The Central Bureau of Statistics announced yesterday that almost 40,000 couples had been married in Israel in the year 2002. Almost 30,000 of them were Jewish, and 90% of them were first-time marriages for both spouses. First-time grooms were aged 28.6 among the Christians, 26.9 among the Jews, and 25.6 among the Moslems. For brides, the numbers were 23.4 and 20.4 among Christians and Moslems, respectively, and 24.6 among the Jews.
Thousands of visitors are expected to visit Gush Katif in Jewish Gaza today. They will take part in the 18th annual local Tu B'Av celebration, a free-of-charge event including a wide array of features. The day begins with a crafts fair at which participants can purchase Judaica, clothing and other works of local artists, jewelry craftsmen and folk artists. Children will be treated to workshops on olive oil, goat cheese and ancient pottery production, as well as a special playground. After bathing on one of several Gush Katif beaches, the music festival will begin at 18:00, including popular singers such as Ariel Zilber, Aharon Raz'el, and Chaim Israel.
Thousands of visitors are expected to visit Gush Katif in Jewish Gaza today. They will take part in the 18th annual local Tu B'Av celebration, a free-of-charge event including a wide array of features. The day begins with a crafts fair at which participants can purchase Judaica, clothing and other works of local artists, jewelry craftsmen and folk artists. Children will be treated to workshops on olive oil, goat cheese and ancient pottery production, as well as a special playground. After bathing on one of several Gush Katif beaches, the music festival will begin at 18:00, including popular singers such as Ariel Zilber, Aharon Raz'el, and Chaim Israel.