Tourism Profits Spike

{image_1}The Israel hotel industry has achieved one billion shekels (US
$295.5 million) profit in a year, for the first time. Tourism growth in
2007 included 2.3 million tourists and a 25% increase over 2006.

Yom Kippur Traditions:  Kreplach Recipe

{image_2} Each of the biblical feasts has a symbolic food associated with it – even Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement), the most severe fast of the year. A pre-fast feast helps worshippers make it through the 25-hour fast, which is observed much like a Shabbat (Sabbath) meal, except it is eaten before sundown. Table linens and clothing are white to symbolize the hope of sins forgiven. The best dishes are used, two candles are lit, and blessings over the wine and bread are recited. Sometimes the bread is decorated with birds to remind them that just as birds fly, so their prayers will rise quickly and be answered.

Israel Sends Earthquake Aid to China

{image_1} An Israeli cargo plane  carrying about 90 tons (81 metric tons) of medicines and medical equipment, water purification kits, generators, tents, sleeping bags, and clothing intended for the earthquake survivors departed for the Chinese city of Chengdu late in May. The humanitarian aid was on its way to survivors of the 7.9 earthquake that struck the Sichuan province in southwestern China on May 12, killing 69,130 and leaving 4.8 million homeless.

Israel Remembers

{image_1} On May 7, the State of Israel honored the memory of their 22,437 casualties—including 1,634 people killed in terror attacks—starting from 1860 to May 2008.

Citrus Extract—A Natural Preservative

{image_1} The US Food and Drug Administration is investigating a number of inquiries about parabens, the synthetic preservatives used widely in the cosmetics industry. Parabens ensure that creams, underarm deodorant, body sprays, shampoos, and toothpaste don’t rot before you get around to using them. The problem is that parabens (or alkyl esters of p-hydroxybenzoic acid) have been linked to a number of health concerns, cancer being one of them. Samples of women’s breast cancer tissue from the United Kingdom have been found to be loaded with parabens.

Golda’s Kitchen Cabinet:  Shakshuka Recipe

By Charleeda Sprinkle
Assistant Editor

{image_3} “When the word ‘greatness’ comes to mind, Golda Meir comes immediately to the forefront. Her commitment to her Land and to her people was the paragon of human dedication. Her complete involvement, tempered with love, fired by fierce devotion, caused the world to know that she was a true mover of mountains.” What a great description of Israel’s fourth prime minister, who was only the third woman in the world to hold such an office. David Ben Gurion, Israel’s first prime minister, called her the “only man in the government”!

Jerusalem in US Politics

{image_1}During a speech to the American Israel Public Affairs Council (AIPAC), a US pro-Israeli lobby group, on June 4, US Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama said that Jerusalem “will remain the capital of Israel, and it must remain undivided.”

Synthetic Molecules Fight Cancer

{image_1} Synthetic molecules designed by two Hebrew University of Jerusalem researchers have succeeded in reducing and even eliminating the growth of human malignant tissues in mice, while having no toxic effects on normal tissue.

More Rhetoric from Iran

“Those who think they can revive the stinking corpse of the usurping and fake Israeli regime by throwing a birthday party are seriously mistaken…Today the reason for the Zionist regime’s existence is questioned, and this regime is on its way to annihilation…[Israel] has reached the end like a dead rat after being slapped by the Lebanese [in reference to the 2006 Second Lebanon War].”

Transportation in the Holy City

By Melissa Reagan, BFP Graphic Designer

{image_1} It was about a week and a half after first moving to Israel that my cell phone rang as I was at the Jerusalem Municipality waiting in line to get the water service turned on in my new apartment. I was pleasantly surprised to hear the soft, southern drawl of my former boss back in America. When I explained where I was and what I was doing, she replied, “I’m picturing camels lined up out front…”

Israel Chooses National Bird

{image_1} The hoopoe or Duchifat (in Hebrew) has been named Israel’s national bird after winning a majority vote by a landslide. President Shimon Peres made the announcement at a ceremony on May 29 to coincide with Israel’s 60th anniversary celebrations.

Long-range Missiles in Gaza

{image_1} It is only a matter of time before Hamas uses the long-range missiles capable of hitting Ashdod and Kiryat Gat, reported Israel’s internal security organization Shin Bet head Yuval Diskin. Diskin warned that until the Philadelphi corridor between Rafah and Egypt is totally sealed off, Hamas will continue to receive smuggled weapons, rockets, missiles, and other high quality weaponry.