Israel21C, Yael Naim Produce Powerful, Creative Video for Israel 60th Birthday

Israel21C, Yael Naim Produce Powerful, Creative Video for Israel 60th Birthday

By Joel Leyden
Israel News Agency

Jerusalem ----- May 9, 2008 ....... Israel21C, a non-profit, non-political Website which creates, aggregates and broadly disseminates high-quality information to the American public, has produced a truly colorful and uplifting video in celebration of Israel's 60th birthday.

Israel21C's which describes her mission as delivering news to the global public which transcends the pervasive imagery of conflict that characterizes so much of western media reporting.

"Our goal is to strengthen the vibrant and enduring partnership between the United States and Israel, and between Americans and Israelis," says Israel21C Executive Vice President Larry Weinberg.

The Israel 60th birthday video is entitled: The Faces and Places of Israel in the 21st Century.

The video is compilation of the many diverse faces and places in Israel. The 60th birthday video of Israel carries a musical soundtrack, a sweet tune by French - Israeli Yael Naim - I'm A New Soul - which is hard to forget. Without any doubt this new video from Israel21C celebrates the diversity, vibrancy, innovativeness and beauty of Israel in the most simple and basic manner.

Weinberg recently introduced Israel21C's new, enriched Website. The site embraces positive news about Israel, everything from health, technology, medicine and democracy to Israel wine, food and music. Weinberg promises that over 15 pro-Israel stories will appear on the site per week.

Israel12C also features Faces of Israel, illustrating everyday a new and different Israeli who will talk about their life and passions about Israel.

Another feature of Israel21C is a newsletter blog entitled Israelity which recently featured: The secret weapon of the stars - Israel bodyguards, EcoOcean where Jacques Cousteau would have been proud of Israel non-profit organization EcoOcean. Solving product problems with Israel's FixYa. An Israel start-up company that developed an online service which gathers all product support information scattered through the Internet in a single user-friendly location. More importantly, however, the site is also a huge Q and A knowledge base that is constantly updated by a live community of experts and consumers who share their experience of technical problems and solutions.

Israel21C also highlights how the music of Israel's David Broza brings Masada to American TV viewers. A feature on Chaim BePlus, Living on the plus side of the bank in Israel and Mindy Wenner Ajzner, an Israel immigrant from Toronto, who decided that instead of just giving charity to help the poor of Israel, she would create an organization to help them learn how to handle their finances. Chaim BePlus (living on the plus side) was set up in November 2006 to train youngsters in money management using an education model provided by the US National Endowment for Financial Education fund. The courses have been such a success that today Azjner has expanded the classes to parents, teachers and senior citizen groups. And finally an Israel design for an 'Energy Tower' which may reverse the very process of global warming.

Israel21C discovers and produces news and feature material which highlights Israel's many accomplishments. These include: The cell phone which was developed in Israel by Israelis working in the Israel branch of Motorola, has its largest development center in Israel. Most of the Windows NT and XP operating systems were developed by Microsoft - Israel. The Pentium MMX Chip technology was designed in Israel at Intel. Both the Pentium-4 microprocessor and the Centrino processor were entirely designed, developed, and produced in Israel. The Pentium microprocessor in your computer was most likely made in Israel. Voice mail technology was developed in Israel. Both Microsoft and Cisco built their only R&D facilities outside the US in Israel.

The technology for the AOL Instant Messenger ICQ was developed in 1996 by four young Israelis. According to industry officials, Israel designed the airline industry's most impenetrable flight security. US officials now look to Israel for advice on how to handle airborne security threats. Israel's $100 billion economy is larger than all of its immediate neighbors combined. Israel has the highest percentage in the world of home computers per capita. Israel has the highest ratio of university degrees to the population in the world. Israel produces more scientific papers per capita than any other nation by a large margin - 109 per 10,000 people - as well as one of the highest per capita rates of patents filed.

In proportion to its population, Israel has the largest number of startup companies in the world. In absolute terms, Israel has the second largest number of startup companies after the US (3,500 companies mostly in hi-tech).

