 years ago in southern Germany and soon became a staple among Jewish families in Eastern Europe. Originally served in

The Choice of Peace

On September 1, 1967, the member states of the Arab League cemented a decision to retain Israel in the role of sworn enemy with the now infamous Khartoum Resolution. The resolution summarized the attitudes of Israel’s Arab neighbors in what became known as the “Three No’s:” “no peace with Israel, no recognition of Israel, no

Harnessing Energy From Humidity

An Israeli start-up is paving the way to a future where we can conjure up energy out of thin air. In a society focused on harvesting energy from renewable sources such as the sun or the wind, ThermoTerra takes things one step further. This Israeli company develops heating and cooling technology based on a novel

Israel Develops Experimental Drug for Autism and Other Syndromes

Tel Aviv University researchers have unraveled a mechanism shared by mutations in genes that cause autism. They have also developed an experimental drug that could lead to effective treatments not only for autism, but also for other syndromes that impair brain function, including schizophrenia and Alzheimer’s. Professor Illana Gozes from the Department of Human Molecular

Othello-P Gunfire-Detection System Attracts Global Attention

A new gunfire-detection system unveiled by Israel Aerospace Industries [IAI] is attracting worldwide attention from potential clients, and company officials say its ability to turn shooters’ locations into precise target data means that “the imagination is the limit” in terms of usage and impact on future battlefields. The Othello-P system can detect anything from machine-gun

Ancient Mosque Unearthed in the Negev

A luxurious estate and a rare rural mosque—among the earliest known worldwide (over 1,200 years old)—was recently discovered in the city of Rahat in the Negev. Large-scale archaeological excavations conducted by the Israel Antiquities Authority [IAA] to facilitate the construction of a new neighborhood in Rahat are providing graphic details of the gradual transition from

One of the World’s Most Beautiful Mosaics Return to Israel

After years on display in the world’s most important museums—including the Metropolitan Museum in New York, the Louvre in Paris, the Altes Museum in Berlin, the Hermitage in St. Petersburg and others—the breathtaking Lod Mosaic, among the most beautiful discovered in Israel or anywhere in the world, along with part of the floor of a

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