Who are the Israelis?

[rylah]

The unexpected rise of Israel’s baseball team
Team Israel’s success inspired people at home and abroad. As the team approaches the 2020 Olympics

When the news broke that Israel had qualified for next July’s Tokyo Olympic Games in baseball, many locals raised an eyebrow. “Baseball? I didn’t even know it’s played in Israel!” was the common refrain. “How on earth did we get to the Olympics?”

Well, nobody denies that most of the squad members are not really Israeli, rather American Jewish players who received citizenship in order to play on the national team.

Israel Association of Baseball President Peter Kurz was the man with the vision, recruiting top Jewish American players including former major leaguers.



“This is going to be baseball’s breakthrough year in Israel,” Kurz told ISRAEL21c upon returning home from the qualification tournament in Italy.

Kurz said IAB plans to stage “all kinds of events throughout the year, to bring the players here for training camps and exhibition games – and make baseball popular in this country.”

Baseball is a minor sport in Israel, played mainly by immigrants from the United States and their offspring. Several hundred amateur baseball players take to the diamond regularly in five leagues from age 6 to adult.

Israeli Baseball Team Qualifies For 2020 Olympics

 

[rylah]

3 years ago, Michael Mark was murdered by Palestinian terrorists in front of his family.

A Palestinian "A" helped the victim's family and because of this was shunned by the Palestinian Authority and forced to live on the streets.

Today, "A" received Israeli residency.

 

[rylah]

History was made by Sagi Muki as he becomes Israel’s first male World Champion!

To conclude an epic battle he attacked Casse his Belgian opponent off of the grips to confirm his top spot on the podium!

While when Sagi Muki went to shake hands with the Egyptian opponent after the battle he encountered disrespect and disregard. On the other hand, after winning the final he favored and encouraged the Belgian opponent.

World champion!

#JudoAbuDhabi on Twitter

 

[rylah]

Speaking to a Diverse Group of Startups in the Galilee #355

Spent the day up north speaking to a group of diverse entrepreneurs. Young, older, religious, secular, Jewish, Arab, and more. I went up there after Elisha Kuchar asked me to come speak to the accelerator there. We then went to Shaul Nakash's new hotel, The Setai Sea Of Galilee סטאי כנרת to have lunch.

A short and sweet episode to end the week. Enjoy!

 

[rylah]

The man thanks to whom a whole tribe immigrated to Israel
Today is the day of remembrance of Dr. Feitlovich who renewed the relationship with Ethiopian Jewry

After many years in which no memorial was held in memory of the late Dr. Jacob Feitlowitz z"l,
today at 4 pm a memorial service will be held and Kaddish will be said on his grave in Nahalat Yitzhak Cemetery.

His name may not be familiar to many Israelis, but his work and memory are recognized and appreciated by the Ethiopian community. Feitlovich is probably the only person to be credited with the beginning of the connection between Ethiopian Jews and the rest of the Jewish community in the world, followed by the very immigration of a tribe that could've been forgotten in history.

Dr. Feitlowicz was born into a Hasidic family in Poland. During his studies at the French Sorbonne, he became acquainted with the existence of Jews in Ethiopia, and since then has devoted his entire life to reconnecting them with the rest of Israel. For that he recruited 80 rabbis from all over the world, including the Chief Rabbi of Israel, Rabbi Kook ztz"l, wrote letters of support for these Jews, and raised funds from world Jews, especially from Baron Rothschild, for the purpose of establishing a body that would take care of the needs of the community and the establishment of a Hebrew teaching school for the possibility of bringing them to Israel.

Feitlovich even researched and documented their traditions, as he learned during his stay with them, and being well versed in their languages also translated many of their writings to display them in the world. From 1903 until his death in 1955, wandering back and forth Ethiopia and Europe.

Feitlovich was also known for his efforts to thwart the Christian mission's attempts to work in those years in Ethiopia to persuade members of the Beta Israel community to accept Jesus. In 1906, a missionary magazine published a letter from a converted missionary from Jensa, Ethiopia, describing how, after four hours of preaching, one of the Falesh elders approached him and said to him:"Not long ago, a Jew from France was in Gonder and took two of our young men with him. When they return, will tell us if our faith is right or your faith. Until then, we will remain Falesh. Don't try to convert us."

