Israel Active

An exhibit at Tel Aviv’s port features 25 works by the award-winning Lego artist Sean Kenney of New York, who uses Lego bricks - thousands of them - to construct sculptures featuring famous sites, portraits, animals and objects from everyday life.  Open daily until 31st Aug.

Israel won an historic first-ever FIBA title at the Under 20 European Championship 2018 in Chemnitz, Germany. Israel beat Croatia 80-66 in the final.

750 boys and 750 girls aged 12 – 15 from 29 countries came to Jerusalem, Israel for the 50th International Children’s Games. They competed in nine sports: basketball, soccer, street ball, volleyball, fencing, judo, athletics, tennis and swimming.

From the Grapevine has launched a series of podcasts entitled “Our Friend from Israel”, featuring Israeli actors, academics, artists, archaeologists and much more. It is intended to show a side of Israel that is different to the one that the global media normally portrays. Please subscribe.

I reported previously (21st May) on the new Steinhardt Museum of Natural History in Tel Aviv. Now the largest natural history museums in the Middle East is officially open. It estimated to attract 150,000 visitors annually to explore the environmental artifacts and cultural displays.

At the Judo Grand Prix in Zagreb, Israel’s Tal Flicker won gold in the under 66kg category. Or Sasson won silver in the over 100kg category.  There were also bronze medals for Israelis Baruch Shmailov (U66kg) and Tohar Butbul (U73kg). Israel finished 6th in the medal table.

Israel’s Liel Levitan, who just turned 7, won the Girls U7 category at the 2018 European Schools Chess Championships in Krakow, Poland. Liel is now eligible to compete in the World School Championship 2019 to be held in Tunisia.

The Jerusalem Development Authority (JDA) has launched a series of “iTravelJerusalem” services to make the city more accessible and convenient for tourists. A new Jerusalem City Pass entitles the holder to discounts on main attractions and includes a free bus ride from Ben Gurion airport.

Tel Aviv offers many bike pathways and is relatively flat, making it easy to enjoy a casual cruise along the beach and one of the best ways to see this dynamic city. Several bike-share companies offer 24-hour eco-friendly rental programs to grab a bike when needed and park it when finished.

I publicized previously (3rd Sep) this documentary of the 1970 attempt by 16 Jews to steal a plane and escape the Soviet Union. The film is going to be shown again on 29th July in Rishon Lezion.