As one of the 50 most influential Jews in the world since 1998, Russell Robinson's journey to the top of the Jewish National Fund is an inspiring story. Growing up in the small town of El Paso, Texas, where he experienced anti-Semitism, Robinson was instilled with a love for Israel and Zionism by his family despite never visiting the country.

"For my grandfather, Israel was always an important unifying home for every Jew," Robinson recalls fondly. His first experience of seeing Jews truly enjoying themselves came when asked to volunteer to organize a summer camp for El Paso's Jewish community children.

When the devastating Oct. 7 onslaught was happening, Robinson was on a plane to Israel. Two hours before landing, his phone lit up with grave alerts far beyond the usual missile alert warnings. He quickly messaged friends in the area, including the late Ofir Libstein, head of the Sha'ar Hanegev Regional Council, who responded with a praying hands emoji shortly before being murdered.

This catalyzed the JNF's efforts to rehabilitate the battered Gaza periphery region through its "Build Together" program. Though skeptical they could recruit even two dozen volunteers willing to work in an active war zone at their own expense, over 200 signed up immediately, with more on waiting lists.

"We understood we're all in the same boat," Robinson says. To date, around 3,500 volunteers from across the United States have participated, with more coming through year's end.

The JNF creatively ensured all parties benefited by supporting 151 small Israeli businesses in purchasing aid packages of local produce like wine, cheese, and chocolate for evacuees, hospitalized individuals, and soldiers. Over 13,900 packages have been acquired so far.

When asked about the rising US antisemitism potentially driving more American Jews to make aliyah, Robinson emphasizes the contemporary desire to move to the Jewish state is rooted in positive motivations rather than necessity. However, he argues, Jewish institutions must reinvest in education to properly equip the thousands of university students currently ill-prepared to address the issue.

Regarding the complex International Criminal Court situation with potential arrest warrants for Israeli leadership, Robinson advocates focusing on Israel's strengths and victories instead of getting mired in problematic political arenas.

"There are 25% who will always hate us, but I choose to invest in the 25% who will always love us, and the 50% confused in the middle," he states. "Let's solve this confusion through the beauty of who we are as a people and state."

The post 'This is our strength and beauty': The US volunteers saving the economy of Israeli border towns appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.

The body of Dolev Yehoud, a 35-year-old medic from the Nir Oz kibbutz in southern Israel, has been recovered after he was kidnapped during a terrorist attack on October 7, Israeli authorities confirmed Monday. Yehoud had left his home that day to provide medical assistance to those injured in the attack when he was abducted. His sister, Arbel Yahuda, remains in captivity.

Yehoud is survived by his wife Sigal and four young children:  daughters Raz, 8, Yotam, 7, Yaron, 4, and Dor, who is just eight months old. In a cruel twist of fate, baby Dor was born only 16 days after the October 7 attack, never getting the chance to meet her father.

"When Dolev was kidnapped, he was a father to three amazing children – Raz, Yotam, and Ron," his wife said. "He was by my side for all three births, holding my hand, supporting me, cutting the umbilical cords, and helping choose their names."

For weeks after the October 7 attack on Nir Oz, there were no signs of Yehoud in Gaza. Efforts were made to determine if he had been taken to Gaza or was being held captive somewhere in Israeli territory. In recent weeks, suspicions grew that he had been killed in Israel.

His body was eventually found in the area around the kibbutz and moved to another location. Forensic evidence was examined multiple times but initially failed to extract DNA. However, after repeated investigations and additional analysis, it became clear that the recovered remains were those of Yehoud.

The post Kibbutz medic, missing since Oct. 7, confirmed dead as remains identified appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.

With coronavirus variants on the rise, Health Ministry Director General Professor Hezi Levi signed a new directive mandating quarantine for visitors who arrive from seven countries, even if they are fully vaccinated or have recovered COVID-19.

Follow Israel Hayom on Facebook and Twitter

Passengers from Ukraine, Ethiopia, Brazil, South Africa, India, Mexico, and Turkey will now be required to quarantine for 14 days upon arrival.

Those who take two coronavirus tests – one upon arrive and one after 10 days – will be allowed to end quarantine after the second test.

The directive goes into effect on Monday, pending Knesset's approval .

On Tuesday, the Health Ministry urged the government to temporarily suspend direct flights from India as it battles a massive coronavirus resurgence.

In the 24 hours ending on Tuesday morning, India reported 3,285 coronavirus deaths, bringing the toll to 201,165,000. According to the Indian Health Ministry, it has become the nation with the second most coronavirus cases in the world. In terms of mortality, it ranks fourth, after the United States, Brazil, and Mexico.

Due to these deaths, the cemeteries and cremation workers in India have also been under unprecedented stress.

Subscribe to Israel Hayom's daily newsletter and never miss our top stories!

The post Health Ministry introduces new quarantine measures as variants spread appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.