Israel Active

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.

Although I missed it, the “once in a lifetime” event of a super blue blood moon was visible from Israel. A super moon is when the moon is at its closest to the Earth. A blue moon is a second full moon in one month.  And a blood moon is an eclipse of the moon, which turns it reddish.

Actor director Liev Schreiber, star of the “Ray Donovan” TV series, came to Israel to attend a friend’s wedding, enjoy some “warmer weather, good humus, and lots of fizzy bobolah!” He also gave a master class in drama at Tel Aviv University. Video is of a previous trip in 2009.

17-year-old Israeli welterweight boxer David Kaminsky has turned pro, having won 94 out of 102 amateur contests. He has been signed by veteran boxing promoter Bob Arum, founder of Top Rank, who promoted George Foreman, Sugar Ray Leonard, Floyd Mayweather Jr and Muhammad Ali.

Israel’s Noga Korem recently joined the famous GT Factory Team - a professional extreme endurance bicycle racing team in the United States. As the only woman on the “Enduro” team, Noga follows the same rigorous training and competition rules as her male counterparts.