Israel Active

(Thanks to Israel21c) Summer has officially ended, as tens of thousands of cranes fly in to Israel’s Hula valley on their way to their winter retreat in Africa.  They are just part of the 500 million birds from 200 species that will touch down for some Israeli hospitality during their migration from Europe.

This is a film that I would really like to see - the latest documentary by Gloria Greenfield and her company, Doc Emet. The film will have its premiere later this month in numerous American and Canadian cities, as well as in Jerusalem.

Hadera’s 26-member “Colors of Dance” troupe won first prize at the Ninth Mediterranean Folklore Festival in Larnaca, Cyprus.  12 countries competed in the five-day festival, including Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Egypt and Georgia.

Israel hosted on Monday what organizers say is the largest vegan festival in the world. Ramat Gan’s Vegan Fest 2014 featured workshops, lectures, panels, concerts, some 15,000 visitors and (of course) meat and dairy-free food.  Israel also has the largest proportion of vegans in the world.

(Thanks to Israel21c) This year’s International Hot Air Balloon Festival began near Mount Gilboa in the Galilee and finished at Park Eshkol in the Negev, watched by over 10,000 spectators. 16 balloons traversed the country, including from the US, Austria, Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands.

(Thanks to Hazel and Israel21c) Drinks International magazine listed Tel Aviv’s Imperial Craft Cocktail Bar as the best bar in Africa and the Middle East.  Outside of Israel, however, the choice must have been somewhat limited!

Tourists to the Jewish State during the festival of Tabernacles included a school of 10 dolphins that entertained the survey team from the Israel Marine Mammal Research & Assistance Center.

Netanya hosted the 9th International Guitar festival, featuring concerts, master classes, competitions, flamenco dancers and even a guitar tour of Netanya.   

Six Israelis have entered the Guinness Book of Records with the open water relay record by swimming the 236 miles (380km) from Cyprus to Tel Aviv.  Last year’s attempt had failed – but Israelis never give up! They also raised awareness for protecting the environment of the Mediterranean.

Ferraris, Audis and Porsche racecars roared up to 240km per hour around the walls of the Old City as part of the second annual Jerusalem Formula road show.  The event drew hundreds of thousands of onlookers along the route from the First Station to the Karta parking lot near Mamilla.