Jerusalem’s first haredi weighlifting competiton; Eilat’s first-ever documented visit of a blue whale;  a day in the life of a volunteer for Ezer Mizion “Linked to Life” group; and much more!

By: Michael Ordman

THE JEWISH STATE

Jerusalem’s first Haredi weightlifting competition

Proving that spiritual strength and physical strength are not incompatible.

First visit by blue whale

After the first official UK Royal visit to Israel last week, Israelis and tourists in Eilat were treated to the first-ever documented visit of a blue whale, the largest of all whale species and the largest mammal. The 20-meter whale swam just 300 meters from the beach, before continuing south.

https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5274780,00.html

What goes around, comes around

Here is an account of a volunteer for Israel’s Ezer Mizion “Linked to Life” group. On one day she drives people to visit relatives in hospital; next, she’s being driven to see her relative in hospital; while she is there, she arranges someone to bring another patient’s medicine to the hospital.

http://www.ezermizion.org/blog/the-view-from-both-ends-of-giving/

Even non-observant Jews can have Shabbat off

The Israeli Knesset (Parliament) has approved an amendment to a Sabbath law that will allow Israeli employees to request not to work on Shabbat even if they are not religiously observant. The law recognizes that many secular Jews enjoy Shabbat traditions,

https://www.jta.org/2018/06/20/news-opinion/amendment-sabbath-law-allows-non-religious-take-off

For the Redemption of Zion

A bronze coin from 69 CE was uncovered recently during wet sifting by a volunteer at the City of David Sifting Project located near the Mount of Olives in Emek Tzurim, Jerusalem. The coin reads, ‘For the Redemption of Zion.’ The coin was minted just before the destruction of the 2nd Temple.

https://worldisraelnews.com/jewish-revolt-coin-testament-to-rebels-prayers-against-defeat-by-romans/

Celebrating independence

4th July is a double celebration for many Israelis. On American Independence Day 1976, the IDF mounted a daring operation to independently restore the independence of more than 100 Israeli and Jewish civilians held hostage by Arab and German terrorists at Entebbe airport in Uganda.

https://unitedwithisrael.org/on-july-4-israels-everlasting-entebbe-freedom-spirit-celebrated/

Jewish law in the modern world

The annual Katz awards are for excellence in implementation of halakha (Jewish law) in modern life. The 2018 winners were Rabbi Yehuda Herzl Henkin, Rabbi Yosef Zvi Rimon, and Rabbi Asher Zelig Weiss.

https://baltimorejewishlife.com/news/news-detail.php?SECTION_ID=37&ARTICLE_ID=105053

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