Singer-songwriter Ishay Ribo performed a pre-Shabbat concert with the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra.
Ishay Ribo’s Friday magic – concert review
Beware of ‘meduzot’: How Israel deals with jellyfish
Experts explain the invasion of jellyfish in the country this summer while seeking to safeguard Israeli beachgoers.
View original article on JNS.org
In recent years, it also means visiting a popular website, https://www.meduzot.co.il/overview-map, https://www.meduzot.co.il/ for the latest information on jellyfish, known in Hebrew as meduzot.
Professor Dor Edelist, a marine macro-ecologist at the Leon Recanati Institute for Maritime Studies at the University of Haifa, could not be happier that word of the site is spreading.
Edelist tells JNS that each summer, between one and two million people visit the site, which has a jellyfish icon over various stretches of beaches along the Mediterranean Sea.
Since its founding in 2011, 5,000 to 6,000 people have opted to participate in “citizen science” by serving as voluntary reporters of the location, number and species of jellyfish they observe.
The main species of jellyfish in Israel is Rhopilema nomadic (the nomad jellyfish), although 16 other species may be spotted across the country’s beaches.
Millions of jellyfish have invaded the shores of Israel this summer, from popular beaches in the north, including Haifa and Netanya, to Tel Aviv and Herzliya in the center and Ashkelon and Ashdod in the south.
A 15-year-old girl was recently stung by a giant jellyfish while she was swimming at a beach in Netanya and was rescued by a local surfer. The traumatized girl was taken by ambulance to Meir Hospital in Kfar Saba, where she was hospitalized with second-degree burns.
Jellyfish recently clogged the cooling system at the Rutenberg Power Station in Ashkelon, which a team from the Israel Electric Corporation speedily deal with to prevent harm to the electricity supply. “We’re conducting continuous monitoring and are prepared for such cases but the quantities this year are exceptional,” the IEC said.
The website, which for now is in Hebrew only, offers links to “Have you seen a jellyfish? Submit a report,” a jellyfish reporter leaderboard (“We have much bigger plans for badges, etc.—right now it is just whoever had the most observations over the last week, month, year”), jellyfish species in Israel, a jellyfish photo contest, partner organizations and a contact form.
The site has faced some challenges. “We do our best and have few complaints, but there is zero guarantee” as to the accuracy of the reporting, says Edelist, who reports that “internet trolls” making continuous reports of jellyfish have at times compromised accuracy. His team has recently been using special software to detect such fake reports.
A second challenge for the site takes place “in the winter, when jellyfish are out, but people are not in the water [to report them], so we need to rely on seamen and divers,” Edelist adds.
Misconception about jellyfish
Dr. Zafrir Kuplik, a researcher and curator of the coelenterates collection at the Steinhardt Museum of Natural History at Tel Aviv University, says it is a “misconception” that jellyfish are only present in the summer and only in warm weather.
“You see them in the winter, but fewer,” he tells JNS. “They roam out at sea. They may be remains of the summer swarms.”
Kuplik shares that the presence of jellyfish is a “function of their life cycle” and that they are “current dependent.” Kuplik points out that jellyfish can be seen in water bodies around the world, including the North Sea.
Kuplik and Edelist are part of a close-knit community of Israeli jellyfish researchers who share a love for jellyfish and strive to provide an accurate picture of these aquatic animals that, they point out, belong to the Phylum Cnidaria and the marine class Scyphozoa.
“You can count jellyfish experts on one hand,” notes Edelstein playfully. He is a self-described fish specialist who became interested in jellyfish 15 years ago while working on his PhD. At the time, a colleague invited him to observe jellyfish polyps under a microscope—and he was hooked.
Something about these polyps, which eventually produce a dozen or more juvenile jellyfish, excited him. “It hit me that jellyfish are not a problem to solve, but a challenge to deal with,” he says.
One challenge jellyfish pose is that they visit Israeli beaches every summer from mid-June to mid-August and sometimes do sting human beings. But there are precautions swimmers can take, such as consulting the website or visiting a map prior to setting out for the beach.
