Gidon Levitas recalls his first report to the press when he experienced driving through a Sharkia wind which used to regularly tear up the Hula valley a number of times a year. He recalls previous occasions and the devastation caused by this strong wind.

Frankie Cronin describes their move to the newly established village of Lavon in the Gallilee ten minutes from Carmiel, where the family enjoy an eclectic mix of inhabitants in pleasant surrounding and temperate weather.

Information covering the period July to September of 2009 of new residents in Sderot and the efforts made by the community and interested sympathisers to secure the safety of the large number of people who adjust to living in this beautiful but constantly threatened area.

Lydia Aisenberg writes about a visit to Western Negev Black Arrows memorial site. The site is a dedication to the paratroopers who lost their lives while defending Israel during the period of reprisals when armed Arab marauders constantly attacked the border settlements and villages in that area. Today, impressive rocks representing each of those raids stand in this spot. Well worth a visit.

Jonathan Kahan describes his impressions of Israel in both an emotional and perceptive way. We all live in our own “bubble” and these bubbles never seem to cross. One day he goes for a swim in the sea where he has an historical epiphany. He imagines all the great historical characters who ever passed this land – from Abraham to Ben Gurion – meeting and interacting in a peaceful and constructive way. If only it had happened like that!

Established over 20 years ago The Ministry to Israel believes that as Christians they have a duty to assist the Jews. They raise money in the United States and support potential immigrants in the Soviet Union as well as helping them when they arrive here in Israel. Barbara Abraham met a group from the Ministry who were touring Israel and spending some time here as volunteers. .

With an academic background in mining and biology and interests in ecology and nature conservation, Scottish born Sir Patrick Geddes was an interesting choice to head the planning of the new city of Tel Aviv in the 1920’s. His ideas were influenced by the British Garden City idea - wide parallel boulevards running in a north / south direction and roads running west to east bringing the sea breeze into the city. Gert Guttmann writes that his overall design included a central garden for each cluster of buildings - many of these gardens still exist and can be visited.

The came to Israel in the mid nineteenth century and settled in a number of areas. The Sarona area is where they set up their agricultural colony near the center of present day Tel Aviv. Lydia Aisenberg writes about their historical background and how renovations have been taken place making the area a new tourist attraction.