Chinese Jewish descendants start a new life in Israel

The seven arrivals from eastern China with Jewish roots became the largest such group to ever arrive in Israel.
By Cnaan Liphshiz
Seven Chinese people with Jewish roots landed at Ben-Gurion Airport on Tuesday to start a new life in Israel, becoming the largest such group to ever arrive here.
The group from Kaifeng, in eastern China, was taken to Kibbutz Sde Eliyahu in the north, where they will attend Hebrew enrichment (ulpan) classes.

A group of four girls from Kaifeng previously studied Hebrew on the kibbutz in 2007-2008.

Two of the arrivals from Kaifeng - which in the Middle Ages had had a 5,000-member Jewish community - speak basic Hebrew and two others speak English. "Though the community disappeared, some Kaifeng Jews passed on Jew
ish traditions to their descendants, who are now exploring their roots," said Michael Freund, the New York-born chairman of Shavei Israel, the Jerusalem-based organization that brought the Kaifeng seven to Israel in the framework of its efforts to help people of Jewish origins back into Judaism's fold.



Via http://www.haaretz.com/

Ari Gold - how not to act on Yom Kippur


Yes, admittedly we're getting in a little early with the Yom Kippur schtick (Sept 17th-18th 2010 for those playing at home), but please enjoy anyway.

Videos contain strong language.







Leonard Cohen performs in Israel - speaks Hebrew!

Leonard Cohen decided to finish is European tour in Israel to a sold out crowd at Ramat-Gan stadium near Tel-Aviv. Cohen who considers himself to be an observant Jew, and who volunteered with the IDF during the Yom Kippur War gave an anciet priestly blessing in Hebrew at the end of his concert.







Follow a young Melbournian Jew who just made Aliyah

Jake Wytwornik, a 22 year-old Melbourne Jew made Aliyah last month.

Jake, like 72% of us, went to a Jewish school. He was also an active member of the Zionist youth movement -Bnei Akiva.

Follow Jake on his blog http://jacobw2010.blogspot.com/ as he embarks on this amazing journey.
As a side note, the United Israel Appeal is instrumental in helping Jews from all over the world come home! Through helping with flights to Israel, funding immigration centres, and assisting Jews who face persecution in various countries, UIA truly is saving Jewish lives!

Funny Jewish inventions!

Have you ever arrived to a kiddush late? Not sure what page the congregation's on in shule? Can't decide what to name your baby?

Then you should probably check out this hilarious video!