Israel Active

A selection of 25 paintings from Salvador Dalí’s little-known “Aliyah” series has gone on private display in New York.  The biblical and Zionist-themed paintings were commissioned in 1967 for the 20th anniversary of the state of Israel.

I reported previously about “Open a Door to Israel” - the nine giant screens, shaped as doors, which visitors open to learn about Israel’s heritage, music scene, family life, education and innovation.  Here is a new video about the exhibition, which is now in Paris.

Open House Tel Aviv (May 26-28) will open up to the public 140 of its most architecturally and historically notable private buildings.

Oscar-winning actress Dame Helen Mirren is to host Israel’s Genesis Prize ceremony on 23rd June in Jerusalem.  Dame Helen said "My connection to Israel and the Jewish people has truly been a part of making me what I am today, and I am very excited to be returning to this great country.”

Israeli fashion designer, Inbal Dror, is designing a line of dresses for Beyonce's much-anticipated world tour "Formation."  The award-winning singer fell in love with the dress Dror designed her for the Grammys earlier this year.

Israel's 24-year-old Laetitia Neck, the first golfer from Israel to qualify for the LPGA Tour, surged into a two-shot lead in the opening round of the Yokohama Tire LPGA Classic in Prattville, Alabama.  She ended the tournament at eight-under-par and tied for 15th place, winning $17,659.

Israeli judoka Gili Cohen won the gold medal in the up to 52kg category at the Grand Slam Baku tournament in Azerbaijan. She defeated Italian rival Odette Giuffrida, winning the highest honor of her career so far and significantly increasing her chances of competing in the Rio Olympics.

18-year-old Israeli skater Daniel Samohin wowed judges and the audience alike at the 2016 World Junior Figure Skating Championships in Debrecen, Hungary when he pulled off three quads to vault himself from ninth place to the gold medal – Israel’s first ever ISU title.

Hundreds of thousands of Israelis flocked to Israel's parks and beaches on the last full day of Chol HaMoed Pesach (the Intermediate Days of Passover).  Most popular were Caesarea, Eshkol National Park, Ein Gedi, Einot Tzukim, Ashkelon National Park, Beit Guvrin, and Me'erat HaNetifim.

KunstenIsrael (Dutch for “Art and Israel”) is an independent foundation that encourages Dutch culture venues to show the work of Israeli artists.  The organization brings museum directors, curators, presenters and journalists to Israel to get a first-hand taste of the cultural scene.