Edelist is pleased that the map of jellyfish whereabouts also appears on the weather page of some news websites. Beaches where there is a concern by the authorities about jellyfish display a bright purple flag with a white jellyfish on it.
Ministerial oversight
The Israeli Ministry of Environmental Protection, headed by Minister Idit Silman, is ultimately responsible for managing jellyfish populations in Israel, especially their impact on coastal areas and power plants.
A ministry official told JNS that it is “well aware of the jellyfish issue in Israel. The ministry has been funding national monitoring of the marine environment at all levels for decades.”
The ministry’s website offers (in English) “First Aid Care for Jellyfish Sting.” It explains that jellyfish travel to the Israeli coasts every summer as the Mediterranean Sea warms up, and that they use their tentacles to sting and emit a venom which can lead to a rash, redness, pain or swelling. Washing the affected area first with seawater, then with fresh water, is useful. (www.gov.il/en/pages/jellyfish-sting-care).
Applying aloe is also effective. Edelist notes that wearing lycra or a diving suit can be beneficial.
A visit to the beach
On a recent late afternoon visit to the lifeguard station at the Hilton Tzafon (North) Beach, lifeguard Alexi remarks that it is not very crowded today due to the jellyfish. “There are no jellyfish in the pool!” he quips, pointing to the nearby Gordon Pool.
He explains that when the water gets very warm in the summer, the jellyfish come close to shore. He shows me the aloe plants in planters along the boardwalk near the snack bar and explains that—consistent with EPA recommendations—they offer fresh aloe to beachgoers in the event of a sting.
Edelist, somewhat concerned that jellyfish get a bad reputation, stresses that jellyfish “have no desire to waste precious sting cells” on people. They “just drift passively” and tend to “swim away from you—so their stingers are facing toward you.” He notes that they sense various creatures with their receptors.
Kuplik similarly feels the Israeli public has misconceptions about jellyfish, often considering them “like mosquitoes,” and not understanding “why we need them.”
He notes that jellyfish are “eaten by all—fish, sea turtles, invertebrates, marine mammals and sea birds. And if they are not eaten, the biomass dies, sinks and disintegrates by bacterial activation. Non-organic substances are spread to the ocean and enrich the water all over again.”
Edelist and Kuplik acknowledge some negative aspects of jellyfish, beyond stinging humans. Kuplik notes their interference at times in fisheries, tourist activities and clogging of cooling inlets.
Edelist quantifies the impact. “They clog intakes and filters of power and desalination plants and these damages were estimated by the State Comptroller as $32 million per year,” he says.
Still, Kuplik remains an outspoken advocate for meduzot. “People notice jellyfish because of the negative. I’m more interested in the positive,” he concludes.
Am Yisrael Drives: Sole Israeli NASCAR driver’s road from war to the winner’s circle
Sporting a “chai” on his car and a yellow ribbon on his suit, Israeli NASCAR driver is more than a racer – he’s a symbol of resilience, remembrance, and pride.
View original article in the Jerusalem Post
Israel’s only professional NASCAR driver, Alon Day, is currently competing in the prestigious ARCA Menards Series circuit this summer in the United States, where he proudly, bravely, and openly represents the Holy Land.
The four-time NASCAR Euro Series champion drives a blue and white Toyota Camry with the Hebrew word “chai” printed on the hood – next to the initials “JSSI,” the name of his proud and equally pro-Israel sponsor, Jet Support Services, Inc.
Day, 34, sports the same “chai” in large Hebrew letters on the back of his jacket and a yellow ribbon to remember the hostages, many of whom he knows personally from the peaceful year he spent in 2017 living in Kfar Aza.
In a Zoom interview with The Jerusalem Post from his team’s base camp in Salisbury, North Carolina, Day was wearing a necklace with a map of Israel pendant. Day shared the story of his incredible determination to get to the United States with Israeli airspace closed to flights as Iranian ballistic missiles fell on Israel, his incredible second-place finish in his race this past Saturday, and the story of how a boy from Ashdod became a professional racecar driver.
