During the week covered by this review, we received 8 articles on the following subjects:
Biography
Art
Technology
Miscellaneous
Archaeology
Biography
Maariv, November 15, 2015
This article is an interview with novelist Joel Rosenberg, formerly an advisor to political figures such as Benjamin Netanyahu, Steve Forbes, Jack Kemp, Jim Bennett, and Natan Sharansky. The article describes Rosenberg’s childhood in Washington, the fact that he came to believe in Jesus, and how, after realizing that “he was a failed advisor” and praying to God “to be a useful person,” he came to the conclusion that he should “spread his messages and political initiatives through suspense novels.” Upon being asked who the best presidential candidate is, Rosenberg declined to answer, saying only that the person must have “experience, vision, and a plan of action,” as well as willingness to “go to war with Iran.” Rosenberg stated that he writes “in order to tell the world the truth that Islam is coming to America, since people aren’t taking it seriously. The Islam to be feared is not radical Islam but the apocalyptic Islam of Iran and IS.”
Art
The Jerusalem Post, November 20, 2015
The Bethlehem Icon Center, founded by Ian Knowles is 2010, is an art school for iconography offering a diploma in association with the Prince’s School of Traditional Arts in London. The only school in the Middle East specializing in this field, the center was also founded with the intention of encouraging Palestinian Christians to stay and pray in the Bethlehem area. The center’s curriculum includes anatomy, drawing techniques, sacred geometry and design, calligraphy, and men’s and women’s faces, resulting in work at an international standard. Saying that icons are “a way of praying with your eyes,” Knowles states that at the school “we are building something of hope, rooted in the revelation of God’s love, in a region where hope is something in very short supply.”
Technology
Yediot Yerushalayim, November 20, 2015
A bracelet recently developed in Jerusalem gives approved parties the ability to see medical details about someone over a secure network and in real time, using a unique smartphone scanning code or an internet browser. The bracelet sends a warning to predetermined people in case of emergency, and is meant to save time and transmit essential information if the wearer is unable to communicate. The bracelet is made of silicon and needs no charging or maintenance. Some 1,500 bracelets, donated by Christian organizations and the emergency response Ichud Hatzalah organizations, will be distributed to Holocaust survivors in the coming months.
Miscellaneous
Yediot HaSharon–Kfar Saba, November 13, 2015
The first civil burial ceremony took place last week in Ra’anana, with the passing away of Colleen Davis, an American Christian who lived in the city with her husband Cecil for the past 20 years. Davis was active in many spheres, and was known in the city for her hospitality. She also wrote letters to her friends on Israel advocacy related issues. Davis was 88 at her death from cancer, and leaves behind her husband Cecil and her sons David and Dan.
Archaeology
Israel Hayom; Yediot Ahronot; HaModia; Haaretz, November 17, 2015
Another beautiful mosaic pavement has recently been discovered in Lod. The previous one, the famous “Lod Mosaic”—one of the most beautiful ever to have been found in Israel—was determined to be 1,700 years old, and to have come from the living room of a Roman villa. This second mosaic is 11 by 13 meters and depicts animals, fish, flowers in baskets, vases, and birds. It was found during the construction work for a visitors’ center for the Lod Mosaic, has been dated to the same time period, and apparently belongs to the courtyard of the same house. It was on display for a short time, but has now been covered in earth until the visitors’ center is built. “The quality of depiction in the mosaic shows high artistic ability,” says Dr. Amir Gorzalczany, head of the dig at the site.