The First Jews at the Kotel Since 1948

Posted on: May 20th, 2012

Following the liberation of East Jerusalem on 7 June 1967, IDF Chief Rabbi Major-General Shlomo Goren, blowing a shofar and carrying a Torah scroll, held the first Jewish prayer session at the Western Wall since 1948. The event was one of the defining moments of the war. Happy Jerusalem Day to all our readers!

Sisterhood Shabbat Society

Posted on: May 18th, 2012

Mt. Zion Women’s Sisterhood members looking at a Shabbat dinner table setting, March 21, 1949. The St. Paul, Minnesota, women in the picture were publicizing the concept of the “Jewish Home Beautiful,” which emphasized decorating the home, specifically the table settling, for each Jewish holiday. Left to right, Mrs. Max Whitefield, Mrs. Joseph Stein, Mrs. [...]

Beautiful Gardens, Beautiful Minds

Posted on: May 17th, 2012

A young Israeli woman meditates in the Sunken Garden next to the Habima national theater in Tel Aviv, May 14, 2012. Amidst the chaotic streetscape stands the Habima National Theater, located at the junction of Rothschild and Ben Tsiyon Streets in Tel Aviv. The courtyard (aka the New Culture Square), which is still under construction, [...]

Coming Home

Posted on: May 16th, 2012

A resident of Gush Etzion walks the perimeter of Temple Mount in Jerusalem. There are areas on the holy mountaintop which, according to some rabbinic opinions, are permitted for Jews to set foot on even in our times. There are police restrictions, unfortunately, on conducting a Jewish prayer with a minyan anywhere on Temple Mount, [...]

Mediterranean Blues

Posted on: May 15th, 2012

Young IDF soldier playing saxophone on the Tel Aviv boardwalk near Jaffa, May 3, 2012. “The port area is a mixed suburb of buildings, interlaced by small streets, the main one of square cobblestones. Scores of shops, pubs, art and exhibition galleries, entertainment centers and restaurants – from Eastern European to Ethiopian, from kosher to [...]

Special Forces Lady

Posted on: May 14th, 2012

A course instructor of the Snapir (“Fin”) combat unit, practicing with inflatable rubber boats in the Haifa Bay. Women serve across the range of different units in the IDF, on the ground, on sea, or in the air, taking an equal part in protecting Israel.

Demolition Babies

Posted on: May 13th, 2012

Israeli children playing in the Ulpana Hill neighborhood of Beit El in Judea and Samaria. The Israeli government is looking for ways to sidestep a ruling by the Supreme Court to demolish Ulpana before July 1, following a land ownership dispute between Arab sellers more than a decade ago. The proclivity of Israel’s leftist legal [...]

Mekhi Phifer (‘ER’) Checks Out the Cobra

Posted on: May 11th, 2012

Mekhi Phifer is no stranger to fake action, having portrayed Dr. Greg Pratt on NBC’s medical drama “ER,” FBI agent Ben Reynolds on Fox’s “Lie to Me,” and CIA agent Rex Matheson in “Torchwood: Miracle Day.” This week, Mekhi had a rare opportunity to try the reral thing, on a vist to an IAF base [...]

Bonfires of the Faithful

Posted on: May 10th, 2012

Jews of every age and religious denomination across Israel celebrated the holiday of Lag Ba’Omer Wednesday night lighting bonfires and celebrating. The holiday commemorates the end of a plague which decimated thousands in Eretz Israel in the Second Century. The day is also accepted as the yahrzeit of Talmudic sage Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai.

Arab Children with Cancer Meet Alpine Soldiers on Mt. Hermon

Posted on: May 8th, 2012

Last year, Arab children diagnosed with cancer visited Israel’s only ski resort located in Mt. Hermon, in northern Israel. The children, accompanied by parents and family, enjoyed the snow and slopes along with IDF soldiers from the Alpine Unit. Their trip to the Hermon was made possible by Israeli Civil Administration, which coordinates civilian and [...]

Arab Rioters Attack Israeli Vehicle in Benjamin Region

Posted on: May 8th, 2012

Palestinians rioters at around 11 p.m. Monday blocked with stones the Benjamin-crossing highway near the settlement of Neve Tzuf in south-west Samaria. An Israeli vehicle with four Tel Aviv residents hit the barrier and was damaged. Last week a Jewish woman was attacked at the same spot.

Their Weight in Gold

Posted on: May 7th, 2012

Israelis shop tomatoes at a vegetable market of Machne Yehuda in Jerusalem, May 06, 2012. Tomato prices are expected to rise up to 16 shekels per kilogram ($1.90 per pound). The situation is being blamed on normal, seasonal cycles. According to Fresh Plaza, Rami Levi, owner of the discount supermarket chain Rami Levi Shivuk Hashikma, [...]

New Cats

Posted on: May 6th, 2012

The trio of lion brothers Danny, Michael and Jacob at the Ramat Gan safari. March 21, 2007. The Zoological Center Tel Aviv – Ramat Gan or “Safari” occupies 250 acres of nature in the heart of a densely populated urban area in Israel: “Africa in the heart of Israel.” The Safari has the largest animal [...]

No Peeking…

Posted on: May 4th, 2012

A mother in Beitar Illit (pronounced “ee-leet”), in the Judean Mountains west of Gush Etzion, 6 miles south of Jerusalem, lights Shabbat candles together with her daughter. Beitar Illit, named after the ancient Jewish city of Beitar, was established in 1984 and initially settled by a small group of young Religious Zionist families. The city [...]

Three Army Medics in the NoonDay Sun

Posted on: May 3rd, 2012

We met these fine soldiers down in the Jordan Valley where they serve at the equivalent of a US Army MASH unit. In addition to taking care of soldiers all across the valley, they also make time for the occasional Palestinian who comes up to their compound when he or she need better quality medical [...]

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Silly Is the New Cool in Tel Aviv

Posted on: May 2nd, 2012

Several different Tel-Aviv Segway touring companies take folks on this unique atroll along the First Hebrew City’s marina, port and beach promenade, the Tayelet. You owe it to yourself to experience gliding from the Hilton to the old Jaffa port when all you have to exercise is your sense of balance – watch out, no [...]

A Soldier in the Sun

Posted on: May 1st, 2012

A silhouetted soldier extends his arms to the sky. Here’s hoping for a sunny day wherever you are on the planet.

Mourning

Posted on: April 30th, 2012

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with his son Yair, at the funeral of the Prime Minister’s father, Benzion Netanyahu, in Jerusalem on April 30, 2012. Benzion Netanyahu died at the age of 102, early Monday morning, in his home in Jerusalem.

Photo Essay: Jerusalem Pilgrimage and Priestly Blessings 5772

Posted on: April 9th, 2012

This year's Priestly Blessing in Jerusalem drew thousands of Jews (and a few gentiles as well) to the Western Wall. Take a look at these pictures and maybe you too can partake of the Biblical blessings.

Photo Essay: Passover Preparations in Israel

Posted on: April 3rd, 2012

As Israel and the Jewish world prepare for the 5772/2012 Pesach holiday and pilgrimage, JewishPress.com is proud to present a photo essay illustrating the colorful season of Passover in Israel.