The Israeli ambassador in Santo Domingo, Amos Radian, is in contact with the authorities in Haiti to find an appropriate site for building an Israeli Children’s Village and to obtain the necessary approval. The project plans include an elementary school that will operate in two shifts; a playground/sports field; and a medical center. The site could also be utilized for conducting evening adult education classes. A planned community center will work with youngsters on post trauma treatment and counseling, psychological rehabilitation and afternoon activities.

In coordination with the mayor of Port au Prince, a local principal and teaching staff will be recruited for the school, which will be comprised of 6-8 classrooms (between 30-50 students per class). They will be joined by professionals from Israel and, possibly, volunteer teachers from Jewish communities around the world. Meals will be provided to the school through an arrangement with various NGOs.

Photos: MFA, IsraAid

Five-year-old girl gets "back on her feet" with help from Israeli team

Photos: IsraAid

Government

ממשלה

רישמי

בינלאומי

אישור

קהילה

טיפול

עזרה

Most evidence suggests that the concept of "masquerading in costumes" (on Purim) is a fairly recent addition to Purim, which was added sometime during the past five hundred years – in Europe. The exact date is debated. The practice probably did not exist in Middle Eastern countries earlier than 150 years ago. Sources in the oral law (or even some mystical works), which describe the validity of "hiding" (as it relates to Purim) are referenced to support this practice.

Dressing up in masks and costumes is one of the most entertaining customs of the Purim holiday. Children in particular enjoy dressing up as the protagonists in the Book of Esther, including Queen Esther and Mordecai; other Biblical personalities such as King David and the Kohen Gadol ("High Priest"), and modern-day costumes from flower girls to indigenous peoples of the Americas to animals to policemen.

Costumes and masks are worn to disguise the wearers’ identities. Mistaken identity plays an important role in The Book of Esther, as Esther hid her cultural origins from the king, Mordecai hid his knowledge of all the world’s languages (which allowed Bigthan and Teresh to discuss their plot openly in his presence), and Haman was mistaken for Mordecai when he led Mordecai through the streets of the capital city of Shushan.

More: http://he.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D7%A4%D7%95%D7%A8%D7%99%D7%9D

Pictures courtesy of JerusalemShots.com

Purim in Jerusalem  JerusalemShots.com

JerusalemShots.com

Purim Carnival, Jerusalem JerusalemShots.com

תחפושת

ויכוח

אישיות

כהן

חיות

טעות

משעשע

Now, the Israel Air Force has graduated its first woman fighter pilot since the early 1950s. A woman has completed the ship captain’s course in the Israeli navy. Some combat units have women incorporated into them. Most military professions are open to women and the Israel Women’s Network played a significant role in the process of integrating women into the armed forces.

In November 1995, the High Court of Justice in Israel delivered a landmark decision granting women the right to volunteer for pilot-training courses in the Israel Air Force. The petition was submitted by Alice Miller, who had been denied the right to take exams for the pilots training course. She was represented by the Israel Women’s Network and the Association for Civil Rights in Israel.

In its revolutionary decision, the Court ruled that the Israel Air Force must allow Alice Miller to take the qualifying tests for pilot training, and if found eligible, to participate in the pilot training program. The court also ordered the Air Force to initiate an experimental program to facilitate integration of women into pilot training courses.

In subsequent years, the military and other security forces have opened many positions to women that were closed for decades. However, an ongoing debate continues as to the role of women in the military and the degree of integration of women and men. IWN continues to participate in the ongoing Knesset committee sessions that focus on women’s role in the military, in order to achieve maximum integration of women.

Rescue operation drills conducted by the Homefront Command

A rescue operation drill conducted by the Homefront Command in the ruins of an old building

A female soldier preparing for a drill

Pictures courtesy of
Mahal-IDF Volunteers
www.mahal-idf-volunteers.org

גיוס

רשות

פקיד

צבא

ויכוח

עצומה

חיל-אויר

מקצוע