Israel Active

Israeli tennis player Orel Kimhi won the PET ITF Mandya Open in India. The third-seeded Israeli beat Jelle Sels of The Netherlands 6-2, 6-4 to win his third ITF title in front of a packed crowd at the PET Stadium.

Michael Yakovlev is the first Israeli cyclist to win a medal at the European Championships. He won bronze in the sprint race and dedicated the medal “to the abductees who have been in captivity for 100 days. I am proud to raise the Israeli flag."

Ofek’s “Israel 101 - A Journey Through Time and Heritage” is a dive into the captivating narrative of Israel's rich history. It will provide children and teens with a profound Jewish history education, fostering a deep connection to their heritage, Israel, and identity.  

My favorite Netanya restaurant is now featured on my favorite Israeli kosher on-line restaurant site. Owned by Naomi and Rabbi Asher Fettman – members of my local McDonald’s (yes!) synagogue. The restaurant is in a garden setting and specializes in meat and vegetarian dishes from Vietnam.

To celebrate the centenary of the famous Jerusalem Machane Yehuda street market, artist Solomon Souza completed his 8-year project of shutter portraits with many of those responsible for establishing and expanding the market over the century..

The Chaim Herzog Museum of the Jewish Soldier in World War Two in Latrun honors the 1.5 million Jewish men and women who were recruited into or volunteered for the armed forces of the Allies, the Partisans, and the resistance movements. Some 250,000 Jewish soldiers gave their lives in WW2.

Two rare birds recently arrived in the Jewish State. A rare hybrid cross between the western yellow wagtail and citrine wagtail has nested in a kibbutz in northern Israel. And a pacific diver from Alaska was spotted in Eilat – the first time this bird has been seen in the entire Middle East.

New Argentine President Javier Milei opened the Pan-American Maccabi Games in Buenos Aires. In front of 10,000 participants, he declared his “unalterable commitment to the State of Israel and to the Jewish people in their fight against Islamic terrorism, for peace and freedom.”

In a show of solidarity and unity between Israel and the Jewish people, a group of 10 Israeli soldiers will join Team Lifeline at the upcoming Miami Marathon on Jan. 28. They will raise funds for Chai Lifeline, the children’s charity that benefits families coping with serious illness and trauma.

French-born Israeli Natan Levy stars in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). He has also been training participants in the Israeli American Council's (IAC) Teen Ambassador program. He is now showing Brooklyn Jews how to combat racist attacks.