Dispatch from Jerusalem

Gas Find Could Bring Peace or Conflict

{image_1} For years, it seemed that Israel was the only Middle Eastern nation lacking in oil and natural gas. More recently, however, Israel has gone from pauper to prince in the energy field in a short time, with large natural gas discoveries in the Mediterranean Sea inspiring dreams of energy independence, increased revenues, and perhaps even energy exports. But there is more potential to Israel’s energy discovery than just dollar signs. In a world where Israel’s friends seem to be shrinking in number, the Jewish state’s newly found resources offer the potential for political breakthroughs.

Israel’s Biblical Zoo

{image_1}Anyone traveling to the Holy Land and visiting Jerusalem will find an amazing commemoration of two biblical events at Israel’s 62-acre (25-hectare) zoo: creation and Noah’s ark. Both of these events have something in common—animals. Situated amidst the bustling, modern neighborhood of Manahat, the Tisch Family Zoological Gardens, or better known as the Jerusalem Biblical Zoo, is an ideal picture of God’s love for creation. Here, the theme of creation and the miraculous account of the ark are beautifully woven together.

Forbidden Fruit?  Apple Cake

{image_1} The question has been asked time and time again: Was it really an apple back there in the Garden? When Eve fed Adam that single bite that would change the world, was it the sweet, crunchy fruit we have all enjoyed since childhood or was it, in fact, something else?

Faith: Belief or Action?—Emunah

{image_1} I’ll never forget the conversation I had with Dr. Bernard Resnikov, who at the time was the Director Emeritus of the American Jewish Committee. I knew him as Bernie, a warm grandfatherly man, who had an incredible way of communicating. Bernie was talking with me about the importance of interfaith dialog between Christians and Jews. I knew that he participated in many such gatherings, even sponsoring some of them.

Power to the People

{image_1}The Israeli government has opened a digital “suggestion box”—an Internet site (www.shituf.gov.il/) where anyone can register their opinion about bills placed before the Knesset (Parliament) and suggest amendments to government regulations, ordinances and laws. (Actually, some Israelis have gone straight to the top, sending 45,000 e-mails to the prime minister over the past year with suggestions as to how he should run the government.) Such input will be fed to the relevant authority, although no official response is promised to senders.

On the Lighter Side… And The Walls Came Tumblin’ Down….

{image_1}A massive 14-meter-long (46 feet-), six-meter-high (20 feet-) stone wall at a Jaffa (near Tel Aviv) building site collapsed overnight, burying more than nine parked cars under the rubble. What made this freak accident enticingly newsworthy?

IDF Develops New Navigation System

{image_1}Israel Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers will soon receive outside help navigating on foot in the form of an electronic system the size of a matchbox. “We have learned that the navigation systems that exist today— the map and the GPS—do not supply all of our needs, so it was necessary to develop a new system,” Lieutenant-Colonel Zalman Adar told Ynet. The system was developed over the last two years by Elbit and the IDF. Army sources say it does not require satellites or aerial photographs to work. “The system…works by documenting steps or movement,” Adar explained.

16% Increase in New Immigrants

{image_1}More than 19,000 olim [Jewish immigrants] chose to make their home in Israel in 2010. There are significant increases in the numbers of olim from Latin America, Belgium, Australia and New Zealand, Switzerland, and even India.

Intel Invests $2.7 Billion in Israel Facility

{image_1}In an unstable business environment, when US companies are scaling back and weathering bad times, Intel has made a surprising business move. The chipmaker announced in January that it will invest US $2.7 billion in its Israeli plant in southern Israel, which will produce next-generation 22-nanometer chips.

BFP in Action: Why Feed Israel’s Needy?

You might ask, “Why should I send money to Israel to feed the needy, when there are so many problems all around me?” Many of our faithful supporters are from countries facing disasters. In Japan, a 9.0 earthquake and subsequent tsunami and nuclear threat have devastated the country. (We have yet to hear from many of our Chai leaders there, who lead groups in prayer for Israel.) Floods have also devastated Australia and South Africa, and New Zealand is still having aftershocks from recent earthquakes.

{image_2}

High unemployment in the UK and the USA is causing concern, and many college-educated Japanese young people are unable to find work. The world is rife with truly worthy causes. If you look at the global situation with natural eyes, you might not think to send a donation to Israel. But, if you are seeing the world through God's eyes, with your spirit man, then you most likely are already writing a check.