Israel Up Close
Video magazines ... beyond the headlines
home  |  stories  |  how to order  |  about us  |  contact us  |  links

Human Interest Stories

For Love of Country
Israeli soldier using wheelchair The Israel Defense Forces are known throughout the world for its skill and ground-breaking technologies. The IDF is also charting new frontiers in the area of equal opportunity for the disabled. In keeping with its policy of giving anyone interested in serving the opportunity to do so, the IDF allows physical handicapped individuals to enlist and assume positions ranging from Cadet Corps Commanders to intelligence officers. Hear their stories. Running time: 3.40 minutes
  Return to top

Mike’s Place, Before and After
Two men drinking beer at Mike's PlaceMike’s Place is a popular seaside pub in Tel Aviv touted as a microcosm of Israeli society. Always filled with regulars and tourists, the restaurant was awash in good food and laughter. In fact, the day before a suicide-bomber targeted Mike’s Place, an American production company had been there filming a documentary on how well Israelis cope with the never-ending threat of terror. Running time: 4.16 minutes
  Return to top

Israel’s Largest Bike Ride
Participants in the Alyn bike rideEvery year, more than 160 participants from the United States, Europe, Canada and Israel gather for a five-day ride through the Israeli countryside. It is Israel’s largest annual sports charity event and every year it sees a marked increase in the number of riders. The Alyn Pediatric and Adolescent Rehabilitation Center, one of the world’s premier medical centers for children with disabilities, sponsors the event. Running time: 1.48 minutes
  Return to top

Boutique Wineries in Israel
Wine makers walking in cellarThe Judean Hills are rich in history, beauty and, thanks to Israel’s entrepreneurial spirit, wine. The wine-making roots of this region date back to biblical times when local growers manufactured their product for local consumption and use in the Jewish Temple. Thousands of years later, the ancient art of wine-making in this region, which lies only minutes from Jerusalem, has gone high-tech, led by three boutique wineries, Ella Valley, Seahorse and Domaine du Castel. Each approaches his craft from a unique perspective but each is out to make the best tasting wines in the world. Running time: 6.37 minutes
  Return to top

French Student’s New Life in Israel
Clara BaylerDriven by a desire to live and succeed in Israel, Clara Bayler left her native France to embark on a new life in Israel. In between pursuing her Masters Degree at Tel Aviv University and socializing with friends, Clara volunteers for Israel’s ambulance service, Magen David Adom (MDA). Twice-a-week, Clara dons the familiar white and orange vest of an MDA emergency response volunteer and hits the streets to help Israel’s sick and injured. Running time: 2.12 minutes
  Return to top

Anti-Semitism Conference in Belgium
Rainy street scene in Brussels Anti Semitism has once again raised its ugly head in Western Europe. Jewish Leaders from around the world met in Belgium to discuss this growing phenomenon and to find methods of combating racial hatred in the 21st century. Specialists from around the world, Jewish and Gentile alike, explored the role of the European Governments and democratic societies in the war against anti-Semitism and the appropriate response of the Jewish Community. Running time: 5.06 minutes
  Return to top

Students Advocating for Israel
Group of students Yavneh Olami organizes students dedicated to promoting Aliyah and combating anti-Israel propaganda on college campuses throughout the United States. They serve as Aliyah ambassadors spreading the word on campuses that Israel is a viable and even desirable country that should be considered when making future travel plans. These students coordinate many activities designed to enhance the public image of the State of Israel and bring it closer to the Jewish student’s heart. Running time: 4.20 minutes
  Return to top

The African Hebrews Living in Israel
Singer in Black Hebrew choir The Black Hebrews came to Israel from the United States and settled in the town of Dimona. This community traces its origins to an ancient tribe of the people of Israel.
The film visits a dedication ceremony of a new center for Conflict Resolution based on the teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King. Despite a controversial beginning, this community has established roots in the land of Israel and have been granted permanent resident status as they found ways to integrate into the delicate mosaic of Israeli society. Running time: 5.00 minutes
  Return to top

