Bet El, Jacob, and the Story of Hanukkah: Hagi Ben Artzi Reveals Historic Secrets

What do Hanukkah, the Patriarch Jacob, and Bet El have to do with each other? Practically everything, says long-time Bet El resident Professor Hagi Ben-Artzi. Walking and talking atop Bet El's highest mountain, where Jacob is said to have dreamt his famous dream, Hagi reveals some historic secrets, talks of the Hasmonean battles with the Greeks atop these hills and in these valleys, shows the archaeological discoveries here, and connects the dots to form a picture of the eternal vision of the Nation of Israel returning home.

by Uziel Sabato, editor of Bet El's local periodic magazine

Abridged and translated by Hillel Fendel, edited by Dena Udren

Hagi Ben-Artzi standing next to the Sheikh's Tomb

We begin in an ancient structure popularly known as the Sheikh's Tomb, which sports a sign saying, "Danger of Collapse," and Hagi – an expert in Biblical verses, local archaeology, and story-telling – begins with one of the hundreds of incidents he has experienced here over the past 40 years: 

"Well-known Israeli TV personality Ilana Dayan, not exactly known for her right-wing views, was here to get to know the 'Jacob's Dream' site. I brought her up to the observation tower here, and she was able to see Ramallah and the many Arab villages nearby. 'Tell me, Hagi', she said. 'Why are you here? Why do you need this, surrounded by all these Arabs?'  I answered her briefly: 'Ilana, do me a favor: Wait until the end of the tour and then ask me again.'"

Let No One Say He Didn't Know...

By Hillel Fendel, edited by Dena Udren

Dr. Guy Bechor, political commentator on Middle East affairs and editor of the Gplanet.co.il website, warns that renewed talk of "disengagement" – or any other term that means Israel's withdrawal from territories in favor of an Arab entity – means Arab missiles and rockets on Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Ben Gurion International Airport, and elsewhere in Israel. 

"Let no one say that he didn't know," Bechor warned the hosts of a Channel 13 TV program on current events last week. "This is what will happen, whether it be immediately, or within a year or two – after Hamas takes over from Mahmoud Abbas."

"The fact that we have quiet now, and that buses are not exploding – is not something self-evident," Bechor emphasized. "Every single night, our IDF forces are busy acting deep inside the PA-controlled areas, in order to thwart terrorist initiatives and ensure that there be no rockets, exploding buses, and other attacks. Your reporter who just now said that the purpose of these activities is to ensure quiet in Judea and Samaria is mistaken; the purpose is to ensure quiet in the entire State of Israel!"

Regarding recent calls for a withdrawal from parts of Judea and Samaria, Bechor said that just as the withdrawal from Gaza in 2005 led to rockets on Ashkelon and Ashdod, "a similar withdrawal from within Judea and Samaria would lead to rockets on central Israel, as well as Haifa, Jerusalem, and other areas."

Meet Miryam Shpatz, Long-time Resident of Bet El and Literature Teacher at the Jeannie Gluck High School Academy for Girls

Interview by Dena Udren

We spoke with long-time Bet El resident Miriam Shpatz, mother of ten and teacher of literature at the Jeannie Gluck High School Academy for Girls in Bet El. We asked her about her childhood, and about her professional life, and more – and came away with some pearls of wisdom regarding the beauty of a Torah-based life.

Miryam Shpatz (fourth from left) and family at the wedding of her eldest daugther

Q. What can you tell us about your childhood?

Bet El Excels in…Talmud!

By Chezki Baruch on Israel National News, original article can be found here.

Translated by Hillel Fendel

Watch the Hebrew interview with English subtitles.

The International Israel Talmud Contest champion was crowned publicly yesterday: Noam Nissim Shriki, 12, of Bet El. 

Interestingly enough, his runner-up was none other than Yishai Sarig – his very own classmate from Bet El. 

The two, and the other 13 finalists from all around the country as well as the United States, competed as pairs with their fathers; one of the contestants was partner with his mother, and another – with his older brother. One father partnered with his daughter.

Ninety Years Later, Hevron's Marketplace Returns to its Jewish Owners

By Hillel Fendel
Edited by Dena Udren

Just over a month ago, Naftali Bennett was named Israel's youngest defense minister – and in perhaps his most dramatic decision since then, he issued a stark message to the municipality of Hevron that the period of "squatters' rights" it has enjoyed since the mid-1990's on Jewish-owned land – is now over!

