Israel Active

After nine days of events in Jerusalem, the 64th Israel Festival will follow up with four days in the Upper Galilee and Golan Heights, and then three in the Western Negev. Its unique mix of performance art and music, theater and dance will reflect the perspective of the country’s current circumstances.

US singer Art Garfunkel (now 83), of the legendary duo Simon & Garfunkel, performed at Yarkon Park Tel Aviv in the first visit by a major international artist to Israel since Oct 7 2023. His songs included “The Sound of Silence,” “The Boxer” and “Bridge Over Troubled Water.” (in 2025 at 83 in Tel Aviv) (in 2015 at 73 in Tel Aviv)

Young Israeli chess champion Noam Sasson (11) (see previously) won the 4th international U20 tournament in Vigevano, Italy. 161 participants from 7 countries competed.

This satirical reimagining of Dr. Seuss’ classic, “Horton Hears a Who”, tells the story of a people who refuse to be erased - delivered with gravitas, heart, and a touch of Seussian sass by Eylon Levy and Israel’s Spokeskid, 10-year-old Independence Day torch-lighter Ben Carasso.

Israelis won gold at the Wheel Gymnastics World Championships in Leipzig. Mei Shibi won the Formula 3 Championship race at Varano, Italy. Aya Vainer (13) won the motocross race in Catalunya, Spain. Plus European medals in artistic swimming (bronze) and junior rhythmic gymnastics (silver).

The week before Jerusalem Day was packed with events. The World Jewish Congress in Jerusalem for the first time in 19 years. The Codices of Damascus – 12 ancient illuminated Bibles at the National Library. And Yakir Yerushalayim awards to 12 Jerusalem seniors.

For the 13th consecutive year, all 13 beaches in Tel Aviv were recently honored with the annual Blue Flag Award. It ensures that they meet a host of stringent environmental, educational, safety and accessibility standards. The city has also banned disposable plastic bags and utensils on its beaches.

Israel’s Ze’ev Buium (see previously) helped Team USA to win the Ice Hockey World Championships for the first time since 1933. Buium impressed throughout the tournament, recording two assists and a critical goal in the 5–2 quarterfinal win over Finland.

Celebrity chef and cookbook author Jamie Geller set out on a quest to find the best cheesecake in Israel’s capital city. Cheesecake is the delicacy that most Jews enjoy especially on the Jewish festival of Shavuot (Pentacost), as well as at any other time of the year!

A visitors center telling the story of the mystery of the biblical blue dye (tekhelet) is being launched at the end of May. It will be located at Ptil Tekhelet’s factory, located a 20-minute drive east of Jerusalem in the Judean Desert. The snails to make the dye are now imported from Europe.