Israel Active

An Israeli sports delegation consisting of two youth high school teams returned from Qatar on Thursday with a third-place trophy in the World Handball Championship for Schools, held in Doha.

Austria’s Red Bull Media House has partnered with Israel-based video broadcasting startup Pixellot to broadcast the 2018 Beach Volleyball Major Series in Florida. Pixellot broadcasts live, multi-angled, panoramic HD video without the need to deploy personnel on site.

Ian Anderson, Jethro Tull’s vocalist, flutist and guitarist, is bringing his Jethro Tull 50th anniversary tour to Haifa, Tel Aviv and Jerusalem in October.

The Negev city of Dimona is planning a “Park of Wonders” theme park, similar to Disney’s Magic Kingdom in Florida, but with Jewish and Israeli themes. Its five “worlds”, called “Oasis”, “Spirits”, “Jewish Nation”, “Society” and “Time” will each have four or five rides.

Israel is popular with vegans, mainly thanks to vegan-friendly Tel Aviv. The Israeli non-profit VeganFriendly recommends places for vegans to stay and many hundreds of restaurants to visit. You can go on vegan tours, and there is even a vegan Birthright tour.

DJ Antithesis plays some of the modern Israeli songs connected to the Jewish festival of Purim – undoubtedly the happiest time to be in Israel. I can’t wait to get back there!

Nefesh B'Nefesh and Fun in Jerusalem sponsored an event in Jerusalem to promote the book, "Alley-Oop to Aliyah" by David A Goldstein. It describes the good experiences of African-American basketball players who came to play in Israel. Some even converted to Judaism and made Aliyah.

Yes, the unique Orthodox Jewish UK comedian, Ashley Blaker is returning to Israel for another tour, entitled “Meshuga Frum”. He will perform (Y”H) from March 4-8 in Jerusalem, Beit Shemesh, Netanya and Raanana. “Not to be missed” says his publicity.  But we surely have missed him!

Readers may remember when my friend Pamela Levene sent a selection of Israeli snacks to Japanese video bloggers Satoshi and Shinich. Pamela recently sent them another batch to taste and comment on.

Israeli singer and actress Shiri Maimon is set to play the role of Roxie Hart in the Broadway production of Chicago in September. She will follow Liza Minnelli, Brooke Shields and Melanie Griffith, who have all played Roxie in the long-running Broadway hit.