Israel Active

David A. Goldstein, in his new book “Alley-Oop to Aliyah: African-American Hoopsters in the Holy Land,” states that since 1976, 800 African-Americans have competed in the Israeli Basketball Premier League. And most professed a deep, genuine love for Israel.

80s music icon Boy George and his band Culture Club kicked off their world tour in Tel Aviv. He was joined by the three other original members of Culture Club. Roy Hay, Mikey Craig and Jon Moss. “Israel is in my heart,” he wrote on twitter.

With iconic hits like “American Pie” and “Vincent,” Don McLean is one of America’s most beloved and enduring artists. He will be performing at the Ra’anana Amphitheater on June 16. McLean did many tours of Israel during the Iran-Iraq War and is “a staunch supporter of Israel then and now”.

Every year some 500 million birds migrate across Israel in their twice a year pilgrimage to and from warmer climes. Photographer Chanoch Seif caught some in flight over Lake Hula at sunrise, with the backdrop of the “Super-moon”.

Israeli soccer star Eran Zahavi was named this year’s most valuable player in the Chinese Super League (CSL). Zahavi has scored 27 goals for Guangzhou R&F, just one short of the league record. His $7 million annual contract ends in 2020.

Legendary comedian Jerry Seinfeld will be returning to Israel on 30th Dec for two shows in Tel Aviv. Seinfeld, who did 4 sold-out gigs in Israel in 2015, will perform at Tel Aviv’s Menorah Mivtachim Arena.  El Al Matmid club members can get a NIS 100 discount.

I reported previously that the Israeli Government had approved the plan to build a cable car from Western Jerusalem to the Western Wall.  Now here is a video depicting what the new service will look like.

The band, “Take That” rolled back the years at Tel Aviv's Menora Mivtachim Arena with the group's first ever, long-awaited visit to Israel. The 90-minute concert featured 1990’s hits from the band's current line-up, including Gary Barlow, Howard Donald and Mark Owen.

The Tel Aviv Jazz Festival (Dec 6 – 8) features premiere productions, live shows, free performances and tributes to the great Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald and Thelonious Monk. The 20 performers from Israel and abroad include Ravi Coltrane, Daniel Jobim, Ester Rada and Dee Alexander.

At tennis superstar Serena Williams's wedding to Alexis Ohanian, the bride wore white, but her bridal party wore Israeli! Israel’s Galia Lahav designed all seven of the bridesmaids' dresses including that of Venus Williams – Serena’s sister – who was Maid of Honor.