Israel Active

Israel’s Ministry of Interior has confirmed that Rose Fostanes, winner of Israel’s X-Factor, has been given granted a full work permit for artists that will enable her to sing for her livelihood. Rose was previously only allowed to work as a Filipino caregiver but now can pursue her singing career in Israel.

(Thanks to Janglo) For those seeking off-the-beaten-track tours of the Jewish State, have a look at

Just several days after secretly remarrying her ex-husband Rick Salomon, Hollywood star Pamela Anderson chose to celebrate her honeymoon in Israel.

Rose Fostanes, a 47-year-old Filipina caregiver who arrived in Israel six years ago, became the first winner of the Israeli version of popular singing competition X-Factor. Now recognized on every street corner and cafe, Fostanes has become a household name in Israel.

Rock legend Neil Young (of Crosby Stills Nash and Young fame) is booked to perform at Tel Aviv's Yarkon Park on July 17. His most successful album “Harvest” includes his classic “Heart of Gold” (Lev shel Zahav in Hebrew).

Visitors to the Israel Art Museum in Jerusalem during June will notice a huge construction made of bamboo. The Big Bambu art installation is a traveling art exhibit from New York, made from thousands of bamboo poles. It has taken six months to construct and the public is invited to climb on it and inside it.

When opened in 1993, Tel Aviv’s Central Bus Station at 230,000 sq meters was the largest bus station in the world. A sold-out Tel Aviv Arts Council tour explores the urban maze, with its unique architecture including even an underground bat cave. Rehabilitation plans include art galleries and theatres.

This time it’s true. The Rolling Stones may be coming to Tel Aviv in June. Last year’s Purim spoof by “The Jewish Press” really upset the Boycott Israel movement. Can you imagine them now!

The Kinetis nonprofit educational organization hosted five international art bloggers with millions of avid readers, to help get the message out that Israel is made up of multiple layers that the world doesn’t always know about. The bloggers visited the country’s museums and met its top artists.