Israel Active

British (Welsh) singer Tom Jones played to full houses at Nokia Arena in his two concerts in Tel Aviv. He even sang “My Yiddishe Momme” in his second concert.

American singer and dancer and TV personality Paula Abdul met Israeli President Shimon Peres on her first ever visit to Israel. “I'm so overwhelmed with gratitude to be here,” Paula said. “I know already when I have to leave I won’t want to.”

Singer-songwriter Lou Reed who died on Oct 27, last came to Israel in 2008, as a “guest artist” at his wife Laurie Anderson’s concert. A new genus of velvet spider found underground in Israel’s Negev desert last year was named Loureedia annulipes after the former Velvet Underground leader.

For the 9th year in a row, the Red Sea competition took place in Eilat. Integrating elements from photography, high-tech, tourism and diving industries, the event is one of the world’s leading underwater photography competitions.

Pop sensation Rihanna took the stage Tuesday night in Park Hayarkon, Tel Aviv in front of over 50,000 fans. The show was part of her “Diamond Tour” - she previously performed in Tel Aviv in 2010 and refused to be intimidated by a BDS campaign that tried to persuade her to cancel her concert.

For brothers Arie and Gil Gat, there’s no contradiction between being devout Jews and covering rock hits on Israel’s ‘Rising Star’ TV show.

Israeli windsurfer Shahar Zubari cruised to a gold medal in men’s RS:X at the Sailing World Cup in Qingdao, China. Israel’s Maayan Davidovich won bronze in the RS:X women’s division.

Israeli swimmer Amit Ivri finished second in the women's 100-meter individual medley at the FINA World Cup in Doha, Qatar. However, whereas all competitors had the flag of their country next to their names on TV, Ivri's was left white (blank) instead of the Israeli flag.

Israeli swimmer Amit Ivri broke her own record - and Israel's record – in her 200-meter individual medley heat at the FINA Swimming World Cup, being held in Dubai.

If you haven’t read the book “The Prime Ministers” by Yehuda Avner don’t worry – the film version opened in New York on Oct 18. I really enjoyed reading Ambassador Avner’s memoirs of Levi Eshkol, Golda Meir, Yitzhak Rabin and Menachem Begin. I can’t wait to see it in Israel.