Hannah Senesh, Haviva Reik, and Sara Braverman set out to parachute into Europe on behalf of their brothers and sisters living under Nazi rule. Of the three, only Sara survived. This is her story.
Why Did Josephine Baker Want to Adopt an Israeli Child?
In the 1920s and 30s, Josephine Baker was one of the most successful and highest-paid entertainers in the world. During World War II, she volunteered to spy for France and helped smuggle Jews and Resistance fighters to safety. She visited Israel multiple times and even sent one of her children to be educated on a kibbutz. A glimpse into the life of one of the 20th century’s most fascinating figures, and her surprising connection to Judaism and Israel.
The Jewish Chemist Who Dissolved Nobel Prizes to Hide Them From the Nazis
George Charles de Hevesy, a scientist of Jewish origin, won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry at the height of World War II while living in hiding as a refugee. But even before that, he had carried out a daring and ingenious operation — using his scientific expertise to conceal Nobel Prize medals from the Nazis. What does all this have to do with a mischievous landlady who served him recycled leftovers? This is the story of a brilliant and resourceful scientist.
The British-Jewish Officer Who Fooled Hitler
How did a corpse save thousands of Allied soldiers in World War II and help change the course of the war? Who was this person? Why was it said that “the only worthwhile thing that he ever did, he did after his death”? And what does any of this have to do with James Bond? This is the astonishing true story behind “Operation Mincemeat”, a tale that sounds like the plot of a first-rate spy novel but actually took place in reality.
David’s Light Still Shines
“To be able to have coffee whenever we want” – that was how David Meir, of blessed memory, defined economic independence. He worked to help those around him gain financial literacy. David grew up in the community of Kochav HaShachar, founded by his parents, and served in the IDF’s elite Sayeret Matkal unit. On October 7, he was among the first to reach the Gaza border communities and was killed in battle at Kibbutz Be’eri. A special edition of the book “The Psychology of Money” has now been released in his memory.
Louis Armstrong’s Star of David
He was one of the world’s greatest jazz musicians, and to this day is considered the most iconic trumpeter in history. Although he wasn’t Jewish, he wore a Star of David necklace around his neck for most of his life. The necklace was a tribute to the Jewish family who helped raise him, and even helped him purchase his very first instrument. This is the story of the legendary musician whose soul became entwined with that of the Karnofsky family, and the scandal that broke out when he visited Israel.
Bringing Medical Care to the Desert: Wilhelmina Cohen and the Early Years of Soroka Hospital
She was the only pediatrician in all of Be’er Sheva, devoting herself 24 hours a day to her young patients, both in the hospital and on house calls across the Negev Desert on her Vespa. This is the remarkable story of Dr. Wilhelmina Cohen and the pioneering generation of medical professionals who together founded Soroka Hospital.
The German Boy: Who Was Karl M. Baer?
Behind an unassuming headstone at Kiryat Shaul Cemetery in Tel Aviv lies one of the most remarkable life stories of the 20th century. By the time of his death, few people knew that this seemingly ordinary insurance agent from the Tel Aviv suburb of Bat Yam was in fact a true global pioneer.
Orr Blumovitz, the Soldier Who Never Stopped Reading – Even in the Tank
When Orr Blumovitz was born, his parents could not have known that naming him after a beloved book character would set him on a path filled with endless hours of reading and hundreds of books—a life rich in knowledge, curiosity, and giving. Books shaped Orr’s world until his tragic death in an attack targeting an IDF armored vehicle in June 2024. Today, they form a lasting part of his legacy.
A Sukkah Made of Fruit? On Samaritan Sukkahs
Why do Samaritans build a sukkah out of fruit, where can they be found, and what happens to all the fruit when the holiday is over? A look at the Sukkot customs of Israel’s Samaritan community.
