Category Israel

The experience of a lifetime

photo - There was no question that Zac Abelson (centre) would attend the Excelerate23 Summit in New York City this past March

There was no question that Zac Abelson (centre) would attend the Excelerate23 Summit in New York City this past March. (photo from Zac Abelson) “I believe my Excel journey is only just getting started,” Zac Abelson told the Independent. “The…

Risk … game vs. reality

photo - Playing the game of Risk

Playing the game of Risk. (photo © Jorge Royan) I’ve always thought of the Nordic region as peaceful. Admittedly, my knowledge of the area is largely limited to Risk, the board game, where Greenland, Iceland and the Scandinavian countries are…

Creating opportunities

photo - The Jerusalem Business Development Centre (MATI) helps people create or expand businesses in Jerusalem. Two leaders of the Israeli organization visit Vancouver on May 11 as part of a Canadian tour

The Jerusalem Business Development Centre (MATI) helps people create or expand businesses in Jerusalem. Two leaders of the Israeli organization visit Vancouver on May 11 as part of a Canadian tour. (photo from CFHU Vancouver) Every year, the Jerusalem Business…

Creating a life of inspiration

photo - Near-fatal war injuries led Anat Yahalom to decades of mutual support for injured soldiers and others

Near-fatal war injuries led Anat Yahalom to decades of mutual support for injured soldiers and others. (photo from Jewish Federation) In 1973, when the Yom Kippur War broke out, Anat Yahalom was a young Israel Defence Forces recruit in the…

ABCs on visiting West Bank

According to one tour guide, an hour spent walking around the Aida Refugee Camp in Bethlehem and talking to the residents there is the best way to gain an understanding of the complex conflict that has caused so much suffering.…

Look on bright sides of earth

photo - The southern and northern hemispheres look equally bright in this iconic image of earth, titled “The Blue Marble,” which the crew of the Apollo 17 spacecraft took on Dec. 7, 1972

The southern and northern hemispheres look equally bright in this iconic image of earth, titled “The Blue Marble,” which the crew of the Apollo 17 spacecraft took on Dec. 7, 1972. (photo from NASA) Why do earth’s hemispheres look equally…

BGU moving to solar

photo - Ben-Gurion University of the Negev will soon produce 20% of its energy needs on the Marcus Family Campus from solar energy

(photo from BGU) Ben-Gurion University of the Negev will soon produce 20% of its energy needs on the Marcus Family Campus from solar energy. Recently, solar panels were installed on the roofs of three buildings on campus in the first…

Beauty amid turbulent times

photo - Israeli journalist Yair Cherki

Israeli journalist Yair Cherki (photo from Facebook) Bravo Yair Cherki, the popular, ultra-Orthodox TV news reporter. He recently came out as gay in a wonderful social media post. In part, he said: “I write these words shaking, postponing to tomorrow.…

Not your parents’ Netanyahu

photos - Lihi Shmuely of Israel Hofsheet and Ben Murane of the New Israel Fund of Canada

Lihi Shmuely of Israel Hofsheet and Ben Murane of the New Israel Fund of Canada. (photos from the organizations) Binyamin Netanyahu is the longest-serving Israeli prime minister and should be a known quantity. The government he leads now, however, is…

Israelis not that divided

photo - Dr. Einat Wilf and Mark Regev spoke at a Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs event Feb. 9.

Dr. Einat Wilf and Mark Regev spoke at a Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs event Feb. 9. Canadian Jews who don’t like the look of Israel’s new government should not withdraw from engagement with that country and its discourse,…