With more than 3,000 high-tech companies and startups, Israel has the highest concentration hi-tech companies in the world - apart from the Silicon Valley, US. Israel is ranked number 2 in the world for venture capital funds right behind the US. After the United States and Canada, Israel has the largest number of NASDAQ listed companies. Israel has the highest average living standards in the Middle East. The per capita income in 2000 was over $17,500, exceeding that of the UK. On a per capita basis, Israel has the largest number of biotech startups. Twenty-four percent of Israel's workforce hold university degrees - ranking it third in the industrialized world, after the United States and Holland - and 12 percent hold advanced degrees.

Israel is the only liberal democracy in the Middle East. In 1984 and 1991, Israel airlifted a total of 22,000 Ethiopian Jews at risk in Ethiopia to safety in Israel. When Golda Meir was elected Prime Minister of Israel in 1969, she became the world's second elected female leader in modern times. When the US Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya, was bombed in 1998, Israeli rescue teams were on the scene within a day - and saved three victims from the rubble.

Israel has the third highest rate of entrepreneurship - and the highest rate among women and among people over 55 - in the world. Relative to its population, Israel is the largest immigrant-absorbing nation on earth. Immigrants come in search of democracy, religious freedom, and economic opportunity. Israel was the first nation in the world to adopt the Kimberly process, an international standard that certifies diamonds as "conflict free."

Israel has the world's second highest per capita rate of publishing new books.
Israel is the only country in the world that entered the 21st century with a net gain in its number of trees, made more remarkable because this was achieved in an area considered mainly desert. Israel has more museums per capita than any other country.

In the field of medicine, Israeli scientists developed the first fully computerized, no-radiation diagnostic instrumentation for breast cancer.

An Israel company developed a computerized system for ensuring proper administration of medications, thus removing human error from medical treatment. Every year in US hospitals 7,000 patients die from treatment
mistakes. Israel's Givun Imaging developed the first ingestible video camera, so small it fits inside a pill. Used to view the small intestine from the inside, the camera
helps doctors diagnose cancer and digestive disorders.

Researchers in Israel developed a new device that directly helps the heart pump blood, an innovation with the potential to save lives among those with heart failure. The new device is synchronized with the heart's mechanical operations through a sophisticated system of sensors.

Israel leads the world in the number of scientists and technicians in the workforce, with 145 per 10,000, as opposed to 85 in the US, over 70 in Japan, and fewer than 60 in Germany. With over 25 percent of its work force employed in technical professions, Israel places first in this category as well. A new acne treatment developed in Israel, the ClearLight device, produces a high-intensity, ultraviolet-light-free, narrow-band blue light that causes acne bacteria to self-destruct - all without damaging surroundings skin or tissue.

An Israel company was the first to develop and install a large-scale solar-powered and fully functional electricity generating plant (in southern California's Mojave desert).

The above, positive achievements by Israel for humanity in her first 60 years speaks volumes.
One can only imagine what the next 60 years will bring in enhancing the quality of life for Jewish, Christian and Muslim children and their children's lives.

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ISRAEL NEWS AGENCY

Video Captures Israel Remembering IDF Fallen, Terror Victims

Video Captures Israel Remembering IDF Fallen, Terror Victims

By Joel Leyden
Israel News Agency

Jerusalem ----- May 7, 2008 ....... As sunset falls on Israel, thousands of ordinary people gather in every city and town. They come to attend solemn ceremonies for Yom Hazikaron, the day to remember and pay respect for those who gave their lives to defend Israel.

The names of over 22,400 soldiers and terror victims are called out and their photographs are displayed on large screens. Brave IDF soldiers who fought in every war since 1948, police who were killed protecting the civilian population, members of the Shabak and Mossad are honored.

Remembrance Day for the Fallen of Israel's Wars is commemorated a week after Holocaust Remembrance Day, as a day of remembrance for those who fell in the struggle for the establishment of the State of Israel and in its defense.

The Israel News Agency filmed a video this morning to illustrate what it felt and sounded like before, during and after the two minute air raid siren sounded for Remembrance Day in a town in central Israel.

At 8 p.m. and then again at 11 a.m. the following morning, loud, wailing air raid sirens are heard throughout Israel for two minutes. People and cars freeze in their places. Silence is observed as everyone stands and bows their heads in respect. For 24 hours all places of entertainment are closed and television programming is dedicated to those who have and continue to defend Israel.

All of Israel has the opportunity to remember its debt and express its eternal gratitude to its sons and daughters who gave their lives for the achievement of the country's independence and its continued existence.

