Week of October 13, 2026

Israel will hold national elections on October 27, 2026, and an estimated 53,000 Israelis living abroad plan to travel to the country to exercise their right to vote. A petition filed by the Likud Party against AID Coalition and its Fly&Vote initiative, which seeks to help eligible voters overcome the financial barriers to traveling home for Election Day, has been dismissed.

Therefore, airline ticket prices will remain at the discretion of the airlines, and no additional flights will be added because of the initiative.

The decision comes amid growing momentum among Israelis living overseas to participate in the upcoming elections. Figures published by Fly&Vote in September point to record levels of engagement. A survey of approximately 17,500 Israelis living outside the country found that 72% intended to travel to Israel to vote. Of those surveyed, 58% had already purchased airline tickets and arranged their travel.

The findings mark a significant increase from a survey conducted in March, when only 45% of respondents said they would make every effort to travel to Israel for the vote. The latest figures suggest that more Israelis are turning their intentions into concrete plans.

The initiative also appears to be influencing voters’ decisions. Approximately half of respondents said Fly&Vote’s activities encouraged them and directly influenced their decision to fly to Israel to cast their ballots.

Despite the strong interest, the cost of travel remains the biggest obstacle. Some 58% of respondents identified airfare prices as their main barrier to voting in person, while 25% cited flight availability. The security situation in Israel was also identified as a concern.

“The data clearly show that Israelis living abroad are still Israelis first and foremost, involved and caring, not only in words but also in actions,” said AID Coalition President Yonatan Bar-Sadeh. “Fly&Vote will continue working to reduce and remove the obstacles on their way to the ballot box, and to enable every Israeli citizen, woman and man, to exercise their basic right to vote.”

Please pray for Israel’s upcoming elections asking for wisdom, integrity, and peace throughout the electoral process. Pray that every citizen can exercise his or her right to vote freely and safely.

Archaeologists have uncovered a remarkable 1,000-foot section of a 2,000-year-old aqueduct that once supplied water to Jerusalem’s Temple Mount revealing how ancient engineers overcame one of the city’s greatest challenges: securing a reliable water supply for a growing population.

The discovery was made ahead of plans to build a new neighborhood in southern Jerusalem. According to the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA), archaeologists and urban planners hope to preserve the ancient remains and incorporate them into the future development, allowing a remarkable piece of Jerusalem’s past to coexist with its modern expansion.

Known as the Lower Aqueduct, the system was built around 100 BCE by Hasmonean kings to transport water from Solomon’s Pools, a series of three reservoirs fed by springs south of Bethlehem, to Jerusalem. Stretching approximately 13 miles, the aqueduct helped meet the city’s growing water demands during the Second Temple period, particularly during major pilgrimage festivals (Passover, Shavuot, and Sukkot).

Jerusalem’s elevated position in the Judaean Mountains presented a persistent challenge for its inhabitants. Rainfall and the Gihon Spring in the Kidron Valley were insufficient to meet the needs of a growing population, especially during major religious gatherings. To overcome this problem, ancient engineers developed an ambitious system to transport water from distant sources, relying on gravity rather than mechanical pumping.

Benyamin Storchan, one of the excavation directors, described the aqueduct as an extraordinary engineering achievement. Unlike the monumental Roman aqueducts often associated with cities such as Caesarea or those found across Italy, the Jerusalem system relied on a comparatively simple but highly effective design.

“The construction is not like what you would imagine when you picture the aqueducts in Caesarea or Italy with large bridges and arches,” Storchan told The Times of Israel. “It’s much simpler: a wall built of two rows of stones, with a U-shaped channel inside that was plastered and probably covered on top by stone slabs.”

The Lower Aqueduct remained in intermittent use until approximately a century ago, making it a striking example of the durability of ancient infrastructure. During the Ottoman period, around 500 years ago, ceramic pipes were installed inside the original channel, extending its service life and demonstrating how later generations adapted the system to meet changing needs.

For archaeologists, the newly uncovered section offers an opportunity to investigate the construction techniques and maintenance practices behind a water system that supported Jerusalem for centuries. Its preservation could also help visitors better understand the engineering challenges faced by the city’s ancient inhabitants.

Amit Re’em, the IAA’s Jerusalem district archaeologist, emphasized the significance of the discovery in a statement. “The aqueduct is an engineering marvel,” Re’em said. “The thought that about 2,000 years ago they managed to bring water to Jerusalem this way is astonishing.”

Praise God for discoveries like this ancient aqueduct that helps illuminate the biblical world, provide evidence of the Scriptures, and affirm Israel’s deep historical connection to the Land. Please pray that these remarkable reminders of biblical life and culture will strengthen our faith in God’s word and deepen our appreciation for His faithfulness throughout the generations.

Between October 7, 2023 and July 2, 2026, more than 25,000 wounded men and women registered with the Ministry of Defense’s Rehabilitation Department. Their injuries extend far beyond the physical, with 65% coping with psychological distress and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). These challenges affect every aspect of daily life, impacting not only those injured but also their families.

