Israel Active

A breathtaking stalactite cave has been discovered during construction work in the Jerusalem Hills.  Initial measurements indicated that the cavern is 200 meters (660 feet) long and its large rooms feature different types of stalactites.

Israel’s Baruch Shmailov won the gold medal in the under 66kg category at the under-21 European Judo Championship in Bucharest, Romania, beating Armenian Arsen Ghazaryan in the final. In the under 74 kg category, Israeli Tohar Butbul won the bronze medal. =

Israel’s Ma’ayan Davidovich claimed her second straight bronze medal at the ISAF Sailing World Championships’ windsurfing RS:X competition in Santander, Spain.  She secured a place for either herself or her Israeli rival Lee Korzits at the Rio Olympics in Brazil in 2016.

Violinist and conductor Maxim Vengerov is starring in the Vengerov Festival at the Tel Aviv Opera House.  Vengerov studied at the Jerusalem Academy of Music and now lives in St Petersburg.  Israel, however, “is in my genes,” said Vengerov. “My heart and soul belong to Israel.”

Another one of those “Only in Israel” events.  Lady Gaga put on a show at Tel Aviv’s Yarkon Park in front of 23,000 fans.  In between her most famous hits, she performed “I can’t give you anything but love” with Tony Bennett – who had his own concert in Tel Aviv the next day.

The Utopia International Science Fiction Festival is set to infuse Tel Aviv with a variety of science, imagination and future vision events, conferences, micro-talk sessions, exhibits and performances.  In Israel, though, it seems that the impossible is only just ahead of reality.

(Thanks to 12TribeFilms) The Maccabeats latest catchy song (with over 120,000 hits) has an important theme.  The visuals switch continually between scenes of Manhattan and Jerusalem.

Legendary American rock and pop band The Beach Boys will perform at Tel Aviv's Nokia Arena on November 29.  (Video below is from 1976.)

(Thanks to Israel21c) Israeli artist Hanoch Piven’s inability to draw forced him use everyday objects, including food, to make his pictures.  He now illustrates top magazines; produces children’s books, mobile apps and tours Israel and the USA inspiring young students to be creative.  

Those who have enjoyed listening to vocal harmony group Manhattan Transfer over the years may be surprised to discover that its musical director and pianist since 1979 is Tel Aviv-born and bred Yaron Gershovsky.  Manhattan Transfer is performing at Tel Aviv port.