Israel Active

Yuval Raphael magically performed Israel’s entry “New Day Will Rise” in the semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest and advanced to the final round to compete against 25 other countries. At the time of writing, the competition result is not known.  (Update - she came 2nd overall, winning the global public vote)

St Louis lacrosse star Yael Sabin ranks 8th among all metro-area high school lacrosse players in goals. After graduating this spring, Sabin will travel to Ashkelon, Israel, to play lacrosse for Team Israel during her gap year with Young Judea. She will also work with MDA.

Israeli singing star Ishay Ribo shared news of his son's birth. "With the help of G-d, this morning a son was born to us, sweeter than honey," he wrote. "He is our sixth child, thank G-d." Ishay added: "All the credit goes to my amazing wife, Yael. I am so grateful for you. Thank you, G-d."

Spring is when millions of butterflies take to Israel’s skies and flora. This article features nine of the colorful varieties that call Israel home.  

Yes, we’re in the middle of a war; Spring has turned into Summer; a new US Ambassador is welcomed; but other events will take place as normal. Education Week, Jerusalem International Writers Festival and Book Forum, National Library Conference, Declaration Day, etc.

Israeli soccer international Manor Solomon fired Leeds United to the English Championship title with a stoppage-time winner in a 2–1 victory over Plymouth Argyle. Just watch the video of Solomon’s superb goal and the celebrations of him and the Leeds fans.

During the annual London Marathon, 59 runners donned yellow hats and pinned photographs of the 59 remaining Gaza hostages to their shirts, taking the 26.2-mile run as an opportunity to spread awareness about their plight after 570 days in captivity.

Israel’s Noam Sasson, an 11-and-a-half-year-old chess prodigy, won two medals at the World Youth Chess Championship in Rhodes. Competing in the 10-12 age category, Sasson earned world runner-up titles in both rapid and blitz chess.

Few Hollywood actresses can be like Gal Gadot. She can identify a weapon from any distance, lift a car in one scene, close multi-million dollar real estate deals, and still be home in time for dinner with her four daughters and husband. Her films have grossed over $2 billion. She is Israel’s No. 1 ambassador.

Israel recently inaugurated the Gvaot Forest Scenic Route (Derech Nof Gvaot) in Gush Etzion. The 4.3 mile trail, Judea and Samaria’s longest scenic route to date, “offers breathtaking views, forest serenity, and the options of hiking, cycling, or driving”.