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Israeli medical team to join relief effort for Typhoon Ketsana in the Philippines

Article published in Jerusalem Post on October 9, 2009
By Brian Blondy

An Israeli medical team was set to leave for the Philippines on Thursday night, to aid the victims of Typhoon Ketsana.

On September 26 the storm devastated the country, leaving an estimated 300 people dead, hundreds of thousands homeless and about 2.5 million people affected as a result.

The Israel Forum for International Humanitarian Aid (IsraAID), which is currently coordinating the Israeli assistance, will hold meetings with the local Red Cross, the UN and international aid agencies upon arrival at the coordination center for the relief efforts.

On Friday a team of six Israeli doctors, nurses and paramedics from the organization F.I.R.S.T. (an IsraAID partner) will begin working within the Laguna and Marikina districts, areas that in recent days have seen a rise of food- and water-borne diseases such as leptospirosis, dengue and diarrhea, due to the six-meter-high flooding. Both districts, located in the vicinity of Manila, have suffered a major part of the aftereffects of the disaster.

On the morning of October 2, Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo declared the whole country under a state of calamity.

Typhoon Ketsana brought heavy rains which caused severe flooding in Manila, the Cordillera region and 25 provinces on the northern island of Luzon.

With a 45 cm. rainfall in 24 hours, Manila and the surrounding region have experienced 1.8-meter-high flood waters, which have disabled the city's health and electrical infrastructure.

The IsraAID relief mission is a joint Israeli-Jewish collaboration with partners such as the American Jewish Committee, B'nai B'rith International, the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, UJA Federation of Greater Toronto and the Jewish Federation of Los Angeles.

Ancient synagogue found in Israel

Article published on CNN September 11, 2009
By Kevin Flower

In what was slated to be the site of a new 122-room hotel, archaeologists say they have discovered one of the world's oldest synagogues in Northern Israel.

The site, which was unearthed as preparations were being made for construction of the hotel near the Sea of Galilee, is believed to date back some 2000 years from 50BCE to 100CE.

A large carved stone found during excavations of the recently uncovered synagogue.

In the middle of the 120 square meter main hall of the synagogue archaeologists discovered an unusual stone carved with a seven branched menorah . "We are dealing with an exciting and unique find," said excavation director and Israeli Antiquities Authority archaeologist Dina Avshalom-Gorni.

The menorah engraving is the first of its kind to be discovered from the Early Roman period according Avshalom-Gorni who said the site joins just six synagogue locations that are know to date from the same time.

She said synagogues from this period were extremely rare in part because many Jews during that time were in the habit of visiting the main temple in Jerusalem three times a year as opposed to attending local houses of worship.

Avshalom-Gorni posited that the engraved menorah was done by an artist who had visited the main synagogue in Jerusalem known as the Second Temple where the actual menorah was believed to be kept.

In addition to the engraved stone Avshalom-Gorni said they discovered preserved frescoes on the walls with "vivid" colors.

The synagogue was discovered in area called Migdal, historically an important settlement along the Sea of Galilee, which researchers say was mentioned in ancient Jewish texts as playing a prominent role during what is known as the Great Revolt, when Jews attempted to rebel against Roman rule. Migdal also figures in early Christian writings as the place where Mary Magdalene accompanied Jesus and the Apostles.

Jose Miguel Abat, a legal representative for the company developing the land, Ark New Gate, said the company was thrilled at news of the find and planned to establish a multi-cultural and multi-religious center at the location.

"We are sure this finding and the planned center will attract tourists and visitors from Israel and from around the World," Abat said in a statement.

CNN airs ISRAEL21c story: World's birdlife in danger if Israeli sanctuary closes

City of David archeologists discover ancient fortification

Article published on The Global News Service of the Jewish People September 2, 2009

Israeli archeologists uncovered a large fortification likely used by the Canaanites and dating to the Middle Bronze period. The 26-foot-high and very thick wall was likely used by the Canaanites to protect the path to an important water source, according to the Israel Antiquities Authority.
The discovery, in the “Walls Around Jerusalem" National Park in the City of David, is "the first time that such massive construction that predates the Herodian period has been discovered in Jerusalem,” according to a news release from the authority.

A small section of the wall was discovered in 1909, but the recent excavations determined how large the wall actually is. Nearly 80 feet of the wall has now been uncovered, but it is believed that it continues to run westward beyond the part that was exposed.

The fortification will be revealed to the public for the first time Thursday as part of the 10th Annual Archaeological Conference on the discoveries in the City of David.

Gap to open Tel Aviv store in February

Article published on Ynetnews.com August 25, 2009
By Navit Zomer

Elbit Trade and Retail announces plans to open 5,651 square feet store in Azrieli Center Mall early next year.

After the opening of American fashshion label Gap's first store at the Mamilla pedestrian shopping mall in Jerusalem on Monday, the company will be preparing for the opening of its second store at the Azrieli Center Mall in Tel Aviv in February.

Elbit Trade and Retail, the company that holds franchise rights for Gap in Israel announced on Thursday the opening of the Azrieli store, which will span an area of 525 square meters (5,651 square feet).

The new store will make the mall the first in Israel to house both a Gap store and the international Swedish fashion chain H&M, which is slated to open next April.

The Gap store in the Azrieli Center Mall will be opened on half of the area of the mall's Mango clothing store, which is also run by Elbit Trade and Retail, and in place of the mall's Lucci and Mac stores, which will be relocated to other areas in the shopping center.

Azrieli Center CEO Arnon Toren said talks regarding opening additional Gap store's in other Azrieli Group shopping centers were ongoing.

In addition to the Mamilla and Azrieli Center stores, a Gap branch will also be opened at the Arena Mall in the Herzliya Marina, as well as in other locations.

Latin American Jews building in Jerusalem's Har Nof

Article published on GLOBES [online] August 18, 2009
By Ariel Rosenberg

Latin American Jews building in Jerusalem's Har Nof. Most of the members of the buyers group are Jews from Venezuela and Mexico who are planning to immigrate to Israel soon.

A buyers group of Latin American Jews will build two nine-floor residential buildings in Jerusalem's Har Nof neighborhood.
The Pninat Har Nof will exploit the hilly topography of the site to build 70 terraced apartments of three to six rooms each. The project will also include a synagogue and Beit Midrash, spa, fitness rooms, sports fields, a banquet hall, underground parking, and a park.

Most of the members of the buyers group are Jews from Venezuela and Mexico who are planning to immigrate to Israel soon. The buyers group was organized by Moises Benarroch, a resident of the neighborhood who immigrated to Israel 13 years ago.