In gratitude to this eminent man, it is worth at least the day of his passing to command his burial place. Today, a preliminary move will begin in this direction, when a memorial service will be held in the minyan on his grave in the old cemetery in Nahalat Yitzhak, located on the border of Givatayim and Tel Aviv.

As mentioned above, among the Ethiopian community, till these days his work has been recognized and appreciated. The fact that his memory and contribution is not sufficiently well known to Israelis requires a correction; Not only in memory of him personally, but also in relation to such an important, significant and symbolic chapter in the history of Zionism in general, and of the Ethiopian Jews in particular.

Source: The Man Thanks To Whom A Whole Tribe Immigrated To Israel

 

[rylah]

Nahum Nevis, who was wounded in a terror attack in Gush Etzion, is fighting for his life - the family asks to pray for his recovery
The 17-year-old, who was seriously injured in a run-over by a terrorist in Gush Etzion, is undergoing surgery in Hadassah Ein Kerem hospital. The family asks to pray for Nahum Elimelech Rafael Ben Zahava Rivka

17-year-old Nahum Nevis, who was severely injured in a crash in August in Gush Etzion, entered a complex head surgery at Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital in Jerusalem on Tuesday afternoon.

The family asks the public to increase prayers for him: Nahum Elimelech ben Zahava Rivka.

Nahum has suffered a severe head injury and has undergone surgeries several times since the attack in mid-August. The hospital said: "The head injury is severe and will be a long process of treatment. This is not the first surgery that Nahum has undergone. He was immediately admitted for a surgery when he arrived and this saved him from death."

In an attack that occurred at the Elazar junction in Gush Etzion, Nahum's 20-year-old sister, Naoam Nevis, was injured too. She was released from Hadassah Hospital about two and a half weeks after the attack.

When she left the hospital, Noam said, "I thank all the people of Israel. In everything that I have been through since the attack, I am surrounded by good emissaries and I am wrapped up in help and it is not obvious to reach this day that I am being released."

Nahum and his sister Noam, who live in the village of Elazar in Gush Etzion, left for the bus stop at Elazar junction in order to join their family members who were on vacation in the north.

As they made their way on the sidewalk from the crossing to the bus station, the terrorist who was driving the vehicle accelerated towards them, and struck them with great force. Noam was moderately injured and Nahum very severely.

A police officer who passed by and spotted a vehicle speeding toward a bus stop hitting the two young people, recognized that the terrorist was trying to get out of the car, fired and neutralized him.

Nahum Nevis, who was wounded in a terror attack in Gush Etzion, is fighting for his life
- the family asks to pray for his recovery

 

[Mindful]

 

[Mindful]

Israel blocks terrorists. Palestinians block Critics.
by Bassam Tawil
October 30, 2019 at 5:00 am

• On the one hand, leaders of the Palestinian Authority (PA) condemn Facebook for "surrendering to Israeli pressure" and taking action against those who incite terrorism and hate speech. On the other hand, the same PA leaders keep pressuring Facebook to silence Palestinians who demand an end to financial and administrative corruption in the PA.
  
  
• "[E]very time Fatah posts a new terror message on Facebook encouraging violence or presenting murderers as role models, hundreds of thousands of Palestinians are given more motivation to kill Israelis. Facebook still chooses to do nothing to stop it." — Itamar Marcus, Jerusalem Post, September 11, 2019.
  
  
• What Abbas and his senior officials apparently fear is that the current wave of anti-corruption protests sweeping Lebanon and other Arab countries may reach the West Bank. They appear nervous that their critics and political rivals will use social media to encourage Palestinians to revolt against corruption and tyranny.
  
  
• For these leaders, when they turn to Facebook to clamp down on criticism and voices calling for reform and democracy, that is good government. However, when Israel tries to silence those who seek to spill more Jewish blood -- well, that is criminal.

