Israel Active

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.

I reported previously on Tel Aviv’s many bike pathways and how easy it is to rent a bike. Now, Tel Aviv’s Mayor Ron Huldai has just inaugurated the first section of a new 110-kilometer network of bicycle trails that “will turn Tel Aviv into the Amsterdam of the Middle East”.

No, not a spelling mistake. Project ArtBnB brings 21 artists from 17 countries to “live and create” in one of three Jerusalem cultural centers. They will be guested by 21 local artists from Dec 9 – 20, culminating in an exhibition to showcase their works in the fields of cinema, theater and photography.

“Bucharest Diary: Romania’s Journey from Darkness to Light” is a new book by 89-year-old American Alfred Moses. In it, he recounts his 13-years work from 1976, bringing thousands of Jews to Israel from Communist Romania.

Every winter, about 20 to 30 dusky and sandbar sharks come to enjoy basking in the pure warm waters surrounding Israel’s Orot Rabin power plant in Hadera. From Dec to Apr, visitors can watch them and learn about sharks at the new information and shark observation station.

Israeli gymnast Artem Dolgopyat won the gold medal in the floor exercise at the Artistic Gymnastics World Cup (FIG) competition in Cottbus, Germany. He had previously won gold in the same exercise at September’s Paris World Challenge Cup.

Israel’s Culture and Sport Ministry has announced the 21 winners of the Arik Einstein Prize for Veteran Artists. Each of the winners in seven categories – music, dance, singing, theater, film, literature and visual arts – will be awarded a prize just under NIS 50,000 to avoid them paying higher tax.