Israel Active

The 58th annual Israel Festival in Jerusalem (until 15th Jun) showcases a rich, varied and multidisciplinary artistic program from Israel and around the world. More than 30,000 visitors are enjoying dance, music, theater, performance art, video art and instillations from leading international artists.

Jerusalem’s Israel Museum ends its exhibition of illuminated manuscripts of Maimonides (Rabbi Moses ben Maimon) on 10th Jun. It reflects the legacy of Maimonides (died 1204) who was uniquely a writer, halakhic authority, philosopher, scientist, physician and Jewish leader.

Israel’s Kimmel Eshkolot Architects has received awards in China and the UK for the Memorial Hall of Israel’s Fallen on Mount Herzl. It also won Shenzhen China’s Global Nomination Award for Tel Aviv’s Steinhardt Museum of Natural History.

Tiny Israel showed that it could host the largest music competition in the world. It put on a slick, polished, dynamic production on a fabulous stage. Tel Aviv’s Eurovision Village was a hive of activity all week and the positivity of the event resounded throughout Israel.

The Sarona complex in Tel Aviv is hosting Vegan Fest - the “world’s largest vegan festival” from June 6-7. 50,000 attendees are expected to sample vegan options from 100 food stalls. The free event features live performances, workshops, lectures and children’s entertainment.

Beatie Deutsch from Jerusalem finished in first place in the Riga half-marathon in Latvia. Mother of five children, Deutsch began running only 3 years ago and is the first haredi person to win an international athletics competition. She is now training for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Israel’s booth at the Buenos Aires Book Fair was awarded the prize for Best Site in the “Countries,” category at what is considered the most well-attended book fair in the Spanish-speaking world. At the booth, Israel’s Orcam donated a device that helps blind people read.

Acclaimed US author Joyce Carol Oates made her first-ever trip to Israel to receive the prestigious Jerusalem Prize. The author of 60 novels, winner of the National Book Award and five Pulitzer nominations, called the Jerusalem Prize “the high point” in her career.

Philadelphia eatery Zahav has won the James Beard Foundation award for outstanding US restaurant. Co-founded by Israeli-born chef Michael Solomonov, Zahav’s website describes it as “a modern Israeli restaurant that brings the authentic flavors of Israel’s cultural heritage to Philadelphia.”

Israel’s national team won the gold medal in the International Ice Hockey Federation World Championship Division II Group B tournament held in Mexico City. Israel beat Mexico, New Zealand, Georgia, Iceland and North Korea and won promotion to Division 2A next year.