Israel Blocks Terrorists, Palestinians Block Critics

 

[rylah]

World Judo Champion, Israel's Sagi Muki

TRENDING | An Iranian judoka coerced by Tehran to lose at the Judo World Championship last week congratulated his Israeli counterpart in a social media post on Monday.

Saeid Mollaei, who confirmed that he was forced to throw a match in Tokyo on Wednesday, took to Instagram to praise the eventual gold-medal winner, Israeli star Sagi Muki.

"Congratulations champion," Mollaei commented on a message Muki posted after the winning the prestigious competition.

 

[rylah]

TRACING TORAH: A ‘SEEING ISRAEL’ SMARTPHONE PHOTO ESSA

As night gathers over the birthplace of Kabbalah, a devout Jewish scribe readies his tools alongside a nearly-completed Torah scroll (Click on the photos to view a full-sized image in a new browser window. All photos: www.davidbrianbender.com, All Rights Reserved. “Behind-the-scenes” photographic notes follow).

As he prepares, cool, pine-scented air wafts through the painted arches of Safed’s striking 16th Cent. Abuhav Synagogue.

Biton’s ink-stained fingers deftly carve, and then attach a nib to a split bamboo stylus, and he takes a seat at a cloth-covered table along the bima.

Biton and others present intently study the quality of the hand-lettering, previously prepared by another scribe.

In the sacred silence, Biton whispers an ancient blessing to help focus on his crucial deed; one misspelled letter would invalidate the entire scroll.

“I have placed God before me, always” (Ps. 16:8), emblazoned above the opening to the Aron Kodesh, where the scrolls are kept.

This is the second such Torah donated by the Elishkovs of Rishon L’tzion, both occasions marking the Bar Mitzva of sons of the Georgian immigrant family.

One after another, Biton gently rests the hand of the son, then, father and then guests upon his own, as he repeats the sacred act, painstakingly inking letter after letter.

Each Jew is enjoined to write their own Sefer Torah; this ritual allows them to partner in the holy moment, and become living links in the chain they themselves forge.

After the ceremony, the scroll takes its place among the other scrolls brought over the centuries from locations across the Middle East, back to their ancestral home.

A synagogue member kisses a Torah scroll, reposing within the Aron Kodesh.

See all the pictures: Tracing Torah: a ‘Seeing Israel’ Smartphone Photo Essay

 

[rylah]

 

[rylah]

Dictator Erdogan Doesn’t Want You To Watch This Video

Erdogan is an innocent dictator!At least that's what he is telling himself.
Turkish dictator Erdogan spoke at the UN a month ago where he presented an info graphic that shows Israeli "occuaption" of Palestinian land.

And the truth? WATCH!

 

[rylah]

IDF Veterans Organize Pro-Kurdish Protest in Tel Aviv

DAILY DOSE | IDF veterans took part in a pro-Kurdish protest,
marching from the Turkish embassy to Tel Aviv municipality.

 

[rylah]

Israeli and Brazilian Soccer Stars Play Match for Peace

Israeli and Brazilian legends of soccer meet in the city of Haifa to play in their first ever "peace match" — a friendly game between some of the biggest stars of both countries.

 

[rylah]

BRAZILIAN SOCCER LEGEND CAFU WORKS WITH ISRAELI COMPANY TO PROTECT AMAZON
The company is now partnering with leading figures and sports clubs to help spread awareness about sustainable activities.

Brazilian soccer legend Cafu has partnered with Israeli sustainability start-up VeganNation in an ambitious initiative to protect the endangered Amazon Rainforest.

Cafu, who captained the Brazilian national team to World Cup glory in 2002, will serve as the company’s sustainability ambassador.

Established by Isaac Thomas, VeganNation is seeking to create the first-ever fully vegan economy, including the launch of the Vegan Coin cryptocurrency and social marketplace based on blockchain technology.

VeganNation recently secured a 10-year lease to preserve 15,000 acres of the Amazon Rainforest, all acquired with the Vegan Coin currency. The land will be open to preservation groups and activists, and prevent exploitation or destruction of the land by governments and business.