Instead, the (Arab) mayor of Hevron was told that Israel will begin planning a new Jewish neighborhood there. Note that this mayor participated in the murder of six Jews outside Beit Hadassah in 1980; he sat in jail for only two years before being freed in a prisoner exchange.
Bennett's decision means that after years and years of legal and political bureaucratic obstacles, the area will once again become fully Jewish. The new neighborhood to be built will form Jewish territorial contiguity between the Machpelah Cave (the Cave of the Patriarchs) to the existing Avraham Avinu neighborhood. In addition to the public-use buildings to be built there, the 70 planned apartments will significantly boost the City of the Patriarchs' Jewish population, which currently numbers 750 plus another 250 yeshiva students.

Hevron

The Highest Form of Giving

By Baruch Gordon

Edited by Dena Udren

A former Bet El Yeshiva student has reached a point in his life in which he desperately needs your help. The charity that you can give him is truly the highest level of giving, according to the Rambam (Maimonides).

The Rambam lists eight levels of charity, each greater than the next. The greatest level, above which there is no greater, is to support a fellow Jew by endowing him with a gift (or finding employment for him) which strengthens his hand so that he will not need to be dependent upon others.

Y came to Israel from the US alone and reached Yeshivat Bet El, proving to be a talented yeshiva student. After marrying a nice Jewish girl, he got a patent on a device he invented which was purchased by the US Navy for use in training.

Meet Rabbi Erez and Yael Yosef-Chai

Rav Erez and Yael Yosef-Chai live in Beit El with their four children, and love it here! Here they are, in their own words:

Translated by Hillel Fendel, interviewed and edited by Dena Udren

The Yosef-Chai Family

Q. Erez, where did you grow up?

A. I grew up in Kfar Pines, a moshav near Hadera; I would say it's a "partially agricultural" moshav. I had a very happy childhood there, being part of the Bnei Akiva youth movement, and walking around the forests nearby… It was altogether fun.

My father was born in the Cochin region of India (also known as Kochi, a city in southwest India's coastal Kerala state), and my mother was born in Israel, the daughter of Ashkenazi immigrants; her father was a Gerrer Hassid, a man of total belief and trust in Hashem, which truly helped him get through very difficult times. He would always visit his Rebbe, especially on special occasions such as Israel Independence Day [later in Israel]; it was the Rebbe who told him and his family to leave Poland, before the Holocaust, and come to Israel. My mother's mother came from Germany; her father, who was a shochet, was beaten by Nazis, and forbidden from practicing his profession; he finally found work after a whole year - but only in Turkey, from there they made Aliyah – so that's how they were saved from the Holocaust. Here in Israel, the Chazon Ish ate from his shechitah (ritual slaughtering).

#GivingTuesday: What's the Next Step for Underprivileged IDF Graduates?

written and translated by Dena Udren

This Giving Tuesday we are raising funds for a unique program at our IDF Preparatory Academy. After completing their army service, graduates of the academy often choose to come back for one year of intensive studies to prepare them for higher education. In order to be accepted to college or university, it is necessary to have good scores on English and math matriculation exams. Therefore, these young men spend their post-army year at the academy studying English, math, Torah, and other subjects that they may need in order to get into college.

Meet Rav Benny Bamberger, Principal of Bnei Tzvi Yeshiva High School

Interview by Rav Yonatan Udren

Translated by Hillel Fendel, edited by Dena Udren

Q. Where did you grow up? 

A. At age 4 we moved to Karnei Shomron [a town in Samaria], which was only one year old when I first arrived. All I remember from then is a lot of sand, and then later on there were paths; our homes were just caravans [mobile homes without wheels]. 

Rav Benny Bamberger

Bet El Institutions Construction Update

Written and translated by Dena Udren

Bet El institutions is currently undergoing several record development projects. In order to give you an update on each one, we spoke to the Bet El institutions development team,  Baruch Gordon and Yaakov Harnik.

The site of the new Bet El Yeshiva dormitory is the area in the foreground, adjacent to the blue and yellow awnings. 

The Bet El Yeshiva is one of the most sought-after religious-Zionist yeshivot in the country, and as such, there is a real demand to accept as many young men as possible. This year the Yeshiva accepted its largest incoming class on record, and therefore is in dire need of more dormitory space for the extra students. In fact, this year, the Yeshiva had to turn away many students for lack of  space. 

The picture above shows the site of where the Yeshiva's new dormitory will be located, specifically the empty area between the building on the left and the blue and yellow awnings on the right. The new dormitory will have 30 rooms and G-d willing, will be started in the coming year.

