Israel Active

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.

The first ever Tel Aviv Blues Festival from July 3-6 takes place in 20 different venues and features 40 concerts.

Thirty boats competed in the third annual Dragon Boat Israel Festival on the Kinneret (Sea of Galilee). The joint Israeli-Canadian project raised thousands of dollars for research into diseases by the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. The Chinese Ambassador to Israel, Zhan Yongxin, opened the event.

Just a few miles up the road from Netanya is the Alexander River. It’s a great spot to watch the sea turtles from, and maybe an occasional mongoose.

The American group One Republic made their first-ever visit to Israel, appearing at Yarkon Park in Tel Aviv in front of 20,000 fans as part of their “Native” world tour.

This year’s Dragon Boat Israel Festival on the Kinneret (Sea of Galilee) is raising funds for medical research by the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Also on sale are paddles decorated by famous Israeli artists and students at the Hadassah School for Hospitalized Children.

A group of ultra-orthodox boys have exposed a 1400-year-old wine press in the woods near Jerusalem. The press measures 5m by 5m and is carved into the rock.

This video follows last week’s article about using smartphones to capture pictures of your plate of food. It’s becoming a whole new form of entertainment.

Tel Aviv’s unique “Open Restaurants” event is now in its second year. It’s an opportunity for chefs, journalists and just foodies to enjoy behind the scenes tours of over 70 restaurants, meeting Tel Aviv’s most intriguing chefs and taste their finest dishes.

Over 5,000 fans were wooed and soothed by renowned Dionne Warwick’s singular performance at the Menorah Mivtachim Arena in Tel Aviv on 19th May, which left the audience with goose bumps. And she did “Say a little prayer for you”.