In addition to cutting edge technological achievements, Israel is also a country where miraculous events occur and history is made and rediscovered… writes Michael  Kuttner.

This week’s round up discovers a Hezbollah Rabbi, reminds us of forgotten Jewish refugees, learns about Jews who suddenly realize that Germany is not the Promised Land and updates the ongoing aid Israel is providing to a hurricane damaged community.

PUERTO RICO VILLAGE THRIVES THANKS TO ISRAEL AID 

Israel’s aid to stricken communities in far flung countries and territories is not a flash in the pan. This video demonstrates how Israeli expertise, innovation and sheer determination can achieve a huge improvement in the lives of those affected. Long term projects bring immense improvements which are appreciated by the residents. You will not see this in your local media.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6RwbWf5gP2c

THE GRASS IS NOT ALWAYS GREENER

 The cost of living may be cheaper and salaries may be higher but is Europe in general and Germany in particular the new Promised Land? For an increasing number of Jewish teenagers who were either born in or accompanied their parents to the old “fatherland” as children are now discovering the same old demons are stalking them again.

Unlike during their grandparents’ time there is now a country which welcomes them with open arms and where living openly as a proud Jew is normal. In an ironical repeat of history there is a developing sense amongst many youngsters and also their parents that the writing is on the wall.

Watch how this is developing:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8L28hrhTsAI

THE INVISIBLE JEWISH REFUGEES

Hardly anyone is either aware of or remembers the Jewish refugees who were forced to flee from Arab and Islamic countries. That is because these Jews are no longer refugees having been successfully absorbed and integrated into Israel and other countries.

Contrast this with the scandalous situation of Arab refugees for whom the international community is still coughing up millions of dollars in order to keep them in the same squalid camps they have been in for seven decades.

This video succinctly outlines the facts. It should be widely circulated especially to politicians and groups so that the truth can be exposed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1COVgAM1bRY

A JAMES BOND STORY

A new film exposes the amazing exploits of a Lebanese Moslem man who spied for Israel while at the same time being a member of the Hezbollah terror group. It describes how he was caught, tortured and miraculously managed to escape to Israel.

If you thought that was amazing enough his conversion to Judaism and qualifying as a Rabbi is one of those events which are an only in Israel moment.

The full length movie will at some stage come to a foreign film festival near you. In the meantime enjoy this short introduction and meet the man himself.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlYrcI6zUOQ

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.]