Israel Active

Just a few more evenings to watch the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra perform at 5pm Israeli time (10am ESD, 3pm UK time) every night of Chanukah.

Center Stage – the only permanent English language theater in Israel – is holding a live music online event on Dec 27. It is entitled “Endings and Beginnings” and features songs from the stage and charts that celebrate endings and beginnings.

The Music for Peace Festival in Eilat celebrated Israel's normalization deals with UAE and Bahrain. Its location was significant – next to the pillars of Solomon, whose Hebrew name means Peace. The event, on UAE’s National Day, was uniquely broadcast live on an Abu Dhabi TV channel.

Israeli rhythmic gymnast Linoy Ashram won the individual all-around title at the European Championships in Kiev. Israel’s rhythmic gymnastics team took gold in the group all-around category. Daria Atamanov won gold in the Junior clubs event. Apologies - last week’s Judoka gold medalist was Peter Paltchik.

Israel qualified for its 14th consecutive EuroBasket tournament, beating Poland 78-72. Due to coronavirus, Israel’s “home” match had to be played in Spain. With two matches to play, the team has a 4-0 record in the group having previously beaten Romania, Spain and Poland (away). EuroBasket begins Sep 2022.

Israeli windsurfer Yoav Cohen, 21, won the 2020 European Windsurfing Champion, held in Portugal. Shahar Zubari, a member of Israel’s Olympic sailing team, won a silver, as did Israeli teammate Katy Spychakov in the women’s category. This was Zubari’s fifth European Championship medal.

Israeli Taekwondo warrior Avishag Samberg won gold in the European Clubs Championship in Croatia. Nimrod Krivishkiy won silver, while Ori Patishi and Alon Katz won bronzes. Finally, Israeli grandmaster Evgeny Postny, won an online chess solidarity event with Arab states.

For those wishing to get out of their homes following the end of lockdown, here are 10 recommended boardwalks and beach hikes in Israel. Enjoy Israel’s winter sunshine.

The 2020 Jaffa International Theater Festival (Dec 3 – 8) will consist of all digital content in Hebrew, Russian and English. The festival includes plays and a day-long Hebrew audio tour in the footsteps of Israeli playwright Nissim Aloni through the streets of Tel Aviv.

Tel Aviv’s “The Non-Stop City Refuses to Stop” campaign has hundreds of events, all Health Ministry compliant. Rooftop performances, outdoor art and photography festivals, activities for the elderly, beach yoga classes, gyms on wheels, free city tours and this week’s best dating place is a lifeguard station.