Israel Active

Detailed report about the re-opening of the Hula Valley nature reserve (see previously).

Israeli NBA basketball player Deni Avdija (24) is experiencing a career surge in the Pacific Northwest after being traded to the Portland Trail Blazers. He was a finalist for December Player of the Month in the Western Conference, averaging 16.8 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game.

(TY ) Israel’s Yaniv Bazini scored 14 goals for the University of Vermont’s Division I soccer team this season, making him one of the top scorers in the entire country and propelling Vermont to its first championship. He clutched an Israeli flag as he lifted up the trophy.

Israel’s Benetivei Udi non-profit and Curio Auctions have been auctioning artifacts belonging to David Ben Gurion – Israel’s first Prime Minister. Proceeds will help build Beit Udi a center for the Nitzanim program - providing tech training for thousands of youths from the Negev and Galilee.

Last week’s newsletter featured Moriel Indek who had a tumor removed from her brain while she was pregnant (see previously). Israeli actress Gal Gadot has just revealed that she had brain surgery to remove a blood clot in February when she was eight months pregnant with her fourth daughter.

David Fattal, founder and CEO of the Fattal Group, is the first Israeli to win a Grand Prix award in the European Hotelier of the Year category at the 2024 Hospitality Awards in Paris. Fattal owns the Fattal and Leonardo hotel chains. The French Minister of Tourism presented the award.

Chanukah lights brightened Jerusalem streets, to end 2024.

A tablet purporting to date from 300 - 800 CE and containing the Samaritan version of the biblical Ten Commandments, sold for $5.04 million at a Sotheby's auction. The buyer is anonymous and the tablet will be housed in an Israeli museum.

An exhibition in Miami titled HOME | LAND features works from 40-plus classic and contemporary Israeli artists. 120+ pieces in a mix of media, including paintings, sculptures, prints, textiles, digital art and photography provide a multifaceted view of the landscape of the Jewish state.

The world's largest light sculpture exhibition is in Israel for the first time. An event of lights, nature and culinary delights at the Jerusalem Botanical Garden. The world's largest light sculptures, up to 5 meters, illuminated by nearly a million colored LED lights. Special events till Jan 2nd. Exhibits till Feb 1st.