Day’s journey, from his bomb shelter in Ashdod, where he and his pregnant wife sought shelter from Iranian ballistic missiles the recent two weeks, to the three road races for Team Venturini Motorsports – at Lime Rock Park in Connecticut (June 28), Sonoma Raceway in California (July 11), and Watkins Glen, NY (August 9) – was long, challenging, and remarkable.
“I won’t let a few ballistic missiles from Iran get in the way,” joked Day, who took matters into his own hands in an effort to get to the United States. Flying was off the table – even his sponsor, Neil Book, CEO of JSSI, a leader in the business aviation industry, could not arrange a flight from Israel in the middle of a war.
“I tested many options,” recounted Day, who considered escape routes through Amman, Jordan, and Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt. He even booked himself on a boat to Cairo, where he would have then flown to New York. The racer ultimately decided to take a 40-passenger boat, no more than 30 to 40 feet in length, for 30 hours, to Cyprus. His wife accompanied him to the port in Ashdod and gave her blessing for him to board and get to the US.
“Go – don’t think about it,” she offered. “It was a hell of a journey. It was really, really tough!”
Day has enjoyed years of competing extensively and successfully in Asian and European events. He won the Asian Formula Renault Challenge at 17 years old in 2009 and has 32 wins in 95 starts since his debut with the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series in 2015. Day earned NASCAR Whelen Euro Series championships in 2017, 2018, and 2020.
Day feels that racing in America is a “once in a lifetime opportunity to show what I am capable of.”
He playfully compares racing in Europe to playing basketball in the Euroleague.
“But racing in America is like playing in the NBA!”
After arriving in Cyprus, Day flew to Greece, then on to New York and North Carolina to be with his team, and pass his physical and driving tests. He arrived in Connecticut in time for his June 28 race, which proved to be quite eventful.
Day shared his June 28 race experience in a Facebook post: “What a rollercoaster of a race! Started 4th, climbed to 1st, dropped to last due to a penalty, fought back to finish 2nd. It’s tough to accept losing the win like that, but I’m already looking ahead to the next race: Sonoma 7/11.”
The race, which lasted just over an hour and included one stop for fuel and one tire change, started off well and without incident. Day moved from fourth to first place in the first few laps. After 34 laps, due to a communication failure, Day missed an important directive – that drivers were required to enter the pits as part of the planned break. Day failed to exit and was assessed a heavy penalty. He started the second part of the race in last place.
After a heroic battle that lasted 32 laps, Day managed to climb to second place. At the end of the race, he raised his trophy and exclaimed: “It was a sweet and bitter ending for me. It’s frustrating to think that I led the race by a large margin of four seconds and lost it because of a communication problem. Despite everything, JSSI’s Toyota Camry was so fast that I managed to overtake everyone, coming from last place to second place. My mind is already on the next race.”
“I’m so proud of the race Alon ran today,” said Book, the CEO of JSSI. “A strong second-place finish, which doesn’t come close to telling the real story. His journey to be here, the heart he showed on the track, fighting to the top of the leaderboard after an unfortunate setback. He’s a true champion, as the rest of the world is now discovering. Excited for the next race. Am Yisrael Chai!”
American Jews are not typically fans or financial backers of auto racing. Book, who was with Day in Connecticut, is taken by Day’s “perseverance, his resilience. Who better is there to represent Israel than Alon?” he asked.
Day and Book are both unapologetic supporters and defenders of Israel. Last year, the Chicago businessman took out an ad in the Chicago Tribune calling out the mayor and city council for their stances on Israel. “Chicago has major crime and gun violence, and the mayor calls for a ceasefire in Gaza?!” asked Book.
Book has been a believer in and supporter of Day since they were connected by mutual friends last year.
“When a friend reaches out to tell you about an Israeli NASCAR driver, you think they are joking!” said Book. He then described how he was wowed by Day after their initial 30-minute Zoom meeting.
“This is a guy who has been so personally affected by October 7th. He has friends who were slaughtered, taken hostage, and not accounted for. I saw his determination. I was hooked right away.”
The two spent time in Chicago last summer at events surrounding a road race there.
“I saw a champion out there.”
He offered his financial backing.
“For this season, I said let’s do it the right way – with the right people, the right team, the right car.”
