Israel Active

During Hanukkah, the Israeli public were invited to join an excavation in Timna Park in the southern Arava. Families sifted through excavated material to find copper slag, painted pottery, beads, animal bones and an amulet.

No, not BDS-supporter Roger Walters - this is the UK cover band Pink Floyd Experience.  They earlier cancelled their scheduled Israel tour (due to death threats from BDS supporters) but thanks to Israeli promoter Ziv Rubinstein, they’ve re-instated Beersheba, Tel Aviv and Haifa (Jan 4-6) concerts.

I reported previously on the Israel Innovation Fund (TIIF) and its social and cultural projects. TIIF has launched its first crowdfunding campaign, The Hebrew Wallpaper Project to transform Israel’s urban centers through the stunning street designs of Solomon Souza, and other street artists.

Argentine football (soccer) legend Lionel Messi has become a member of the fan club of the Israeli football team Beitar Jerusalem. Beitar’s owner and Sirin labs CEO Moshe Hogeg, presented Messi with a membership card and Sirin smartphone in Barcelona, where Messi plays professionally.

The 24th annual International Exposure dance festival (Dec 5 – 9) took place at the Suzanne Dellal Center in Tel Aviv. The 178 VIP guests from 45 countries included the directors of the dance festivals of Montpellier, Lyon, Toronto, Vancouver, Seattle, Singapore and many more.

The 100% circular nature trail in the Mount Meron Nature Reserve leads from Nahal Moran to Nahal Neria past gorgeous groves and enchanting landscapes. Check the weather first, because it requires walking inside the riverbed, which remains dry most of the year except immediately after rain.

Israel Post has issued new stamps featuring Israeli achievements in robotics; trees of Israel and simultaneous joint issues with the USA and with Poland.

The Print Fair photo exhibit at Tel Aviv’s Print House photo studio that finished early Dec was so popular that it re-opened the following weekend. The event’s aim was to bring good photography to young people. 150 photographers were selected via a Facebook open call and photos can still be bought on-line

The Jerusalem Development Authority’s Cultural Infrastructures and Public Domain of Eden has initiated the painting of 11 exquisite wall paintings in the Talpiot district of Jerusalem. They are the works of an international roll call of professionals, including from China, Spain, Mexico, Brazil and Israel.

Israel’s Tom Winery won "Best Winery" in the boutique winery category, plus the top "Double Gold" award for their "Cabernet Franc 2016" in the "Terra Vino" international wine competition in Ashdod. 30 international judges tasted and graded 500 wines from all over the world.