Monthly Archives: May 2015

1500 French Jews on Birthright tour

A record 1500 young French Jews will be arriving to Israel this summer on the Taglit-Birthright Israel program to learn about the Jewish state and their Jewish heritage. This compares to only 83 in 2013 and 940 in 2014. http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4660569,00.html

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Friends of Zion museum is open

The Friends of Zion Museum has opened in Jerusalem. It uniquely portrays the story of the support for the Jewish people and Israel by non-Jews; from the first Christian Zionists of the 19th century who encouraged Theodor Herzl, to those … Continue reading

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One Republic plays Yarkon Park

The American group One Republic made their first-ever visit to Israel, appearing at Yarkon Park in Tel Aviv in front of 20,000 fans as part of their “Native” world tour. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/195994#.VWhRiFIpqSo http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4661011,00.html https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T17bCl-xxvY https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJAHTsfa-pU

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Dragon boat races raise funds for disease research

This year’s Dragon Boat Israel Festival on the Kinneret (Sea of Galilee) is raising funds for medical research by the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Also on sale are paddles decorated by famous Israeli artists and students at the Hadassah School … Continue reading

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13-year-olds unearth ancient Jerusalem wine press

A group of ultra-orthodox boys have exposed a 1400-year-old wine press in the woods near Jerusalem. The press measures 5m by 5m and is carved into the rock. http://www.haaretz.com/life/archaeology/.premium-1.656975

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Foodography – combining food and photography

This video follows last week’s article about using smartphones to capture pictures of your plate of food. It’s becoming a whole new form of entertainment. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b7_YIPYGYFQ

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Tel Aviv restaurants are “open” again

Tel Aviv’s unique “Open Restaurants” event is now in its second year. It’s an opportunity for chefs, journalists and just foodies to enjoy behind the scenes tours of over 70 restaurants, meeting Tel Aviv’s most intriguing chefs and taste their … Continue reading

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Visa opens new Israeli startup hub

Visa Europe has opened a start-up center in Tel Aviv, taking at least 20 ideas through its 100-day innovation program. Visa will bring the most commercially viable to market. Zooz, Prontoly, Payitsimple and MyCheck have already entered the Visa Europe … Continue reading

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Unemployment hits historic low

The Central Bureau of Statistics reported that Israel’s unemployment rate fell from 5.2% in March to a historic low of 4.9% in April. The number employed rose 1.3% to 3,636,000. Participation in the labor force also rose – from 60.2% … Continue reading

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Economy is good shape

Moody’s chief economist Dr Mark Zandi reckons that Israel has one of the world’s best economies. It’s fiscal situation is better than ever, the debt-to-GDP ratio is low and continues to fall, its economy has been growing for 15 straight … Continue reading

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