Sorrow and Hope

Dispatch from Jerusalem

Israel’s Lifesaving Fences

As our world continues to get “smaller”—ostensibly bringing people closer together—it seems more and more nations are finding it necessary to build barriers to keep them apart. Currently, 77 countries have security fences and/or border walls, many of them nothing more than giant concrete barriers. Israel, though comparatively new to the fence-building community, has established

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Israel Builds Hope Amid Chaos

Israel has gone through the wringer in the past year and a half, dealing with crisis after crisis within a very short period. The nation faced the devastating effects of a pandemic alongside the rest of the world, and at the same time, fought a war with terrorists in Gaza; went through a fourth national

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Jeweled Rice

Jeweled rice, a Persian dish traditionally served at weddings, is named for its rich colors. This dish combines a variety of seasonings and ingredients for a tangy, nutty fusion of flavors. Over 200,000 Persian Jews call Israel home, bringing this unique dish with them to the Holy Land and even customizing it to the Jewish

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Standing with Israel against the “Big Lie”

Today we are witnessing a war of words with social media as one of the main battlefields. Attempts are increasing almost daily to delegitimize the State of Israel—merely an updated term for anti-Semitism or hatred of the Jewish people. Adolf Hitler coined the term the “Big Lie” when he wrote Mein Kampf nearly 100 years

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World’s First Cultured Meat-production Plant Opens in Israel

World’s First Cultured Meat-production Plant Opens in Israel The world’s first industrial cultured meat facility has opened in the city of Rehovot, home to the Weizmann Institute of Science and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem Faculty of Agriculture, Israeli slaughter-free meat production start-up Future Meat Technologies announced. With the capability to produce 500 kilograms (1,102

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Second Temple-period Jerusalem Building Discovered

The Western Wall Heritage Foundation and the Israel Antiquities Authority [IAA] are opening to the public impressive new sections of one of the most magnificent public buildings uncovered from the Second Temple period. The discovery—the fruit of archaeological excavations in the Western Wall Tunnels—will be part of the new route opened to visitors. Part of

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Israel and Iran: Destination War?

Recent headlines have many speculating that the Middle East teeters on the brink of war as Israel and Iran prepare to face each other on the battlefield. The evidence seems to point in that direction. A mysterious explosion tearing through Iran’s Natanz nuclear plant—the second such disaster in a year striking at the heart of

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The Death of Sarah Halimi

This is the story of a woman viciously murdered simply because she was Jewish. It is a story her family wants told as they seek justice, battling systemic anti-Semitism at every turn. It is a story that is difficult to read, but one with a critical message. Even for those of us who are committed

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Shuk Culture

 One of the most delightful pillars of Israeli society is the concept of the shuk (marketplace). These vibrant outdoor markets thrive under Israel’s sunny skies, offering everything from the freshest local goods to handmade souvenirs and eateries that delight foodies from all over the world. Vendors call on passersby to sample their goods and haggle

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Yemen Moshe: Outside the City Walls

Crowning the ridge overlooking the Hinnom Valley is a white-sailed windmill called the Montefiore windmill, a seemingly out-of-place landmark near Jerusalem’s center and directly across the valley from the Old City and Mount Zion. At its base lies one of the oldest and loveliest residential neighborhoods in the city: Yemin Moshe. Next door and considered

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