We have reached an anniversary we would rather not have had to remember… writes Michael Kuttner.
It is one year since lockdowns, masks and social distancing were the order of the day. Twelve months of watching and waiting for the Corona pandemic to wane and lose its potency. Yet here we are still having to take precautions and wondering whether this Purim will once again undo all the positive scientific achievements of our researchers and medical personnel.
We all hope that life will return to some sort of normality by the time Passover arrives so that this year we can dispense with the plague which has afflicted all of humanity.
Meanwhile, on the other hand:
CONVERSION OF A DIFFERENT KIND
The country’s new “Air Force One” designed to transport the Prime Minister has completed conversion and is now undergoing trials.
In a country where any sort of conversion not sanctioned by the Chief Rabbinate generates controversy this addition to the air force is no exception with critics upset at the price tag.
On the other hand paying for special charter planes to transport our PM to overseas destinations most probably adds up to an even larger amount over a period of time.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sAXFMirMKc8
OUT OF THIS WORLD
Israeli researchers are not content to confine their activities to this planet alone. They are also probing the mysteries of outer space and other universes.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lP-6H2iym4k
HOLY JABS
Pre Passover cleaning and preservation work has already commenced at the Western Wall.
It is definitely a more complicated exercise than spring cleaning our homes and therefore needs to be started much earlier.
Predictably it will no doubt attract condemnation from all those peace loving and religious freedom champions who will accuse Israel of “Judaizing” parts of our Capital.
Just as the Kotel has survived over two thousand years of ceaseless efforts to erase our connection to the Temple Mount no doubt we will overcome these latest efforts as well.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uk-zbcxzgPk
INTO SPACE ORBIT
Tel Aviv University’s first nanosatellite has been successfully launched into space.
This is another small step for Israeli innovation and a giant step for ingenuity and research into cosmic radiation.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E–jNznQc14
SAVING LIVES
When one mentions the IDF the first thing that normally comes to mind is the image of a world class fighting force dedicated to the security and defense of Israel.
Usually under reported and most often ignored is the humanitarian aspect of our defense forces especially when it comes to responding to disasters overseas.
No matter how far and difficult Israel’s teams of rescue experts is ready to fly to any part of the world to help. Quite often they are the first to arrive and sometimes Israel is the only country which appears on the scene.
Bear these facts in mind as the UN and its associated groups spend their time on continual condemnations of the Jewish State.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EbNMDJnEE5s
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.]
