Israel’s Response to UN Vote

{image_1}The November 29, 2012 UN vote to upgrade the Palestinian Authority (PA) to a “non-member observer state,” in violation of the 1993 Oslo Accords, was an expected derivative of Israel's policy towards the PA since 1993—critical concessions, retreats, indecisiveness, submission to pressure, and appeasement.

Mighty—Gibor

{image_1}We are living in tumultuous times. Natural disasters like hurricanes, tsunamis, wildfires, and earthquakes seem to be increasing in frequency. The worldwide economy is shaky. Wars and rumors of wars abound. People are desperately looking for assurance of stability, of protection, of permanence. They are looking for a place of refuge.

The Siddur

{image_1}If you have been to Jerusalem, you may have noticed that everywhere you go, you see religious Jews with a book. They are always reading it and praying. Have you ever wondered, “What is that book?” It is the prayer book, or “siddur” in Hebrew. Siddur comes from the word “seder,” which means “order.” The prayer book gives an order to prayer. Orthodox Jews normally pray three times a day. They follow the prayer book for individual or group prayer, which requires a minyan (literally meaning “to count”) of ten men. While prayer books vary depending on the version, there is a consistency in content and order.

The Siddur

Diabetes Research in Israel

{image_1}The latest numbers from the World Health Organization indicate that one in 10 people has diabetes—more than 346 million people worldwide. Despite its small size, Israel is a major player in diabetes research, with scientists searching for ways to provide better prevention, treatment, and ultimately a cure for this globally rampant disease. Here are just a few of the projects being worked on by Israeli researchers:

Diabetes Research in Israel

Cardboard Innovation

{image_1}Israeli entrepreneur Nimrod Elmish is positive that the idea for a wheelchair made out of cardboard has crossed many people’s minds. But it took an Israeli team to make it a reality. With great feedback and global interest in their first venture—recyclable cardboard bicycles—Elmish and automation expert Izhar Gafni have quietly added the cardboard wheelchair project to their operation. It’s made of less than $10 worth of durable recycled cardboard, plastic bottles, and recycled tires.

Cardboard Innovation

Seal from First Temple Period

{image_1}A tiny personal seal was discovered in a 2,000-year-old drainage channel in the vicinity of Robinson’s Arch, close to the Western Wall. The seal is made of semi-precious stone and is engraved with the name of its owner: “Lematanyahu Ben Ho…” (…למתניהו בן הו). The rest of the inscription is erased. Personal seals in the First Temple Period were for the purpose of signing letters and they were usually set in a signet ring. The seals served to identify their owner, just as they identify officials today.

Love Thy Enemies—From Warnings to Healings, Israel Provides

{image_1}On November 18, the sun rose like any day, and like so many days dozens of trucks carrying aid and supplies entered the Gaza Strip from Israeli territory. Like so many days before it, on November 18, a total of 26 Gazan patients were accompanied into Israel for medical treatment. Yet, one of the main things that separated November 18 from a number of Sundays before, is that on that day Gaza fired 156 rockets at Israel. This followed a four-day stretch during which over 900 rockets were launched at Israel. Civilians in Israeli towns were under routine threat—some had been killed by the attacks and dozens more were wounded. It was Day 5 of Israel’s “Pillar of Defense” Operation, which was intended to undercut Gaza’s ability and desire to strike Israel’s home front at whim. Yet, despite the war-like circumstances, despite the intentional targeting of Israeli civilians by Gaza’s leaders, Israel was facilitating the entrance of aid into Gaza, and sick Palestinians into Israeli hospitals. That juxtaposition is no anomaly—it’s an intentionality.

Lifesaving iPhone App

{image_1}During the height of Operation Pillar of Defense, while southern Israel was under nearly constant rocket attack from the Gaza Strip, Liron Bar, a 13-year-old Beersheva resident came up with the idea for a new iPhone app.

Lifesaving iPhone App

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