The company is now partnering with leading figures and sports clubs to help spread awareness about sustainable activities.

“It is really important to have a healthy environment, and to help the Amazon – a really important cause to embrace and be a part of,” said Cafu, visiting the company’s offices. “Athletes are opinion-builders and influencers. We have to use our opinions to bring something good and positive to the planet. Sometimes we close our eyes to our own problems, but if everybody helps the world together, we will have a better world.”

Cafu is joined in Israel by other ex-Brazilian stars, who played together in a “Shalom Game” against former Israeli professionals at Haifa’s Sammy Ofer Stadium on Tuesday.

VeganNation has already signed sponsorship deals with four teams in northern Brazil for its “United Saving the Amazon” campaign, and is in the process of securing three additional deals in the country.

“It is always amazing to be in Israel – everything here is sacred. We went to places that bring us a sense of holiness,” said Cafu, marking his second visit to Israel. “We feel how Israeli people like Brazil and understand that Brazilians like Israel as well. It is emotional to come here and feel this.”

Read full article: Jerusalem Post

 

[rylah]

10 of the most fabulous open-air markets in Israel
ISRAEL21c guides you to the top places for buying everything from fresh produce to flea-market treasures, with lots of places to snack along the way.

The shuk –– an open-air market where stalls are filled with sumptuous and vibrant seasonal Israeli produce, spices, fresh fish, dry foodstuffs, housewares, and even trendy eateries — is the lifeline of every Israeli.

Cookbooks are inspired by it, as is the healthy Israeli lifestyle. Fresh fruits and vegetables make up the base of a colorful diet, and lugging home kilos of said vegetables provides daily exercise.

A produce stand at Carmel Market, Tel Aviv. Photo by Jessica Halfin

The inspiration for Adeena Sussman’s Sababa and Einat Admony and Janna Gur’s Shuk — two Israeli cookbooks out in 2019 — Tel Aviv’s Carmel Market is where the city’s chefs and locals hang out, dine, shop and soak up the Israeli culinary scene.

There you’ll find fresh produce, but not only. You’ll also pass by cheap clothing stalls, fast-food spots, including the original Beer Bazaar, and this hummusia that looks like a synagogue.

If you’re diligent, behind the market’s main food stalls you can find shops selling home goods, kitchen tools, meats and Asian specialty products.

As with Machane Yehuda, the area surrounding Carmel Market is also a great place to grab a meal or drink at many trendy restaurants and bars. In the adjacent Yemenite Quarter (Kerem HaTeimanim) you can buy a filling plate of authentic Yemenite food at establishments such as the famous Shimon Melech HaMarakim (Simon King of Soups).

Read full article: 10 of the most fabulous open-air markets in Israel

 

[rylah]

Israeli Fashion Designer Wins Karl Lagerfeld Prize at LVMH 2019

An Israeli fashion designer has won the Karl Lagerfeld Prize for young fashion designers at the LVMH Prize 2019 competition, created to honor and support young fashion designers around the world.

This is the first time an Israeli designer has won the prestigious award, a secondary prize at the competition that comes with a €150,000 ($164,500) monetary gift.

LVMH is the French multinational luxury goods conglomerate headquartered in Paris.

Designer Hed Mayner, a graduate of Jerusalem’s Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design, was chosen from 1,700 global designers in 100 different countries to receive the prize.

“I am so proud to be the first Israeli designer to ever enter this competition, let alone win this prize,” said Mayner in a statement. “I spend a lot of my time in Paris, but Israel is always part of who I am, there is a sense of freedom here that cannot be felt anywhere else in the world. I am thankful for all the help Bezalel Academy gave me in supporting my freedom of creative thinking and choices as a young fashion designer.”

Mayner’s designs incorporate the traditional tailoring techniques of clothing worn by ultra-Orthodox Jews as well as military outwear resembling the IDF uniform. His menswear collection was presented at Paris Fashion Week and his clothes are sold at boutiques and department stores around the world including Galeries Lafayette and Dover Street Market.

