By Michael Kuttner…
Israelis celebrating Shavuot proves that this is definitely the Land of milk and honey.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture consumption of dairy products during this Festival increases by about 67% compared to the rest of the year. Supermarket shelves are stocked with a myriad range of items and cheese counters are overflowing with an amazing range to choose from.
As well as culinary customs Shavuot is one of the three pilgrim festivals when Jews visited the Temple in Jerusalem. Aside from its agricultural connection to the annual harvest it is also the anniversary of the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai.
In the Diaspora, Shavuot is often an invisible Chag. In Israel by contrast it is impossible to ignore.
COMING HOME
Thirty four years ago this month, Ethiopian Jews were flown “on the wings of eagles” to the Land they had prayed and dreamed about for generations.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJOb29ZwMhs
YOM YERUSHALAYIM
The foreign media as usual managed to report celebrations in a negative light.
Here by contrast is a glimpse of the real joy on display as Jews rejoiced on the anniversary of the Capital’s liberation.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZdQl3VYwv3Q
THE ROBOTS ARE COMING
Robotic surgery is now an accepted part of hospital medical procedures.
Robots are now being used in industry and other areas.
Learn how this revolution is about to transform Israeli agriculture.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FqZK5RsTAFs
SOLIDARITY
Descendants of Nazi perpetrators come to Israel to show solidarity with the descendants of Holocaust victims.
Watch a moving encounter in Metula – northern Israel.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXb82QHr98o
Michael Kuttner is a Jewish New Zealander who for many years was actively involved with various communal organisations connected to Judaism and Israel. He now lives in Israel.
[This article was originally published on J-Wire and is reproduced here with permission from Michael Kuttner.]
