Dispatch from Jerusalem

Seaport Reveals Its Secrets

{image_1}Rare and unique discoveries were found this summer at the Tel Aviv University Institute of Archaeology excavation site in Tel Ashdod-Yam—located near the Mediterranean port city of Ashdod. Archaeologists have uncovered a system of fortifications which date back to the 8th century BC, the remains of buildings, as well as coins and weights from the Hellenistic period.

Ancient Golden Treasure

{image_1}In excavations at the foot of the Temple Mount, Hebrew University of Jerusalem archaeologist Dr. Eilat Mazar made a stunning discovery: two bundles of treasure containing thirty-six gold coins, gold and silver jewelry, and a gold medallion with the menorah (Temple candelabrum) symbol etched into it. Also etched into the 10-cm [3.9 in] medallion are a shofar (ram’s horn) and a Torah scroll.

Russia Fears Syrian Terrorists Could Hurt Them

{image_1}Syria is a chaotic mess that could be coming to a country near you. Or at least that’s what has Russian President Vladimir Putin concerned.

Muslim Brotherhood Banned in Egypt

{image_1}In a move that threatens deep security repercussions, an Egyptian court has banned all operations of the Muslim Brotherhood and seized its assets. Because the order included any institution “branching out from or belonging to” the Brotherhood, it is believed that its political arm, the Freedom and Justice Party, will be included in the ban. The order is being appealed. The Muslim Brotherhood was banned during the 30+ years of the reign of Hosni Mubarak, although it was allowed to have a limited presence.

Syrian General: Assad Ordered Me to Gas People

{image_1}Brigadier-General Zaher al-Sakat, a former chemical weapons chief in Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's army, says he was ordered three times to use chemical weapons against his own people, but could not go through with it and replaced chemical canisters with ones containing harmless bleach. The general insisted that all such orders had to come from the top—President Assad himself—despite insistent denials by the regime that it has ever used chemical weapons.

A Sweet New Year

{image_1}Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, falls on September 4–5 this year. All over the globe, Jewish people will be celebrating with prayers and repentance at the synagogue and family get-togethers with lots of delicious food at home. As is true for most Jewish holidays, traditional foods are eaten that relate to the event that is being commemorated. Passover recalls the tears of slavery with salt water while a Hanukkah table remembers God’s miracle with foods fried in oil. And of course, these traditions often vary from community to community, having been influenced by local cuisine and the availability of ingredients, especially spices.

Remote Control

{image_1}Geva Tzin found a unique vehicle to keep an eagle eye on his goats without being constantly
sleep-deprived. For those familiar with the popular online game FarmVille, which allows urbanites to
“play virtual farmer,” the moshavnik from Beer-Tuvia set up a surveillance camera on the roof of his
goat pen and set up a Facebook account called Geva the Domestic Goat Grower, calling on surfers to
help keep an eye on his livestock, saying “the only things that deters rustlers is the thought someone
is actually watching them.”

Pest-Free Veggies without Chemicals

{image_1}Farmers in Israel’s largest vegetable-growers’ marketing cooperative use a unique cocktail of four predatory insects to protect their crops from getting eaten or infested by harmful bugs.

A Jewish Festival of Sport

{image_1}Thirty-thousand spectators filled Teddy Stadium in Jerusalem to welcome over 9,000 Jewish athletes who came from every corner of the world, including Israel, to participate in the 19th Maccabiah Games. The games are held every four years. The opening ceremonies were attended by President Shimon Peres, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, and several government ministers.

Iran—New President—Unchanged Vision

New Iranian Leader's Rant Shows His True Colors

{image_1}NEW YORK—The president of the World Jewish Congress (WJC), Ronald S. Lauder, called remarks made by Iran’s incoming President Hassan Rouhani “proof that he is not the moderate many in the West believe he is” and that “he is more likely to follow in the footsteps of his predecessor, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.” On the regime’s annual “Palestine Day,” Rouhani reportedly called Israel “an old wound on the body of the Islamic world for years” that “should be removed.” He had also questioned the need for peace talks between Israelis and Palestinians.