From the Four Corners of the Earth!

For those of you who have been asking me why I don't blog as much as I used to the truth is I do. But I've been blogging on my new blog Point of Pinchas. In any case every once in a while I still find something to share with Kumah as well. Here's is blog about a fascinating story that was all over the news last week.

Iraq
1948 Jewish population: Approximately 150,000
Today: Approximately 11

Afghanistan
1978: Jewish population: Approximately 40,000
Today: 1

United States of America
1998 Jewish population: Approximately 5,800,000
Soon: ?

Israel
1998 Jewish Population: Approximately 4,847,000
Soon: Everybody, including you!

Yes, yes, it's already been all over the blogsphere.

There were two Jews left in Afghanistan and shul politics - but of course - came between them. One has just died.

But no one seems to have mentioned this angle. What it means is that the ingathering of the exiles is complete from Afghanistan. (This last Jew's wife and family are already living in Israel and they want him Home!) Two years ago there were reports that there were just 11 Jews left in Iraq - also known as Bavel, which 1500 years ago looked like 13th Avenue and Avenue J in terms of the sheer number of Jews living there! The clock has been ticking for some time already. How much longer will there still be more Jews in the Diaspora than in our homeland? Not very much longer I dare say...

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Why Dance? We Know Our Gush Katif Trees Will Not Be Uprooted

(AP Photo)

The A7 Tu B'Shvat tree planting in Gush Katif was awesome. Jewish Gaza is alive, kicking, and inspiring our people to move forward with the Jewish Project.

My wife and I brought our 3-year-old avocado sapling that we raised in our Jerusalem windowsill since it was a seed and planted it firmly in the outlying neighborhood of Tiferet Yisrael - near N'vei Dekalim.







I invite every Jew to come visit us yearly when we spend Tu B'Shvat in the serene shade of this Avocado tree, in Gush Katif. Maybe we will even share some guacamole with you (bring your own nachos).

Tu B'Shvat Sameach!

Oh, one more thing. Kumah.org has been nominated for several blog-awards. Polls are open until Sunday (click here to vote).

Update: More pictures

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Join Arutz Sheva's Tree Planting Tu b'Shvat Trip to Gush Katif

Plant saplings with the children of Gush Katif!
See what life in Gush Katif is really like!
Watch the sunset on the beautiful beach of Shirat Hayam!

When: Tu b'Shvat, Tuesday January 25th
Where: Depart at 8:30AM from Binyanei Ha'umah, Jerusalem Convention Center (opposite Central Bus Station). The bus will arrive back in Jerusalem between 7:00 and 8:00pm.

Cost: 100NIS - this includes lunch, sapling, and a great time.

To join, or to find out more, email: Yishai@IsraelNationalRadio.com
Indicate: name, telephone number (especially cell phone), and mode of payment (check, credit card, or cash)
Advanced reservation a must, prepayment will guarantee space on bus.

This is your chance to strengthen yourself, Gush Katif, and the entire Land of Israel.

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Aliyah Revolution - The Show!!!!

Yishai and Malkah have staged a coup, and are now bringing the Aliyah Revolution right to your doorstep, or rather, to your desktop.

The Aliyah Revolution is your radio show with tips on making your Aliyah easier, better, smarter, and less scary, and a lot more inspired!

This week: Getting Absorbed

-Josie Arbel from AACI about her upcoming trip to America.

-Rachel Berger of Nefesh b'Nefesh's employment office about your REAL chances of getting a job in Israel.

-Rabbi Yeracmiel Ronass of Aloh Naaleh about the kicking parties that are bringing Yeshiva students in Israel to think about staying.

-And meet Jordan Frankel, a new-Oleh-to-be. Hear his take on dealing with the pain of leaving your parents in America.

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Project SingOlim Update

Last week, in honor of the 201 NBN Olim from North America, Kumah together with Frumsky.com launched the long awaited new SingOlim.org website.



Simply put if you're thinking about Aliyah or if you've already made it, SingOlim.org is the place to network with others, find friends, view and post to an events calendar, and there's even an awesome dating section. There's something for everyone.



What's more? Lots more features are on the way! When the dust settles we hope to build an online "SingOlim" community that will not only help encourage the Aliyah Revolution - but will actually help facilitate it.

So sign-up at www.SingOlim.org and help spread the word! The Aliyah Revolution has begun!

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