Israel Active

Israel’s capital hosts several end of summer festivals. They include Hutzot Hayotzer Arts and Crafts (Mitchell Park), kosher food stalls (Old City walls); concerts (Sultan Pool) Cocktail festival (First Station); and Shakespeare (Bloomfield Garden).

Israel’s Asaf Yasur (see previously) beat Turkey’s Ali Can Ozcan 18-12, to win the gold medal in the men’s taekwondo under-58kg class at the Paris 2024 Paralympics.

Netanya’s Polina Grossman (age 25) won the gold medal in the under 70kg women’s kickboxing World Cup in Budapest Hungary.

186,000+ of the readers of prestigious American tourism magazine "Travel + Leisure" voted Jerusalem 3rd of the top ten cities in the Middle East and Africa. Tel Aviv was 8th. The cities were selected on the basis of sites, culture, food, friendliness, shopping and value for money.

30 Israeli artists worked with artists from Europe and the Americas to bring the Balloon Story to the NYC Park Ave Armory (2 Jul - 25 Aug). Visitors were taken on an interactive, “It’s a Small World”-style tour through various “lands” made entirely of a total of 700,000 inflated balloons.

A 20-foot whale shark was sighted and photographed gliding through the waters of Eilat's coral reserve. The world’s largest fish is an endangered and protected species, harmless to humans, so it was heartening to see it accompanied by baby whale sharks. (Article includes video of the sharks.)

Former NBA star and sports analyst Shaquille O’Neal sent a message to dozens of Oct 7 survivors and bereaved relatives of victims who were on a One Family therapeutic vacation at Canada’s Camp Timberlane. O’Neal’s message was sprinkled with Hebrew, offering his “love” and support.

Moshe Tarka was 3 years old when his family was brought to Israel via Sudan in Operation Moses. He has now opened an art gallery at Shabazi 58 in Tel Aviv. His abstract art sells for thousands of dollars to collectors in Israel and abroad and have been exhibited in major Israeli museums.

Israelis won a record seven Olympic medals. They were Tom Reuveny (windsurfing gold), Sharon Kantor (windsurfing silver), Raz Herhsko (Judo silver), Artem Dolgopyat (gymnastics), Inbar Lanir (silver judo); Peter Paltchik (bronze judo), Rhythmic gymnastics team (silver).

For the first time since 1976, the Israel Under-23 Olympic Soccer Team competed at the Paris Olympic Games, marking a historic return. The team featured a dynamic mix of young talent and experienced players, including some of Israel’s top football stars.