Entrepreneurs in the Golan Heights
View from a restaurant on the Golan Nimrod is a relatively new Golan Heights community on the slopes of Mount Hermon, Israel’s tallest peak. Awed by the beauty of the landscape and the chill of the winter, the families who call the small village home share more than just a love of nature. Each of Nimrod’s families brought their unique entrepreneurial energies to the area. There’s a small bed & breakfast, a restaurant and an artist and his gallery. Each contributes a special element to life in Nimrod and has made the area a favorite get-away for Israelis and tourists alike. www.ronmertens.com/nimrod Running time: 5.19 minutes
  Return to top

Young Farmers return to the Negev
negev While agriculture was once the corner stone of the Israeli economy, today the country's strength lies in high tech and knowledge based industries. However, for some people, working the land is still a way of life that cannot be abandoned. Yochai Hershberg, a young farmer is one such person. Yochai says that growing produce in the Northern Negev is his way of continuing the Zionist enterprise. running time: 3:54 minutes....web search google: Negev:land,Water    
  Return to top

Tourism in the Old City of Jerusalem
oldcity The Old City of Jerusalem, with the Temple Mount and Arab Market, still tops the list of Israel's tourist destinations. Recent statistics show that the volume of foreign visitors to the walled neighborhood is rising steadily and will soon reach record numbers. Israeli tourism is also on the rise. Local tour guides and merchants speak of renewed prosperity based on feelings of security and co-existence in the mixed Quarter. Running time: 2:47 minutes    
  Return to top

Innovative Holocaust Studies
remembrance With the holocaust generation quickly disappearing there is a danger that the message of "never again" may fade away. However some survivors have taken it upon themselves to educate today's youth about this horror in the Jewish people's history. They say that there is a renewed interest in the holocaust among the younger generation. Running time: 4:39 minutes
  Return to top

Israel Saves Sudanese Refugees
sudanese News that Israel is a free and safe democratic country that respects human rights is spreading quickly amongst Muslim Sudanese refugees from Darfur who are fleeing genocide. Hundreds, who are looking for asylum and a better life, have crossed the Southern Border into Israel. In this video we hear from one of the 12 mothers about their escape to Israel through Egypt and how well they and their children were treated by the Israel army when they entered Israel illegally. Visit them in their safe houses provide by the Israeli Government. (running time 6:01 minutes) 
  Return to top

Israeli Guide Dogs Lead the Way
guidedogs The Israel Guide Dog Center for the Blind has only one goal – to help blind people in Israel, civilians and war veterans, achieve independence and mobility through the use of guide dogs. This report gives us some idea of the techniques and the time needed to train the dogs before they are ready. www.israelguidedog.org Despite the high costs involved, the blind person receives the guide dog, instruction and regular home visits during the working life of the dog at NO charge.  (running time 5:13 minutes)
  Return to top

The Secrets of Shmurah Matzah Revealed
matzah For eight days, once a year, during the festival of Passover, Jews around the world eat matzo or unleavened bread. Most know what the crispy flat cracker-like bread substitute looks like, but not many know how it is made or that one can even bake it at home. Visit with one family and the kids in the neighborhood enjoying this labor of love together.  (running time 3:47 minutes)
  Return to top

Arabs & Jews/Martial Arts for Peace
martial The idea of using martial arts to foster peace and harmony may seem like a contradiction in terms. However, a new project has taken root in Israel called "Budo for Peace" which brings Arabs and Jews together in an effort to build trust and encourage dialogue. These youngsters come from Palestinian, Bedouin and Israeli towns.  go to Yahoo, www.budoforpeace.org  The project has already produced several world champions in judo and karate. ( running time 4:12 minutes)
  Return to top

Israelis Care for Terror Victims
onefamily Israeli terror victims and their families now have a special home in Jerusalem where they receive personalized care and support. The center was opened by "The One Family Fund" www.onefamilyfund.org which provides financial help and most importantly, psychological counseling to these victims of terror and their families. Truly a Mitzvah project. (running time: 3:33 minutes)
  Return to top

Israeli Doctors Care for the World
sach2 The Israeli organization "Save a Child's Heart" is one of the largest undertakings in the world that provides urgently needed pediatric heart surgery and follow-up care for children from third world and developing countries. Its entire surgical, intensive care and nursing staff volunteer their services and donate their time, in conjunction with the Wolfson Medical Center outside Tel Aviv. The organization also brings medical personnel to train in Israel. Thousands of sick children from all over the world, regardless of race or religion, have had their lives saved with cutting edge medical technology. In this report we interview two Palestinian families. http://www.saveachildsheart.com/home1.html Running time: 4:30 minutes (running time: 4:03)
  Return to top

