Jerusalem Post’s Barbara Sofer lists 68 reasons to be proud of Israel as it celebrates its 68th Independence Day; JNF Missions transcend the boundaries of a standard trip and provide participants with a deeper connection to the land and people of Israel, and much more.

By: Michael Ordman

THE JEWISH STATE

Happy 68th birthday

Jerusalem Post’s Barbara Sofer lists 68 reasons to be proud of Israel as it celebrates its 68th Independence Day. There is one that I hadn’t reported previously – included now in the Medical section. And see how Israelis journey from Yom HaShoah to Yom Ha’Atzmaut.
http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/The-Human-Spirit-68-newest-reasons-plus-1-453220
https://rjstreets.com/2016/05/11/from-yom-hashoah-to-yom-haatzmaut/

Come home for a visit

JNF Missions are experiences unlike any other. In addition to visiting many of the cultural, religious and historical highlights of Israel, JNF Missions transcend the boundaries of a standard trip and provide participants with a deeper connection to the land and people of Israel.
http://www.jnf.org/travel/missions/

Lighting the torches

Christian leader Father Gabriel Nadaf lit a torch at the Israeli Independence Day torch ceremony. Other honorees included the widow of Israel’s first astronaut, a deaf Holocaust survivor, a Nepal aid worker, IDF soldiers and everyday heroes.
http://www.timesofisrael.com/ilan-ramons-widow-to-light-independence-day-torch/

Robots play Hatikvah on xylophone

As part of their holiday series, Technion students have built something special for Israel’s Independence Day – the world’s most Zionist robot.
http://www.timesofisrael.com/meet-the-worlds-most-zionist-robot/

Outstanding Zionist immigrants

There are six winners of the Sylvan Adams Nefesh B’Nefesh Bonei Zion Prize for 2016. The award recognizes outstanding Anglo Olim – veteran and recent – who encapsulate the spirit of modern-day Zionism by contributing in a significant way towards the State of Israel.
http://www.nbn.org.il/boneizion/

NYC boy donates all his Bar Mitzvah money to Israel

Noah Helfstein from New York has donated all his Bar-Mitzvah money, $76,000, to bring the first-ever “Maker Bus” – a mobile technology lab – to less fortunate children throughout Israel. The advanced 3D printer on the bus allows the production of almost any object.
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4790256,00.html

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