ARCHEOLOGISTS FIND SYNAGOGUE POSSIBLY USED BY JESUS
Published on: 19.8.2016ICEJ News Briefs
Archeologists digging in the lower Galilee region announced recently that they have uncovered an ancient synagogue which shows evidence of having been used during the time of Jesus’ ministry. Dr. Motti Aviam of the Kineret Institute for Galilean Archeology, said it was the “first synagogue discovered in the rural part of the Galilee and it confirms historical information we have about the New Testament, which says that Jesus preached at synagogues in Galilean villages. The New Testament describes how Jesus delivered sermons in a synagogue in Capernaum and other synagogues in the Galilee… Christianity developed after he placed an emphasis on his sermons at synagogues in the Galilee. This makes the place very important for Christians.”
Netanyahu Staff Questioned in Corruption Probe
Reports emerged Thursday evening that staff members in the office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have been summoned for questioning by police in an ongoing campaign financing corruption probe. Several legal analysts predicted that Netanyahu himself will likely be questioned by police soon, although it is considered unlikely that the investigation will lead to an indictment.
In related news, Gilad Sharon, the son of legendary Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, announced this week that he is joining Likud and exploring the possibility of running in the next Knesset elections. “I haven’t decided to run for Knesset yet, but it is an option,” Sharon told the Jerusalem Post. “I care about what is happening in the state, and I want to have an influence. The best way to have an influence and advance my views is in politics.”
Progress Made in Ethiopian Aliyah Projects
Advocates for the thousands of remaining Ethiopian Jews who want to immigrate to Israel made progress towards that goal in recent days, as the state budget for 2017-2018 included funds for around 1,300 to come. Other private initiatives, including the ICEJ’s Ethiopian Aliyah project, raised sufficient funds for a few hundred more. It is hoped that group flights will resume as early as November.
Israel blesses the world
US manufacturing giant Ford Motor Company acquired the Israeli tech firm SAIPS this week as part of its efforts to put a driverless car on the market by 2021. Elsewhere, the Israel Cancer Association announced this week that a five-year project to reduce skin cancer rates, including education campaigns and the distribution of Israeli-developed treatments and drugs, has been successful and will soon be shared with other countries struggling with the disease.
Here is a video about another way Israel blesses the world
Winemaking Course Launched by Hebrew U.
The Hebrew University in Jerusalem announced this week that it is launching a new Masters Degree program in viticulture and enology, designed to teach the skills necessary to produce wine. The course, designed for international students, will cover all aspects of the process from growing different kinds of grapes, through the fermentation and bottling process and marketing products around the world.
“Following the success of Israel’s wine industry, I’m excited to open a program that puts Israeli research and academia on the international map of winemaking,” said Prof. Zohar Kerem, who will lead the program.