Israel Active

Rhythmic gymnast Linoy Ashram won two gold (balls and clubs) and two silver medals (ribbon and multiple) at the 2019 European Games in Minsk, Belarus. Sergey Richter won a gold medal in the 10-meter air rifle shooting and Li Kochman won a silver medal in the men’s judo 90-kg class.

Israel’s National Library has uploaded around 200 documents from the years 1500 to 1800. European Jewish communities used these “pinkasim” to keep track of financial transactions, political happenings, relations with non-Jewish government bodies, and even humorous events.

Over 8.500 books were published in Israel in 2018 – over 10% more than in 2017 and 35% more than in 2008. More than 1,000 of these were children’s books. The number of new books relating to children with disabilities and special needs was double those published in 2008.

Several Israeli companies were among 2,600 global exhibitors at the 2019 Summer Fancy Foods Show in Manhattan. They included Wine Water The Mushroom Benefit (see link below), Fruit of the Land and Sindyanna of Galilee (see co-existence article above).

This video highlights Haifa - Israel’s largest Northern city. Its diversity; Baha’i gardens; Carmelit cable car railway; Cave of Elijah; Maccabi Haifa soccer club and stadium; Haifa’s film festival and the only Japanese art museum in the Middle East.  Recommended to include this city on your next Israel visit.

Israeli fencer Yuval Freilich won the gold medal in the European Fencing Championships in Dusseldorf, Germany. Yuval (24) has been fencing since age 5 and is the first Israeli fencer to win a European championship. He is currently ranked at World number 40.  (The celebrations start at 17 mins)

This year’s Jerusalem Light Festival continues until 4th July.

15-year-old Yogev Alcalay of Caesarea Israel won four gold medals at the EurILCA (International Laser Class Association) 2019 Laser 4.7 Youth Europeans in Hyeres, France. Yogev made history winning the top U-16 and U-18 medals ahead of competitors from 50 countries.

The people of the book celebrate Hebrew Book Week, June 12-22 in Tel Aviv (Kikar Rabin), Jerusalem (the First Station), and Haifa (Hecht Garden) plus specific days in other cities. It will include a tri-city public book reading on June 12, at 6 p.m., in the three major locations.

Celebrity Israeli chefs Meir Adoni, Yoram Nitzan, Eyal Shani and several others have moved into the kosher sphere over the last few years, accommodating the growing number of kosher diners in Tel Aviv seeking fine dining, and the ingredients (and wine lists), that go with it.