Special-needs band frontrunner for 2019 Eurovision contest, Celebrating Jerusalem’s mosaic of cultures, Israeli startup devises urban communal living, and much more!

By Michael Ordman

ISRAEL IS INCLUSIVE AND GLOBAL

Special musicians

One of the front runners to be Israel’s representative at the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest is the Shalva Band. It is made up of eight special members – a group which was formed at the Shalva National Children’s Center in Jerusalem, through their music therapy program. Amazing video.
http://israelbetweenthelines.com/2019/01/24/young-band-wins-hearts-in-israel/

Celebrating Jerusalem’s mosaic of cultures

Jerusalem’s mayor Moshe Leon held the traditional annual reception for the heads of the city’s religious denominations – Jewish, Greek Orthodox, Catholic and Muslim. All spoke of their commitment to interfaith coexistence, tolerance, freedom of worship and the status quo.
https://www.jewishpress.com/news/breaking-news/religious-leaders-celebrate-jerusalems-beautiful-mosaic-of-cultures/2019/01/24/

Urban communal living

For those people who yearn for the Kibbutz social experience without leaving the big city, Israeli startup Venn has devised urban communal living. It comprises shared living spaces, shared transportation, community amenities, services and neighborhood events.
http://israelbetweenthelines.com/2019/01/16/communal-living-makes-a-comeback/  https://venn.city/

Buying land to save endangered species

The NGO TiME (This is My Earth) founded by Israel’s Uri Shanas, has purchased a marine area off the coasts of Belize containing corals with several endangered species. It is TiME’s third land purchase and first ocean site. The area will become a locally managed nature reserve.
https://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Culture/TiME-continues-to-purchase-land-containing-endangered-wildlife-576539

Israeli rescue team flies to Brazil

Israel was the only country in the world to send a team to help search for survivors of the collapsed mining dam in Brumadinho, Brazil. The 130-member IDF search and rescue team recovered many bodies and tracked down a group of 15 people, believed dead but very much alive and well.
https://www.jpost.com/International/IDF-delegation-in-Brazil-Situation-unlike-anything-weve-seen-before-579342   https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5455171,00.html

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