When American universities were engulfed in anti-Israel protests, many wondered: where did such hatred for the Jewish state come from? Why are students, who yesterday didn’t know where Gaza was, today chanting “From the river to the sea” and demanding the destruction of Israel.

The birthday of Israeli civil aviation is considered to be September 28, 1948, when the first president of the state, Chaim Weizmann, arrived in Israel from Geneva on board a military aircraft, Douglas C-54 Skymaster, converted for civilian use.

Today, let’s highlight the talented Shai Alon! Born in Israel, the pianist, composer, and conductor Shai Alon was trained in Tel-Aviv and continued his studies at the Jerusalem Academy of Music, where he earned his Master’s degree in composition and conducting in 2002.