Pilates Plus with Madeline

09/03/2026

08/31/2026

08/31/2026

A single carved stone found in 2009 may be the closest thing that exists to an eyewitness sketch of the menorah that once stood inside the Second Temple.

The Magdala Stone was uncovered inside the remains of a first-century synagogue at Migdal on the Sea of Galilee, carved with a detailed seven-branched menorah flanked by columns, created by someone who may have actually seen the Temple menorah in Jerusalem before its destruction in 70 CE. Ancient Israelite history and archaeology rarely hand over something this specific, a depiction that predates nearly every other artistic version of the menorah by centuries and comes from ordinary community life rather than royal or Temple records. Jewish history usually survives in texts, but this stone is a rare case where the object itself does the talking.

Whoever carved this stone was working from memory or firsthand description, not imagination, which makes every detail on its surface a genuine historical clue. What would you want to ask the person who carved this stone if you could?

Jewish History
Ancient Israel
Archaeology
Magdala Stone
Jewish Heritage

08/31/2026

Two years ago, in the depths of Gaza's terror tunnel network, Hamas terrorists stole the lives of six gentle, vibrant souls:

Carmel G*t, Eden Yerushalmi, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Alexander Lobanov, Almog Sarusi, and Master Sgt. Ori Danino.

Time passes, but the depth of this loss remains. Today, we honor their lives, stand in quiet solidarity with their families, and keep their memories close to our hearts.

May their memory forever be a blessing.