Originally published by the Yesha Council, myesha.org.il, translated and edited by Hillel Fendel
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Greetings from the Talmudic period
Five large jugs, whole and undamaged, have been discovered in the ancient Shilo archaeological site. They were placed there for safekeeping between 1600 and 1800 years ago, just as the Talmud was being compiled.
The dramatic findings – which include also rings, a key, and even a die that looks almost exactly like dice used in today's games – were displayed at the recent 12th Shilo Conference, marking 100 years of archaeological research in Shilo.
The jugs were found arrayed in a row, beneath a floor of an ancient house. The "basement" placing was apparently meant to preserve their contents at a cool, stable temperature.
The latest findings in Shilo - site of the ancient Tabernacle for over 350 years and today, a thriving Jewish community in the Binyamin region, north of Jerusalem - were conducted by Shilo resident Dr. Reut Ben-Aryeh.
"It is our great privilege to reveal the signs of our historic connections to Judea, Samaria and this entire Land," said Binyamin Regional Council head Yisrael Gantz. "These findings give true meaning to our own daily efforts in developing this region. There's nothing more exciting than truly sensing that we are continuing our forefathers' lives here."
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Ukrainian Jews Begin New Lives in Yesha
Hundreds of Jewish refugees from Ukraine have been aided by the Yesha Council's Eastern Europe department ever since Russia invaded Ukraine six months ago. The department is staffed by volunteers working around the clock, and several delegations have already actually flown to the area.
The volunteers have been busy gathering information on the situation inside Ukraine and how to safely leave the country. In addition to helping families with transportation and guidance, the Yesha Council teams also sent delegations of social workers to Europe, offering psychological support for those refugees who made their way to Budapest and Vienna.
The department now continues to accompany and assist in the absorption process of dozens of families who have found a warm home in various Judea and Samaria communities. The help includes assistance in finding apartments, making connections to veteran families who provide friendship and guidance, tours and familiarization meetings in cooperation with the town councils, and more.
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Supreme Court Saves Jewish Community from Destruction
We were right all along! After nearly 20 years of perversion of justice, and the wasting of precious national resources by left-wing organizations seeking to destroy Jewish communities in Yesha, the Supreme Court handed down a ruling declaring the neighborhood of Mitzpeh Kramim legal and legitimate.
Over 50 families live in Mitzpeh Kramim, including 16 in permanent homes. Located just south of Kochav HaShachar and just west of the Jordan Valley, the community was first established back in 1999 – and was relocated to its present home with the authorization of the government under then-Prime Minister Ehud Barak.
The court found that although the government originally erred in establishing part of the neighborhood on "private lands" – a categorization determined by the Jordanian authorities – the residents acted entirely in good faith and therefore need not be uprooted.
This important ruling has happy ramifications on other neighborhoods and buildings throughout Judea and Samaria. Between 2000 and 3000 other structures in long-standing Jewish communities have the same status as Mitzpeh Kramim, having been built under the assumption that the government does not mistakenly allow construction on "private" lands.
The talk in Mitzpeh Kramim now is: "OK, let's get to work! Time to get rid of all the caravans [mobile home-like structures] and build this place up!" The public is invited to visit and take part in the efforts. Bus 949 leaves from Jerusalem to Mitzpeh Kramim some 10 times a day.