Israel Active

Ben Lang’s initiative of a day to celebrate the Middle East delicacy falafel began in 2011. Now for the first time, International Falafel Day has spread from Israel to the Arab world.

Since the success of “Hatufim”, American studios or other international channels have acquired virtually every Israeli series (game-show, reality series, drama or comedy). Now a new spy thriller “Kfulim” (False Flag) has won the Public Prize at the French International TV Festival Series Mania.

The Jerusalem Film Fund announced that several long-term animation projects, including a new Walt Disney Studios television series, will be based in Jerusalem, starting immediately. Disney Studios will be working with Israel’s animation company, Snowball Studios.

Israel’s Asaf Goren used Jewish props in his audition for “So you think you can dance” in Los Angeles. All three judges and the audience were most impressed with his “Hebrew Breaking”, with Madonna’s “Isaac” playing in the background. Asaf went straight into the next round.

Bon Jovi, one of the most successful bands to ever emerge from the US, is to perform in Tel Aviv’s Yarkon Park, on October 3. It will be Bon Jovi’s first performance in the Jewish State.

Legendary singer Art Garfunkel made a unique addition to Simon & Garfunkel’s “Bridge over Troubled Water” as he woo’d the Bloomfield Stadium audience with his ephemeral voice. When he put on a kippa to bless the event, it was as if “Heaven holds a place”.

British crooner Engelbert Humperdinck performed another sell-out concert in Tel Aviv. He sang all the old favorites, from “Love Story” to “The Last Waltz”.

Some memorable moments from Jacob Richman’s visit to see Jerusalem’s Festival of light.

Idan Raviv, 24, of Holon, finished first in a 2015 World Series of Poker tournament at the Rio casino in Las Vegas. Raviv, an IT professional, defeated a field of 1,650 to take the $457,007 top prize in the $1,500 buy-in event.

The hectic May itinerary for Israel’s mandolin virtuoso Avi Avital included concerts in California, several German cities, Tel Aviv, Haifa, Salisbury (UK) and Lancut (Poland). In 2010 he was the first-ever solo mandolin player to be nominated for a Grammy award.