Zum Thema: 30 Jahre

Plans to Lighten the 700,000 Passport Backlog

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… […]

Ministry of Education Wants Reform

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… […]

What Are the Chances? A Holocaust Survival Story

I wear the name of my great-great-grandmother around my neck every day. It is my name too, my Hebrew name, Lana. I haven’t taken it off for the last 10 years. I bought it on my first visit to Israel. I don’t really ever forget that I am the grandchild of four Holocaust survivors. When… […]

The Anu Museum of Jewish People and Why You Should Visit

Located on Tel Aviv University’s main campus, the Anu Museum of the Jewish People is a history museum with a perspective unlike any other. “Anu” in Hebrew means “we” and this museum is a celebration of us. Built on the principles of openness, positivity, and history this is an interesting, colorful and lively museum, something… […]

How an Open Art Call Raised Funds for Ukraine and Created a Community

Dasha Ilyashenko, an independent curator, had a vision of using art and community to raise funds for Ukraine, while encouraging artists to share their raw response to war and peace through their work. The results? A powerful exhibit whose effects will last long after its end. There were two goals; raise awareness and raise funds.… […]

What is a Gaon and Who Was Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky?

It’s reported that close to a million people attended the funeral of Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky on March 20th, making it the largest funeral in Israel’s history. Dozens of schools were cancelled, roads were closed, traffic was redirected, there was even a special train from Jerusalem to Bnei Brak for those who wanted to pay their… […]

Passover 2022 and the Return of the Tourist Season

The tourism industry as a whole was arguably the most affected by the closing of the borders and the limitations placed on tourists entering the country in the past two years since the onset of Corona. Lockdowns within the country made it that there was no additional stream to cover this difficult period. Thousands of… […]

The Most Diverse Israeli Supreme Court 

Zo Flamenbaum’s Last Israel – Between the Lines Edition –  A Farewell Message For close to 6 years and nearly 300 issues, Zo Flamenbaum published ISRAEL BETWEEN THE LINES week after week with great dedication and journalistic skill, winning many new readers with her refreshing writing style. Zo has opened the doors to many topics… […]

Researchers Find Explanation for Biblical Plague

Tel Aviv University researchers have uncovered why locusts form destructive swarms. Known as the eighth of ten plagues that hit Egypt when the Israelites were enslaved in the book of Exodus, swarms of locusts have destroyed crops and caused famines. In search of the answer to what causes the normally harmless and solitary insects to… […]

Israeli Woman Awarded #1 in Top Innovation CEOs for Baby Formula

Hamutal Yitzhak, CEO of Else Nutrition claimed the number one spot in World Biz Magazine’s list of Top 100 Innovation CEOs. Known for “reshaping infant nutrition,” Yitzhak’s company has developed the first plant-based, dairy-free, and soy-free baby formula, which launched in March 2021.  In addition to factoring in commercial insight and market integrity, the award… […]

“Israel Was My Dream Job”

Urs Bucher is the new Swiss Ambassador to Israel. Although he has only been in the country since September 2021, he has already internalized one important thing about Israel: people here are open to discussion, and he likes that. We spoke to the Ambassador about his plans and expectations for his tenure in the country…… […]

“Complete, Not Compete” – Creating a Culture of Sustainability 

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,… […]

500,000 Trees Cut in the Last Two Years

Despite Israel’s newly announced dedication to counteract climate change, its implementation is questionable. A new plan, proposed by the Environmental Protection Ministry focuses on the afforestation of street trees and has set a 2.5 billion shekel budget to plant 450,000 trees in 100 cities over the next 20 years. The aim is to provide shade… […]

A Brief Note from the Editor – The Israeli-Swiss Association

First, we wish our readers, donors, and friends the happiest new year. We appreciate that you spend your time reading Between the Lines each week. As you know, many organizations that depend on donations are going through difficult times, and donations are being reduced or canceled. We are also feeling these effects, and our 2022… […]

Plans for “Renewable Energy Capital” in Golan Heights

A Brief Note from the Editor – The Israeli-Swiss Association  First, we wish our readers, donors, and friends the happiest new year. We appreciate that you spend your time reading Between the Lines each week.  As you know, many organizations that depend on donations are going through difficult times, and donations are being reduced or canceled.… […]

Over 2,400 Sudanese Refugees Granted Temporary Rights 

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… […]

Jerusalem Seeks More Business

Jerusalem Mayor, Moshe Lion, has a mission to make Jerusalem a hi-tech center of Israel. He’s backing it up with 1.1 million square meters of office space, approved for development in dedicated areas throughout the ancient city. Yet the reality is, that only 7% of employment in Israel takes hold in Jerusalem, and many startups… […]

Saving the Dead Sea with Art 

‘I can’t really save the Dead Sea. Yeah, I’m not a doctor, it’s dying. I can’t save it, but I can help preserve it through art. Because something dying doesn’t mean it’s dead yet. There’s new life being formed here. It’s still a very, very significant place.” This starts the quest of Ari Leon Fruchter,… […]

Get Your Chutzpah Online 

Chutzpah is the secret ingredient to Israeli culture. For the good and the bad, it’s the direct approach to being that may be unwelcome at times, yet is always authentic at least. It’s the reason complete strangers ask how much rent you pay, why you’re not married with a child, and perhaps why Israel became… […]

Lag B’Omer Tragedy on Mount Meron

We mourn for the 45 lives taken by the disaster on Mount Meron and we extend our condolences to their families. Last week on the eve of Lag B’Omer, tens of thousands of Haredim gathered to fulfill their annual tradition to visit the gravesite of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai, light bonfires, and celebrate. However, by… […]