Book also wanted to make sure Day’s racecar had “visibility and clarity.” Their initial proposal to NASCAR to feature a car with a Star of David was not accepted, but the “chai” logo was permitted.
Book also feels that racing in America offers expanded opportunities for getting the message out about Israel.
“The bigger his platform, the more he will talk about what is happening in Israel.”
Day is so appreciative their visions align – and for the financial support Book provides.
“This sport is all about sponsorship and money, which is important to help win races,” Day remarked.
“We are honored to partner with Alon Day for a second year,” added Book. “Alon represents the heart and spirit of the Israeli people: commitment to excellence, tremendous work ethic, and ability to persevere in the face of enormous adversity. These are the traits that we strive to embody at JSSI.”
Long journey to NASCAR
Day’s long journey to NASCAR actually started when he was a child growing up in Ashdod. He was very interested in car and airplane simulators. For a bar mitzvah present, his father purchased an expensive go-kart. Day mastered the vehicle and became an accomplished go-kart racer in Israel and Europe.
He seriously considered becoming a fighter pilot in the Israeli Air Force and passed all the necessary tests. He then had an important decision to make: pursue his ambition to become a professional racecar driver, or continue with the pilots’ training course.
Day opted to pursue car racing, but felt strongly about completing compulsory military service. He found what he describes as “the perfect balance” – working for three years in F-16 intelligence as part of the F-16 squadron. Due to his special sportsman’s status with the IDF, he was also given adequate time to train and compete.
After completing military service, Day’s racing career began to take off. After winning his first European championship, he moved to Kfar Aza for a year (2017-2018).
“I looked for a quiet place. I am not a city guy. It was a perfect match. A good environment, good people.”
Day liked Kfar Aza so much that he considered returning there permanently to live. His wife-to-be preferred not to live on a kibbutz, and the two instead live in Gan Yavne. Sadly, many close friends from Kfar Aza were killed or taken hostage on October 7, 2023 – and Day is painfully aware of what might have been his fate had he remained there.
Day strives to “bring the message about the hostages through racing.”
He also uses his platform on the international stage to help fight rising antisemitism. He feels he can’t hide his being Jewish and Israeli.
“It is who I am. Israel is my home country. I am on a mission.”
Day has been pleased with the support he has received from many in the Jewish and Christian communities.
“I get tons of messages on social media – people in the Jewish community are starting to watch NASCAR – people are coming out. My biggest surprise has been that a lot of Christians, especially in the NASCAR community, are patriots and pro-Israel and support Israel.”
At the same time, Day has encountered anti-Israel protests. In Chicago last year, anti-Israel protesters jumped over a barrier to the racetrack. And during Saturday’s race, his phone was reportedly targeted; he was receiving messages in Arabic.
Day remains steadfast in his public support of Israel and regularly shares his message on the racing circuit. But for now, Day is focused on his most immediate goal – winning his next race.
Wartime, up close and personal as an ‘oleh’
It is both mind-blowing and beautiful to watch Israel return to normal following two straight weeks of anxiety, terror and the unknown.
View original article on JNS.org
The kids went back to school on Monday. The adults returned to work. And the pools, gym and tennis courts reopened.
Early next week, summer camps should be in full swing.
Still, the sense of sudden normalcy doesn’t feel normal. It certainly doesn’t for me. I just made aliyah, and as such, experienced war as a new immigrant. I had more at stake this time.
And this war, it was different. I don’t think there has been a conflict in recent memory when friends outside of Israel could follow events so closely in real time. From WhatsApp groups like Jewish Breaking News and Israel Live News, to i24News, coupled with apps of the Israel Defense Forces Home Front Command and the incessant Red Alert one, there is an overabundance of reporting from the Jewish state—and the Mideast as a whole—these past 21 months. Because that’s how long it has been. It started with the Hamas-led terrorist attacks in southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, followed by a regional wave of terror and transformation ever since.
In past wars and periods of tension in the Middle East, I was one of those who sat in the United States, glued to the news. Now that I am here for good, I have a new perspective. When friends and colleagues in America reach out and check in, it’s clear that the news sources they follow are not nuanced or always accurate.
