Their is nothing more annoying rewarding than contacting a foreign government in order to haggle for a Visa so that you can visit that country in the near future (provided the government does not make you wait for several months). Joking aside, it looks as if US is seriously thinking about removing the Visa requirement (after briefly considering it last...

Turkey seems to be the prime spot for Israeli’s to “get away from it all,” beating even the United States (which came in second place). (Globes Online) Turkey was the most popular holiday destination for Israelis, with 195,000 visitors in August 2007, 15% of total outgoing travelers, the Israel Airports Authority reports. The second most...

It looks as if the United States is considering passing a bill that would enable Israeli citizens to travel to America without the need for a Visa (which, from what I’m told is a very annoying process to apply for). (Ynet News) The US Congress is said to vote on new security legislation, which allows for countries that had 10% or less of their applications...

You will have to read the entire article to understand the author’s perception of Israel (which she admits is hard to describe) but her encounter with the Jewish state is very similar to the one I had (except my view of Israel before visiting was a lot more horrific). (NY News.com) The dry and dusty image I had of Israel is totally wrong. In early spring,...

Apr 29, 2007

(Image Credit: Young Judaea, via JTA.org) Here are two stories featured on the Jewish Telegraphic Agency regarding Aliyah, or Israeli’s returning to their homeland. The first deals with one actually committing aliyah with the second story highlighting someone encouraging more Jews to do so. (Jewish Telegraphic Agency) Living in Israel had been my dream,...

Apr 23, 2007

Aish.com has an awesome article for those of you (whether Jewish or Gentile) seeking to make Aliyah to Israel. There are ten tips total, but here are a listing of the first three: Keep an Open MindElad Gefen, 27, who works in film and journalism and currently lives in Tel Aviv, highlights open-mindedness and lack of expectations as the number one ingredient for...

It looks like more and more Jews from the Diaspora are choosing their eternal homeland as the place to tie the knot rather than more exotic destinations in their countries of origin. (Jewish Telegraphic Agency) In recent years an increasing number of Jewish couples from abroad looking for an alternative to a formal wedding at home or a more typical remote...

It looks like Israel is beginning to respond to the requests of their Ethiopian kin. (Ynet News) The State of Israel is in the final stages of bringing Ethiopian Jews of the Falashmura from the outskirts of Adis Ababa to Israel. The Interior Ministry reported that so far, over 90 percent of the Falashmura were found eligible to immigrate to Israel. This is good...

If anyone has ever flown anywhere, whether over seas or across your country, one which often slows boarding is the airport checkpoint. Usually it takes five minuets per person (if not longer) to search their belongings, and with a hundred plus people boarding a plane, the lines can seem like forever. However this may all change thanks to some Jewish...

I forgot to post about this, but New York Mayor Bloomberg is either going to be visiting Israel fairly soon, or is actually in Israel checking out the sites as I type. (New York Daily News) Mayor Bloomberg will travel to Israel next week to announce that a new station of the Israeli emergency medical service in Jerusalem will be named after his late father, City...

(Hat Tip: Judeoscope) Here is a snippet from a student (with Palestinian ancestry) who visited the holy land and describes his overall trip while visiting the kosher state. (Adam Dalifallah) Israel is a fascinating country. Its people are friendly, knowledgeable, westernized — and most of all, tolerant. They have an amazing sense of purpose and resilience...

It looks like some of the worlds best and brightest students (not to mention prestigious) will be visiting the holy land in order to get a glimpse of what Israeli life is all about. (Ynet News) Harvard University, one of the top ranked universities in the world, will allow students to study abroad in Israel, according to Government Secretary Yisrael...