"The siren sounded across the country and the clock of life in Israel stopped for one minute," said Israel Prime Minister Ehud Olmert at the opening of his speech at the Remembrance Day ceremony on Mount Herzl in Jerusalem, Israel.

"Israel Remembrance Day is a sad day but bereft of all strife and very Israeli," Olmert said. "Anyone who identifies with the flag, even if he is on the other end of the planet will identify with this day. No one in Israel is estranged from the impact of loss."

"Only you, the families, take part in the world of the loved ones who are gone," Olmert said. "Dear families, I cannot console you with words, for they do not offer relief for the sorrow."

"Our entire national existence depends on our willingness and ability to defend ourselves, to battle the enemy. Your sons and daughters gave their lives for a supreme cause," the Prime Minister said.

"Peace and not war is our ends and the thing we long for."

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ISRAEL NEWS AGENCY

Israel 60th Birthday Peres Presidential Conference - Facing Tomorrow

Israel 60th Birthday Peres Presidential Conference - Facing Tomorrow

By David Marcus
Israel News Agency

Jerusalem ----- May 7, 2008 ....... The idea could only have started with Israel President Shimon Peres, the man who has witnessed up close and person more historic events during Israel's first six decades of statehood than arguably any other person alive today, going back to 1948 when he was one of founding Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion closest, and youngest advisers.

Peres decided last year that it was not enough to review the Jewish state's achievements, challenges and milestones reflectively. Rather, the emphasis for Israel must be on looking forward. Thus was conceived the first annual Israel Presidential Conference, a three-day unparalleled assembly of some of the world's "best and brightest," including equally large representations of Presidents and Prime Ministers, current and past, and Nobel Laureates, to name but two special categories that will be fully represented at the gathering in Jerusalem, Israel from May 13 to May 15.

Thus was the flagship international event commemorating Israel's 60th Anniversary celebrations was born, with Israel President Shimon Peres hosting his premiere “Facing Tomorrow” Conference which will welcome many international leaders to Jerusalem including President George Bush. The Conference was initiated personally by Israel President Peres to address the three main “tomorrows:" the Israel tomorrow, the global tomorrow and the Jewish tomorrow.

Israel President Shimon Peres. One of Israel's founding fathers
and the catalyst for the first Israel President's Conference.

In attendance, in addition to many national presidents and heads of state will be dignitaries from the worlds of business and academia. Among them are Sergey Brin, founder of Google and Susan Decker of Yahoo. Dr. Miriam and Sheldon Adelson will be serving as the honorary chairpersons for the Israel 60th Birthday Presidential Conference which has enthusiastically attracted the attention of Jewish leaders and others worldwide.

The entire cost of the Israel Presidential Conference has been raised privately through a historic fundraising initiative chaired by Elliot Broidy, Chairman of Markstone Capital Partners and supported by a committee of two-dozen business people from across the international community.

US President George W. Bush will be a headline guest of the conference, serving as keynote speaker at a celebratory dinner marking 60 years of Israel - American friendship. A multi-media gala event will pay tribute to the historic alliance between the two countries featuring entertainment acts from both countries and addresses by US President George W. Bush and Israel President Shimon Peres as well as Israel Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.

Present and former presidents, prime ministers and senior officials from 27 countries will take part in the conference.

Jewish Nobel Prize winners will pool their brain power to offer insights about what tomorrow will look like. Key luminaries in economics, science, technology, medicine and philosophy will take part in the major plenary sessions, as well as in 35 panels that seek no lesser a goal than to help shape the face of tomorrow.

Facing Tomorrow will be a conference of focused exploration, a synergistic gathering of major world leaders, Jews and non-Jews, thinkers and doers, poets and physicists, rabbis and entrepreneurs, including the next generation of leadership - young men and women of exceptional promise and originality.

In addition to plenary meetings, working groups and a host of keynote speakers, 39 panels will span a broad spectrum of topics, from Economic Strategy as an Engine of Peace to Wrestling with Creation: Medical Ethics and New Discoveries in Research and Treatment; from The Jewish Self and Jewish Collective Identity in an Era of Multiple Identities to Constructing Dialog with Islam, New Roles for Religious and Cultural Leaders. Most panels, plenary meetings and keynote addresses will be simulcast on the World Wide Web.