Unity in Yesha: A Sign of a Unity Government?

Based on a Yesha Council* website article 

Translated by Hillel Fendel, edited by Dena Udren

There is one particular fact about the population of Judea, Samaria, and the Jordan Valley that surprises all those who hear it for the first time – and that is the distribution of the populace along religious-secular lines. In contrast with common perception, only a third of the populace is religious-Zionist! Another third define themselves as secular, and the remainder are hareidim [ultra-orthodox]. 

Based on the news coming out of Yesha, and the people involved, this piece of information would seem to surprise most observers. But it indeed reflects the true situation on the ground. 

Yesha Council

Israel's "Bible Belt" of Judea and Samaria, including the Jordan Valley, also has some other surprises. 

A Graduate of the Pre-Military Academy Inspires Other Soldiers with Acts of Kindness

By Rabbi Shlomie Rosenthal, teacher at Bet El Pre-Military Academy

Translated by Hillel Fendel

I'd like to tell you a special story that happened with two of our alumni who are now in the army. Their names are Ohad and Adi; I don't want to publicize their family names without asking them.

The two of them are in a paratroopers brigade in the IDF, and they came to visit the Mechina (pre-military academy) to tell of their experiences in the army. I asked them how it's going for them religiously, if the other soldiers ask them questions, or challenge them on religious issues, and the like. 

IDF Soldiers

FAQs about the Attempts to Form a Government and Avoid Third Elections

Originally appeared in Hebrew at inn.co.il
Translated by Hillel Fendel

MK Benny Gantz (photo courtesy of inn.co.il)

Q. What's this we hear about the expiration of Benny Gantz's mandate to form a government this coming Wednesday? What does this really mean?

A. MK Benny Gantz, chairman of the Blue and White Party, received from President Ruby Rivlin the authority to form a government after Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu failed at the same task. The period in which Gantz must form the government ends this Wednesday evening.

Q. And if he does not succeed by then?

Operation Black Belt

by Hillel Fendel

Hebrew quotes translated by Hillel Fendel

An Israeli missile launched from the Iron Dome defense missile system, designed to intercept and destroy incoming short-range rockets and artillery shells, in the southern Israeli city of Sderot, on November 12, 2019. (MENAHEM KAHANA / AFP)

The IDF is proud of its accomplishments in the two days of hostilities with the Islamic Jihad terrorists of Gaza. Certainly the satisfaction with the army's accomplishments is understandable – but Israel as a whole did not do as well.

IDF Operation Black Belt, which began with the surgically precise liquidation of terrorist chieftain Baha Abu Al-Ata in his bedroom at 4 AM, also went on to accomplish the killing of 25 other terrorists as they attempted to bomb or otherwise attack Israel, as well as the successful targeting and destruction of arms-manufacturing sites, military training compounds, launching sites, weapons storehouses, and more. 

Meet Devorah Vanderman, Long-Time Bet El Resident and Yeshivat Bet El Payroll Accountant

Interview by Sharona Eshet-Kohen, translated by Hillel Fendel

Devorah Vanderman, second from left, and her family

Q. Shalom Devorah. What can you tell us about your childhood?

A. I was born in New York, to a religious-Zionist family (my father's mother, born in New York to European immigrants, was unfortunately the only one of 11 children who remained Torah-observant). When I was 6, in 1968, a year after the Six Day War, we made Aliyah to Israel. My parents met each other on a trip to Eretz Yisrael, and since then they had always wanted to make Aliyah, but kept on waiting to get ready… Finally, when they already had five children, a friend of theirs told them: "If you don't go now, you'll never go!" So they took their kids and went! Their families were opposed, because it was very hard for them that we were leaving.

On the day of our Aliyah, we all wore Shabbat clothing, and it was truly a moving event. Ever since then, every year we celebrate our Aliyah Day together.

Bet El Yeshiva Hits All-Time Record Enrollment

By Dena Udren

Bet El Yeshiva Beit Midrash (Study Hall)

The incoming class at the Bet El Yeshiva boasts 70 students, which is the largest class ever in the history of Yeshivat Bet El. Why is it that this year’s class is so large? We spoke to Rabbi Shlomie Rosenthal, one of the rabbis at the yeshiva, to find out why. He pointed to three possible reasons.

Meet Avraham and Sapir Bloch of Bet El

Meet Avraham (24) and Sapir (22) Bloch of Bet El.

