Happenings 4

Happenings 4

For the 1^st time in Israel

Just like London � a double-decker bus comes to Jerusalem

The new bus will serve the tourists that flock to Jerusalem � the inauguration ceremony will take place on Monday, July 25th at Haas promenade in Jerusalem � the ceremony will be honored by the mayor of Jerusalem, the minister for Jerusalem affairs and Israel's Ministry of Tourism

The Jerusalem Municipality, together with "City Tour" company and Egged, will inaugurate on Monday, July, 25^th 2005, a new double-decker bus, the first of its kind in Israel. The bus, painted red, resembles the famous London busses.

Egged has prepared this special bus, whose second floor will be open, which will allow a clear view of the various attractions. The bus cost approx. 500,000 NIS and it is fully secure. The bus will start operating on Tuesday, July 26th 2005.

The Jerusalem municipality, together with Egged, has created unique route that will pass through various sights around Jerusalem, including Machane Yehuda market, Ammunition Hill, Hadassah hospital on Mount Scopus, Mount Scopus observatory, Tzurim Park, Safra Square, King David Hotel, The khan Theater, Haas promenade, Malcha Mall, the Biblical Zoo, Holyland, Yad Vashem, the Israel Museum, The Knesset, the Supreme Court and more.

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For the first time, two planes in one day with new immigrants from France arriving on Monday July 25TH organized by the Jewish Agency for Israel, Ministry of Absorption and AMI Association.

This year will see the highest level of immigration from France in decades

The planes, bringing 330 new immigrants from France, organized by the Jewish Agency and AMI will land at Ben Gurion Airport on Monday, July 25. A reception will follow with the participation of Arieh Azoulay, Chairman of the Immigration and Absorption Committee of the Jewish Agency,Colette Avital MK, Chairman of the Knesset`s Immigration and Absorption Committee , Mirla Gal, Director-General of the Absorption Ministry,Arieh Tsilker, Mayor of Ashdod and Gil Taieb,Chairman the AMI Association.

Around 330 new immigrants from Paris and Marseille will arrive on two chartered EL AL planes.

Among the new immigrants are 100 children and 70 students who will be going directly into preparatory programs at Tel Aviv University, Bar Ilan University and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. 70% of the families arriving on the planes will be absorbed in the framework of �community absorption�, a joint project of the Jewish Agency and Ministry of Absorption, in the cities of Beit Shemesh, Ashkelon, Netanya, Ashdod, Jerusalem, Netanya.

The Director-General of the Jewish Agency�s Immigration and Absorption Department, Mike Rosenberg, said that in the first half of 2005 there was a 30% rise in immigration from France compared to the same period the previous year. During July, 900 people will immigrate to Israel from France. Until the end of the year, it is expected that 3,300 new immigrants will arrive from France, the highest number from that country in 35 years. In January-June 2005, 886 new immigrants arrived from France, as opposed to 685 during January-June 2004.

20% of the new immigrants arriving on the planes from France are students who have passed their matriculation exams and will continue their academic studies in Israel. More than half of the new immigrants are single (young people and students) and 45% come as families. Most of the new immigrants arrive through direct absorption and prefer the center of the country

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Record Number of US & Canadian Jews Moving to Israel on Single Day

First Ever Plane of Canadians Making the Move

(JERUSALEM; 6 JULY 2005) More than 1,800 North American Jews will move to Israel this summer through Nefesh B�Nefesh (www.nbn.org.il), in close cooperation with the Jewish Agency for Israel.

On July 13^th, 2005 two separate chartered El Al flights with some 500 olim (immigrants) from the U.S. & Canada will arrive simultaneously, marking the largest arrival of

North American Jews in Israel�s history.

Prime Minister ARIEL SHARON, Deputy Prime Minister SHIMON PERES, Foreign Minister SILVAN SHALOM, Finance Minister BENJAMIN NETANYAHU and Jewish Agency Chairman of the Executive ZE�EV BIELSKI and other officials will greet the first of this summer�s arrivals.

The Nefesh formula is working. Of the 4,000 newcomers who came to Israel via Nefesh B�Nefesh since 2002, 99% have remained. The summer 2005 olim will originate from 31 US States and 6 Canadian provinces.

Founded in 2001, NBN is an organization dedicated to revitalizing North American Aliyah by removing or minimizing the financial, professional, logistical and social obstacles of Aliyah. NBN, in close cooperation with the Jewish Agency for Israel, has successfully changed the shape of North American Aliyah. www.nbn.org.il

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Dedication of the Jordan River Border Terminal's New Departure Hall

Transportation Minister Meir Shetrit and Jordanian Transportation Minister
Saoud Nsairat will on Wednesday, 7.6.05, at 10:00, at the Jordan River
Border Terminal (http://tinyurl.com/76s47), attend the dedication of the new
departure hall.

(Courtesy of the Transportation Ministry and the GPO)

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38 Years of the Reunification of Jerusalem

Jerusalem Day events took place on Sunday, June 5 and Monday, June 6

Sunday

Awards Ceremony for Police officers, Emergency and Security Dept. of the Jerusalem Municipality, Zaka, Red Magen David, The Fire Brigade, rescue services and the IDF Home-Front Command.

The Regional Councils Parade to salute Jerusalem. Delegations of all regional councils accompanied the floats with an exhibition of their agricultural products, animals and farming life. The parade was attended by the President of israel, Mr. Moshe Katzav, The Mayor of Jerusalem, Mr. Uri Lopolianski, ministers, Members of the Knesset and VIP's.

15,000 members were expected to take part in the colorful parade, promoted by the regional councils which salute Jerusalem. Among them are 1,000 soldiers, 700 dancers, 200 musicians, 100 street performers and acrobats.

A Jerusalem Celebration at �Beit Orot� � Dinner, song and dance.

Jerusalem celebrates Ethnix's 20th anniversary at Sultan's Pool, with Ethnix, Kobi Oz, Izhar Ashdot, Zehava Ben, Sarit Chadad, Sharon Chaziz, Chayaley Hanekama with Rinat Bar, Nimrod Lev, Eli Luzon, Avi Singolda, Chemi Rodner, Chaim Romano, Yehuda Keysar and Shlomi Shabat.

The Military Rabbinate salutes Jerusalem, in "Ir David", with Mayor Uri Lupolianski and the Chief Military Rabbi, Brig. Gen. Israel Weiss.

Jerusalem Day events at "Merkaz Harav", assembly and march towards the Western Wall.