Each “tomorrow” - Jewish, Israel, and world - will be examined through a set of four critical lenses: The value systems that are meant to guide our conduct, the leadership necessary to navigate the challenges ahead, the creativity required to embrace the new, and the notion of evolving, mutable, and sometimes multiple identities as we attempt to keep pace with a rapidly changing and digitally interconnected world.

Participants at the Israel Presidential Conference Facing Tomorrow will grapple with the forces and trends, global and local, that are redrawing the contours of the future. This, however, is only one aspect of the conference's work. Facing Tomorrow will also be a laboratory for practical initiatives intended to nurture the thriving of Israel, of the Jewish people, of humanity.

Across the millennia, the echoes of the Jewish biblical prophets have been heard, repeated, and often gone unheeded. Envisaging a just and peaceful tomorrow, they charted our thorny way forward, and gave us the moral armor for the journey. With great passion, they instructed us to explore and shape a better future, and continue to provide us with the inspiration and commitment to do so. In the spirit of the magnitude of the prophets' vision, and yet with all due humility, Facing Tomorrow will address the challenges and opportunities that await us.

Even well before the Israel 60th Birthday Presidential Conference, it is already nearly impossible to find an available hotel room in Jerusalem. Eight Israel hotels in Jerusalem have announced that they are at full capacity. Ben Gurion Airport is readying itself for non-stop arrivals as President's Conference guests from around the world stream in to Israel.

At Binyanei HaUma, the Israel President's conference site, employees are working non-stop to transform this Jerusalem, Israel convention center into a world-class venue for the various plenary and panel sessions. Hundreds of stewards and students will host the conference attendees, and the Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs is preparing to welcome and assist the many world leaders.

The Israel Presidents Conference communications team includes 50 seasoned spokespeople and public relations professionals to serve the hundreds of journalists from Israel and abroad expected to cover this extraordinary event. A media center has been built at the convention site that can serve around 400 members of the media.

"This Conference is one of those rare larger than life assemblies, totally imbued not only with history and reflection, but with important insights into how we can create a better future for all mankind," said Charley J. Levine, the international media consultant to Facing Tomorrow and perhaps Israel's leading and most respected international PR professional.

"The global media will help convey these exciting discussions to every corner of the earth," said Levine. "There is something unique and deeply meaningful about this event, as very wise people from different walks of life resume the prophetic function that has been associated with Jerusalem, Israel for millennia - truly the word will be coming out of Jerusalem in May in a significant manner for the Jewish people and all humanity."

The Israel President's Conference has been identified by Israel President Shimon Peres as the ideal avenue to communicate Israel's many accomplishments to the international community. A major highlight of the three day event will be an extensive exhibition featuring 60 of Israel's leading companies whose innovations are seen as positively benefiting humanity in truly revolutionary ways.

The JPPPI, an independent think tank, supported in part by the Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI), is the organizational body responsible for the conference. Israel Maimon, Israel's former Cabinet Secretary is the Conference Chairman and Israel Ambassador Avi Gil is the Director of Conference Content.

"This Conference is one of those rare, larger than life assemblies, totally imbued not only with history and reflection, but with important insights into how we can create a better future for all mankind." Charley J. Levine, the international media consultant to Facing Tomorrow.

Senior statesmen and world leaders scheduled to attend include Dr. Henry Kissinger, former US Secretary of State, Va'clav Havel, former President of the Czech Republic, Leonid Kuchma, former President of Ukraine, Mikhail Gorbachev, former President of the USSR, Wahid Abdurraham, former President of Indonesia and Tony Blair, former Prime Minister of the UK.

Leaders in the fields of technology and the global economy include: Sergey Brin, founder of Google, Susan Decker, President of Yahoo!, Terry Semel, founder and former President of Yahoo!, Ratan Tata, Chairman of the Tata Group, Rupert Murdoch, Chariman of News Corporation, Susan Greenfield, British scientist, writer, broadcaster, and member of the House of Lords, Morris Levy - CEO of Publicis Corporation and Martin Sorel - CEO of the WPP Advertising Group.

In addition, seven Jewish Nobel Prize winners will take part in a special Israel 60th Birthday First President's Conference discussion grappling with the future of the Jewish people and the State of Israel. Other Jewish intellectuals participating include Bernard-Henri Le'vy, Professor Alan Dershowitz and Professor Todd Gitlin.

The above Israel News Agency story was edited and optimized SEO for the Internet by Joel Leyden.

