Israel Active

The City of Jerusalem’s ice-skating rink is back at The First Station. You can now bring all the family to cool off from the blazing summer sun. It’s one of the most advanced ice skating facilities in Israel, using real ice, with an area of about 1000 sq meters. Open (not Shabbat) until Oct 22, 2025.

This summer in the Upper Galilee brought an unexpected surprise: flocks of pink flamingos have arrived from Iran and Turkey and chosen to remain at KKL-JNF’s Hula Lake, even during the hottest days of summer. For the first time, the flamingos have skipped their usual migration north.

The Israel Philharmonic Orchestra (IPO) has appointed the Jerusalem-born violinist Nitzan Bartana as its incoming and first female concertmaster. Currently second concertmaster with the Sinfonieorchester Basel, Bartana has also played with the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra since 2008.

Originally discovered in 1990 near Kibbutz Urim, close to the Gaza Strip, the Be’er Shema (Birsama) mosaic is now permanently displayed at the Merhavim Regional Council HQ in the Negev. It contains 55 detailed medallions of mythological subjects.

A set of rare and intricately designed bronze discs shaped like lion heads has been uncovered in central Israel. The 1,900-year-old artifacts are believed to have once adorned the carrying handles of a wooden coffin that has not survived. Lions symbolize strength, protection, and nobility.

It seems appropriate timing that, after vanquishing the Iranian regime, “We Will Dance Again,” a 90-mins documentary film about the Hamas massacre at the Nova music festival on Oct 7 2023, won “Outstanding Current Affairs Documentary” at the 46th Annual News and Documentary Emmy Awards. (page 26)

Basketball history was made when the Brooklyn Nets selected Ben Saraf and Danny Wolf with the 26th and 27th overall picks, respectively. It marks the first time two Israelis – or even two Jewish players – have ever been drafted by the same NBA team, in the same round.

The Israeli National Basketball Team is preparing for EuroBasket 2025. The Portland Trail Blazers star forward Deni Avdija headlines a 20-player roster, returning to the national team for the first time since EuroBasket 2022.  

In a rare archaeological find, a 1,700-year-old sarcophagus depicting a drinking game between Hercules and Dionysus, was discovered near the ancient city of Caesarea. Israel Antiquities Authority staff said the discovery “felt like something straight out of a movie”.

Israel’s Guy Sasson made history once again at Roland Garros, capturing his second consecutive Quad Wheelchair Singles title with a commanding 6-4, 7-5 victory over top-seeded Dutchman Niels Vink. A day earlier he had partnered Vink to win the doubles title.