Israel Active

Tel Aviv celebrated exactly ten years since UNESCO proclaimed the historic zone of Tel Aviv as a World Cultural Heritage site. The White City, so named for the buildings’ white walls, is the world’s largest grouping of buildings in the International Style, also known as Bauhaus.

(Thanks to 12Tribe Films) It was news to me that the Bee Gees produced a song about the Jewish State in 1971. The accompanying photos are interesting, but can you spot the odd-ones-out?

Latest visitors to Israel included a group of American actors, who included Guillermo Diaz, Bellamy Young and Katie Lowes from TV’s presidential drama, “Scandal”. Another was Lana Parilla, who stars as the evil Queen/Regina Mills in the adventure fantasy television series, “Once Upon A Time.”

Jerusalem soccer club Hapoel Katamon has gained promotion to the National Soccer League – Israel’s second division. Katamon was established six years ago to provide Jerusalem’s soccer-loving public, with a team built on fan-power, anti-racism and community outreach.

(Thanks to SDM.) The Israeli team gained promotion to IIHF League Division IIA at the 2013 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championships in Turkey. The blue and whites won four of their five league games to finish top of Division II Group B, ahead of New Zealand, Mexico, China and Turkey.

Madatech in Haifa has some great events for Lag B’Omer. Learn all about fire and burning. Also watch some fiery objects at the new space exhibition – “Beyond Planet Earth”

Alex Shatilov became one of the greatest Israeli athletes of all time when he won the gold medal in the floor exercise final at the European Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Moscow. Alex previously won silver in 2011 and bronze in 2009 and 2012. He also won bronze at the World Championships in 2009 and 2011.

Despite competing with an injury, Tommy Arshansky won the bronze medal in the under-60 kilogram category at the European Championships in Budapest, giving the Israeli delegation its first medal of the contest on opening day.

Israeli artist Nitzan Mintz writes her poems on the streets of Tel Aviv, using disregarded materials from dumpsters and public spaces. “I use only recycled materials in my art. I use birdcages, pieces of wood, anything. It’s like a gift from God. I need art materials and I find them,” she said.

Israel Festival Jerusalem from May 25 to June 22 focuses on contemporary theater, music and dance. But there is plenty to attract traditionalists. Plus hotel discounts.