Grafted in Silver Pendant

Hand made 'Grafted In' jewelry from believers working within the Old City Walls of Jerusalem. These beautifully hand-crafted Messianic pendants are straight from the Christian Quarter of the Old City. They present a graphic picture of Paul's words in Romans 11 as he carefully explained to the Gentiles that when they personally give their lives to Jesus, they are 'grafted in' to the natural olive tree of Israel and become partakers of all the promises of God.The pendants are a wonderful reminder of God's grace to us all!
http://www.thejerusalemgiftshop.com/grafted-in-silver-pendant.html

Ready for the 2016 Olympics: The Israeli Equestrian Team. News from Jerusalem

Israel has its first ever Equestrian Team for the 2016 Summer Olympics and they are off to an impressive start. Israel has fielded teams in the Olympics since 1952, working its way up to its first medals in Barcelonas summer games in 1992. Israeli athletes have shown grit, determination and increased their share of medals. A world grieved when terrorists murdered Israeli Olympians in 1972. We remember they memory and render honors!
http://www.thejerusalemgiftshop.com/israelnews/ready-for-the-2016-olympics-the-israeli-equestrian-team/

Driving In Israel Is Not For The Faint Of Heart - News from Jerusalem

Driving or riding in a motor vehicle in Israel is an experience much like choosing to ride a triple loop roller coaster for the first time. It is slightly exhilarating, a little scary, very fast, and could possibly lead to your demise. Israeli drivers put the pedal to the metal. And, just as they have zero patience for waiting in line at the ATM, the movie ticket counter, or anywhere else (prepare to use your elbows to maintain your place in the cueno cutsies has no meaning here), they have zero tolerance for slow traffic and indecisive drivers. The appropriate stopping distance you leave between your car and the car in front of you is viewed by an Israeli as an invitation to switch lanes and claim the space. Israelis do not have a driving culture where you signal politely and wait for kind drivers to let you into their lane of traffic. You need to take what is yours and fight for a place on the road. Just close your eyes and switch lanes.
http://www.thejerusalemgiftshop.com/israelnews/driving-in-israel-is-not-for-the-faint-of-heart/

Hebrew Anyone?

Why we need to learn the language or learn to think like Hebrews.Perhaps the oldest written language still spoken today is Hebrew. Semitic languages, those of the Middle East, are generally considered to have the oldest alphabets. There are common roots which begin with the concept of pictograph. These are generally accepted symbols, comparable todays international icons seen and used on road signs, computer keyboards and even text messaging. (Somehow the end is the beginning in the strangest places).
http://www.thejerusalemgiftshop.com/israelnews/hebrew-anyone/

Rebels and Believers: the Last Two Revolts and Reminders in the Soil News from Jerusalem

The Temple Mount in Jerusalem is a destination for all faithful travelers to Israel. A reminder of Israels faithfulness, failures in that faithfulness that brought about ruin and a promise of return and restoration. There are two other places which bear witness to these things and they at first seem to be easy to grasp. Herod was a masterful builder and a man of frightful passions. He was a consummate political survivor, outlasting the Roman civil war and shifting his loyalty from the defeated Antony to Caesars successors. He eliminated any possible rivals, from family or friends or baby boys under the age of two who could have been the Messiah and King. He died unloved and feared. But he built cities, public works and remarkable palaces and fortified refuges for himself that later became strongholds during two revolts. These were Masada and The Herodium, the last redoubts of the Zealots and Bar Kokhbas rebels. The two are well worth a visit and a story.
http://www.thejerusalemgiftshop.com/israelnews/rebels-and-believers-the-last-two-revolts-and-reminders-in-the-soil/

Clay Lamps Perfume and Incense

Perfumes, scented candles and oil lamps - Genuine Christian Gifts from the Holy Land that will bring the fragrance and feel of Jerusalem to your home.
http://www.thejerusalemgiftshop.com/clay-lamps-perfume-incense.html/

