Welcome to The Times of Israel’s Daily Briefing, your 15-minute audio update on what’s happening in Israel, the Middle East, and the Jewish world, from Sunday through Thursday.

Today's guests are health and science correspondent Nathan Jeffay and breaking news editor Amy Spiro, with Raoul Wootliff hosting.

On today's show, we look at the preparations for the first Jewish festival in Israel without restrictions on family gatherings since before the pandemic began early last year.

On Rosh Hashanna eve, we take a look back at the year that was 5781 and ask how Israel and its citizens have coped with the virus over the past 12 months.

A day after the Paralympics -- held this year in the shadow of the virus -- ended, we review the past two weeks of Israeli sporting achievements in Tokyo.

And finally, doctors in Israel have separated conjoined twins — and say that after the tense 12-hour operation, both babies are likely to live completely normal lives. We'll look at the seeming miracle operation that took place days ago.

Discussed articles include:

Health minister optimistic as daily COVID infections fall below 10,000

As Israel makes loose lockdown tighter, its decisions risk alienating the people

Decision-making on COVID was ‘defective’ under Netanyahu, ombudsman charges

Israel celebrates trove of 9 Paralympic medals as Tokyo Games wrap up

‘Unbelievable joy’: In Israeli 1st, doctors separate heads of conjoined twins

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PHOTO: A person rides a bicycle on an empty street as the sun sets on the first day of a three-week lockdown in Tel Aviv, September 18, 2020. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)

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