Organic Entrepreneurs
organic People around the world are quickly waking up to both the environmental and health benefits of eating organic, and Israel is no exception. What started out as a weekend hobby for two “big city” Tel Aviv high tech businessmen, turned quickly into a full-fledged farm for the production of organic vegetables. This new eco-friendly Israeli venture shows how green agriculture and greenbacks can go together. http://www.organic-israel.org.il/english.asp (Running time: 3:42 minutes)
  Return to top

Toxic Waste Site Recycled
toxic A "recycling revolution" is underway in Israel's infamous Hiriya landfill site on the outskirts of Tel Aviv. This once- toxic garbage dump, which was Israel's largest, is being transformed from a smelly eyesore into a place where younger generations can discover the importance of keeping our world clean and green. Visit the former dumpsite and see how even a landfill can be recycled. http://www.hiriya.co.il/hiriya/default_e.asp (running time: 4:20)
  Return to top

Disables Vintners Create Fine Wines
vintners Israel now has about 130 active wineries producing many different varieties, earning Israel a growing reputation as a maker of sophisticated, award-winning world-class wines. Tulip Winery makes a label whose exceptional bouquet is matched only by the special nature of its vintners. Tucked away in the lower Galilee is the unique village of Kfar Tikva (“Hope Village”), whose residents live in a facility for people with autism and other special needs. These residents comprise most of the staff of Tulip Winery, which produces about 85,000 bottles of red wine annually. This boutique winery has won a number of medals in international competitions in Europe and the US. This is just one example of Israel’s culture of inclusion, offering opportunities for meaningful and productive lives even for the disabled. http://tulip-winery.co.il/content/view/39/52/ (running time: 3:28 minutes)
  Return to top

The Hidden Jews of Poland
The Hidden Jews of PolandThere were approximately 4 million Jews in Poland before the Holocaust. Today the community numbers no more than a few thousand, but is growing steadily due to the hundreds of Polish citizens who have recently discovered their Jewish roots. Many of these "Hidden Jews" said that after growing up as gentiles, not only were they shocked by the revelation but knowing that they are Jews has dramatically changed their lives. They are gradually returning to their new/old religion. We visit with one family and we hear from the Chief Rabbi of Poland and Israel. The last time the Rabbinical Association of Poland met was over seventy years ago. http://www.shavei.org//en/Default.aspx  Running time: 5:10 minutes
  Return to top

Israel’s Theater Troupe of Blind and Deaf Actors
Theater Troupe of Blind and Deaf ActorsNa laga'at or Do Touch is an Israeli theatrical company, a one of a kind in the world. While it is dazzling audiences and winning praise internationally, its entire troupe is unable to see the lights or hear the music that accompanies each production. Their plays come from their own experiences and imagination. They have also started a café and restaurant with blind and deaf servers. They tell us that the theater has given them the tools to communicate with the outer world from a place of total stillness and http://darkness.www.nalagaat.org Running time: 3:24 minutes
  Return to top

Preparing the Underprivileged for College
Preparing Underprivileged for CollegeAll children deserve a good education. This is the objective of the “College for All” organization that aspires to promote educational excellence in talented youngsters who do not have the means to succeed.  Twenty-one centers operate throughout the country providing an intense supplementary enrichment program for young people who may otherwise have dropped out of the school system.  Besides the academic benefits, the candidates acquire the tools to strengthen character and develop leadership skills. www.crisisinisrael.org/education Running time: 3:46 minutes
  Return to top

Interesting Internships in Israel
Israel's New Arab Health Clinic Post-graduate students from around the World gain valuable experience, and have an opportunity to work in the informal organizational background and culture of Israel. The “Career Israel” program provides unique flexibility and access for the young adults just entering the workforce. In this video, an aspiring newscaster, a jewelry designer and an emergency medical technician talk about their opportunities working in Israel, and the impact on their futures. http://www.internabroad.com/search/israel (running time 3:25 minutes)

  Return to top

 

Send mail to Webmaster with questions or comments about this web site.
Copyright ©2005 IsraelUpClose. All rights reserved