A joint initiative of the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC), Beit Issie Shapiro, and Restart Global, Tech for Heroes connects wounded servicemembers with tailored technological solutions that address their individual rehabilitation needs. With professional guidance, including assessments by occupational therapists, participants receive practical tools designed to overcome physical and psychological barriers, make everyday tasks more manageable, and improve their quality of life. Much of this progress begins at home, where seemingly simple adaptations can make a meaningful difference.

From smart lighting, automated shutters, and voice assistants to robot vacuums and elevated chairs, these technologies help restore independence and make daily routines easier. The goal is not simply to provide equipment, but to find the right solutions for each individual, empowering him or her to participate more fully in daily life and focus on recovery.

Adi, a reserve soldier who worked as a fitness trainer before losing his leg to an injury, hopes to run again with the help of a prosthetic. In the meantime, an elevated chair in his kitchen provides essential support, allowing him to lean on it while cooking or washing dishes. This practical adaptation helps him manage everyday activities and regain confidence as he works toward his rehabilitation goals.

For Oren, who suffered severe facial injuries when a rocket-propelled grenade struck the military vehicle he was traveling in, the road to recovery brought challenges that extended far beyond the physical wounds. Struggling to come to terms with how dramatically his life had changed, he found it difficult to adjust to life at home and often hid his face from his children. The loss of sensation in parts of his mouth made even basic tasks, such as eating and brushing his teeth, a daily struggle. Rehabilitation-related fatigue further limited his ability to manage household chores and maintain his independence.

Personalized technology helped ease some of these challenges. A specialized electric toothbrush improved his ability to maintain oral hygiene, while a blender, an electric grill, and other kitchen appliances made preparing and eating meals more manageable. A robot vacuum cleaner also helped him take a more active role in household routines. These practical adaptations offered more than convenience; they helped Oren navigate everyday obstacles, regain a measure of independence, and take meaningful steps toward rebuilding his life at home with his family.

Adi’s and Oren’s experiences demonstrate how personalized technology can have an impact far beyond convenience. By addressing specific challenges in the home, these solutions help wounded individuals reclaim everyday routines, participate more fully in family life, and take meaningful steps toward greater independence.

“We’ve learned how simple, accessible technology can make a difference, even when the challenges are complex,” said Efrat Shaprut, director of JDC’s Division for Independent Living for People with Disabilities, Resilience and Mental Health. “This unique model brings together professional expertise, personalized solutions, and compassionate human support. Recovering from injuries that affect both physical and mental health requires an approach that is sensitive, flexible, and centered on the individual. There are no shortcuts in recovery, yet technology can profoundly support the process.”

Please pray for all those on the difficult journey of rehabilitation that they may find strength, perseverance, and hope, especially during their hardest moments. May their minds and hearts find healing alongside their bodies; may they and their families be surrounded by comfort, compassion, and support as they rebuild their lives.

Prayer is at the heart of the work God is doing throughout the land of Israel, and we are deeply grateful for those who stand with us in prayer. From serving Holocaust survivors and reaching young adults, soldiers, and families in Tel Aviv to sharing the gospel and discipling believers across the land, our staff have the privilege of making the love of Yeshua (Jesus) known to the people of Israel.

We invite you to join us in bringing the following needs before the Lord, asking Him to open hearts to the Gospel, provide opportunities to share the good news, and strengthen and protect our staff as they faithfully serve Him. As you pray for these needs, remember that behind each request are real people, faithful workers, and lives that God can touch in ways we may never fully see.

Holocaust Survivors across the Country
Lift up our ministry among Holocaust survivors throughout the country, asking the Lord to strengthen our workers as they lovingly serve these precious individuals and meet their practical and emotional needs in the final years of their lives. Above all, may God soften their hearts to His love and open their eyes to the hope, comfort, and salvation found in Jesus.

Reaching Hearts in Tel Aviv
Ask the Lord to continue making our Ministry Center in Tel Aviv a beacon of light, a safe and welcoming place where young adults, soldiers, and families can grow in their faith and be encouraged to share it with others. Pray especially for those who do not yet believe, that God would use their questions and conversations to draw them to Himself and reveal the truth of His love and grace.

Sharing the Gospel throughout the Land
May the Lord give our workers boldness, courage, and wisdom as they share the Gospel and disciple believers throughout the country. Ask Him to open doors for meaningful conversations and divine appointments with people on the train, neighbors, friends at the playground, and others they encounter each day, preparing hearts to receive His Word and transforming lives through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Protection and Strength for Our Staff
Commit our staff across the country to the Lord, asking Him to protect their health, provide for their needs, and keep them safe as they travel and serve others. May He renew their strength, fill them with His peace, and empower them to faithfully share the hope of Jesus, trusting that He will guide their steps and sustain them in every circumstance.

Thank you for faithfully standing with us in prayer and entrusting these needs to the Lord. May He continue to draw the people of Israel to Himself, revealing His love and bringing His hope, comfort, and truth into their lives. We are grateful to serve alongside you in this shared calling, trusting Him to accomplish His purposes in His timing and bring glory to His holy name.

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