Gal Gadot gets her star
Nearly two years after it was announced (see previously) Israeli actress Gal Gadot was honored with the 2,804th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The unveiling (see 34th minute of the video) was enhanced 3 minutes later when the Israeli mother was joined by her husband and 4 children.
The wheels are turning
The bicycle path connecting Herzliya and Tel Aviv has opened. The 14 km-long path runs along the Coastal Highway and passes near key locations. Mayor Fisher said, “it is possible to travel from Herzliya to Tel Aviv in just 20 minutes, while maintaining fitness and health and enjoying an open-air ride."
Modi’in – a new tourist destination?
The city of Modi’in, between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, has opened its first hotel – the 85-room Jacob. “The Chanukah city” is where the Maccabees lived and are buried. It is also Israel’s only “learning city” and is regarded as the world’s first and most modern “green city”.
“New Day Will Rise”
Israel’s entry for the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest has been chosen. The three-minute song “New Day Will Rise” is primarily in English, with several lines in French and Hebrew. It will be performed by Nova music festival survivor Yuval Raphael. The Hebrew is from the Biblical Song of Songs.
Three Jewish athletes make Aliyah in a war
Rachel Dallet, 22, moved to Israel in July to join the Hapoel Jerusalem soccer club. Basketball player Nikki Bick, 27, joined Ironi Ness Ziona women and former NBA G League player Ryan Turell joined their men’s team. All have had to shelter from rockets but have no regrets.
Israel week in San Diego
Students at UC San Diego will celebrate Israel Week in May as part of Jewish Heritage Month. It includes an Israeli shuk with booths offering Israeli food, samples of Israeli culture, and Israeli music. The Hillel center sponsors four student trips to Israel each year.
See Israel’s waterfalls
Israel had a few wet days at the beginning of March. If you are quick, you can visit the resulting waterfalls at Ein Gedi, the Banias, Ayit (Golan), the Ayun (and others - Upper Galilee) the Jalaboun (Golan) the Sa’ar (Golan/Hermon valley) the Ein Avdat (Negev) and the Dragot (by the Dead Sea).
Ancient humans ate beef
Researchers have analyzed archaeological remains from Nesher Ramla, a site near Tel Aviv dating back to the Middle Paleolithic period. It shows ancient humans hunted few animal species, mainly aurochs, a wild bovine species, likely ancestors of today’s cattle.
Abstract art began in Israel
New research by Israeli and European scholars on prehistoric artifacts discovered in a Lower Galilee cave in the 1970s, proves that abstract artistic expression began much earlier than previously thought. A 100,000-year-old grave contained decorated engravings on stone tools.
45,000 run Tel Aviv marathon
Some 45,000 people took part in the Tel Aviv Marathon, the first since 2023. It included a special 3km run for soldiers wounded in the war and disabled veterans. Yellow balloons were released to symbolize the 59 hostages still being held in Gaza.