Mayner came in second place behind South African designer Thebe Magugu. Mayner’s prize was renamed the Karl Lagerfeld Prize earlier this year in memory of the late Karl Lagerfeld, head designer for Fendi, Chanel, and his own self-named brand and one of the most acclaimed fashion designers in the world.

The competition, in its sixth year, took place last month at the FLV in Paris. Judges in the category included Maria Gracia Curio, creative director at Dior, designer Marc Jacobs, Nicola Gascier, creative director of LV, and Claire White Keller, artistic director at Givenchy.

Israeli Fashion Designer Wins Karl Lagerfeld Prize At LVMH 2019 Competition

 

[rylah]

Israel’s Aleph Farms Makes Lab-Grown, Slaughter-Free Steak…In Space

Where’s the beef? Looks like it’s in space.

Israeli clean meat startup Aleph Farms, which unveiled the world’s first slaughter-free steak grown from animal cells late last year, says it has conducted a most unusual experiment to make its meat product on the International Space Station (ISS) some 248 miles (339 km) away. The ISS is a low-orbit space station that serves as a microgravity and space environment research laboratory between five participating space agencies: NASA, Roscosmos (Russia), JAXA (Japan), ESA (Europe), and CSA (Canada).

Aleph Farms said the project was a bid to demonstrate its “mission to provide sustainable food security on Earth, and beyond, by producing meat regardless [of] availability of land and local water resources.”

“In space, we don’t have 10,000 or 15,000 liters (3962.58 gallons) of water available to produce one kilogram (2.205 pounds) of beef,” said Didier Toubia, co-founder and CEO of Aleph Farms, in a statement.

Founded in 2017 by Toubia and Professor Shulamit Levenberg as part of a collaboration between Israeli food tech incubator The Kitchen, and the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Aleph Farms says its 3D technology enables it to mimic traditional cuts of beef in both structure and texture. Just without beef’s huge environmental impact, its heavy resource requirements, or its contribution to climate change.

Its method to produce cultivated beef steaks relies on mimicking a natural process of muscle-tissue regeneration occurring inside the cow’s body, but under controlled conditions. The startup says it implements a combination of six unique technologies that allow it to drop the production costs of the meat, including innovative approaches to an animal-free growth medium to nourish the cells, and bioreactors – the tanks in which the tissue grows.

In December, Aleph Farms unveiled the first prototype of lab-grown steak in the world – to much fanfare.

To conduct the experiment, Aleph Farms teamed up with Russian company 3D Bioprinting Solutions, which develops implementations of 3D bioprinting technologies, and two American companies, Meal Source Technologies and Finless Foods, to carry out the process on September 26. Aboard the Russian segment of the ISS, they used a unique technology of magnetic biofabrication, developed by 3D Bioprinting Solutions, to produce bovine, mummichog and rabbit myoblast/fibroblast constructs provided by Aleph Farms, Finless Foods, and Meal Source Technologies, respectively. All under microgravity conditions.

3D Bioprinting Solutions said in a statement that the joint project lays the groundwork for renewable protein sources for long term manned missions.

Aleksandr Ostrovsky, co-founder of 3D Bioprinting Solutions and Meal Source Technologies said, “We believe that biofabrication of cultured meat in space has several unique advantages such as sustainability, personalization, and biosafety. What is more, creating cultured meat products in space may grant invaluable scientific insights for implementation of this technology on Earth.”

Hailing a “successful proof of concept,” Aleph Farms said the cutting-edge research “in some of the most extreme environments imaginable serves as an essential growth indicator of sustainable food production methods that don’t exacerbate land waste, water waste, and pollution.”

Read full article: Israel's Aleph Farms Makes Lab-Grown, Slaughter-Free Steak…In Space

 

[rylah]

Maran HaRav Ovadia Yosef ztz"l

This evening in Israel - we celebrate the life and legacy of one of the greatest leaders of the generation, who's memory and influence is carved in the hearts of all Israelis, old and young, both Jews and Arabs. The 'Fist to Zion' - Maran HaRav Ovadia Yosef ztz"l.

 

[rylah]