Ariel's Russian senior citizen choir "Shir Balev" (With a Song in my Heart) held a special concert at the end of February. It is now 15 years since the choir was formed. The choir started as a small group of eight women who liked to sing and has since become an award-winning choir of over 40 men and women who are the pride of Ariel.

Three weeks ago, as all of Israel celebrated Purim, a Purim candy basket (Mishloach Manot) was delivered to the home of David and Leah Ortiz. Their youngest son, Ami, could not wait for his parents to come home to open the package of sweet surprises and opened it himself but as he did, the package exploded.

The bomb came very close to taking Ami's life. When he was first brought to hospital, the doctors proclaimed it a miracle that Ami was alive. Fortunately, his internal organs and spinal column were completely free of injury. Moreover, the shrapnel embedded in his eye has been successfully removed and Ami has had his vision in both eyes 100% restored.

Ariel's Community Aliyah Program is constantly in search of efficient new ways to keep in touch with its growing list of potential olim. With newsletters, an internet site, a blog, an online discussion group and constant emails, modern technology has certainly served the cause for English speaking aliyah well. Nonetheless, the distance between the olim-to-be and their Home in Israel is so great that many of the families that intend to move to Ariel have indicated a need for a closer connection with Israel in general and the City of Ariel in particular.

The Ariel A.I.M.S. (Aliyah Integration Movement for Success) Global Radio program intends to address the needs of past, present and future olim. The weekly program will be broadcast live, on Good News Radio, Ariel's internet radio station. The program will include discussions concerning aliyah, life in Ariel and life in Israel. From live interviews to musical interludes, from special guests to featured topics, the program promises to be a unique opportunity for olim to ease their way into Israel. A weekly dose of Ariel A.I.M.S. Global Radio is expected to go a long way.