Israel Active

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.

For the first time, Israel will be represented at the UK’s leading music festival. Acollective is a seven-piece band performing punk, folk and electronic jazz. Saz (Sameh Zakout) raps in Arabic, Hebrew and English. Soul singer Ester Rada has been compared to Lauryn Hill and Eryka Badu.

(Thanks to Ted Belman) The Israeli Chess Championships 2013 for men and women are taking place in April in Acre. Of the 32 registered players for the men’s event, no less than 16 are Grandmasters.

It sure does – and the composer of that song, Burt Bacharach, is coming to Israel to perform some of his 70 top 40 hits. There will be some “Magic Moments” at the Zappa Shuni Amphitheater in Binyamina on July 2nd. “Say a little prayer” if you get tickets, but don’t “Walk on by”.

Sonic Vision is an amazing light show, transferring visitors from Tel Aviv into a 360-degree party, through sound, light, and music. It takes place at the Planetarium at the Eretz Israel Museum in Tel Aviv until April 27. The show lasts around forty minutes.

Here it is – the Fountainheads new video and song for Israel’s 65th birthday.

Ben-Zion David, a traditional Jewish silversmith of Yemenite descent, is one of Israel's best-known filigree jewelers. David learned this intricate craft from his father and grandfather and displays his work in his museum in Old Jaffa.