Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice

Articles written by Naama Barak


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  • The women who built Israel with hands and hearts

    Naama Barak|Apr 22, 2022

    (ISRAEL21c) -This year, the theme of International Women's Day is #BreakTheBias. Which is terrific news, as women every where still face discrimination and prejudice in matters big and small. In hope for a gender-equal world, we'd like to take a moment to celebrate the women who helped turn Israel into a flourishing country. According to historian Prof. Margalit Shilo, women in pre-state Israel began their pioneering, gender-expectation-renouncing work in the early 20th century. One of the...

  • Arab women in Jerusalem study Hebrew for a stronger future

    Naama Barak|Apr 1, 2022

    (Israel21C via JNS) - Almost a decade ago, a group of women from the Arab Jerusalem neighborhood of Isawiya looked for a program where they could study Hebrew. They didn't find anything appropriate, and ended up inviting two students from the nearby Hebrew University to teach them. They enjoyed their studies so much that a year later they sought to bring aboard all their female friends, relatives and neighbors. That's how the "Women Speaking Hebrew" program began. Fast forward a few years, and...

  • Israel opens humanitarian field hospital in war-torn Ukraine

    Naama Barak|Apr 1, 2022

    (ISRAEL21c) - On Tuesday, Israel began accepting patients at its humanitarian field hospital in western Ukraine, where it will treat people affected by the war raging in the country. Situated in the western Ukrainian city of Mostyska and called "Shining Star," the 66-bed hospital is set to be open 24/7 and staffed by more than 60 personnel. It will be able to service 150 patients at a time and includes a triage area, an ER ward, men's, women's and children's wards, labor and delivery...

  • 10 things you didn't know about this year's 'Miss Universe' pageant

    Naama Barak|Dec 24, 2021

    (Israel21C via JNS) — When it comes to the Miss Universe pageant, most people firmly belong in one of two categories: those who consider it to be a global celebration of women and beauty, and others who find it an old-fashioned, patriarchal event that belongs deep in the past. Whether you find it to be an incredible, sparkly international affair or not, there’s no disputing that this year, it’s one that’s (relatively) close to our hearts, being held as it is for the first time in Israel,...

  • 12 books to help you understand Israel's history

    Naama Barak|Jul 16, 2021

    As Israel made headlines across the world in recent weeks, we at ISRAEL21c noticed people’s growing interest in understanding how things got to where they are, the ins and outs of the country’s history and the matters that influence public opinion. We therefore put together a list of recommended books that tackle multiple facets of Israel’s fascinating history, ranging from the Holocaust and wars and battles to the most famous city on the planet and breakthrough innovation. Enjoy. No Room for Small Dreams: Courage, Imagination, and the Makin...

  • 252 new immigrants arrive in Israel

    Naama Barak|Jan 1, 2021

    (Israel21C via JNS) - Immigrants from the Jewish "lost tribe" of Bnei Menashe landed at Ben-Gurion International Airport this week to build a new life in Israel. Hailing from Northeast India, the Bnei Menashe community is said to be descended from the Lost Tribes of Israel - specifically, the tribe of Menashe - that scattered across the globe after being exiled at the end of the First Temple period in the eighth century BCE. The 252 new immigrants, who made their way to Israel this week with...

  • Lifting the lid on Israel's best ancient toilets

    Naama Barak|Nov 27, 2020

    (ISRAEL21c) - Thursday, Nov. 19, was World Toilet Day, established by the United Nations to raise awareness of sanitation challenges across the globe. To mark the special event, we looked at the sanitary situation in the Land of Israel these past couple of millennia and learned more about the best ancient toilets uncovered by archaeologists. What can we say - it certainly left us feeling flushed. City of David, Jerusalem (Iron Age) Magnificent remains of toilets were found in the archaeological...

  • Water for Gaza

    Naama Barak|Feb 28, 2020

    (ISRAEL21c)-Israel-based company Watergen has begun supplying water to a Gazan neighborhood via its water-from-air machine that can generate up to 800 liters per day. Watergen's 780-kilogram GEN-M atmospheric water generator was placed last Wednesday in the Gazan neighborhood of Abasan al-Kabira. It will provide the local municipal building with fresh drinking water. Gaza suffers from a rapidly depleting water supply. Its main source of water is its coastal aquifer, which has been...