By Uziel Sabato, originally appeared in the Bet El Magazine, Parshat Nitzavim 5779

Translated by Hillel Fendel and edited by Dena Udren

Avraham and Sapir Bloch outside the Knesset

The Beginning: Sapir came to Bet El from Gan Yavneh, near Ashdod, after having studied in Midreshet HaRova in the Old City of Jerusalem. Avraham grew up in the Kiryat Moshe neighborhood of the capital, and studied in Yeshivat Bet El – and that's why they're here!

Avraham explains: "I learned in the Yeshiva, and I wanted to remain connected to it even as I continued with the next stages of my life. Living in Bet El gives me that connection, at least to some extent."

Sapir guides tourists in the Western Wall Tunnels and the Holy Basin around the Old City and is studying health systems in Ariel College. Avraham is working for the Knesset Channel as a researcher behind the scenes.

News Analysis: Dr. Guy Bechor: "It's Shi'ites Against Shi'ites; Israel Not Involved"

Channel 13 TV interview, which can be seen here (in Hebrew), edited and translated by Hillel Fendel

Screenshot of Dr. Guy Bechor's TV interview on Channel 13 (Youtube) 

Interviewer: Regarding the American liquidation of one of the worst murderers of our generation, Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi – we have here Dr. Guy Bechor, expert on Middle East affairs and editor of the Gplanet.co.il website. Dr. Bechor, how significant was this liquidation?

Dr. Bechor: Firstly, it was a central campaign promise of President Trump. He told the Americans, "We're gonna start winning, winning, winning! And you'll come to me and say, 'Enough, we can't take all this winning! We're tired of it already!'" And the Americans love how he's keeping this promise…

Interview with Joe & Judi Felber: On Coping, Hope, and Looking Forward

By Daniel Slegnick, originally published in Tzomet HaSharon-Raanana
Edited by Sharona eshet-Kohen, translated by Hillel Fendel

Netanel Felber (Credit: Courtesy)

Netanel Felber, a 22-year-old soldier in the Netzach Yehuda religious-soldiers brigade, was critically wounded last December when a Palestinian terrorist fired from close range at a group of Israelis in Givat Assaf, near Bet El. He is currently undergoing a long period of rehabilitation, with an uncertain future. His parents Joe and Judi speak of their struggle, of Netanel's smile that gave them hope, and about a girl whose wounds in the same attack ultimately saved her life.

News Analysis: The United Religious-Zionist Party that Must Arise

By Emanuel Shilo, Editor of Besheva
Originally published in Besheva, edited and translated by Hillel Fendel

The splinter parties must unite into one religious-Zionist party, which will work towards the many and varied goals on which all its parts agree.

Yemina-United Right candidates (Credit: Kobi Richter/TPS)

Religious Zionism, politically speaking, is at a crossroads. The results of this year's two election campaigns, leading to many changes in the national-religious political map, require us to carefully consider the future of small sectarian parties in Israeli politics, and especially those of the religious-Zionist flavor.

News Analysis: Snippet from Online Post-Elections Analysis

With Former MK and Elections Analyst Yaakov "Ketzaleh" Katz

To view the entire recorded video replay of the analysis/Q&A, register here.

Dvir Shnerb, Brother of Terror Victim Rina

Originally published as video in inn.co.il, translated by Hillel Fendel

Dvir Shnerb, brother of recent terror victim Rina

A month has passed since Rina Shnerb was murdered in a terrorist attack while on a hike with her father Eitan and brother Dvir, who were both wounded there. Nir Raskin of Israel's Channel 12 interviewed Dvir:

Q. Dvir is now recovering, having acted very heroically at the scene of the attack, and we are now very, very happy to have you here with us, looking healthy and smiling. Dvir, how do you feel now?

Jerusalem's Roadside Libraries

Bet El's Baruch Gordon offers a glimpse at a unique feature of Jerusalem life - public "bus stop"  libraries sponsored by the municipality, equipped with solar panels and activities for children!