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Israel Air Force 60 Birthday Flyover Show - Tel Aviv, Israel

Israel Air Force 60 Birthday Fly Over Show

The Israel Air Force has announced that they will flyover several cities in honor of Israel's 60th birthday celebrations.

The IAF will fly over Tel Aviv, on May 8th, directly above the beach near Allenby Street between 1-2 pm.

Enjoy the show!

" Facing Tomorrow : " The Israel Presidential Conference 2008

" Facing Tomorrow :" The Israel Presidential Conference 2008

Sheldon & Dr. Miriam Adelson Named 60th Anniversary Mega-Event's Co-Chairs

JERUSALEM, Israel, March 10 / IsraelNewsAgency.com - Facing Tomorrow, the first
annual conference of Shimon Peres' presidency will take place in Jerusalem
May 13-15, marking Israel's milestone 60th anniversary, at the International
Convention Center.

World leaders both Jewish and non-Jewish, thinkers and doers, artists and
scientists, rabbis and entrepreneurs including the next generation of
leadership will take part in the event.

The conference will examine what the future holds for the global
community, the Jewish people and the State of Israel. It will also focus on
Jewish and Israeli contributions to humanity.

Confirmed conference participants thus far include: former British Prime
Minister Tony Blair; French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner; former
President of the USSR Mikhail Gorbachev; former US Secretary of State, Dr.
Henry Kissinger; former Czech Prime Minister Vaclav Havel; President of
Georgia Mikheil Saakashvili; Nobel Laureate Elie Wiesel, Ambassadors Martin
Indyk and Dennis Ross, New York Times columnist Thomas L. Friedman and
Professor Alan Dershowitz.

Business luminaries such as Google founder Sergey Brinn, Mark Zuckerman,
founder of Facebook, Chairman and CEO of News Corporation, Rupert Murdoch and
Ratan Tata, Chairman, the Tata Group have also confirmed their participation.

Honorary Chairs of The Israel President's Conference are: Dr. Miriam and
Sheldon Adelson. Sheldon Adelson is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of
the Las Vegas Sands Corporation, Miriam Adelson heads the Dr. Miriam and
Sheldon G. Adelson Drug Rehabilitation Clinics in both Tel Aviv and Las
Vegas. Yair Green, attorney-at-law, will serve as Co-Chair. Elliott Broidy,
Chairman of Markstone Capital Group, is heading the Conference's Benefactor
Committee.

The Jewish People Policy Planning Institute (JPPPI) is developing the
conference program. Ambassador Dennis Ross serves as the Chairman of the
Board of JPPPI, Professor Yehezkel Dror is its Founding President, and
Avinoam Bar-Yosef is the JPPPI's Director-General.

The Conference's steering committee is headed by Israel Maimon, former
Israel Cabinet Secretary.
 Eyal Arad, co-Chairman of the Euro Israel Group, will serve as spokesman.
 Charley J. Levine, CEO of Lone Star Communications, is managing the
conference's international media relations.
 Yoni Sa'ar, CEO, Promarket, is in charge of production.
 Contact: Elie Bennett, elie@lonestar.co.il, +972-54-4766393
SOURCE  The Jewish People Policy Planning Institute

Contact: Elie Bennett, elie@lonestar.co.il, +972-54-4766393

Israel @ 60 From The Israel Project

World Leaders, Foreign Dignitaries and Celebrities to Celebrate 60 Years of Israel’s Independence

Israel at 60 Reporters' Expert Sourcebook

Israel at 60 Powerpoint

Israel at 60 Reporter Toolkit: Fact Sheets and Expert Sources Available Now

Israeli-Arab Peace Initiatives Leaders: On Peace Women's Rights Profiles: Women Leaders Arab Rights Religious Freedom Profiles: Diverse Leadership Voting Rights Profiles: Political Leadership Political Parties- Snapshots

Alternative Energy The Israeli Press Profiles: Israeli Journalists Humanitarian + International Aid Environmental Innovations Profiles: Environmental Leaders Healthcare Pediatric Care Protecting Women

A wide array of world leaders, political and cultural personalities are due to arrive in Israel in the coming weeks to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the country’s independence. Official celebrations will take place throughout the country on May 8. Israel observes its rebirth on a slightly different date each year because of the Hebrew calendar; in the United States, Israel’s anniversary is celebrated on May 14.

