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Judy Lash Balint is a Jerusalem-based freelance writer and author of Jerusalem Diaries: In Tense Times and Jerusalem Diaries: What’s Really Happening in Israel. She has reported from Jerusalem since making aliyah in 1998, with her work appearing in publications worldwide. She is currently a staff member at a leading Jerusalem think tank. A long time advocate for Soviet Jewry, she founded Seattle Action for Soviet Jewry in 1974 and served as Vice President of the Union of Councils for Soviet Jews (1980–1989). She is a recipient of the 2023 and 2024 Simon Rockower Awards from the American Jewish Press Association.

During the 10-week program, the fellows delved into the surrounding area, accompanied by Arab, Druze, Bedouin and Jewish guides.
TAKE A TOUR OF ISRAEL: Enjoy a respite from nearby Tel Aviv, “the city that never sleeps.”
TAKE A TOUR OF ISRAEL: Bet She’arim makes a great day out for families and nature lovers as well as history buffs.
TAKE A TOUR OF ISRAEL: Lachish is located about an hour’s drive from both Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, in one of the most lush, fertile regions of the country.
TAKE A TOUR OF ISRAEL: This new, interactive commemorative center will take you straight to the heart of the battle for control of the road to Jerusalem.
The goal? To expand the existing renovated center into a $20 million state-of-the-art Rambam Quarter. “The vision is that you’ll find your link to Judaism here, no matter who you are—religious, not religious, male or female, Sephardic or Ashkenaz. This is our link,” says Rabbi Yamin Levy.
“Each will mean something to somebody. It doesn’t have to be special because the paper’s nice or because it’s so old; each one is special to someone because of the personal connection,” says collector Ariel Winer.
Israeli Police deployed 3,000 officers including Border Police to direct crowds and control traffic. Despite some scuffles and momentary losses of control, security personnel prevailed to maintain order.