Israel Active

The bright red calaniot (anemones) that cover the country's southern fields each spring have now become Israel's national flower. In an online election campaign held by the Society for the Protection of Nature (SPNI) and Ynet, the anemone attracted 28 per cent of the vote.

(Thanks to Jacob Richman) In 1913 French aviator Jules Vedrines landed his Bleriot XI in the pre-State Land of Israel, near the beach in Tel Aviv. New Israeli stamps celebrate this event, plus two of the Israeli aircraft developed since, the Zukit and the Heron I UAV.

British new wave and punk legend Gary Numan will arrive in Israel this winter to perform at Tel Aviv's Barby Club on February 10. Numan's first song as an solo artist, “Cars” was released in 1979 and made it to the top of the charts. Over the next decades he released more than 20 albums

Arik Einstein, who died last week, was Israel’s most popular singer and songwriter. We learnt his iconic song “Ani v’Ata” (Me and You) at ulpan (Hebrew language school).

The NIS 2 Silver Proof commemorative coin in the UNESCO “World Heritage Sites” series issued by the Bank of Israel and dedicated to the water supply system at Tel Megiddo has won a prize at the tenth annual Vicenza Numismatica International Competition held in the city of Vicenza, Italy. It was chosen as the “Most Beautiful Architectural Representation on a Coin Minted in 2012”.

Another unique performance from Rabbis Arie and Gil Gat.

Please take a look at the redeveloped Independence Square in my hometown of Netanya. (Turn down the speakers if the music isn’t as attractive as the visuals.)

Cyndi Lauper, one of the most successful American singers of the 1980s, is staging a concert on January 4 at Tel Aviv’s Nokia Arena. It is part of the “She's So Unusual” tour, marking the 30th anniversary of her album that included "Time After Time" and "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun,".

Israel’s Keshet Broadcasting is producing an action-adventure drama series called “Dig” for the NBC cable network that is set entirely in Jerusalem. Gideon Raff (of Hatufim / Homeland fame) is one of the co-writers.

million in Poker World Series. Israel-born Amir Lehavot finished in third place in the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas, taking home about $3.7 million. Lehavot moved to the United States from Israel at age 16 but plays under the Israeli flag. 6,352 competitors each bought in for $10,000.