The Pope in Jerusalem - YouTube

The Pope Drive-by in Jerusalem. Caught by my gopro as he was making his way to Mt Scopus in Jerusalem after his visit at the presidents house.
http://youtu.be/8RFIDK668tA

The Why of the Wall Laid Bare News from Jerusalem

One day a few weeks ago my oldest son and I were reminiscing about how different life was here in the early 80s. It was a time in this land when Arabs and Jewish people got along fairly well. My sons were in high school at the time, and we had many Arab friends. Bethlehem in those days was primarily Christian, there were no walls, and Israelis loved to visit the village, especially on Shabbat when the Israeli Jewish shops and restaurants were closed!
http://www.thejerusalemgiftshop.com/israelnews/the-why-of-the-wall-laid-bare/

Straight to The Top News from Jerusalem

In Israel, we all feel like one big family. This is great when you need to ask someone something,because there is no animosity and you are often met with a willing and thorough response.However, there are also times when people comment as they please. Before Shmuel camealong, walks with our 'other bubba' our dog invited concerns as to whether his collar was too tight, his leash too loose or his fur too short, voiced by well-meaning dog lovers.
http://www.thejerusalemgiftshop.com/israelnews/straight-to-the-top/

Saturday Is The Day For A Tiyul (Trip) News from Jerusalem

Youll often hear Israelis complaining about lack of space. The majority of the countrys population is concentrated in the center and Israelis live tightly packed together in high rise buildings and apartment complexes. Mornings and evenings are wasted away battling aggressive yet excruciating slow moving traffic as each commuter fights to lose as little time as possible trapped on the highway. Israelis are well aware that this isnt a healthy existence and they balance their lives in the urban jungle by prescribing themselves a weekly dose of wide-open spaces, clean air, and the smells of nature. On Saturday, the countrys official day of rest (the Sabbath), secular Israelis pack up the car, fight weekend traffic out of the cities, and head out to the wilderness for a day of fresh air, hiking, and good old-fashioned outdoor fun.
http://www.thejerusalemgiftshop.com/israelnews/saturday-is-the-day-for-a-tiyul-trip/

The Ark Has Landed

Biblical Zoos in Israel and why we should know about the animals mentioned in Scripture.There is a current movie about Noah that has drawn a torrent of criticisms. Scripture records which animals were to be put on the ark and how many of each and especially how many of the unclean creatures or those that were unsuitable for food. Unclean doesnt actually mean its wrong, just not suitable for food because it consumes carrion (road-kill). It was not just two by two More trash disposals were taken on than those to keep the new earth clean for the survivors. Expeditions to Turkey have brought back enticing narratives of broken vessels stuck in the ice, even a Titanic-like wreck captured in a time warp. A vessel complete with hay mangers and a vast interior is claimed to have been found by one group. The photos are never clear, and the videos are puzzling for all. But the basic truth is there.
http://www.thejerusalemgiftshop.com/israelnews/the-ark-has-landed/

The Fires of Lag BaOmer

Last weekend in Israel marked the celebration of the holiday of Lag BaOmer.Lag BaOmer literally stands for the 33rd day of the Omer, a counting period between the holidays of Passover and Shavout. The Hebrew letter Lamed (like the L in the English alphabet) has the numerical value of 30 and the Hebrew letter Gimmel (equivalent to the letter G) possesses the numerical value of 3. The time period during the counting of the Omer is a semi-mourning period in the Jewish religion and religious Jews refrain from celebration during this time. Weddings, parties, and even haircuts are avoided during the Omer, except on the 33rd day, Lag BaOmer. On this one day during the counting, the restrictions of mourning are lifted. As you can imagine, Lag BaOmer is a very popular day in Israel for weddings, bar mitzvahs, and other celebrations. It is also the traditional day when Jewish three year old boys receive their first hair cut.
http://www.thejerusalemgiftshop.com/israelnews/the-fires-of-lag-baomer/

Souvenirs of the Soul

Great article on the deeper meaning to buying gifts from Israel
http://www.thejerusalemgiftshop.com/israelnews/souvenirs-of-the-soul/