By Katharina Hoeftmann Ciobotaru Another measure to lower the cost of living in Israel has been introduced. The government wants to now adopt European food safety standards and most Israeli guidelines are to be repealed. The changes affect, among other things, the production and import of canned vegetables, pasta, rice, sweets, spices, soup powder, condiments and… […]
The 21st Maccabiah Games, the third-largest sporting event in the world after the Olympics and the FIFA World Cup, brought in over 10,000 athletes from 65 countries to compete in 3,000 events in 42 sports. The games have been held every four years in Israel since 1932, with the participation of many Jewish athletes from all over… […]
An Ecological Village or ecovillage is defined as a community with the goal of becoming more socially, culturally, economically and ecologically sustainable. These villages strive to produce the least possible negative impact on the natural environment through intentional design and ways of living. Clil, Adama, and Kadita are some of larger villages located in the… […]
If you have to renew your passport in Israel, there’s only one thing someone may tell you, “good luck.” During the pandemic many Israelis were reluctant to travel. Now that things are getting closer to normal, people are making travel plans once again and realizing that their passports are expired. There’s currently a backlog of… […]
Education Minister Yifat Shasha-Biton this week unveiled further planned reforms for Israeli schools. Since she already gave the debt directors more financial opportunities and decision-making power at the beginning of the year (the Israeli school system is extremely centralized, so that debt directors have hardly any room for flexibility), she has now planned further changes… […]
While I didn’t fully grasp it at first, my curiosity outweighed my cynicism. I was one of 60 others at the first WHT IF gathering, an aspiring culture movement, waiting to reach a surprise destination about 90 minutes past the Israeli border. Five minibuses filled with people, from Holland to Iraq and everywhere in between,… […]
In what has been a long battle after thousands of Sudanese asylum seekers escaped genocide in 2013, the Israeli government has been ordered by the High Courts to make a decision on refugee status, or grant temporary rights. The announcement comes as “a significant step for us as some have been waiting more than eight… […]
When 65-year-old Sarah Halimi was in her apartment in Paris, her 27-year-old neighbor decided to break in, brutally beat her, and then throw her out of a third-story window – targeting her because she was Jewish. The hate crime happened in April 2017, and Kobili Traore, the Muslim man who committed the crime, is now… […]
Unemployment numbers in Israel continue to drop with the reopening economy, yet people under 34 seem to be staying stagnant. With unemployment benefits in place until mid-June, almost half, or 47.4%, of the young and unemployed are not incentivized to return to work. With COVID-19, many receive 70% of their paycheck, at least until June… […]
Since Sunday, Israelâs outdoor mask requirement has officially been lifted. People are still required to wear masks in enclosed public spaces; however, the removed restriction, in place for just over a year, is proof of the ample progress being made towards extinguishing the coronavirus crisis. Sunday also saw a return to regular schooling. Youth are… […]
From the outside looking in, Israel is surely a Jewish state; however, for the many layers of Jewish Israelis living within, the identity remains unclear. An Independence Day survey by the Jewish People Policy Institute, or JPPI, surveyed 806 Jewish-Israelis, from secular to ultra-religious, and the wide array of differing opinions is clear. While 98%… […]
After last year’s Independence Day was spent in lockdown, this year has garnered a brand new appreciation for âindependence.â Israel continues to cautiously reopen, with businesses, restaurants, culture spots, and general energy back to full flourishing. Wednesday evening and Thursday are lined up with organized parties, barbecues, and gatherings across the country. The annual Israeli… […]
