GIYUS

Freedom of Religion in Israel

One of the most beautiful places in Israel are the gardens of the Shrine of Bab in the Baha'i World Center, in the Israeli port city of Haifa.

Stepping into the gardens, watching the golden Shrine on the backdrop of the Mediterranean, you feel transformed into another world. A world of beauty and harmony, a world of peace.

Jack Guez / AFP / Getty Images

The gardens rise in steps all the way up the mountainside above Haifa's downtown, and at the midway point, at mid-morning, the clear light off the Mediterranean combines with the precise efforts of 150 gardeners to achieve a combination of lucid depth and dazzling color.

Maybe those on the failed Flotilla, or those aiming to reach Gaza via air on the Flytilla, should take notes of how peacefully the Baha'is live and practice their religion freely in the democratic Jewish state of Israel.

Ironically, the story of the Baha'i faith connects Israel and Iran. It starts in Iran in the early 1800s and incidentally ends in what is known today as Israel. The Shrine marks the resting place of the "Bab", the founder of the Baha'i religion. He was executed by Iranian clerics and his remains were moved around for generations until buried in their final resting place in Israel.

As christians are under attack across the Middle East, in Israel Christians, Muslims, Bahai's and others enjoy freedom of Religion. All of us in Giyus.org invite you to visit Israel and enjoy the diversity it offers.

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A Kiss to Israel

At times of trouble you learn who your true friends are. Gene Simmons, the legendary bassist of KISS, has shown he is a true friend of Israel. I'd like to show him his support is appreciated.

Not many know this, but Simmons is actually Israeli born. In his visit this week in Jerusalem Simmons had harsh words for musicians like Elvis Costello and the Pixies who have recently canceled concerts to protest Israel's policies toward the Palestinians. "They're fools.. The countries they should be boycotting are the same countries that the populations are rebelling".

Simmons was in Jerusalem shooting his reality show, Gene Simmons Family Jewels. When a bomb went off in a terror attack in Jerusalem last week he was only a few minutes away. He didn't let the attack change his travel plans nor his plan for Kiss to tour Israel in the near future. Watching Jerusalem go through a deadly bombing this week has not changed his belief that Jews and Arabs can live in peace.

Please take a moment and support Gene Simmons for standing up for Israel. Go to his facebook page click on the "like" button at the top of the page and then write your support message on the wall. On Twitter mention @genesimmons and write your message of support.

All of us in Giyus.org  appreciate Gene Simmons' honest support for Israel. Boycott is not the answer - let's use music to bring Jews and Arabs together in peace.

To act on more issues and easily support Israel please sign up to our email updates - make a difference to Israel.

 

 

 

 

Women of the IDF

The Israeli army is the only one if the world that compulsory drafts women. At the age of 18 every man and woman in Israel joins the army. In most cases, women serve almost 2 years and men sever 3 years. If you are promoted to officer ranking it usually involves signing up for additional time in the army. Over the last 10 years many positions have opened up to women in the IDF. Today 90% of positions are open to men and women alike. This equal treatment allows women to have a meaningful military service in the IDF.

Being in the army is a once in a life time experience. It's quite amazing when you think about the responsibility that young men and women in Israel have on their soldiers at the age of 18. In celebration of international women day here is a brief look into the women of the IDF.

 

Ancient Gold Treasure found in Jerusalem - Chanukah Miracle?

Israeli archaeologists are having a particularly happy Hanukkah after discovering 264 ancient gold coins in a car park in the City of David, a Jerusalem National Park. One of the customs of the holiday is to give coins to children, and the archaeologists are referring to the 1,400 year-old coins as "Hanukkah money."

 

 

http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/meast/12/22/israel.rare.coins/?iref=mpstoryview

No Needle and Thread for Doctors of the Future

Doctors of the future may be able to trade their needle and thread for high-tech laser "skin welding." Scientists at Tel Aviv University are testing use of laser beams to seal surgical incisions, allowing skin and internal tissue to heal more quickly after operations and accidents.

 

The use of lasers to heal surgical wounds was first proposed decades ago, but the early prototypes burned the skin and the tests were abandoned. The new technique of skin welding avoids that problem because it uses a smart laser that corrects its own temperature as it works.

 

http://www.nydailynews.com/lifestyle/health/2008/12/01/2008-12-01_laser_skin_welding_the_suture_of_future_.html