Billboard of a Different Kind

Originally published on Sivan Rahav-Meir's Facebook page, translated by Hillel Fendel

Billboard outside the Yeshiva High School "Orot HaZor'im" 

The photo accompanying this article shows a billboard in a small moshav in the Galilee, just outside the Yeshiva High School "Orot HaZor'im." It shows students learning Talmud, a page from Tractate Shabbat, and the announcement that the school will soon begin studying the first chapter of that tractate. What are the sponsors trying to sell? Rabbi Gad Hermann of Orot HaZor'im told the story to popular speaker Sivan Rahav-Meir:

"At the end of last year, the billboard in question heralded with great excitement a new crime series on one of the cable television networks. Whoever came to the Yeshiva would see it. I once spoke to the students with sorrow that it seems to assume as a given that everyone is waiting breathlessly for the series to begin – as if, 'it is our life and we will discuss it day and night,' as we say in our prayers about the Torah.

I told them, 'Just imagine if billboards would feature other, more positive things that are about to begin, such as that our class is about to start studying the first chapter of Tractate Shabbat!'

It seems that the students truly took this to heart. During the summer vacation, without my knowledge, they saved up and chipped in to create this new billboard ad! They designed it, had it enlarged, and bought the space – for more than 2,000 shekels. On the first day of the new school year, I drove to the Yeshiva, and I simply couldn't believe my eyes! And like me are thousands of other drivers who pass that way every day in this month of Elul, seeing an ad like they never saw before!"

Sovereignty for the Jordan Valley?

Originally published in myesha.org.il, translated by Hillel Fendel

Map of the Jordan Valley

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced earlier this month that "conditions had ripened" for the application of Israeli sovereignty over the Jordan Valley and the northern Dead Sea area. He said he would take this step almost immediately after the coming election, "if I am granted your trust and confidence." Though many accused him merely of electioneering, the very fact of the announcement held great significance.

Netanyahu explained the background of his plan: "We are aware that the U.S. President Trump is about to unveil his Deal of the Century, right after our elections. This presents us with a great challenge, as well as a great opportunity to apply our sovereignty in Judea, Samaria, and elsewhere – which I intend to do, in stages. There is one place where we can do this now, because the conditions have ripened: The Jordan Valley and the northern Dead Sea. This will be the first step…"

The Jordan Valley's critical strategic importance is undisputed. Any enemy attempt to invade Israel from the east would have to be executed through the narrow passes of the Judea/Samaria mountains, and Israeli control of the area would prevent this.

Yesha [Judea & Samaria] Council Chairman Chananel Durani said in response to Netanyahu's announcement, "This is a very important development, one that the settlement enterprise has hoped and worked for since its establishment. It is a historic and unprecedented event for the State of Israel – for sovereignty is the harbinger of the deepening and thickening of our presence in this area."

Even Labor Party leaders such as Yigal Alon and Yitzchak Rabin recognized the vital need to retain the Jordan Valley. During the Knesset debate on the Oslo Accords of 1995, Rabin declared: "Israel's defensible security border will be placed in the Jordan Valley, in the broadest sense of the term."

Interview: Grandmother of recent terror victim

Originally published in inn.co.il, translated by Sharona Eshet-Kohen

"The doctors did not give up, it was a real miracle"

Grandmother of Nahum Navis, who was severely wounded in recent Gush Etzion attack

The grandmother of Nahum Nevis, who was severely wounded in the recent Gush Etzion terror attack, tells of his condition. "We asked how he felt and Nahum moved his lips and said with no voice, 'Barukh HaShem [Thank G-d].'"

News Analysis: The Tzaddikim Brought About The Destruction

by Rav Zalman Melamed in inn.co.il, and Emanuel Shilo in Besheva

Edited and translated by Hillel Fendel

Rav Zalman Melamed, top (credit: alchetron.com)
Emanuel Shilo, bottom (credit: NashimBeYarok)

Rav Zalman Melamed reminds us that ignoring King Solomon's warning "do not be too righteous" can bring destruction upon us – as it has in the past. Emanuel Shilo, the editor of Besheva, explains why this is true politically.

Marching for Life in Memory of Young Terror Victim

Originally published in myesha.org.il, translated by Hillel Fendel

Hundreds of hikers convene at Danny Spring for Rina's memorial ceremony

Thousands(!) of hikers took part in an exciting and moving nature march in memory of Rina Shnerb, hy"d. Rina was murdered last month by a Palestinian terrorist while on a hike to Danny Spring with her father and brother. Binyamin Regional Council head Yisrael Ganz and Lod Mayor Yair Rebibo – the Shnerb family lives in Lod – led a convoy to Danny Spring, followed by many hundreds of hikers who took part there in a ceremony in Rina's memory.

