Israel Active

Summer heat and humidity means that most public events in Jerusalem are held after dark. They include Sidra Tarbut’s cultural events; Selihot services, Mystorin Theatre Group’s RAAMSKATE, Theater in Motion, Street Orchestra, Israeli dancing, and Night at the Tower of David.

Israeli windsurfer Shahar Tibi won gold in the women’s iQFoil category at the Allianz Sailing World Championships in The Netherlands. It was Israel’s first world title at the sailing contest in a decade. Israel’s Katy Spychakov won the silver medal, with two other Israelis in the top 10.

Israeli judokas won gold, silver & bronze medals at the Hungarian Masters 2023 championship in Budapest. Inbar Lanir won a gold medal in the women’s up to 78-kilo category. Peter Paltchik won the silver in the men’s up to 100kg and Kerem Primo won the bronze in the women’s up to 52kg.  

Israel’s Under-20 national basketball team took the silver medal in the finals of the European Championship in Greece. The team lost to France 89-79 in overtime, having beaten Germany in the quarterfinals and overwhelmed Belgium 67-46 in the semifinals.

The Israeli Athletics Association hosted the 2023 European Athletics Under-20 Championships at Jerusalem’s Givat Ram Stadium. Although Israel didn’t win any medals, the prestigious event attracted almost 2,000 athletes and officials from 48 countries.

Four-time Tour de France champion, Chris Froome completed a two-day “eye-opening” cycling adventure on the Israel National Trail. Froome was amazed at “how diverse the country is in nature, in culture, it’s really just been such an energizing experience.”

The Waterland park in Eilat has opened its doors to the public after four years of construction and costing 110 million shekels. The 5-acre site has some of the world’s most innovative water attractions including the highest water tower in the Middle East at 24 meters.

“Omelette Bread in Netanya,” the song in an ad for a shop of the same name in the coastal city, has gone viral in Israel, racking up millions of views on TikTok and spawning hundreds of spin-offs, parodies, and restaurant review videos. It is being played at parties and weddings.

Israel’s new 30-room Slowness Hotel on a kibbutz in the Galilee is built around wellness and relaxation, with unique touches like no TVs or reception desk. It is modelled on the Beit Havra’a (Wellness House) which up to the 1980s gave Histadrut labor union members a free annual vacation and a place to relax.

Superstar Christina Aguilera wowed 14,000 fans in Rishon Lezion with a powerhouse performance, in her first visit to Israel. “My heart is so full seeing all of you and getting to see your beautiful country,” she said.  Highlights were her duet with local star Eden Ben Zaken and her hit “Beautiful”.