Writer: Naama Barak

Naama Barak is a writer at ISRAEL21c. A PhD student at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, she loves all things history and politics. Food and fashion come a close second. Prior to joining ISRAEL21c, Naama worked for Israel’s leading English-language dailies and cutting-edge startups.

A close-up of a menorah with eight lit oil-filled glass cups, each with a visible flame. Other blurred menorahs are visible in the background.

Eight fun facts about Hanukkah

It’s the most fun festival on the Jewish calendar, it’s supported by amazing archaeological evidence and the donuts are mandatory. What’s not to love?

New arrivals from Iran at the Atlit immigrants camp in northern Israel, 1944. Photo by Zoltan Kluger/Government Press Office

Who are the Iranians living in Israel?

Before the 1978 revolution in Iran, there were over 90,000 Jews living in the Persian country. Now there are only 10,000 left. Many left to join an already vibrant Iranian community in Israel.