Israel’s wheelchair dance champion
Major feature article about Israel’s Tomer Margalit (see previously) who didn’t let paralysis prevent her from becoming a world class dancer.
See the colors of Jerusalem.
February in Jerusalem is full of color. A new lion, the Botanical Gardens, purple irises, white roses, lemon trees, Jerusalem Theater art, and (of course) yellow ribbons.
Top 100 wine
The US publication Wine Spectator selected White Label Judean Hills 2021 from Israeli winery Flam for its Top 100 Wines of 2024 list. “full-throttled core of red currant, blackberry, dried flower and dusty earth flavors…shows a spine of graphite that brings focus and drive to the round, lush palate…” and more!
Persian leopards return to Israel
El Al has flown two young rare Persian leopards to their new home at the Biblical Zoo in Jerusalem from the Dvůr Králové Zoo in the Czech Republic where they were born. There are fewer than 1,000 Persian leopards in the world – the last one in the Upper Galilee was seen in 1960.
An innovative zoo
In Beersheba’s new Midbarium experiential animal park (aka “zoo”), 15 interactive experiences enable visitors to “walk in the shoes” of the animals to understand how they survive and thrive in their habitats. E.g., to fly like a bird, lurk like a crocodile, or navigate in the dark like a bat.
Israeli hockey to debut in USA
The Jerusalem Capitals and HC Tel Aviv, two leading clubs from the Israel Elite Hockey League (IEHL), will face off at New York’s UBS Arena on 23 Mar. It marks the first time Israeli professional hockey teams will compete on North American ice.
A warm week in Jerusalem
Quite a few events to interest Jerusalemites this week including the early flowering of the capital’s almond trees, US President Trump’s inauguration, and Walter Bingham’s 101st birthday. Ad 120, Walter.
From survivor to Eurovision star
Yuval Raphael, is Israel’s representative for the Eurovision Song Contest in 2025. Raphael, 24, won the "Rising Star" competition on Jan 22, singing ABBA’a Dancing Queen. She survived the Oct 7 2023 Nova music festival when Hamas terrorists murdered 1,200 people.
Houston marathon winner
Haimro Alame (34) won the Chevron Marathon in downtown Houston in 2:08:17 - the first Israeli victory in the Houston Marathon’s history. He celebrated by waving Israel’s flag, saying, “the win is not for me but for my country”. Alame immigrated to Israel from Ethiopia with his parents 20 years ago.
Israel is blooming
Israel is basking in the warmest winter for many years. In the sunshine the first almond tree of the season has bloomed in the KKL-JNF’s Mevo Hamma Forest in the Golan Heights, at least three weeks before the traditional start of Spring on Tu Bishvat. (New Year for Trees).