Swamp cat seen in Hula valley
An Israeli nature conservationist recorded a swamp cat (also known as a jungle cat, reed cat, or jungle lynx) in the Hula valley in Northern Israel. The swamp cat is one of the three remaining species of wildcats in Israel. Israel is the most westerly location for these animals.
Winter sounds festival
Tel Aviv’s Cultural Centre hosts the Winter Sounds music festival in May. Over four days, live music performances will feature the cream of Israeli music, from classical and Mizrahi music to singer-songwriter tributes and jazz.
The evolution of Israeli fashion
One of the upcoming Ezra lectures for English-Speaking Residents in Israel is an interactive journey through the history and future trends of Israeli fashion. Shenkar College graduate Ilan Dotan describes how fashion is connected to every milestone of Israel’s history. Feb 13 at 11am in Raanana.
Israel’s greatest ecological turnaround
The 1950s draining of Lake Hula was a huge environmental mistake. Now, a photo exhibit celebrates the 20th anniversary of the successful reversal of the damage. Agamon Hula’s success serves as inspiration for future conservation projects worldwide. (See live video cameras at 2nd link.)
Hatikvah in Qatar
Israeli fencer Yuval Freilich won the gold medal at the Epee Grand Prix in Doha, Qatar. Amazing to hear the Israeli national anthem in wartime in a country that doesn’t recognize Israel.
A whitewash
The Israel Under-20 National Team was reinstated to the IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship Division III Group A tournament in Bulgaria after being banned for security reasons. The Blue & White team took home the gold medal, winning all five of its matches and has been promoted to Division II Group B.
Wheelchair medalist
Israel’s Guy Sasson was runner up in the final of the Quad Wheelchair Singles at Australian Open 2024. Just watch what he says when he collects his trophy.
Tour Israel virtually
The Association for Americans and Canadians in Israel (AACI) is beginning its 2nd series of smart, yet fun, educational Mini Virtual Study Tours. The next one “Ancient Synagogues in Israel” is on Mon Feb 26, guided by Aliza Avshalom. To register, contact Jeff Rothenberg at:
Jerusalem’s streets are blooming
Tu b’Shevat – the Jewish New Year for Trees - is always a more colorful spectacle in Jerusalem where the climate encourages the almond trees to blossom.
45,000 Yemenite manuscripts
The family of the late Yemenite Jew Yehuda Levi Nahum (1915-1998) has donated his entire collection to Israel’s National Library. Over 60 years, Nahum assembled some 45,000 Yemenite-Jewish manuscripts plus 15,000 Hebrew fragments including renditions of works by Maimonides.