Shanghai: The Noah’s Ark of the Orient

A cruise liner gently bumped against the wharf at the mouth of the Yangtze River in the late spring of 1939. The ship had voyaged 8,000 miles [12,874.75 km] from Italy, and the people on board—Jews from Germany—stood at the rail, gazing on the scene before them with trepidation and excitement. Shanghai had been their

A Sanctuary for Birds and Birders in Jerusalem

In the heart of the bustling city of Jerusalem, nestled between Israel’s Knesset (Parliament) and the Supreme Court, lies a serene nature sanctuary. The Nili and David Jerusalem Bird Observatory (JBO) rests on an acre-and-a-half (0.6 hectares) of lush land that provides a safe haven for some 200 species of birds and other wildlife within

Orange Rolls

Combining the zesty flavor of orange with the comforting warmth of a cinnamon roll, this recipe comes straight from the kitchen of Georgina Young—the wife of Dr. G. Douglas Young, founder of Bridges for Peace. Georgina, or “Snook” as she was affectionately called, was well known throughout Jerusalem for her culinary skills and nurturing hospitality.

Indoctrinated for Hate and Death

The Palestinian powers-that-be are masters of doublespeak, adapting their message to stir the emotions of the audience they happen to address. When the audience is the United Nations, international funding agencies, the world media or English-speaking college students, the message is one of harmony, painting the Palestinian people as a victimized, misunderstood group yearning for

Israel’s Anti-Done Technology Protecting Sites Worldwide

The advancement of modern technology often presents humanity with a catch-22 situation. On the one hand, new inventions provide solutions to some of the world’s most pressing problems. On the other, these novel discoveries also introduce a new set of problems that require innovative solutions. Take drones, for example. These nifty unmanned aerial devices open

Israel and the UAE Join Forces to Save Endangered Birds

With the ink on a normalization agreement barely dry, Israel and the United Arab Emirates [UAE] are already working together to improve life in the region for more than just humans. A UAE conservation fund and Israeli naturalists are cooperating to preserve the houbara, a desert fowl facing the threat of extinction. The International Fund

Ancient Two-Shekalim Weight Discovered Adjacent to the Western Wall

An ancient limestone-made weight, dating to the Iron Age—the First Temple period—was discovered in an archaeological excavation conducted by the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) in conjunction with the Western Wall Heritage Foundation. The excavation site is beneath Wilson’s Arch, adjacent to the Western Wall of the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. The weight, corresponding to the

Unpacking the Abraham Accords

Most people would agree we are living in pretty remarkable times. However, some might not recognize that one of the hallmarks of life today is a very short collective memory. Yesterday’s news seems to disappear in the clamor of today’s headlines, and somehow, as important as it might have seemed when it was read yesterday,

Profiling the First Peacemakers: Getting to Know the UAE and Bahrain

It had been almost 27 years since the last peace treaty was signed between Israel and an Arab state. Then, starting in August, two Arab nations reached peace accords with Israel in less than a month: the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Bahrain. While Sudan followed in October with the promise of yet more peace

Sweet Treats and Family Fun: The Delightful Traditions Surrounding Hanukkah

During the season when daylight is short in Israel and sheets of rain are accompanied by frigid winds, the holiday of Hanukkah (Festival of Lights) offers a welcome reprieve. For eight days, this lively holiday is filled with the warmth of light, the sweetness of festive foods and the joy of family time. Join me

What Was Meant for Evil

Nearly 4,000 years ago, a Hebrew boy turned slave turned second-in-command of Egypt came face-to-face with the architects of the evil that tore him from everything he’d known. Facing the brothers who had sold him into slavery, Joseph could have lamented the loss or rehashed the heartbreak. Instead, Israel’s favorite son rejoiced in the blessing

Shabbat

“Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made.” Genesis 2:3 Shabbat. Sabbath. In Israel, it’s as if simply saying the word has a calming effect. It’s a holiday that comes around faithfully every week, as prescribed by God to the

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