Magnificent Mikveh Exposed

{image_1} A LARGE AND IMPRESSIVE MIKVEH (ritual bath) from the end of the Second Temple period was uncovered in an Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) excavation within the Western Wall tunnels. The mikveh is part of one of the most magnificent structures from the Second Temple period ever to be uncovered. From an architectural and artistic standpoint, there are similarities between this structure and the three magnificent compounds that King Herod built on the Temple Mount.

Roman Mansion Rewrites History

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This fourth-century, two-storey Roman mansion—covering c. 1,000 square meters (10,763 square feet) and first thought to be from the Second-Temple period—is rewriting history. “Up until now, archaeologists believed that the city’s Roman ruins extended only to the edge of the Old City walls constructed by the Ottomans.

DNA Detective Work

{image_1}RESEARCHERS
at Nucleix, an Israeli company specializing in DNA analysis, have
developed a method to combat the practice of forging DNA.

Natural Cure for Insomnia Found

{image_1}TRADITIONAL SLEEPING PILLS have many side effects. Now an Israeli company is
introducing a new drug that works with the body’s natural processes to
induce sleep. Sleeping pills often come with risks: inducing
dependency, withdrawal symptoms, and occasionally even cognitive
impairments such as short-term amnesia. Not so with Circadin,
a new drug produced by Neurim Pharmaceuticals.

Eliminating the ‘‘World Wide WAIT’’

{image_1}WHILE ALL OF US KNOW WHAT THE ‘WWW’ really stands for, there are times when we
could be excused for believing that it refers to a “world wide
wait”—such are the sluggish response times you often contend
with. But Ofer Gadish, cofounder of FasterWeb, created a better way to
connect to Web sites. The result? Gadish’s FasterWeb application, which
promises to make Web surfing up to 10 times faster.

Why was this night different from other nights?

By Marnus Schoeman, BFP Group & Guest Relations Manager

{image_1}This has been a question asked for centuries from generation to generation among the Jewish people during the Pesach (Passover) seder meal. You might wonder, why ask this question so long after Passover, which is celebrated in March–April? In August, The Land of the Bible Experience—an educational ministry of Bridges for Peace that provides Hebraic teaching through dramatic presentations—seized a wonderful opportunity to enact our Passover play to a  tour group of 585 Nigerian Christians!

Tops in Technology

FIVE ISRAELI FIRMS have been chosen as examples of companies whose clean technology investments are shaping tomorrow’s world. The Cleantech Group together with the British newspaper The Guardian announced the Global Cleantech 100—the first ever awards to highlight the most promising clean technology startup companies around the world. The five companies made Israel the only country in the Middle East to have firms nominated and placed the country in fourth place overall in its total number of companies, coming after the United States, the United Kingdom, and Germany.

Back to the Wall

 WHILE ON A TOUR IN ISRAEL, a tourist from the Philippines, Ruth Castro (71), found out that her house had been totally demolished by a typhoon—including a much-loved grand piano. Was she devastated? Not the least bit. The unflappable pilgrim was convinced that her “cup runneth over.” Where did she run to thank Jesus for sending her on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land at such a perilous hour, saving her from certain death? 

Don’t Boycott—BUYcott

UNOFFICIAL BOYCOTTS OF ISRAELI PRODUCTS or Israeli culture are a global issue, but if one Canadian group has its way, each new boycott will have the opposite effect. The Buycott Israel initiative, launched by the Canada–Israel Committee and their partners, is attempting to submit notices wherever a boycott of Israel is occurring, through the Internet and a global email list, so people can support Israel by purchasing the boycotted product.

September Rainfall, Most in 50 Years

Israel Lauded for Managing Recession

FINANCE MINISTERS and central bank chancellors attending the International
Monetary Fund’s annual meeting in Istanbul commended Israel’s financial
policies, stable banking system, and relatively low unemployment rates
during a time of global recession.

Carob:  Drumsticks in Carob Syrup

Good things come in small packages, they say, but sometimes the unattractiveness of the package belies the goodness of its contents. Take, for instance, the carob pod. Although the carob tree is quite majestic, reaching heights of 33 ft (10 m) with long leaves, sturdy branches, and cascading reddish flowers, the pods themselves are another story. Growing up to eight inches (20 cm) long, they are deep brown in color and filled with a thick mucous-like liquid that surrounds flat, bony seeds. Also called locust fruit, the pods are dried as food for both animals and people. They may not sound very appetizing, but their contents are amazing.