Two Videos, Two Treats!

After a fairly busy week (mostly with studying, not to mention attempting to learn Hebrew...more updates about that later) here are two video's from two events highlighting Israel.

The first video is from Israel 21^st Century which highlights world/corporate leaders at the Facing Tomorrow Conference.

Many of these individuals seemed to be very impressed with the Jewish state--more of which can be seen over here.

The second video is from a speech Prime Minister Stephen Harper of Canada gave, expressing his belief that a threat against Israel is a threat against the "Great White North" (note: what those of us in America call our northern neighbors).

That video (which is a must see) can be seen over at IsraelPlug.com.

Note: I'll be picking up the pace with posts later on this week, so stay tuned! ;-)

Aliyah News: More Jews From North America

(Image: Immigrants arriving from the US, Credit: Niv Calderon via Ynet)

It looks as if more Jews from Canada and the United States are uprooting themselves and migrating over to the kosher state. The state of Israel has not seen these levels since the 1980's, and it seems as if more Jews are returning to their homeland.

(Ynet News) The Aliyah Department of the Jewish Agency for Israel is anticipating that immigration to Israel from North America will increase between 5 and 10 percent this year, marking the highest aliyah from North America in 25 years. In 2006, 3,200 residents of the US and Canada formally became Israeli citizens, the highest figure since 1983.

Some 300 New York area residents who will move to Israel this summer will participate Monday (July 2) in a farewell reception hosted by the Jewish Agency in Manhattan, in conjunction with the Israel Consulate, with Ambassador Dan Gillerman, Israel's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, addressing the group. Similar farewell receptions have been held this month in Toronto, Boston, Miami, and Rockville, Maryland.

The new Israeli's range in age from toddlers to individuals in their nineties (with one being a holocaust survivor!). North America has been a hard market for the Aliyah agency (mainly because it is very comfortable here).

Hopefully more Jews will follow their brethren over the ocean and through the clouds as Israel could definitely use these newcomers advice (especially in politics!).

Astronauts Visit Israel To Honor Ilan From Columbia

Two Astronauts, one from NASA and the other from the Canadian Space Agency have decided to take a trip towards the holy land in order to pay their respects and appreciation for Ilan, the Israeli astronaut who died in the Columbia explosion.

(Jewish Telegraphic Agency) Joseph Tanner from NASA and Steve MacLean from the Canadian Space Agency were scheduled to take part in memorial events this week for the Columbia crew.

"When Ilan was in space, we all felt the excitement and uniqueness of his task," said Rona Ramon, the astronaut's widow.

"Space captures the imagination. I am glad to be with Steve and Joseph today, who are good friends who continue to perpetuate Ilan's memory."

I personally remember hearing the explosion of the shuttle when I was in Texas, as it was fairly early in the morning and very loud (it sounded like someone blew up a gas tank down the street).

Although both Israel and the US mourned the loss of Ilan and the crew, it is good to see astronauts still honoring his memory, along with others who risk their lives to bring a greater understanding of our universe.