U.S. President George Bush will visit Israel and hold talks with Israeli President Shimon Peres and Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, as well as address the Knesset, the Israeli parliament. He will also visit Masada, an ancient fortress built by King Herod in 31 BCE, the site of the last stand of Jews rebelling against the Roman army in 73 CE. In addition, former British Prime Minister and current Envoy for the International Quartet Tony Blair will attend the celebrations, as will former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev. Among the presidents taking part are Victor Yushchenko of Ukraine, Bamir Topi of Albania, Valdis Zatlers of Latvia, Lech Kaczynski of Poland, Paul Kagame of Rwanda, Michael Saakashvili of Georgia, Stjepan Mesic of Croatia, Danilo Türk of Slovenia, Tommy Remengesau Jr. and Blaise Campoare of Burkina Faso.

Other notable guests include prime ministers Robert Fico of the Slovak Republic and Ferenc Gyurcsany of Hungary, Nobel Laureate Elie Wiesel, media tycoon Rupert Murdoch, former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, Google founder Sergey Brin, Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg and India's Tata group chairman Ratan Tata. German Chancellor Angela Merkel visited Israel in mid-March for an early 60^th celebration. During her three-day trip she visited the Jerusalem Holocaust Museum Yad V’shem, met with Olmert and addressed the Knesset. French President Nicolas Sarkozy is scheduled to visit in late June.

A number of public events also will be held to mark Israel’s rebirth, including three huge birthday parties on Israeli beaches and in Rabin Square in Tel Aviv on May 9. In addition, 10 military bands from 10 countries will play in a concert in Haifa entitled “Saluting with notes, military bands play for peace” on May 8. There will also be light, laser and music displays on May 5 throughout the country.

Israel’s 60^th celebratory events also will take place around the world. Dozens of cities in the U.S. are celebrating with Israeli artist performances. Los Angeles is hosting an Israel Independence Day festival on May 18 which will include a fashion show, carnival rides, an Israeli art exhibit and an official 60th Independence Day ceremony; a variety of local, state and federal government dignitaries are slated to attend.

On June 1, Washington D.C. will host “Israel@60: A Capital Celebration,” an all-day event on the National Mall featuring an Israeli band and a variety of performers including Regina Spektor and Mandy Patinkin. [10]

Also on June 1, there is to be a rally in New York City as well as a multitude of musical performances, art exhibits and other events that will take place during May and June throughout the city (see resources below). Starting Sunday (May 4), banners with images showing Israel’s diverse population will adorn 51 blocks along New York City’s Fifth Avenue as part of a “Faces of Israel” campaign. Among the Israelis to be featured on the banners are a Vietnamese refugee who represents a major Israeli bank in Singapore; African-American basketball player Derrick Sharp, who moved to Israel 15 years ago and plays for the Israeli national basketball team; and Israeli Arab diplomat Rania Jubran.

In the UK, a parade with floats and marching bands has been organized for June 29 in London’s Trafalgar Square to celebrate the anniversary. Events have already been held and will continue to be held in several other countries including Australia, France, South Africa and Italy.

For assistance with stories about Israel’s 60^th anniversary, including arranging interviews with prominent Israeli personalities, please contact TIP’s Communications Director Eli Ovits by email at elio@theisarelproject.org or by telephone at 972-2-623-6427 (office) or 972-54-807-9093 (cell).

Additional Israel@60 resources:

Israel @ 60 site from the Conference of Presidents of Major Jewish Organizations (COP)
Israel @ 60 www.israelbirthday.com
Israel @ 60 events at universities (Israel on Campus Coalition)
Israel @ 60 site from the Conservative movement (MERCAZ USA)
Israel @ 60 participation details from the Reform movement (ARZA)
Israel @ 60 site from Hadassah
Israel @ 60 Shabbat from the Orthodox movement (Orthodox Union)
Israel @ 60 with 60 events featuring israeli performers in the U.S.
Israel @ 60 Salute to Israel parade (New York City)
Israel @ 60 Celebration on the National Mall (Washington, D.C.)
Live Hatikva - A global event

Jewish Agency, Israel Immigrant Ministry Celebrate Aliyah Day 2008

Jewish Agency, Israel Immigrant Ministry Celebrate Aliyah Day 2008

Photo: Leyden Communications (Israel) - International PR / Internet Marketing.

