|
 |
Shalom Friends!
 One of the meanings of Chanukah is rooted in the Hebrew word "chinuch"="education". According to Rebbe Nahman of Breslev, the story of Chanukah can be used to educate us about how to progress in our spiritual work. The first step is to ”fight the Greeks” who represent darkness and bad foreign influences. Only then, we can begin to light candles or, in other words, express “the good”. Finally, there’s no rest in that process as the numbers of candles grows daily …
In this newsletter you can read about Olive oil in the past and today, a Chanukah experience of a new immigrant, Jerusalem’s light railway project and its impacts, and an Environmental Tour in Israel.
Enjoy your reading
Itay Ya'ari
|
|
|
|
Olive Oil
 The most popular Street name in Israel is "Hazait"="Olive street"
Of biblical Israel's seven species, Grapes, Wheat, Barley, Figs, Dates, Pomegranates and Olives, the last certainly stands out. Over 90% of the world’s olive oil is produced in the Mediterranean. Mentioned over 200 times in the bible, the olive and its oil are very important components of the Israeli landscape, culture, diet and religion.
|
|
|
|
A Different Channuka
 I have been in Israel little more than a year. Each holiday I experienced here felt richer and more engaging than the same holiday experienced in the states,
save one....... Channuka.
By Israel Kestenbaum
|
|
|
|
Jerusalem between Greeks and Macabees
 Looking at Jerusalem’s skyline, it is no wonder some have joked that the national bird of Israel should be the Crane, given the large amount of construction this city is enduring.
The controversy about the light railway bridge well reflects the dilemma about the future face of Jerusalem.
|
|
|
|
Environmental Tour
 Having been to Israel with regularity since 1970, and having led several tours to Israel and Jordan in recent years, I was beginning to think that I had seen and done most of what responsible tourists should see and do, until the environmental oriented tour I recently took in Israel changed my mind…
By Rabbi Allen B. Bennett
|
|
|
|
