Israel Active

Tel Aviv’s Eretz Israel Museum is displaying the works of 62 Israeli glass artists.  They range from tiny and intimate objects to large sculptures, from wall hangings to floor and ceiling works, and from room-size installations to conceptual works.

The 3-day Tel Aviv Chocolate Festival featured chocolate shwarmas and kebabs, to chocolate jewelry, sculptures, chocolate sushi-making and even a chocolate spa. 20,000 attended.

Chana Bracha Siegelbaum’s book “The Seven Fruits of the Land of Israel” has just received two prestigious Gourmand Awards for 2015.  Chana delves into the mystical and medicinal properties of Israel’s seven Biblical food crops, while also offering pages of wholesome recipes.

(Thanks to Janglo) The new TV series, Hakol Haba (The Next Voice) is a religious version of “The Voice” or “A Star is Born” (Kohav Nolad).

(Thanks to SDM - Size Doesn’t Matter) Tel Aviv was chosen by National Geographic as one of the top ten-oceanfront cities in the world.  It highlights plenty of room for beach bathing in this modern Israeli city and the vibrant gallery, café, and restaurant scene at the historic port of Jaffa.

Israeli friends Josh Sharon, Solomon Taraboulsi and Gabriel Israel have launched The Shuka Truck, serving shakshuka, the spicy Middle Eastern egg-and-tomatoes dish, on the streets of Manhattan.  It contains free-range organic eggs, Israeli spices and is certified Kosher.

(Thanks to Jacob Richman) Israeli stamps issued in Feb include the Philippine rescue of Jews from the Shoah, Ariel Sharon, Chess and Winter flowers.

The Israeli Opera announced its fifth Masada Opera Festival in June, featuring “Tosca” by Giacomo Puccini and “Carmina Burana” by Carl Orff, to be performed at the base of the historic mountain.

Jerusalem’s Bible Lands Museum is exhibiting a never-before showcased collection of one hundred 2500-year-old clay tablets, detailing the life of Jews exiled from Judea by the Babylonians under King Nebuchadnezzar in 586 BCE.  The Al-Yahudu tablets even contain the family name Natanyahu.

The fourth annual Jerusalem Kosher Wine Festival takes place on 11-12 Feb.  More than 40 wineries will be exhibiting their products at the International Convention Center.  In addition, some of Israel’s top chefs will be giving sessions on cooking with kosher wine.