By Michael Kuttner…
One of the phenomenal aspects of life in Israel is a determination, after any tragedy, to rebound, rebuild and renew.
Remembering calamities is important but not letting them defeat you is even more critical. It explains why during the last seven decades the country has forged ahead in so many fields.
Three recent announcements exemplify this spirit.
* Freed Gaza hostages Sasha Troufanov and Sapir Cohen, who were in a relationship prior to their abduction, announced their engagement on Wednesday.
The couple was abducted from Kibbutz Nir Oz on October 7 while they were visiting Troufanov’s family.
At Sheba Medical Center, following Troufanov’s February 15 release from captivity, now-fiancée Sapir Cohen told local media, “He prayed I’d find another man, thinking he’d never return. But I waited.”
* Some 600 cows have returned to Kibbutz Kissufim in the Gaza border region this week, nearly two years after the kibbutz’s dairy farm was destroyed in the aftermath of the October 7 massacre, Channel 12 News reported on Wednesday.
The cows are now housed in a newly built, state-of-the-art cowshed.
The rebuilt dairy farm is expected to produce nearly five million liters of milk annually, representing a 25% increase over its pre-war output.
* The Transportation and Communications ministries announced this week a NIS 68 million plan to improve cellular reception for passengers traveling on Israel Railways, following the completion of a successful pilot project.
BEHIND THE NEWS
A visit to Israel by a delegation of moderate European Muslim leaders was unsurprisingly ignored by the international media.
President Herzog hosted them at his official residence in Jerusalem.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5k_FoRMgZb8
They also visited Yad Vashem, holy sites and survivors of the 7 October 2023 massacres.
It is important to remember that these Islamic leaders are paying a heavy price for their displays of solidarity with Israel and Jews.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4htp4b6zQCw
COPING WITH LOSS
As a result of the recent war and the ongoing conflict in Gaza there are large numbers of children who have lost fathers, brothers and other family members.
This video explains a unique programme of summer camps which help to heal and restore the lives of Israel’s most vulnerable generation.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJ9vxFDapFw
AI AND ARTWORK
Artificial intelligence is now a fact of life.
It is now being used by an Israeli artist to produce stunning artwork.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYB_QQM8aLA
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.]
