In 1969, with Golda Meir serving as prime minister, the men of Haifa decided it was only fair to reclaim the kitchen. Meet Yacov Lishansky: military governor, gas station owner, and the first man ever to be crowned Israel’s “Queen of the Kitchen.” This is a story of mullet fish, royal aprons, and shakshuka cooked under fire along the Suez Canal.
Did We Borrow the Passover Seder From the Persians?
Are “biur chametz” and the “afikoman” uniquely Jewish inventions? Not necessarily. A historical journey into Nowruz, the Persian New Year, reveals striking – and delightful – parallels between the Jewish Seder table and ancient Zoroastrian traditions.
Yehuda Amichai, U2 and the Pope Ask for “Wildpeace”
It was written in Israel during a lull between wars, and it scorns official ceremonies and treaties with their “heavy stamps” and exalted promises. So how did Yehuda Amichai’s Hebrew poem “Wildpeace” become a rallying cry for world leaders, popes and rock stars?
Baby No. 000001: Meet the State of Israel’s First *Official* Newborn
Yet another scoop from the National Library: introducing Drora Cohen, the very first person to receive an Israeli birth certificate! “Grandma Drora is number one—and she has the documents to prove it.”
Revealed: Who Was “The State of Israel’s First Baby”?
Among the National Library’s photography collections, one particularly adorable discovery caught our eye: a series of images titled “The State of Israel’s First Baby.” There were no other identifying details. Solving the mystery took a bit of detective work, some help from kind strangers, and a stroke of luck. But eventually, we found the birthday girl—and she even gave us a special interview.
The Haredi Soldiers Who Served in Israel’s War of Independence
For seven months, Haredi yeshiva students who served in “Gdud Tuvia” (Tuvia’s Battalion) proved that Torah study and IDF service could go hand in hand. Rare documents describe the profound reflections of those who viewed their military service as a sacred mission.
When Israel Conquered Gaza for the First Time
During the conflict known as the Sinai Campaign, the State of Israel conquered the Gaza Strip. Military documents and rare color photographs reveal what this brief period of Israeli control of Gaza looked like – back in 1956
The Fall and Revival of Netiv Ha’Asarah
When the bulldozers came to knock down the houses of Netiv Ha’Asarah in the Sinai Peninsula, the residents experienced real trauma. They could have moved to the center of the country, far away from any danger, but their pioneering spirit led them to resettle just a few feet from the Gaza Strip.
When the People of Ofakim Opened Their Hearts to Vietnamese Refugees
How of a group of refugees stranded off the shores of Vietnam somehow ended up in a small town in southern Israel…
The Suicide of the Man Who Loved David Ben-Gurion
“My life’s work has been to serve you”: The tragic death of Nehemiah Argov, David Ben-Gurion’s trusted aide…