Eugen Gluck z"l, Bet El's Benefactor

by Yaakov "Ketzaleh" Katz

Ketzaleh and Eugen at Annual Bet El Dinner

This week we lost a man who, in my opinion, was the greatest Jewish donor and benefactor in the United States: Mr. Eugen Gluck. Eugen and his wife Jean, who passed away a year ago, were both Holocaust survivors.

Interview with Eitan Shnerb, Father of Terror Victim

Originally published in Hebrew in Israel National News and translated by Hillel Fendel

Rav Eitan Shnerb after terror attack that killed his daughter(Credit: Arutz 7)

Rabbi Eitan Shnerb, father of 17-year-old Rina, hy"d, related what happened this past Friday when his daughter was killed in a terrorist bombing. He spoke with Niv Raskin of Channel 12.

"Everything started when I took my children Rina [17 years old] and Dvir [19 years old] on a hike in the Land of Israel [in south-western Samaria, about 15 miles from Ben Gurion International Airport as the crow flies]. I wanted to spend some quality time with them. We arrived at the Danny Spring [named for Danny Gonen, murdered in a terrorist attack there four years ago], parked the car, and started going down on the path. Towards the end, there was a big explosion. I could tell right away that it was a pretty big explosive device."

News Anaylsis: Wanted: Might and Deterrence

It's incumbent upon us to ensure that the coming elections result in a strong right-wing party that will force the concepts of strength and deterrence on our government.

by Yaakov "Ketzaleh" Katz

Yaakov "Ketzaleh" Katz (Credit: Arutz 7)

Gas Law: A Boost for Future Judea/Samaria Growth

[Originally published in www.myesha.org.il, translated and edited by Hillel Fendel]

Israel's Natural Gas Law is now in Yesha [Judea and Samaria] too – after another long battle! Yesha leaders are relieved: "In a few years, an industrial zone without natural gas would be like an industrial zone without internet."

Israeli natural gas field in the Mediterranean (credit: Marc Israel Sellem)

A three-year battle involving the issue of how Israeli law is applied to the Jews of Judea and Samaria has finally been resolved: The Natural Gas Law will be applied in Judea and Samaria within a matter of months.

Human Interest: Noa Sorek, Sister of Recent Terror Victim Dvir

[Originally published in mako.co.il and translated by Hillel Fendel]

Noa Sorek, corner image of recent terror victim Dvir Sorek (Credit: mako.co.il & 13news.co.il)

Noa Sorek is in the midst of sitting shiva for her younger brother Dvir, who was murdered several days ago in a Palestinian terrorist stabbing attack. Noa, in her early 20's, was very close to her 19-year-old brother, and spoke to Israel's Channel 12 today.

News Analysis: Weakness Breeds Defeat; Time For Decisive Victory!

[Originally published by the Yesha Council, translated and edited by Hillel Fendel]

Child in an anti-Disengagement t-shirt watching the expulsion

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, understandably, is focusing his foreign policy and defense efforts on Iran – but is this causing him to lose sight of the Hamas threat? Gregg Roman, Director of the Philadelphia-based Middle East Forum, thinks so, and adds that the passive status quo is dangerous for Israel.

Strengthening the Family Unit, Combatting the Divorce Rate

We decided to publish this piece because it's a refreshing spin on Israeli discourse surrounding the family unit, and it stems from an unlikely and inspiring source!

[Originally published in BeSheva and translated by Hillel Fendel]

These days, when public discourse seeks to break down the institution of family into tiny pieces, it's nice to hear a different tone - especially when it comes from the secular-liberal direction. A new family-nourishing initiative has been started in the city of Rishon LeTzion by Iris Kagan-Chakmon, the Mayor's Advisor on the Status of Women. So reports the BeSheva newspaper.

News Analysis: Even After Unity, Questions Still Abound

By Hillel Fendel

United Right Party leaders (Credit: Arutz Sheva/Twitter)

It's now final - almost: The two largest parties right-of-the Likud will be running together in the upcoming elections – but it is not clear whether this union will also include additional smaller parties.

One major advantage of the union thus far is that it will spare much election campaign mud-slinging between the members.

Interview with Oriya Reshef: On Life and Mission

Oriya Reshef grew up in Bet El, attended Bet El's Jeanie Gluck High School Academy for Girls, and currently lives with her husband and children on a very special mountain next to the town.

In this interview, Oriya talks about her feelings living in a high-conflict zone, the beautiful aspects of growing up in Bet El and raising her kids here, and her hopes for the future.

[Interview conducted by Sharona eshet-Kohen]

Oriya with her husband and two children