Israel Active

Two Israeli pizzerias were included in this year’s list of the 50 best pizzerias in the Asia-Pacific region (see previously). La Piedra, Jerusalem, rose to 37th from 39th in 2024 and Haifa’s NeoPolitan won 25th place and the New Entry of the Year award.

Nearly two years after it was announced (see previously) Israeli actress Gal Gadot was honored with the 2,804th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The unveiling (see 34th minute of the video) was enhanced 3 minutes later when the Israeli mother was joined by her husband and 4 children.

The bicycle path connecting Herzliya and Tel Aviv has opened. The 14 km-long path runs along the Coastal Highway and passes near key locations. Mayor Fisher said, “it is possible to travel from Herzliya to Tel Aviv in just 20 minutes, while maintaining fitness and health and enjoying an open-air ride."

The city of Modi’in, between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, has opened its first hotel – the 85-room Jacob. “The Chanukah city” is where the Maccabees lived and are buried. It is also Israel’s only “learning city” and is regarded as the world’s first and most modern “green city”.

Israel’s entry for the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest has been chosen. The three-minute song “New Day Will Rise” is primarily in English, with several lines in French and Hebrew. It will be performed by Nova music festival survivor Yuval Raphael. The Hebrew is from the Biblical Song of Songs.

Rachel Dallet, 22, moved to Israel in July to join the Hapoel Jerusalem soccer club. Basketball player Nikki Bick, 27, joined Ironi Ness Ziona women and former NBA G League player Ryan Turell joined their men’s team. All have had to shelter from rockets but have no regrets.

Students at UC San Diego will celebrate Israel Week in May as part of Jewish Heritage Month. It includes an Israeli shuk with booths offering Israeli food, samples of Israeli culture, and Israeli music. The Hillel center sponsors four student trips to Israel each year.

Israel had a few wet days at the beginning of March. If you are quick, you can visit the resulting waterfalls at Ein Gedi, the Banias, Ayit (Golan), the Ayun (and others - Upper Galilee) the Jalaboun (Golan) the Sa’ar (Golan/Hermon valley) the Ein Avdat (Negev) and the Dragot (by the Dead Sea).

Researchers have analyzed archaeological remains from Nesher Ramla, a site near Tel Aviv dating back to the Middle Paleolithic period. It shows ancient humans hunted few animal species, mainly aurochs, a wild bovine species, likely ancestors of today’s cattle.

New research by Israeli and European scholars on prehistoric artifacts discovered in a Lower Galilee cave in the 1970s, proves that abstract artistic expression began much earlier than previously thought. A 100,000-year-old grave contained decorated engravings on stone tools.