When we were greeted on Friday, June 13, at 3 a.m., to a shrill sound on our phones, no one knew at first what was happening. It turns out that the alert was meant to inform Israelis to “sit tight.”
Something, of course, was happening. Israel was bombing Iran, and retaliation was imminent.
As the day unfolded, that “pre-snowstorm in America” feel was in the air. Something was about to happen for sure; it was just a matter of time. The Home Front Command announced no school, no work (except for essential services), no social outings, no simchas. Ben-Gurion International Airport was closed.
By 7:45 a.m., I ventured to the nearest grocery store for essentials for Shabbat. We all knew the azakah, or “warning siren,” could go off any minute. We grabbed the basics—milk, challah rolls, fruit and vegetables, hummus, some snacks—and hustled home, relieved that we could all survive the next few days, if necessary.
Shabbat services were soon canceled countrywide. A popular Tel Aviv Modern Orthodox synagogue sent a message in the WhatsApp group telling people to come by the shul at 4 p.m. to pick up some “take-home cholent, since it is already made.”
Parents of young children who look forward to the weekly camaraderie and kiddush associated with the Children’s Tefillah session arranged to meet at 10:30 a.m. on Shabbat in the local playground, which features a huge bomb shelter seconds away. Bleary-eyed moms and dads, who found themselves in and out of shelters with kids and even with their own parents between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. Friday night and into Saturday morning couldn’t stop talking about their experiences.
The lucky ones have a mamad, a safe room in their apartment or apartment building. Most Israelis don’t. Instead, they rely on small, dusty bomb shelters serving an entire apartment building, or they go a few blocks to a local community shelter. Some, like in Tel Aviv, are like modern Jewish Community Centers with multiple safe rooms. These often feature electrical outlets, children’s sleep mattresses and air-conditioning, if you are lucky enough to get a coveted spot. They fill quickly. Hundreds come, along with babies, kids of all ages, even pets. They fill to capacity with the overflow waiting it out in the stairwells.
For parents, work is put on the back burner and is optional for most. Some have spouses—doctors, nurses, other caretakers—who staff Israel’s hospitals, which means that one parent is flying solo with few activities available. Caretakers often can’t make it to work due to erratic public transportation or because they have their own kids or parents to manage. I have learned that in some industries, parents of children up to age 15 or parents of children with disabilities up to age 21 cannot be called in to work; there are similar rules protecting those whose spouses are on IDF reserve duty.
Waze, unsurprisingly an Israeli innovation, just announced a new feature where the user can easily locate the nearest bomb shelter while out driving or with kids at a playground. It offers some peace of mind to veteran Israelis and new immigrants alike.
On several playgrounds, I saw kids playing a game called azakah and mamad. One child screams out azakah—“bomb alert.” The others scream mamad—“bomb shelter.” They run, pointedly, in search of safety. They must know what psychologists have known for decades: Play is an effective medium for processing trauma. Maybe so, but I’d prefer to see these kids on a swing set.
It is both mind-blowing and beautiful to watch Israel return to normal following two straight weeks of anxiety, terror and the unknown. Yes, we still always remember the hostages in Gaza, the soldiers who have given their lives in battle, and sadly, those who died in the Iranian missile attacks. But by 7 a.m., there were 20 people in front of me at the Maccabi Health Clinic waiting for blood and other lab tests. The local tennis center was open for business. All nine courts were in use by 9 a.m.
Just two days ago, a couple with two young children were considering a temporary move to the States via Jordan so they could do their jobs, so that their children could get a good night’s sleep and maybe even attend a local summer camp.
Now, that’s off the table. Ben-Gurion International Airport is open. Some foreigners are trying to get out, and Israelis are trying to get in. Summer programs that were recently canceled will be jump-started next week, including the Birthright Israel program. It’s too late to bring the Maccabiah Games back, but athletes are sure to be here in even greater numbers next summer.
It may just be a wonderful summer, after all. Israelis are hopeful, but realistic. Everything can change in just about the time it takes to get to the nearest bomb shelter.