Friday January 18: 12 Shevat

On this day in 1945, the Russian Army liberated over 2,800 survivors of the Auschwitz extermination camps. All around Europe, other camps were being discovered and the survivors liberated, most of them Jews. But for millions more it was too late. The carnage was so great and so heartless that it’s still difficult for us […]

Tuesday January 15: 9 Shevat

It was on this day in 1980 that the border between Egypt and Israel was declared open, once again, allowing travelers to follow the ancient “King’s Highway” that connected these two nations. This was a very significant event in the maturing relations between Israel and Egypt, former longtime enemies. This treaty has been beneficial to […]

Friday January 11: 5 Shevat

Counting from the month of Aviv in the spring, Shevat is the eleventh month and is mentioned by name in in Zechariah 1:7. The name, “Shevat,” has some interesting connotations. The root word means “to control” or “to rule” and is often translated in the Bible as “scepter.” It is rendered as “a rod” which […]

Wednesday January 9: 3 Shevat

It was on this day in 1933 that Adolph Hitler was appointed as Chancellor of Germany. Ironically, on the same day and in the same city where Hitler was appointed as German Chancellor, the Society for Youth Aliyah was established. Over time, this group would be responsible for transporting over 115,000 young people from the […]