Israel Active

The streets of Jerusalem are quiet in the warm winter sunshine. But building continues and the holy city echoes with prayers and hope for the return of more hostages.

400+ bereaved Israeli youth had a Chanukah surprise when Fauda star and singer/songwriter Idan Amedi arrived by helicopter for a private performance at their Kibbutz Revivim winter camp. The kids also went “sandboarding”, rappelling, and had therapeutic sessions.

Due to a “navigation” error, three Israeli snowboarders were trapped at the summit of a freezing mountain in Japan for nearly 24 hours. The men, who are all IDF reservists, couldn’t be rescued immediately because of weather conditions. So they built an igloo and huddled together to stay warm.

Maccabi Israel Sports Experience has brought a team of half a dozen young talented internation basketball players to live, train and play at Maccabi World Union’s campus in Ramat Gan,  Israel. Several have long-term dreams of playing in Israel professionally.

Travel + Leisure Readers’ 10 Favorite Cities in Africa and the Middle East of 2024 included Jerusalem at number 3 and Tel Aviv at number 8.

The Desert Sculpture Park lies just east of Mitzpeh Ramon on the edge of the Ramon Crater. The 22 works were created by local and international artists who used the large, heavy rocks found locally to excite the senses.  It was established in 1962, renovated in 1986, and made accessible in 2021.

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.