By Israel News Agency Staff

Jerusalem ----- May 4, 2008 ....... Part of the following news report was communicated directly from the Jewish Agency for Israel to the Israel News Agency.

Hundreds of new immigrants from around the world will arrive in Israel together on "Aliyah (Aliya) Day 2008"

The reception for new immigrants will take place at Ben Gurion Airport in Israel on Monday, May 5 2008 at 3:00 pm, at Terminal One.

The Jewish Agency and the Israel Ministry of Immigrant Absorption have declared this coming Monday, May 5, as "Aliyah Day 2008", marking the immigration and absorption of more than 3,000,000 new immigrants over the 60 years since the State of Israel was established.

On this day, approximately 400 new immigrants will be arriving from 23 countries, among them the United States, Brazil, Argentina, England, France, Honduras, Italy, Germany, Hungary, Russia, Ukraine, Australia, South Africa and Turkey, and they will settle and be absorbed in over 50 communities throughout Israel.

In addition to the new immigrants, around one hundred parents of "lone soldiers", young people who came to Israel without their parents and are serving in the Israel Defense Forces, will arrive with the "Keshet" project in order to spend Independence Day with their sons and daughters.

The ceremony marking "Aliyah Day" will be attended by the Israel Minister of Immigrant Absorption Mr. Jacob Edery, the Chairman of the Jewish Agency for Israel, Mr. Zeev Bielski, Chief Rabbi Shlomo Amar, Chairman of Keren Hayesod Mr. Avi Pazner, a representative of the United Jewish Communities, a representative of the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews headed by Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein, hundreds of new immigrants and their families, and additional dignitaries.

"On this day, we are receiving a poignant gift for the 60th birthday anniversary of the State of Israel", said Israel Minister of Immigrant Absorption Jacob Edery. "The State of Israel is the national homeland of Jews around the world and we in the Ministry of Immigrant Absorption are ready and prepared with special absorption tracks to ensure their quick and good absorption and integration."

This is a day of celebration for the State of Israel and the Jewish People", said Jewish Agency Chairman Zeev Bielski. "The new immigrants that have arrived in Israel with the assistance of the Jewish Agency over the 60 years of the state's existence are the people that built this country, and it is thanks to them that we are celebrating our 60th anniversary. The Jewish Agency will continue to strive to increase aliyah to Israel from around the world."

From 1948 until today, the total number of immigrants who have been absorbed in Israel is more than 3 million, including 1.2 million from the Former Soviet Union, more than 130,000 from North America, more than 80,000 from Ethiopia, around 70,000 from Argentina, around 35,000 from England and around 85,000 from France. Tens of thousands of additional immigrants have arrived to Israel from other countries and the immigration continues.

Another respected organization responsible for creating Aliyah to Israel is Nefesh B'Nefesh. Nefesh B'Nefesh provides comprehensive support for olim by directly interfacing with them, both in the pre-and post-Aliyah stages. NBN offers financial assistance, employment resources, social services and guidance through governmental absorption procedures in order to help make each individual's Aliyah as successful as possible.

In 2006, NBN extended its Aliyah expertise and success experience in initial efforts to assist in boosting aliyah from the United Kingdom.

The Jewish Agency is a global partnership committed to the Jewish future that stands on a history-making track record. Together with the United Jewish Communities (UJC) in North America, and Keren Hayesod - United Israel Appeal around the world, this partnership has brought over 3 million people to Israel. The Jewish Agency has effectively and successfully built a nation. Not by the daring acts of a few, but by the power of their collective commitment and action.

Photo: Leyden Communications (Israel) - International PR / Internet Marketing.

For almost 75 years, the Jewish Agency for Israel has been synonymous with the efforts to rescue Jews at risk and the resettlement of the Jewish people in its homeland.

The Jewish Agency has been pivotal to Israel's remarkable growth. As the only global Jewish partnership organization, linking Jews around the world with Israel as the focal point, it continues to play a central role in the lives of countless Jews. Major activities include the rescue of Jews in distress, facilitating aliyah and absorption, Jewish Zionist education, and building a global Jewish community.
In addition to extensive programs in Israel, the Jewish Agency for Israel operates in close to 80 countries on five continents through a network of over 450 emissaries, including hundreds of formal and informal educators.